YOUR BABY'S STORY HAS ALREADY BEGUN...
Hello there!
Thank you for visiting this blog post, detailing what to expect at your studio Newborn Session with Starspeckled Hearts Photography in Aldershot, Hampshire.
Whether you've already booked and have an upcoming studio Newborn Session booked with me or if you're still thinking about booking and would just like to have more of an idea of what to expect on the day, please have a read through this post.
I hope you'll find it helpful!
Yasmin x
FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND
What is your background?
I am a trained Newborn & Baby photographer with safety being my main priority at all times. My expertise and years of experience in handling and photographing newborns will give you peace of mind that your newborn is being carefully handled at all times and is in the very best of hands.
How do you clean the studio/what are your COVID-19 policies? Studio cleanliness is of the utmost importance as I am dealing with babies only days old, so you can rest assured that the studio is meticulously cleaned after every session and that props and outfits will be washed and steamed after every use. Prior to entering my studio, shoes must be removed and left outside the door. Hands must be sanitised using antibacterial gel. If you, or anyone in your household are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please get in touch to reschedule your session for a later date. Are you up to date on your vaccines? I am up to date on all vaccines, including the whooping cough vaccine.
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
Where do sessions take place?
All sessions take place in my cosy garden studio, located in Aldershot, Hampshire. The studio is kept at a nice and warm temperature - for newborn sessions I make sure the temperature is extra warm, at around 26C.
When is best time to book a Newborn Session? The best time to get in touch is around the time of your 20 week scan. That way, I can ensure you a space in my diary for when your little one has made their appearance. I tend to book up a few months in advance and it always breaks my heart to turn clients away! However, I always aim to keep a handful of spaces open for last minute bookings, as a lot of my inquiries are from families with babies that have already arrived. Keeping in mind, I often don't have many last minute spaces available during the busier months, so please get in touch early to secure your space!
My baby is already here! Is it too late to book?
On occasion I will have last minute openings so please feel free to give me a call or send me over a message and I'll see if I can fit you in. I am happy to book in babies up to 8 weeks of age for my newborn shoots. I've booked my session with you. What happens now? I like to stay in touch with my newborn clients, to see how their pregnancy is progressing and just to hear how they're getting on! Please let me know if you have an induction or section date scheduled - but regardless of how baby enters the world, we still won't get a date set until your little one has arrived.
Ideally we will get you into the studio for your Newborn Session when baby is 1-3 weeks old, as long as there is no medical reason to delay the session. In the first few weeks your baby will be all curled up and very sleepy, which makes them easier to pose and photograph. However, I have photographed MANY "older" babies and have sometimes found them to be even better sleepers than the wee little ones! I happily take on babies up to 8 weeks for newborn sessions. So if you're still on the fence about booking your "older" baby in for a session, please get in touch to discuss your concerns and we can work out the best option for you and your family.
Do I have to bring any outfits for my newborn along to the session?
You won't have to worry about bringing anything along. I offer a beautiful selection of high-end bespoke props, headbands, bonnets and wraps. I only use the best quality fabrics and super soft knits as I know you will want nothing but the very best for your little love! Occasionally, clients will bring sentimental items and keepsakes to include in the session. I'm always more than happy to accommodate my clients ideas so if there is anything you would like to incorporate into the session, please feel free to bring it along! It makes for a more personalised experience and those photos always end up being client favourites.
What else do I need to bring to the session?
Your baby changing bag with everything you would normally bring for a day out - milk being the most important one! I have a baby changing mat in the studio with plenty of wipes and nappies.
For the adults, I'd recommend bringing snacks and bottled water - particularly to the newborn shoots as they can last up to 2 hours.
Can I request a colour scheme for the session?
Absolutely. Have you got a particular request in terms of colour scheme or overall style of the shoot? Vintage, lifestyle, floral, classic? If not, that's absolutely fine! Some of my clients have a clear vision of what they'd like to get out of their session, but others prefer to let me take the lead and set up something lovely for them on the day. Either way, please let me know prior to your session as I always set up the studio the night before. Click here to see some of my more recent work with newborns.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION
What happens on the day of our Newborn Session?
Upon arrival at the studio — you will receive a warm welcome and be invited to help yourselves to tea, coffee and snacks in my seating area. My studio has free WiFi and a few books and toys aimed at younger children to keep them entertained. Once you've all settled in, we will have a browse through my studio wardrobe together, to choose your favourite 2-3 outfits, headpieces and bonnets. I also have outfits available for children up to the age of 3, of which you will also have full access to during your session. How long will our Newborn Session take?
My Newborn Sessions are typically 2 hours long and in that time we can usually get through 5, sometimes 6 different setups.
How do I prepare my newborn for their session? A full baby is a happy baby! I recommend feeding baby before leaving home and then giving a small top-up at my studio to ensure baby is happy and content, and hopefully ready to take a nice, long nap! If not, that's absolutely fine - we will work with whatever mood baby is in. The session is designed for us to take plenty of breaks for feeding and cuddles throughout - I always take baby's lead, as the most important thing is that you and your baby are as relaxed and comfortable as possible.
What should my newborn wear upon arrival at the studio? A sleepsuit or something similar, preferably an outfit that is easy to take off and put on as baby will be naked or in a nappy for the majority of the shoot. Can parents and siblings get in front of the camera too? Of course! If you would like to include parents and siblings in the session, I suggest we start with the sibling portraits, followed by the family portraits. Once I'm happy with the variety of the shots, I recommend taking your older children out to the nearby park or out into my garden for the remainder of the session. Newborn sessions can take a while and it doesn't take long for little children to become restless and bored, which stresses the parents and in turn may end up stressing your newborn!
AFTER YOUR SESSION
When do I get to view the images from my session?
After your session, I will go through the images from your session and upload them to an online password protected gallery for you to view. These images will be available for you to view as unedited and watermarked images and will be available to view from the comfort of your own home.
This is when you can sit down and select your favourite images from your session. There is no time-limit and you can take as long as you need and choose as many images as you like. You will have 5 images included as part of your packages with additional images available to purchase at £10/image.
Your final selection of images are then carefully hand-edited and sent across to you via a digital download link. The editing process typically takes anywhere from 14-21 days.
Can I purchase additional images? If you receive your viewing gallery and decide you would like to purchase additional images, you can do so at £10/image.
ABOUT STARSPECKLED HEARTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Hello! My name is Yasmin and I am a specialist newborn, baby and toddler photographer based in Aldershot, Hampshire - servicing the greater Surrey and Hampshire area, including Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet, Camberley, Reading, Woking, Basingstoke and Bracknell.
I offer newborn photoshoots, milestone photoshoots, cake smash & splash photoshoots, maternity photoshoots along with seasonal mini shoots in my fully air-conditioned boutique photography studio in Aldershot, Hampshire. I've got a wide variety of unique props and beautiful, handmade outfits, of which you will have full access to during your session - each and every photoshoot is bespoke and tailored to your specific requirements.
If you would like to book your photoshoot with me, please get in touch via one of the links below. I would love to hear from you!
To submit an enquiry or to book your session, please send me a message through my contact form here or send over an email to starspeckledphotography@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.