FAQ - family, newborn & maternity sessions
What should I expect from our session?
The main focus at my sessions is on love and connection. It will be natural and relaxed. Think of your session as quality time with your loved ones with no distractions. I will gently direct you to make the most of the location and the lighting and to create a varied gallery of images that show the special connection between you and your loved ones. I work with natural light only as I find it creates the most beautiful results for family photos.
Which areas do you cover?
I live in Crystal Palace, South East London, and my pricing covers London travel zones 1-4, as well as all of South London, Croydon, Bromley and Sutton. I'm happy to travel further afield but an additional travel fee may apply.
When should I book my session for?
Newborns: If you'd like me to capture your baby at their tiniest during those early, sleepy days then I recommend you get in touch while you are pregnant. We will pencil in a date within two weeks from your due date and adjust it if needed once your baby has arrived. If your baby is already here, please do get in touch as soon as possible and we'll find a suitable date.
Maternity sessions: The ideal time for a maternity photo shoot is usually between 28-35 weeks of gestation however sometimes for whatever reason this may not work for you in which case it can be flexible.
Family sessions: Every stage is unique and worth capturing - there is no right or wrong time. If you'd like to do your session outdoors, I recommend planning for late March to early November to avoid the coldest and wettest months especially if your children are still very young. Also if you have a special milestone in mind that you'd like to capture then do get in touch in advance and we'll work out a suitable date.
I offer sessions both on weekdays and weekends.
When will we get our photos?
You will receive a link to your private online gallery to view all your photos within 3 weeks from your session. You will then have 10 days to decide which package you'd like to go with.
When do I pay for my session?
A deposit payment is payable when you book your session. The deposit is usually the full base session fee however if your booking is further than 2 months away, a payment plan is available. Please ask for details. Any upgrade packages are paid for after the session once you have seen the full gallery.
How long will my session take?
My family and maternity sessions usually last 1-2 hours depending on how many people are in the photos and the ages of the children.
Newborn sessions generally take about 2 to 2,5 hours. We will follow the baby's lead giving us plenty of time for nappy changes, feeds and settling, and often these in-between moments make for beautiful images too.
What should we wear?
This is one of the most common questions I get asked! Once you've booked your session, I will send you my prep guide with lots of tips and guidance to help you choose outfits that will make your photos stand the test of time. However, my top advice is always to wear something you feel most comfortable and beautiful in and let your individuality shine through.
I have a big family, is that ok?
Of course! My base session fee covers up to 6 family members. Any additional family members are welcome to join, there will just be a fee of £50 per person.
What if my kids won't behave themselves?
This is a common concern people have but please don't worry! My sessions are fun and engaging and I will never ask your children to just sit still and smile at the camera as most kids are not wired that way. We will play little games and follow their pace. I will make suggestions on what to do next but if they aren't keen we'll change it up and try something else. I have plenty of experience in photographing kids who are not so keen to cooperate to begin with but with creativity and patience I always find a way to make it work and create beautiful, authentic images in every scenario.
I like the idea of an in-home session but worry my home is not suitable?
As long as your home has natural light it will be absolutely fine! Your home does not need to be straight from an interiors magazine to be suitable for a photo shoot. It is YOUR home and part of your story and that's what's important. You may not end up living in the same house for the rest of your life and when your kids are older, they will most certainly enjoy looking at photos taken in their childhood home with so many precious memories. I will never ask you to clean the house top to bottom before the photo shoot however you may choose to de-clutter some of the rooms a little bit or I might just move things out of the way on the day if they turn out to be distracting.
What if we need to reschedule?
If it's an outdoor session and we can't go ahead because of bad weather, the photo shoot will be rescheduled free of charge for a mutually convenient date.
If you or a family member is ill you can also reschedule free of charge but please give as much notice as possible. If you need to reschedule for any other reason, please let me know no later than 7 days before the session otherwise a rescheduling fee of £150 will apply.
Are pets welcome?
Absolutely! Just let me know beforehand so I'm prepared.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes I do :) They are a great gift for someone who already has everything or prefers experiences over material things. You can purchase a gift card for any value from £100 upwards. Just get in touch with me to place your order.