Thank you so much for choosing Red Lotus Photography to capture your family memories! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for your custom portrait session. I’ll be in touch with you again to go over the details and answer any questions you may have. I can’t wait to begin creating your family art!
What to Expect During our session you can expect a relaxed and fun atmosphere. I want you to feel at ease and enjoy yourself during our time together. I like to get to know my clients and capture their true personalities. With families and children you can expect both posed shots and candids. We will most likely take breaks if infants and small children are involved. Infants often need breaks to nurse or feed and just get some love from mom and dad; toddlers sometimes have meltdowns and don’t want to cooperate. That is okay! This is expected with children of this age and is the norm in sessions with small children. With small children it is a good idea to bring their favorite snack and/or toy(s). They also come in handy if your toddler has a meltdown and just needs a break to play and let the mood pass. Sometimes the best shots are of your child being natural and playing with mom, dad or siblings. Newborn sessions typically last 3-4 hours, so please plan accordingly; try not to make appointments for the same day. Much of a newborn session is actually spent feeding, changing, and soothing the baby to sleep, so try not to get discouraged if it takes a long time just to get a few poses. You may want to bring a change of clothing for yourself, as it is virtually impossible to avoid accidents such as spit up or getting wet with a naked baby. Please don’t stress about them peeing (or worse) on my stuff. It will happen. And I will wash it. Really, it’s no big deal! This too is expected, and I will have several blankets on hand to swap out. I will happily do laundry for the sake of cute pictures. A well-fed baby is a sleepy baby. Even if you are breastfeeding, if it seems like baby just won’t sleep, consider trying a bottle just for the session. The free ones from the hospital work great. Above all, I want you to use this opportunity to sit back and relax while I handle everything!
October 2014
Hello! Thank you so much for choosing Red Lotus Photography to capture your family memories! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for your custom portrait session. I’ll be in touch with you again to go over the details and answer any questions you may have. I can’t wait to begin creating your family art!
Before Your Session Before your session, we’ll talk about clothing, session styling, and color palettes. We’ll also talk about how you plan to display your family art; this is a good time to start thinking about where you might put up wall displays in your home. Consider larger prints or a cluster of canvases to really make an impact. Will an 8x10 really do your image justice? Bigger is better!
What to Expect: Newborns The best time to have your newborn session is when baby is between 6-10 days old. In my experience, newborn sessions go more smoothly during this time frame; this is when baby is sleepiest and most easily positioned in those cute poses you see on my website. Newborn sessions typically last 3-4 hours, so please plan accordingly; try not to make appointments for the same day. Much of a newborn session is actually spent feeding, changing, and soothing the baby to sleep, so try not to get discouraged if it takes a long time just to get a few poses. During this time it is normal for baby to have periods of crying and wakefulness interspersed with the sleeping. Baby will most likely pee or poop on my blankets and props, and sometimes me! This is all expected, so please don’t stress. Everything is washable! You may want to bring a change of clothing for yourself, as it is virtually impossible to avoid accidents such as spit up or getting wet with a naked baby.
When you first arrive, we will undress baby and wrap her in a swaddle, then I'll ask you to top her off with a feeding. Even if baby ate right before you left the house, it’s helpful in getting her into a deeper sleep. Some parents want to feed baby on a schedule, however for the sake of time and having a smoother session, it’s best to feed baby as needed. If you are breastfeeding, you are welcome to do so at the studio, but I also recommend bringing a bottle of pumped breast milk if possible. Even if you are breastfeeding exclusively, if it seems like baby just won’t sleep, consider trying a bottle just for the session. This actually saves a good bit of
time and helps baby fill her belly well. A well-fed baby is a sleepy baby! Above all, I want you to use this opportunity to sit back and relax while I handle everything!
Siblings If siblings will be involved in your newborn photos, we will do family photos first, followed by photos of baby with siblings. You may want to arrange for grandparents or a babysitter to pick up baby’s siblings, especially young ones, after the first half hour or so of shooting so that they don’t have to stay the entire 3-4 hours. This will also ensure a more peaceful and quite atmosphere for baby to sleep while we pose him or her.
I keep the studio at a nice toasty 80 degrees for newborn sessions; if we are having the session at your home, please turn up the heat to at least 80 right before I arrive. This is absolutely essential for baby to stay comfortable and sleepy during the session, especially for those naked shots. If we are sweating, then I know that baby is feeling just right! I will provide a variety of hats, wraps, blankets, and props for baby, but you are welcome to bring any personal items that are meaningful to you to incorporate into the session. When preparing for your newborn session, don’t forget to pack extra diapers and wipes, binkies (if baby takes them), bottles of breast milk or formula, and an extra outfit for both parents that are suitable for photographs, just in case.
