HELLO & WELCOME Congratulations! You’re going to be having a baby! Whether this baby is your first, third or fifth, this is no doubt an exciting time for you and your family. There is so much that happens in the weeks and months that pass between purchasing your first pair of maternity jeans to picking out candles for your baby’s first birthday cake . . . and well, frankly, it all happens so fast! Well, I can’t stop time, but I can help you remember some of the most pivotal moments during that very special first year of your baby’s life.
I would love to document the milestones that are most important to you from maternity to when your baby turns one year old. As a photographer, I strive to capture these moments and turn the resulting images into a work of fine art to be treasured forever. Baby photography requires a large amount of planning and an insane amount of patience, and you’ll be happy to know I am good at both :)
MATERNITY SESSIONS
The pregnancy stage of a woman’s life is one of the fastest growing developmental times. You are growing a baby – yay you! I know it’s not always comfortable…the cramps, the bloating, the swelling… oh my not feeling so amazing?! It’s ok. My job as a photographer is to make you look and feel amazing for just about an hour. Then you can throw your legs up and eat chocolate the rest of the day! A maternity session is designed to celebrate and document the precious new life growing within. This is one of my favorite sessions as it is a combination of glamour, beautiful belly and romance. A maternity session can be an artistic studio shoot or it can take place at a location of your choice. Some favorites include a wooded area by the river or natural field shortly before sunset. These photos will help your children to know how proud you were to be their mother and what a privilege carrying them was.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE 30 to 32 weeks is perfect for most moms to be. This is a time frame where your beautiful belly is of ample size yet you’re not as “puffy” and uncomfortable as you may be in your last 4 to 6 weeks. Though I have shot maternity sessions up close to delivery with beautiful results, feedback from expecting moms has encouraged me to advise clients towards the earlier side where mamas-to-be are feeling their best and are more comfortable than they may be later.
WHAT TO WEAR The clothes that you wear during your session will play a vital role in how you feel during the shoot and about your photographs. We really want to show off your beautiful form, so choose a few outfits that accentuate your beautiful body! I love form fitting tops with chunky sweaters or long flowing dresses. You can choose your favorite maternity outfit but solid colors work best. As far as specific colors, it is completely up to you. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, confident and beautiful!
A LITTLE BIT OF ADVICE I would suggest pampering yourself before your session. Get your hair and nails done or take a relaxing bubble bath. Put aside a few hours for yourself to just relax and feel fabulous. The best photographs are created when expectant mothers are relaxed, feel confident and are able to just be themselves during the session. Don’t forget that this should be a special and fun day for you.
WATCH ME GROW PLAN Watch me GROW! Baby plans are ideal for parents who know from the very beginning that they want the first year of their baby’s life documented with professional photography. In most cases, the Watch me GROW! Baby plans package is chosen, contract signed and purchase complete before the new little one even enters the world — crossing one (big) thing off the very busy parents’ to-do lists! When you purchase a Watch me GROW! Baby plans you are purchasing a specific number of sessions and products/services. As such, these plans are usually scheduled based on the different stages of your baby’s development in the first year. The most common ‘stages’ are: maternity/expectation, newborn, sitting/crawling and 1-year/walking. However, some parents prefer to schedule their sessions based on the baby’s age, rather than their developmental stage (i.e., at newborn, 3-month, 6-months, 9-months and a 1-year ) . . . and sometimes, we use a different formula entirely! It doesn’t matter when your baby’s sessions occur during the first year, but all 4 Watch me GROW! Baby plans sessions must be completed by baby’s first birthday!
