Planning newborn portraits often comes with questions and a lot of them. Rightfully so. How do you choose your session date? What do you need to bring? Who is included? What if baby arrives early or late? There isn’t a question I haven’t heard.
At Finch & Mae Photography, newborn sessions are designed around newborns. My Rio, WI studio welcomes families from Madison, Sun Prairie, Portage, and surrounding communities for a relaxed experience where your baby’s comfort and safety are my top priority.
Here is what to expect from reserving your spot to arriving at the studio.
Your Due Date Reserves Your Spot
When you book your newborn session, your due date goes on my calendar. We don’t need to set an actual date until you have your baby, scheduled a planned C-Section or induction date.
When your baby arrives, please reach out while still in the hospital. As a new mama or even a seasoned mama, your are in the newborn trenches when you get home and the last thing you are thinking about is scheduling your session with Becky. Totally valid, might I add.
All newborn sessions are held Monday-Friday at 10am. Keep that weekday availability in mind when planning work schedules and arrangements for older children.
Your Baby Sets The Pace
Every newborn session is baby-led. Your baby’s needs take priority.
If you newborn needs to eat, we pause for a feeding. If they need a diaper change, then that is what we do. Feeding changing, and comforting your baby are all part of the experience. You don’t need to apologize for a hungry baby or feel rushed when they need you.
Every Baby Is Different
Some newborns are comfortable being gently positioned while unwrapped. Others feel most settled when they are wrapped snuggly. I follow those cues and adjust the session accordingly.
Your first newborn may be totally different than your second newborn during their session. There is no bad baby in my studio.
I don’t force babies into positions or guarantee specific poses. If you baby is unhappy being unwrapped, we will wrap them and photograph in a way that they feel safe.
I also don’t guarantee photos of your baby wearing an outfit or posing unwrapped. Not every newborn enjoys those setups and their comfort always comes first.
You are welcome to share with me what you love about my work. This helps me to understand your preferences.
Family Portraits Come First
If your chosen collection includes parents and siblings, we photograph that portion of the session first.
Older siblings need to leave immediately after their photographs are finished. Many parents choose to have Dad take the kids to the Fireman’s Park, LRs for a burger or to Mama Chaz’s for breakfast or lunch. We also have a lovely public library that has some great activities.
This allows for their time in the studio to be short and allow the studio to be quiet for your baby. Many parents say that their baby is used to the noise of older siblings and while that may be true, it tends to be different in the studio.
You’ll Receive A Newborn Prep Guide
Before your session, I will send you a newborn prep guide to help your family get ready.
Please read through it ahead of time and reach out with any questions. It will walk you through preparing for your visit so you can arrive knowing what to expect.
Please follow the prep guide as best as possible as those methods are proven to work quite well.
The Studio Is Stocked For Your Baby
You don’t need to purchase newborn outfits, wraps or props for your session. The studio provides the items we’ll use to photograph your baby.
Bring your usual diaper bag with your newborn’s feeding, diapering, and comfort essentials. I’ll take care of the studio styling and guide you along the way.
If you would like to bring a personal item for the photographs, let me know beforehand so I can do my best to accommodate it into a set.
Choose The Collection That Fits Your Family
Some families want newborn portraits only. Others want to document pregnancy too or return throughout their baby’s first year.
Finch & Mae offers:
–Newborn Collections to preserve your baby’s earlies days.
–Maternity and newborn bundles to document pregnancy and the arrival of your little one.
–Baby Plans to capture several stages throughout your baby’s first year.
The right choice depends on what you want to remember and who you would like included. I am happy to help you compare the options.
Payment plans are available for every session to help spread out the cost. We’ll discuss the payment schedule when you inquire so you know what to expect.
Let Your Baby Be A Baby
Your newborn doesn’t need to sleep through every setup or stay content the entire time.
They are allowed to be hungry, need a cuddle or prefer being wrapped. My job is to work thoughtfully with your baby and preserve tiny features and connections that you will want to remember as they grow.
If you are looking for a Madison-area studio newborn photographer, I would love to welcome your family to Finch & Mae in Rio.
share to
Be the first to comment