What to Expect: Children & Families During your session I like to have a fun and relaxed atmosphere! I like to get to know my clients and capture their true personalities. During our time together we will do both posed and candid photos. When working with small children, I know that they sometimes have meltdowns and don’t want to cooperate. That is okay! Patience is the key here; it’s important to stay calm while I work my magic. It’s also a good idea to bring their favorite snack and drink in case they need a little break. Children can be shy around new people. I always respect a child’s personal space and gently work on getting them to open up to me and my camera. A slow and subtle approach is key. It’s important for us to take our time and not rush things so I can make a connection with your little one. I will take cues from your child, and by the end of the session we’ll be like old buddies!
One at a Time, Please For young children, sometimes I ask for a bit of space while I am taking their portraits (i.e. usually a few feet, but always within view). Often times a child feels the need to perform in front of a parent, and that can sometimes mean un-natural smiles and expressions, or even rebellion! The tendency for parents is to want to “help” get their children to smile but this can actually be distracting and often will over stimulate and confuse them. Of course, I will let your child be our guide. If he or she starts to fuss or wants mommy or daddy, you will be quickly asked to come back until they are comfortable. I want you both to be completely at ease during our session.
Say Cheese? These are two words I will try not to use, as I strive to get honest and natural expressions from your child. With some light-hearted silliness, I hope to see some spontaneous smiles and giggles. That being said, it’s also o.k. to have some images where your child is not smiling, too. A soulful expression shows another facet of his or her personality, and may actually be the image that you love the most.
What to Wear
For clothing ideas, visit my Pinterest board for families: http://pinterest.com/sandyrlp/what-to-wear-families/
CHILDREN & FAMILIES: o Clothing really sets the tone for your images. I know there is so much more to you than all white shirts and jeans! Think complimentary, not matchy-matchy. Allow me to help you with clothing choices. I can recommend some great resources for finding the perfect outfit for your little one. When in doubt, bring more than you need to the session, and we will go through them together. o Try to pick a general color scheme that everyone can work with and yet have some flexibility. For example, you might pick something like neutrals; this doesn't mean everyone has to wear beige, but more like white, beiges and browns, and then add a couple of accent colors, such as pinks and light blues. The accent colors can come in the form of ties, scarves, necklaces, or a shirt layered under a sweater. o Another idea is to take one person’s shirt or outfit that has a great pattern and mix of colors, and pull the colors from that item to accessorize the rest of the family. And contrary to what you may have heard, it’s ok to mix patterns, colors, and textures! o Accessories, such as scarves, jewelry, colorful legwarmers, jackets, ties, and hats can really make the look. Don’t be afraid to accessorize! Dress in layers so that you can add or remove items for several different looks from one outfit. o For Dad, please, no polo-style shirts. A casual button-down shirt with rolled up sleeves paired with jeans is a nice choice (long sleeve is better than short sleeve). Consider layering shirts or adding a vest, sweater, or jacket. Accessories are important for dad, too—a sharp looking tie, a newsboy hat or fedora are all trendy and stylish, yet classic. o Your choice of shoes is just as important; oxfords, cowboy boots, rain boots, and funky sneakers all look adorable on kids. No white athletic shoes, please. Mom should wear heels, boots, pretty ballet flats or dressy sandals. Dads should wear dressy-casual leather shoes. Everyone should be prepared for the possibility of going barefoot as well. o It’s helpful to lay everyone’s outfits out on the bed and take a picture to get an idea of how they will go together. Snap a phone picture and refer to it when shopping to keep you focused on your vision. Send me a picture—I will help you out!
MATERNITY SESSIONS: o The clothing you choose for your maternity session depends on the setting (i.e. outdoors or in the studio). o Neutral colors are always a good choice, especially for studio sessions. Avoid tight clothing before the session to prevent lines in the skin. Some favorite outfits for maternity: o An elegant maxi dress that accentuates your belly; consider adding a wide-brim hat. o A maxi skirt and tube top; or a lacy robe or stretchy top with pretty panties and heels o Regular denim jeans unbuttoned at the top to show how your belly has grown o For Dad, take a cue from what she wears; tank tops, well fitted fine-knit shirts or fashioncut t-shirts (no undershirts), stylish button-down shirts with the sleeves rolled up, or light gauge sweaters and jeans.
