Frequently Asked Questions

Scroll down for newborn session-specific questions

When should I reserve a date for my session?

Now! No, really…I’d say as soon as possible so that you can be placed on my schedule. Right now I’m booking about 4-6 weeks out so send me and email and let's see what’s available!

Who all can be included in the session?

For all regular sessions let's include the whole (immediate) family! I love to include at least a few shots of siblings + mom and dad in maternity, newborn and milestone sessions, and of course in all family sessions.

Where will our session take place?

Either at my studio in Lexington off of Mineral Springs Road or at an outdoor location of our mutual choosing. I've got tons of suggestions with all different types of scenery!

What should we wear for our session?

Studio Sessions: For the family shots I suggest keeping it simple and classic. Neutrals, Earth tones, small plaids for dad. Ha basically anything but neon colors, large patterns, and or shirts with pictures or text on them! We don't want the tiny little one to get lost in the shot! For milestone sessions neutrals (and I love a good chambray) are great because they go with just about every backdrop I have.

Outdoor sessions: For the little ones, I always suggest comfortable and classic. Tight and scratchy tends to lead to unhappy and uncooperative kiddos. Bold colors are great, definitely don’t worry about every matching exactly (in fact, please don't!) as long as the colors go together. My rule of thumb is to pick three colors that go well together (ex: gray, yellow, white… or navy, khaki, and red) and everyone wear combinations of them throughout their outfits. Layers, stripes, plaids, bold jewelry…it all looks great on camera…gone are the days of the matching white shirts!

Do we need to bring props?

Only if you want to! I’ve got tons of accessories, backdrops, baskets, buckets, and chairs at my studio that are all ours to use. On the other hand, feel free to bring special/themed items you want included. I LOVE finding ways to incorporate unique parts of the family and coming up with new ideas… I’ve done military, firefighter, hunting, rainbow babies (baby after a loss) you name it. Does your family LOVE to read? Have a favorite sports team? We could work that in! Is your husband a chef? A teacher? We can do that too, just let me know beforehand and together we’ll find a way to make it happen.

When do we make a payment?

When setting the date of the session I'll send you a $50 deposit invoice via email to hold your spot. On the day of the session is when you'll pay the balance.

What type of payment do you accept?

Cash, check, or Paypal friends and family. Whichever is more convenient for you!

How long after the session will it be before our images will be ready?

Your images will be ready within two-three weeks. I will send you the images via an online gallery where you'll be able to view and download your pictures to be printed and shared when you choose. I think you'll love them!

When should I reserve a date for my session?

Now! No, really…I’d say as soon as possible so that you can be placed on the schedule. Right now I’m booking about 4-6 weeks out so send me and email and see what’s available!For newborns I only offer weekday morning sessions (unless there are dire circumstances) and I leave space for newborns that come early (or late). Newborn session take place within the first two weeks of life so PLEASE contact me ahead of time so that I can be sure to fit your newbie in.

How will we schedule the date of the newborn session ahead of time?

Since it’s rare that we know exactly when the birth date is going to be, we’ll schedule you for about 7-10 days after your due date so that a spot is held on my calendar. Once baby is here we'll adjust it as needed. Just keep me as informed as possible!

How old should my baby be for the newborn session?

Ideally we'll hold the session within the first 14 days of life for your little one. This is important to do if it's possible, and it’s how we get those adorable sleepy poses....the newbie is so incredibly sleepy in the first two weeks that they’ll let us gently move them around without even realizing it! As a new Mom and Dad you’ll be so tired during this time but it’s so worth it after you have beautiful sleepy portraits of your little one so that you can always remember how new and sweet and innocent they were (this is great to refer back to during their “terrible twos”).

Uh oh, we missed the recommended two week timeline, can we still do newborn portraits?

YES! If you've missed that ideal timeline, it is okay! We might have to work a little differently but we can still get beautiful portraits of your little one, they are just a little less posed and the baby might be more awake. We'll also swaddle the baby up a bit more, which is perfectly fine!

Where will our session take place?

At my studio in Lexington off of Mineral Springs Road. It's filled with all the props and accessories you can imagine!

Can we do family and sibling portraits of the new baby with us and big brother/big sister?

Absolutely, I LOVE family and sibling shots. While wrangling the youngest older siblings can be a challenge I have lots of tricks and different ways to make those beautiful shots happen! Their world had just been rocked and sometimes it takes come coaxing, so patience and realistic expectations are key even though it's rare that we can't get them to participate. Something I REALLY suggest is to have an alternative plan for the sibling AFTER their portion of the session. Maybe everyone drives to the session together and then Dad or Grandma takes big bro or sis out for lunch or some errands when their turn is finished. They tend to get pretty bored around here since the focus is on baby, so for Mama's sake it's usually a good idea to let them leave so she only has the newest addition to care for during the session.

What should we wear?

I suggest solid, neutral colors like white, black, navy, gray, or tan. We don't want the tiny little one to get lost in stripes and large patterns!

What supplies should we bring with us for our newborn session?

The baby! But we already knew that. If you are breastfeeding bring any supplies you'd use at home, if you are bottle feeding bring plenty of extra breast milk/formula, even more than you think you'll need. We'll be topping off the baby throughout the session to keep him/her full and happy. If you are pumping feel free to bring that too if you think you'll need to pump during your time here, no need to skip a pumping session! I keep the room VERY warm for the newbies so please dress accordingly (layers are your friend). If you plan to have family shots taken then I suggest a change of clothes, comfy shorts and a t-shirt would work perfectly!

Do we need to bring props?

You don't need to bring ANY props, accessories, or outfits! I’ve got tons of stuff at my studio including hats, headbands, outfits, backdrops, baskets, buckets, you name it. On the other hand, feel free to bring special/themed items you want included (monogrammed blankets, heirloom bonnets, a special necklace that will be passed down, etc). One thing you won't have to worry about is a bunch of different outfits, we almost always shoot the baby (shoot the baby!!?) in it's birthday suit but with all important parts covered.

I also LOVE finding ways to incorporate unique parts of the family and coming up with new ideas… I’ve done military, firefighter, hunting, rainbow babies (baby after a loss) you name it. Does your family LOVE to read? Have a favorite sports team? We could work that in! Is your husband a chef? A teacher? We can do that too, just let me know beforehand and together we’ll find a way to make it happen.

What should we expect at a newborn session?

I usually schedule newborn sessions in the morning around 10am, plan for it to last about 3 hours (but it flies by!). When you get to my studio we’ll sit down, look over anything special that you’ve brought. And all of my props and hats/headbands are on display so if there is something that you see that you like, we can almost always use it. We’ll make a plan on what items work best together, what you like and don’t like and go from there. Depending on the little one, we’ll start with awake or sleepy shots and the rest of the session will be built around the baby, if s/he is fussy we’ll take time to rock them back to sleep or you’ll top them off with some formula/breast milk. Those sweet sleepy, squishy poses are done when they are deep asleep so we’ll be patient for that! It usually doesn’t take too long, but this is a reason why our goal is for the session to be done within the first two weeks, because that deep, deep stage of sleep is easier to get to, and quicker. With that being said, if you've missed that ideal timeline, it is okay! We can still get beautiful portraits of your little one, they are just a little less posed.