Length of Session
Variable, depending on the type of image desired and the age of your child. For example, photographing a toddler at a park requires plenty of time for your child to play (while I take candid shots), interspersed with a few planned or posed photographs. Typically I allow three hours for newborns and one to two hours for other sessions. (Two one-hour sessions -- for the single session fee -- work well for seniors!) I also offer occasional mini-sessions of approximately 30 minutes.
Lighting
Natural outdoor lighting (especially in the morning or late afternoon/evening) creates amazing photos. I also provide backdrops and secondary lighting as needed.
Locations
I offer both studio sessions (mostly for newborns) and outdoor sessions. Mini-sessions are at predetermined locations; otherwise, I'll meet you at your favorite outdoor setting. In Salem, Deepwood and Pringle Park are lovely, and I've had wonderful experiences with toddlers in Bush Park's colorful playground. Dowtown Salem offers a wide variety of urban backgrounds from brick walls to stone bridges to alleyways with graffiti. I love fields with tall grass. Studio sessions (with a backdrop and lighting) can be done at my house or yours.
For newborns, I suggest your house. New mamas need to be comfortable! I'll come to you, set up, and wait until the baby is happy or asleep. Please see below for more info on newborn sessions.
Casual or Posed? You choose.
For casual, completely unposed shots, I'll ask you to face a certain direction, and we'll take it from there. With toddlers and preschoolers, my preference is unposed shots, spontaneously capturing their nature. My goal with posed portraits of any age is to capture you, and I enjoy taking my time, talking with you, and taking photos as you relax.
Clothes & Accessories
Solids and muted prints are the easiest to work with, and materials such as corduroy, velvet, tulle, or woven materials add textural interest and beauty. Show your personality, but consider avoiding high-contrast stripes, white shoes, and shirts with words that could detract from you or your child. (Exception: feel free to bring an outfit change or two to a standard session -- and this would be the perfect time to capture images with your preschooler's beloved Spiderman-plus-frog-boot outfit!)
With toddlers in dresses, I suggest bringing bloomers or tights to hide the diaper.
What is most important to you? If you're an avid knitter, bring your current project. Or perhaps it's your gardening hat and shears. For your children, their beloved blanket, kitty, or favorite car makes them happy and helps capture the true memories that will make you smile years later.
After the session -- then what?
Regular or Newborn Session: Within two weeks of the session, I will send you a link to view your images online. You can order prints or purchase digital images with unlimited reprint rights. You may share the gallery link with friends and family for viewing or ordering. Payment is due when you order. Depending on the number of images you purchase, you will receive fully edited prints/digital images two to four weeks later.
Mini-Session: The original fee includes a set number of images, and there is no need to preview or choose photos. I will contact you about picking up the 10 fully edited prints and digital images within two weeks.
The Parent's Role
With newborns and infants, you'll be playing "catcher," sitting near the ottoman in case your baby rolls. If two parents come, one can help draw the baby's attention. I'll have noise toys, but your baby loves you the best. If you are trying to draw the baby's eye toward the camera, you will need to be immediately behind me, down low.
With older children, just relax. With a shy older child, I take extra time to get to know him or her. Rambunctious? Great! Energetic kids have lively, candid expressions. If they're relaxed and enjoying themselves, your kids will be more apt to grin over at me when I call their names or ask them a question. I have a variety of props and can usually find something that keeps a child's attention. Suddenly being the center of attention might make your child clingy or silly, and we can offer a break or a snack -- but on the other hand, sometimes these silly photos are the most fun!
Newborn Sessions
Newborns are special. Their sessions are equally special, needing lots of patience. I allow about three hours. If you have a dream baby, there will be time for a dozen different outfits and poses. With most babies, we break periodically for cuddling and feeding.
Here's my routine:
- You feed the baby before the session.
- I come and set up backdrops and lighting. We turn on a space heater and a sound machine. You soothe the baby to sleep if possible.
- I take pictures as I can. If that means I get five minutes before the baby cries, and then I wait for twenty minutes, that's okay!
Before scheduling a newborn photo session, please think about your preferences, and we'll discuss some of these issues:
- Do you want posed or casual images? Any particular poses?
- What are your favorite pictures in my newborn gallery?
- Do you want to see lots of soft baby skin or cute clothes?
- Do you have an ottoman? a space heater? (I'll bring them if you don't.)
- How bright is the natural light in the brightest room in your house?
- Do you have your own special blankets that you'd like in the photos?
- How about special toys, or mom or dad's uniform, sports regalia, or hat?
- Who will be in the pictures? (mom, dad, siblings, ....?)
When possible, I work with natural light. However, most of my newborn sessions are taken with my studio light. I angle it toward the baby's forehead and eyebrows rather than eyes.