NEWBORN SESSIONS: o For newborns, the best thing they can wear is nothing at all! Dresses, jeans, and other outfits are cute, but not good for newborn photos. Onesies are fine, and I will have a variety of wraps to swaddle baby. We want the images to be natural looking, with the emphasis on baby. o For mom, a pretty maxi-dress, or a simple cami/short-sleeved shirt with a skirt or jeans. Go for neutral colors and soft lines that will compliment the natural feel. o For dad, a good quality, snug-fitting plain fine gauge sweater or fashion-cut t-shirt (not undershirt), or tank top; I do not recommend polo-style shirts, or anything boxy/baggy. For dads that are comfortable taking off their shirts, I highly recommend it, because it will make for some of the most precious images of father and child. o Keep baby's diaper diaper fastened loosely to avoid lines in the skin, and watch for tight socks as well. For clothing ideas, visit my Pinterest boards for maternity and newborn sessions: http://pinterest.com/sandyrlp/what-to-wear-maternity/ http://pinterest.com/sandyrlp/what-to-wear-newborn-session/
A Few More Helpful Tips o I can retouch a lot of things, like blemishes and stray hairs, but chapped lips are difficult. The days before your session, use a warm, wet washcloth to gently soften and wipe away any chapped skin, then moisturize with good lip balm. Newborns often need gentle exfoliation of their lips and the crevices between fingers and toes. o Bring lip balm/lip gloss to the session -- it makes a big difference! o Clean and trim nails o If your child is sick or feeling under the weather, please call to reschedule your session as soon as it is apparent that he or she is ill. As a parent I understand that children get sick. I want your child to enjoy the session when they are feeling well rather than trying to power through a bad day.
After the Session After your photo session, we will schedule an ordering session about 1-2 weeks from the session date; I will prepare approximately 30-40 fully retouched images for the big debut. I want your complete experience to be a pleasure, and that’s why I’m excited to take the time to come into your home and help you design and plan your custom wall art. We’ll start with a first glimpse of your photos in a video montage set to personally selected music. Then you’ll have a chance to see and touch samples before making your selections. I’ll be there to answer questions and walk you through everything.
Portrait Collections: Full Session Collections are a client favorite because they offer significant savings over a la carte. They also can be customized to your needs by swapping items of equal value, and adding additional a la carte items with a percentage off. If there is something you want that is not listed here, please just ask! The Basics: $750 (Value of $875) 10 Desk Prints 16x20 Gallery Wrap Canvas 15% OFF additional a la carte products Simple and Sweet: $1200 (Value of $1595) 20 side 8x8 Session Album, one image per side 8 Desk Prints & one 11x14 Wall Print 1 Digital File 25% OFF additional a la carte products Complimentary Sitting Fee for your next full photo session Keepsake: $1800 (Value of $2885) – Our most popular collection! All of the high-resolution images in both color/BW on USB 16x20 Gallery-Wrapped Canvas or $385 product credit 8x8 20-side Album, unlimited images 35% off additional a la carte products Complimentary Sitting Fee for your next full photo session Signature: $2650 (value of $4100) All of the high-resolution images in both color/BW on USB $1500 Product Credit 10x10 20-side Album, unlimited images 50% off additional a la carte products Complimentary Sitting Fee for your next full photo session
A Sample of our
A La Carte Prices Desk Prints 5x7 $50 8x10 $50 Wall Prints 11x14 $95 16x20 $150 ~~~~~~~~~~~ 16x20 Canvas $385 USB of Images $1500 One image file $150 **************************** ~Minimum A La Cart order is $600~
Mini/Petite Collections: These next two pages reflect special collections available just for the maternity and sitting-up mini sessions for 6-9 month olds.
Petite Maternity Sessions: $75 sitting fee o A petite session for parents-to-be, with special Petite Collections starting at $475. Minimum a la carte order is $400. o This 45-minute session gives you 15-20 fully retouched images to order from, uploaded to a private online gallery for viewing. o The Maternity session and Newborn session are two separate orders. Orders must be placed within one week of gallery upload. o Maternity session should be scheduled between the 6th and 7th month (24-30 weeks) of pregnancy, however this can be flexible depending on how you are carrying and your level of comfort.