NEWBORN SESSIONS Newborn sessions are my joy. Those sweet brand new little angels are my muse. Photographing them makes my day. I spend some time every day learning to perfect my craft. Hopefully this little section will help you to prepare for your session as well.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION 1. Once you've contacted me about photographing your newborn, we can set up a tentative date based around your due date. Because babies typcially come on their own time, however, once you have delivered you can then contact me to set up the actual session. Babies are best photographed within the first 3-足14 days of birth as they are still very sleepy, can be easily posed, baby acne hasn't appeared yet and any signs of jaundice have faded as well. So be sure to contact me as soon as possible to book your session. If you have a C-足Section, let me know so we can plan on having an extra set of hands to help out with baby's shoot, whether it is Dad or someone else. 2. When we have scheduled your session we can then talk about what you expect out of it. Whether you want just familial shots with the baby, or just posed shots or a combination. Let me know before hand if t here are certain poses you want me to try with baby or special props that you will be bringing from home. Such as if you or your spouse are into baseball and you want a shot baby posed in a baseball mitt, etc. Any props that have meaning to you will make the photos that much more special. 3. My newborn sessions typically take three hours, but plan on your newborn session being anywhere from two to six or even longer. Because of this I typcially schedule newborn sessions in the morning, around nine or ten. Babies also tend to be sleepier at this time of day. I am not shooting the entire 3-足6 hours. Much of this time is spent switching blankets and props, getting baby fed or diaper changed/cleaning up messes and soothing baby into poses. A fussy or wide awake baby who is unwilling to fall into a deep sleep can also effect the length of the shoot. To achieve poses baby needs to be either sleeping or very calm and settled. 4. I shoot newborn sessions at my home. I also have two dogs who I adore that live in the house as well. They are always outside or in the other room during my sessions and I vacuum before every session however if allergies are a factor we can discuss other options. 5. Babies are best photographed on a nice full tummy, so baby can be fed immediatly before coming to the shoot or can be fed once you get to the studio as I finish setting up. 6. I photograph babies without any clothes on, sometimes with a diaper, but otherwise completely naked. Clothes take away from showing how tiny and different newborns are within their first few days of life and also makes it more difficult to capture tiny details such as hands and feet and the umbilical cord stub. 7. If Mom, Dad and any siblings are going to be in any shots I suggest wearing simple, light and comfortable clothing for shots. If we will be shooting on a black background please make sure to have black shirts to wear. 8. Some poses will require an assistant. This is usally mom or dad. If mom is too sore to assist and there is no one else who can come to the shoot please let me know and I will plan on having an assistant to help.
DURING YOUR SESSION 1. When you arrive and baby has eaten recently I will get started and take baby right away. If baby needs to be fed you will have time to feed baby. After I take baby you can sit back and relax while I work. If I need your assistance or if I think baby needs to be fed or settled more I will let you know. 2. Newborns love to be warm, and since they will be naked for the majority of their session the room will be very warm for baby’s comfort. A tempurature of 80-Â85 degrees is about right for babies. I also use a noise app on my phone that replicates the loud noises baby was used to in your tummy to help keep asleep. 3. I like to start off the session with posing baby on the beanbag using a variety of backdrops and small props (bows/hats). After that we can move on to family shots and other posed shots. If siblings want to come later that is fine. If they come at the beginning please supervise them as I will be busy with baby.
AFTER YOUR SESSION 1. When I begin working on your session I go through all the photos from the session and pick the best of the best to edit and share. Depending on how the session went the number of images can vary from 25 to 50. 2. After editing a few images I will post a sneak peek on my Facebook page, usually 1-3 images. The rest of the images will be posted on my gallery website within 14-21 business days. 3. All of your edited images will be presented in your online gallery. Any digital image files are to be downloaded from your gallery, I do not provide CDs. Digital images and prints can be purchased directly from your gallery or we can schedule an in person consultation and I can show you what your pictures will look like on your wall in different sizes and arrangements! It’s pretty cool. 4. I will provde you with a printing release so that you may get your photos printed at the lab of your choice. You will need this with you when getting images printed. Though I also offer the sale of prints and products to make it easier for you, as the client, when choosing what products and sizes you would like. All prints and products purchased through me are printed at a high-quality professional lab. I highly reccomend getting prints , canvases or albums printed right away before the pictures are forgotten about and lost on your computer. These memories deserve to be cherished and hung on a wall!
A CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS
Have any hats, bows, headbands, blankets, props, family heirlooms or other items you may want in the shots ready. You should wear lightweight breathable clothing since it will be very warm where we are shooting. Your hands may be shown in some photos. Please have nails trimmed and clean. Silence phones or any other distractions during the photo shoot. Try to have at least one other person there with you during the shoot to help. Sessions can often get long and tiring for all involved. Have water on hand…newborn sessions make you thirsty!! Before feeding baby, remove all clothes and socks. Unfasten diaper so it can be easily removed and wrap baby in blanket. This will help eliminate any creases or red marks on the baby’s body. Feed baby approximately a half-hour before session is scheduled to begin. It is imperative that baby is well fed and burped. Don’t forget extra diapers we will probably go through a couple!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What should we bring with us for our newborn session? Don’t forget extra diapers! If you will be formula feeding, also bring lots of extra formula. If you are nursing, be prepared to nurse a few times while you are there. I keep the room very warm for the newbies so please dress accordingly (layers are your friend). Do we need to bring props? I’ve got tons of stuff at my studio including hats, headbands, backdrops, baskets, buckets, you name it. Still, feel free to bring special things that you’ve bought, or family items you want included (monogrammed blankets, heirloom bonnets, a special necklace that will be passed down, etc). If you have a specific prop or set up in mind let me know! I’m always buying new props and will consider getting it if I feel it is something my future clients would also like! Can we do portraits of the new baby and it’s older sibling? Absolutely, I LOVE sibling shots…but I can’t guarantee it for very young siblings. We will try our hardest and I have lots of tricks and different ways to make it happen but I’m sure you know how unpredictable two year olds are…if they want nothing to do with the new baby, sometimes it just isn’t possible without massive amounts of tears…from the sibling, and rarely the parent;;) Something I really suggest is to have a plan for the sibling to be dropped off before their portion of the session. When do we pay you? When you book your session %25 of session fee is due as a deposit.On the day of the session is when I’ll take the remaining payment in full. For packages such as Bump to Baby or Watch Me Grow full package fee is due on day of fist session. What type of payment do you accept? Cash or check or card: Checks can be written to Nicole Huber Photography. If you would like to pay by card please let me know before the session date and I will send an invoice which you can pay online by card. Card payment must be approved before session begins. 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 contact you with your gallery link. Do you also offer prints? Absolutely, and I recommend it! Especially with larger prints, you’ll notice a quality difference between mine and the prints ordered from the big box stores. I can not gaurantee quality of prints printed through a third party, nor will I assist in cropping, resizing or ordering for printing through third parties.
