Here are a couple of important things to know:
Before the shoot:
Fill out the contact form with as much information as you can. Please include your wishes and preferences. I will work to capture the moments that mean the most to you. Please note all individuals that MUST be shot with new baby during the shoot. This may include siblings, grandparents, etc. Mother, partner, and newborn baby are accounted for.
Fill in and send back BOTH pages of the contracts. Only by signing the contracts do we LOCK IN your due date. Because there is so little leeway in getting these sessions completed after the birth, I take a limited number of them each month and am generally unable to take them if I am contacted after the baby is born. There just isn’t enough time. So book well before your due date so that I am ready!
If you are interested, I am happy to meet at a location to exchange the documents and any down payments and speak regarding your wishes. This is not necessary, but highly recommended. The more I know about you, the more I can prepare for your individual session.
Please see the links below of the contracts and return them my mail or email.
Agreement Page 1 Agreement Page 2
Once the baby arrives:
Once the birth process has begun, you send me a text or call as soon as you are able (after getting settled in your room) and, depending on what time of day it is, I will make arrangements to come during visiting hours either the next day or the day after. (E.g. if you have your baby at 10 p.m. I’m not going to bust up in your room at 7 a.m. the next day expecting you to be ready to have your picture taken!) We will work with what makes you comfortable. I am happy to speak to either partner to arrange my arrival.
Siblings and grandparents are welcome and encouraged to participate! What usually works best is for siblings to come about 30 minutes into the session. That way we can get shots of them meeting their new baby brother or sister for the first time (or the second … shhhhh…nobody has to know it’s not really the first time!). Sessions can last as long as needed to make sure each picture you’d like is accounted for. I am happy to shoot any visitors, but cannot be held accountable for missing a family member due to their own lateness.
During the session:
It will be complete and controlled chaos. I would say just kidding, but it may be true. Nurses will be in and out, family may be coming and going, baby may be in and out, along with just general care. Sessions usually take between 1-3 hours. I budget this time to ensure the proper amount of respect for mom (who will be sore and may need rest), feedings, and to account for all family. Your session may take less time.
It is incredibly important that you are as descriptive as possible on the questions above. This will allow me to plan and account for all the shots that we need to get. As a wife and mother myself, I will use the utmost discretion while I am there, even stepping out to insure mom’s comfort during private moments. I will follow your direction at all times.
After our session is over:
You will get a DVD with two sets of images, the full set of full resolution images (minimum of 30) and a full set of web-sized copyrighted edits. Along with this, you will receive a waiver to print every photo. I will take notes of baby’s stats and add them to a few of the images. Prior to the hospital, I will make notes of your editing preferences and try to follow trends you like. If you have specific pictures you would like to try to attain, we can shoot for those as well, although remember some of the sweetest moments cannot be staged or planned. After they have been edited (average of 2-3 weeks) I will mail the images to you, or meet you to drop them off.
I am happy to answer any more questions as this process continues. I will be in contact with you, or feel free to email, text, or call me as well! I am looking forward to our session together and ultimately your new arrival!
Simply Serena Photography 