Petite Maternity Collections: Tiny Flutters: $475 (value of $525) 3 Desk Prints 6x6 10-side Mini Album, one image per side Little Kicks: $750 (value of $1175) 6x6 10-side Mini Album, one image per side 10 high-resolution images on CD in both color and BW Big Kicks: $1200 (value of $1700) 8x8 20-side Album, unlimited images All high-resolution images on CD in both color and BW
Sitting Up Minis: $75 sitting fee o Capture those milestones between the newborn and 1 Year sessions; The Sitting Up Mini is a special 30 minute mini-session just for babies 6-9 months old o Special Sitting Mini collections starting at $425. Minimum a la carte order is $400. o 10-12 retouched images uploaded to a private online gallery for viewing o Best scheduled when baby is sitting up unassisted, but not yet walking o Available only during weekdays at the studio o If you are a previous newborn client, no sitting fee!
Sitting Up Mini Collections: Mini Basics: $425 (value of $495) 8 Desk Prints One 11x14 Wall Print Mini Sweet and Simple: $625 (value of $975) 6x6 10-side Mini-Album, 10 images 6 Digital Files Mini Keepsake: $825 (Value of $1250) 8x8 10-side Album, Unlimited images All the Digital Files Free ½-inch photo jewelry charm 25% off additional a la carte items
A La Carte: Wall Prints 11x14 - $95 16x20 - $150 16x24 - $175 20x30 - $225 24x36 - $375 30x40 - $450
Gift Prints/Desk Art 8x10, 5x7, or Set of 8 wallets: $50 All prints 5x7 and larger are mounted and luster sprayed for longevity.
Fine Art Canvas Gallery Wrapped Canvas is today’s modern heirloom. Printed on premium canvas and wrapped around a stretcher bar, this gorgeous frameless presentation arrives ready to hang and compliments any dÊcor. 8x10 - $260 11x14 - $300 12x12 - $300 16x16 - $350 16x20 - $385 16x24 - $425
20x20 - $425 20x24 - $475 20x30 - $575 24x36 - $700 30x30 - $750 30x40 - $950
Organic Bloom Frames Curvy & elegant custom frames with a gorgeous distressed finish. Print included with frame. Opening Size 2x3 Ornament 3x3 Ornament 5x7 8x8 8x10 10x10 11x14 16x20 16x24 20x30 24x36 30x40
Single Frame $75
Double Stack ----
Twin Stack ----
$75
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$125 $150 $175 $225 $375 $600 $725 $1025 $1575 $2150
$170 $200 $225 $290 $425 $725 $875 $1325 $1925 $2600
$195 $215 $250 $325 $515 $775 $975 $1500 $2200 $3000
Frame Style Options:
Single
Double Stack
Twin Double Stack
Albums: With flush-mount albums, images are printed on directly on the pages. A combination of collages and full-page images tell the story of your family. Thick, sturdy pages are built to last for generations, and are complete with an image wrap cover.
6x6 5x5 8x8 10x10 8x8 10x10 12x12
~~~~~~ 10-side album: $375 20-side album: $650 20-side album: $850 20-side album: $950 30-side album: $1250 30-side album: $1400 30-side album: $1650 ~~~~~~
Digital Files Individual Files: $150 per file Entire Collection of Files: $1500 Full Session $850 Petite Maternity $750 Sitting Mini Purchase of the digital files includes a set of 5x7 proof prints!
Custom Photo Jewelry: Wear Your Love Made of sterling silver or antique silver-plated pewter with a waterproof resin coating over the image, these pieces are a gorgeous way to carry your loved ones with you wherever you go.
Half-inch Charm: $50
Hannah Circle Pendant: $150
This ½” mini square or circle makes a perfectly petite charm for any bracelet or necklace. Made of lead-free pewter with an antique silver coating, its understated size goes with just about everything, making it perfect for every day wear. Charm only; ribbon not included.
The delicate etched detail work of this pendant is sure to catch attention. The 36-inch fairy ribbon is a perfect whimsical touch to finish the look – or for a different feel, opt for a black rosary bead necklace ($20). The image is encased in a 13/16” circle; available in pewter antique silver with black ribbon or copper finish with copper ribbon.
Magnetic Locket: $200 This locket comes in antique silver pewter with a mineral glass front and holds a 1 1/2� magnetic pearl print. Purchase a set of 4 extra magnetic prints ($40) and change out the image each day. The locket comes with a textured antique silver pewter convertible chain, which can be worn as an 18-inch double strand, or a 36-inch single strand. Upgrade to the convertible pearl chain for only $25.
Pearl Charm Bracelet: $150 This lovely pearl bracelet grows with your family each photo session. One ½� round pewter charm is included with the bracelet; each additional charm is $50.
Birthstone Charms: $20 Personalize your locket necklace or charm bracelet with these sweet little finishing pieces. Choose from a cute bead birthstone or antiqued pewter circle with lovely etching surrounding the birthstone.