A LA CARTE PRODUCTS Albums 8 x 8 Lay-足Flat Album
$150.00
10 x 10 Lay-足Flat Album
$280.00
12 x 12 Lay-足Flat Album
$300.00
Canvas 11 x 14
$60.00
16 x 20
$85.00
30 x 30
$180.00
30 x 40
$180.00
36 x 36
$180.00
Prints 4x5
$6.00
5x7
$7.00
8 x 10
$10.00
11 x 14
$25.00
16 x 20
$35.00
Digital Files High resolution digital file with print rights
$15
STUDIO POLICIES
NEWBORN QUESTIONNAIRE
Please fill out this form before your first appointment. Your answers will better help us to meet your needs and ensure that you have a happy and satisfying experience. Parents’ Full Name: _________________________________
Babys’ Name: _______________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________
State: ___________
Email: ________________________________________ Due date: _________________________________ Are you having a boy or a girl?
Boy
Zip Code: __________________
Phone: _________________________________ Session date: _________________________________ Girl
It’s a surprise
Which types of images below would you like? ( check all that apply ) Baby alone
Baby with siblings
Baby & grandparents
Baby with whole family
Baby with parents
Other
List the names and ages of siblings, if any, that will be photographed during the session. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ List any props that you might be bringing to the session ( eg. blankets, hats, clothing etc.) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Is there a particular style you would like your images to reflect? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Any specific colors you would like included in your session? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Additional comments ( anything you’d like us to know):
CONTRACT AGREEMENT Client’s First Name: __________________________
Last Name: __________________________
Cient’s Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Photography Location: ______________________________________________________________________________ Photography Date: _________________________
Start Time: ______________ End Time: _______________
Type of session: ________________________________
Number of Photos: ___________________________
Photographer’s Fee: $ _________________________
Deposit Paid: $ _______________________________
1.MODEL RELEASE: The CLIENT hereby grants to Nicole Huber Photography and successors, heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, attorneys, representatives and agents, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs of the CLIENT or in which the CLIENT may be included, for editorial, trade, advertising or any other purpose and in any manner or medium;; to alter the same without restriction;; and to copyright the same. The CLIENT hereby releases Nicole Huber Photography and all associates representatives and assigns from any and all claims, actions, demands, suits, liabilities, damages, expenses, and obligations of any kind arising from, or related in any manner to Nicole Huber Photography use of said images 2. The deposit is non-refundable should the Client cancel the engagement. If photographer fails to appear at the specified time and location, the deposit shall be refunded in full to the Client. 3. The Client shall assist and cooperate with the Photographer in obtaining the desired photographs, including but notlimited to specifying persons and/or scenes to be photographeed;; taking time to pose for photographs at the Photographer’s direction;; pre-shoot consultaions;; etc. Photographer shall not be responsible for photographs not taken as a result of Client’s failure to provide reasonable assistance or cooperation. 4. The photographer retains copyright to the photographs, and hereby grants the Client unlimited but non-exclusive rights to use or reproduce the photographs for which the client pays. Photographs shall be delivered to the client on CD or any other media deemed suitable by the photographer. 5. In the unlikely event that the Photographer is injured or becomes too ill, or has an extreme emergency that prevents him or her from photographing the event, the Photographer will make every effort to reschedule the event.
Signatures:
Client’s Signature ___________________________
Printed Name ________________________________
Photographer’s Signature ___________________________
Printed Name ___________________________