Welcome!
Thank you for booking your baby’s Newborn Portrait Session with Cosy Toes Photography.
Please take the time to read through the tips and information below prior to your session. These tips will help you understand what to expect from your session to help you to prepare for it, in order to get the most out of it, as well as the changes that have been made due to COVID19.
COVID19 precautions:
- Social distancing is not possible with newborns so for you and your baby’s protection I will be wearing a fresh washable mask throughout. Washable gloves will also be worn whilst handling your baby. At other times regular hand washing and use of hand sanitiser will be maintained. A visor will be worn during times that there will be face to face contact within 1 metre.
- In most cases, parents and myself will maintain social distancing, however there may be times in the session where this can not be met (for example where a parent is required to assist or “spot” their baby during a pose). During this time the parent will be asked to wear a disposable mask (provided).
- All props and blankets, and my home studio area will be throughly cleaned before and after each session.
- I will not be doing the intricate more difficult poses as these take more time and will increase contact time. (Poses shown below are still possible)
- Baby will be keeping nappy on the entire time. Instead I will be using wraps or an outfit to cover the nappy.
- Siblings and parents can take part, but there will be fewer images of these to avoid contact and maintain social distancing as much as possible. If possible siblings should leave with one parent after their portion of the session.
- Only immediate family will be allowed.
- Symptoms of illness: On the morning of the session please take the temperature of all of those within your household and report and fever to me. Please also report any symptoms of illness, including those not associated with coronavirus. I will do the same for my household. In the event of ANY illness, your session will be rescheduled.
- Session length has been reduced to a maximum of 2 hours to reduce contact. This will not effect the amount of images received in your gallery.
- Refreshments and snacks are no longer provided. Please therefore bring these with you and take rubbish with you afterwards.
- Baby carriers, shoes and coats will need to be removed and left at the entrance.
- You will be required to wash your hands upon arrival. Hand Sanitiser will be available for your use throughout.
Your session with Cosy Toes is fully tailored to ensure you end up with images that you’ll adore for years to come, including your choice of colours, props and poses. The amount of input you put into the session is entirely up to you. You are welcome to be as specific as you like to what you want from the session. Requests can not always be guaranteed, but I will do my very best, where ever possible to accommodate your requirements.
I recommend that you chose a colour scheme that you would like to work with, as well as the props, however, if you prefer to leave the styling of the session to me, I can of course do so.
Preparation/session Planning
Colour Theme
I invite you to choose the colour theme that I will use throughout your session. Thinking about what colour are your walls at home/in the nursery where you are going to hang your images is important so that they will look even more amazing when you display them. Do you have colours you dislike? Are you drawn to dark or light backgrounds? You can pick one or two colours from the choice below:
- Brown
- Cream
- White
- Dark grey
- Light grey
- Blush pink
- Baby pink
- Lilac
- Mauve
- Yellow
- Khaki green
- Baby blue
- Navy blue
- Dusky blue
Poses
Below you will find examples of the most common newborn poses offered. Whilst I try to use most of these poses each session, the amount of poses that we succeed in doing will very much depend on your baby on the day. These poses are carried out in a certain order, one that I have found disrupts the baby the least, but if there are certain poses that you prefer over others, let me know so that I can focus and prioritise those. Likewise, please let me know if there are any you don’t like so I know not to spend time attempting them.
Please bear in mind that not all babies are able to go into every pose. I use a 3rd attempt rule. If on the 3rd attempt your baby is not happy going into a certain pose, I will not push them further for the sake of a photo. We will instead move onto the next pose.
I am fully trained on how to safety put baby into the positions, so rest assured your baby will be in safe hands! Some of the poses are not able to be safely carried out with one shot alone. Your baby’s safety is my upmost priority and therefore for these, two images will be taken and put together in the editing room to complete the look of the pose.
Props
The session includes the use of my beautiful props. Please choose your favourite two from the selection below:
Those marked * are great options for incorporating siblings, and those marked ** are great options for incorporating twins.
