Hertfordshire Newborn Photoshoots -FAQs

At home!

Your home environment is such a big part of your family story and deserves to be very much part of the photos.

As your shoot will be indoors I’ll be looking for the spots with the best natural light. 

When I first arrive a very quick tour of the rooms you’d be happy for us to use would be helpful.

Typically most of the shoot will take place in either the nursery if you have one, your own bedroom (a big bed is a great spot for relaxed family photos) and your living room or kitchen.

Photoshoots typically take place in and around Hitchin, Hertfordshire. There’s no additional cost for travel expenses within a 50 mile round trip of SG4 9. I’m often booked for shoots in North London, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire as well as my home county of Hertfordshire.

Other than the ‘Day in the Life’ packages which are full half days or full days, I typically suggest allowing two hours for your shoot, occasionally up to two and a half or three hours. I don’t like to rush your shoot – a relaxed pace where moments unfold naturally is better for all and your gallery will be all the better for it,

You’ll receive a range of shots, from fly-on-the-wall moments to a few natural baby and ‘team’ shots.

It’s a real cliche, but just be yourselves and try to forget I’m there. Try not to look into the camera – unless I ask.

I won’t direct you (grown-ups!) too much, as I don’t like to influence how you naturally are with each other.

I want your experience to be as genuine and as honest as possible so that your photos not only look real, but feel real too.

You can read a three year-old’s top tips on how to nail your family photoshoot here.

I don’t provide a wardrobe Pinterest board, that’s just not my thing.

But, clothing is a question that comes up time and time again and I get it.

It’s a good to have an idea in mind as to what you’ll wear and whether your colours work and tone together. You don’t need to be styling for a Vogue shoot, but you’ll look back on these photos for years and years to come, so giving it some thought is a good idea.

You want to feel comfortable and dressed for the occasion.

Thing is, the occasion is YOU. You and your family, at home. You don’t need to dress up for anyone other than yourselves. And you certainly don’t need to dress any differently for me!

You’ve probably guessed by now that my ‘thing’ is to make sure that throughout your shoot and in the images you receive afterwards, you feel comfortable, authentic and naturally you. I want you and your family to be confident and relaxed with each other. Not worrying about whether your top is or isn’t the right vibe.

So, the best advice I can give is:

Avoid solid bright primary colours, especially red – bold primaries can reflect onto skin and play havoc with tones.

Avoid solid black if you can – it can dominate the scene and overwhelm against your tiny little person. 

Avoid slogans and large logos – they can be distracting and change the focus of the image from the people to the logo.

Go for – tried and tested clothes you enjoy wearing. Clothes you feel good in. Clothes that represent you. Bonus points if they’re light and neutral colours which won’t dominate the scene with your little people, but that’s just a bonus.

The most important thing is that you’ll be comfortable, wearing clothes that feel good, and feel ‘you’.

During the couple of hours that I’m with you I’ll record whatever’s happening – feeds, naps, changes, maybe a bath if you’re at the bathing stage already – the natural flow of life at home together. 

I’ll shoot the little details – hands, toes, scrunched up little legs (they grow so fast!) as well as the bigger picture – the nursery decor and details, little outfits and teddies that will in years to come be part of your family history.

I shoot as naturally as possible – I won’t ‘pose’ your baby, but I’ll be looking for some good light, so expect me to find a window for some close cuddle shots!

Together with you we can position baby on a blanket or bed near some beautiful light and I’ll capture some unposed newborn portraits.

No way!

There’s no need to embark on a full-scale tidy and clean mission before your shoot.

This isn’t a shoot for Hello! or Ideal Home magazine – it’s a shoot for simple and honest memories for your own family album. It’s important that I’m able to capture your home as it typically is –  toys out, books out, shoes by the door and so on. All of these little details help tell the story of your home and family life. Perfectly imperfect is how I think of it.

Buuuutttttt….

If you’d rather not have shots of your undies drying on the radiator, I’d recommend a quick whip round the house to tidy away the stuff you really don’t want in your gallery.

That’s the beauty of an at-home shoot!

Nap times and feed times are very much pat of newborn life so I always incorporate them into the shoot. I’ll shoot as much or as little as you wish – if you’d like shots of you feeding your baby/ies I can incorporate that, or I can focus on siblings if you prefer, or just take a breather. Whatever works for you.

Every family is different and my shoots are focussed around each special group and tailored to the individuals within it.

If you have members of your group who have additional needs please let me know so that I can plan the shoot accordingly.

I want everyone to be included and this may mean me adapting my style appropriately. Let me know, talk to me about what works and what doesn’t, and let’s plan a session where everyone is welcome and part of it.

Only if you let me. I am proud of the work that I do and the images I create and appreciate being able to share them when possible on my website and social media pages. Sharing my images in this way is essential to my business. After all, it’s how clients get to see my style of work and is probably how you found or researched me too.

I never use children’s names with images (other than if you’ve given me express permission, or if you’ve asked me to tag you on social media). You’ll receive a password protected online gallery to view your photos so you can see your moments before anyone else. Once you’ve had a look just let me know if there’s any you’d rather I didn’t share.

Have a look at my Instagram or Facebook to see how I typically use images and just let me know if you have any concerns,

Absolutely! Print and share away! Sharing the love with friends and family is what it’s all about after all.

As the photographer and creator of the images, the copyright stays with me (that’s just the way the law goes), but all my packages allow you to download, print and share with friends and family all of the images you’ve bought.