Siblings / Parents
Whilst shortly after birth, before your body has had the chance to recover and you are getting used to the sleepless nights, I totally get that you may not feel like wanting your photograph taken. But I implore you to do so. Do it for your baby! If you later decide not to choose them to buy, you have lost nothing by taking part, but at least you will not regret doing so.
If you would like to have your baby photographed with mum, dad and any siblings, these are always done first. This allows me to photograph you all before you get too hot and to capture the older children while they are still intrigued so they are more likely to want to join in. Newborn sessions can be long, so if you wish, one parent can take the older siblings off once they are done with their bit to prevent them getting bored.
Clothing
I supply everything your newborn will need, including outfits, headbands and hats that you can choose from at the beginning of your session. For siblings and parents I recommend plain colours with no patterns or logos. Pick something classic that won’t go out of fashion. If in any doubt, black or white t-shirts are great choices as they are timeless. Co-orindating your outfits will really be the finishing touch to your family portraits. This doesn’t mean you need to wear the same colour, but choosing similar tones will mean focus is not led by any one person. If you would like some skin to skin portraits, these are also an option.
Parents are photographed as upper body only. Siblings will be full body, depending on their age.
In order to keep your baby settled and comfortable, I photograph in a very warm room. It is therefore recommended that you dress in layers for your own comfort.
Once baby has arrived
Please contact me as soon as you are able once your little one arrives so we can finalise your session date. Providing baby is home from hospital, your session will be scheduled for when your baby will be between 5 – 21 days old.
If your baby has to be kept in hospital for any reason beyond 21 days old, please do not worry about your session. I will work with you to get the best out of your session as soon as your baby is able.
On the day
Session length
Please allow 2-4 hours for your session. Babies are unpredictable and I like to allow plenty of time to capture memories of your precious brindle. The length of the session will depend on how settled your little one is and how quickly I can move from pose to pose, not the amount of images that I take.
Preparing your baby
If possible try to keep your baby awake for an hour and a half prior to leaving for your session. It can be hard to keep a newborn awake but a bath or sensory play time can assist. Do not worry if they fall asleep in the car en route.
Try to time a feed for just before you leave. Dress your baby in an outfit that is easy to remove without disturbing them. Avoid clothing that has to go over the head as it’s more likely to disturb them – If they arrive asleep I will begin photographing straight away so the less I have to disturb them the better. A popper sleep suit is ideal and a blanket or two to keep them warm instead of a vest, depending on the weather.
Feeding and comfort
Please bring your nappies and changing stuff as normal.
Bottle Feeding – Bring plenty of milk if you are bottle feeding – more than you would normally use to ensure we have enough. I can provide hot water for warming milk.
Breast Feeding – Please refrain from eating spicy foods 48 hours prior to your session. These can sometimes unsettle a baby when passed through your milk.
Please don’t be alarmed if your baby feeds more than normal. This is just due to them being constantly moved. If we can keep their tummy lovely and topped up this will help encourage sleep.
Scratches and marks
Your baby’s skin will be getting used to the world. Don’t worry about flaky skin, scratches, stork bites, rashes or spots. These are all removed in the editing room afterwards (unless requested otherwise). Birth marks and other permanent marks are not removed unless otherwise requested.
In-home sessions
If you have paid for a session at your home, I can photograph in any room with enough floor space for my posing bed. A suitable room can usually be found in any home. I will require access to two plugs, one for my light and the other my heater. A newborn session requires a lot of equipment – please don’t be alarmed but the amount of stuff that I bring with me!
Please try to time a feed for the time that I am due to arrive. This will allow you to feed while I set up, and should mean baby will be ready to commence as soon as I am set.
After your session
Please allow 2 weeks for the post production of your images. You will then be invited back to view your gallery or approximately 20 images and to choose your image package and wall art. You can remind yourself of your options here.
I am very much looking forward to meeting you and your precious bundle. Please don’t hesitate to contact me any time is you have any questions.
Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away