Newborn Session Questions
I pencil in the due date on my calendar, and then I ask parents to email or text me within 3 days of the baby’s birth so that we can schedule your actual session time.nnI only book a few newborns a month so that I can be really flexible with scheduling.
Ideally, I recommend reaching out when you are 6-7 months pregnant so that we can book your due date and plan your session when you still have some time on your hands. However, if you’ve already had your baby, you’re not too late! Please reach out!
For those sleepy, swaddled baby shots, I recommend scheduling between 7-21 days old. However, I know that life happens and this isn’t always possible! We can still create beautiful newborn images after 3 weeks; it just takes a little more time and flexibility.
I usually recommend mornings, I can come to your home, or you can come to my studio. Right after a good full feeding is when I love to take pictures. Then we know babe will be fast asleep.
Babies are on their own timeline, and as much as I would like to definitively say 1 hour. We are on their schedule. On average for a full session, you are looking at 3 – 3 1/2 hours.
Yes! I have probably 20 adorable newborn props, ranging from hearts and moons, to beds and buckets. As for swaddles, I have every color imaginable, so if you have a speicific look in mind, we will make your vision come to life!
Yes of course! I will need you, especially if the little one needs to be fed!
I have a few tips, but I will send you these again before our session:nTry to keep baby awake before the session so that he/she is nice and sleepy. nFeed baby when you get to my studio, or when I get to your home. Make sure this is a full feed, not a topper. nKeep baby in just a diaper and a very loose swaddle so that we don’t need to wake him/her up for changes
Maternity Questions
I love photographing maternity sessions anywhere from 28-35 weeks. I find this is when you still feel your best. nAnd I want you to come in condifent and beautiful!
Yes! I have a large client closet filled with long flowy gowns, body suits, body con dresses, and flowy fabric. If I don’t have what you want, I will get it! But I also love incorporating my clients style, so definitely bring things that are you!
A hair and makeup artist can be available for an extra fee! I highly recommend her, and I think you deserve to splurge!
Yes! I get it, some of our session might not be what you want grandma and grandpa to see! They can totally be kept private!
I find and buy the best possible outfits for my clients. I work with vendors and designers here in America, as well as Europe and Asia. My favorites are
https://www.mii-estilo.com
https://www.kh.fashion
https://anyutacouture.com/
And also Amazon! Here are some of my favorite amazon links:
https://amzn.to/3JBBken
https://amzn.to/3J6yNaw
https://amzn.to/406f3KU
Headshot Session Questions
I love taking both natural light, and studio headshots. You can take a look at my gallery for examples of each. My studio is located in Washington Heights in northern Manhattan.
Bring options! Seriously, I have clients who bring suitcases full of clothes.nnPack something light, something dark and bring colors. The only thing I really discourage is anything with a logo on it. If you need further assistance, just ask!
If we are shooting outdoors, I shy away from midday. The light is too harsh. My favorite time is roughly one-two hours before sunset. This is called Magic Hour / golden hour in the photography world. The light is warm and beautiful, and colors pop.
NYC is the best backdrop in the world for headshots, I have lots of great places through out the city, and various boroughs I like to shoot. In addition, I highly recommend my studio.
Yes! She will make you look beautiful, while still looking like you, which is the most important thing I want represented in your headshots!nn*Hair and Makeup is an additional fee paid directly to the MUA.
YES! I hope you will get as much use out of them as possible! Share! Although credit is not necessary, it is always appreciated.
Of course! Having a friend can be comforting, and provide a laugh buddy.
General Questions
My studio is in the Washington Heights / Inwood area of northern Manhattan, however I shoot all over NYC, and the Hudson Valley! Let me know your ideal location, and I will be there!
I love authentic images that are filled with honest emotion. I want my images to reflect who you are, not only in look, but also in personality.nnMost photos are lightly posed, meaning I’ll help get you into place first and then encourage interaction and real expressions while we’re snapping away.
Typically outdoors, in my studio, or in my client’s homes. For outdoor sessions, I love parks and playgrounds, but I also love trying new locations. New York is the best city for backgrounds!
Would you believe that EVERYONE tells me this, and it never turns out to be true. I like my sessions to be relaxed and fun, and when you are having a great time, you’ll look fabulous, I promise!
Chose two main colors you love, and base your color scheme around them. Though use the brightest of the colors sparingly (this will be your accent color). Imagine gold and navy were your two colors; the navy could be your shirt, or skirt, while the gold could be a headband or shoes. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!nnWhen you schedule your date, I will share my outfit inspiration guide with you!
I keep a number of backup dates open each month in case of bad weather, and there is no fee to reschedule to a new date if it’s raining or snowing – in fact I encourage it. Sunshine adds warmth and life to an image, and it’s definitely worth waiting for.
I use a Canon d Mark III and a Sony a7iiinnI have lots of lenses for every occasion, a 35mm 1.2, 50mm 1.2, 85mm 1.2, 24-70, and 70-200.nnIn the studio, I have a strobe set-up, which uses Paul C. Buff lights and modifiers.
Your gallery is posted no more than 3 weeks after your session. If you require additional retouches, they will be ready 2 weeks after that, pending the scope of the retouch.
Family Session Questions
I love getting to know my clients’ kids, even the ones who are shy/stubborn/you name it! I always approach the session as a new friend who’s just there to play and have a good time. I have all the patience in the world, and I find that being easy-going translates to happy kiddos.nnThat being said, not every moment of the session is perfect, and that’s totally OK — in fact, it’s encouraged! In 10 years, I’m willing to bet that you’ll cherish the image of your toddler crying fake tears just as much as the one that we took 10 seconds later of them happily running toward the camera.nnMy goal is to capture the personalities of the kids in front of my lens, including all of the beautiful quirks, details, and small moments that make up childhood.nn
Pinterest is a good place for inspiration, and I always love to see your board! However, I want to create shots showcasing your beautiful family, and not on recreating someone else’s.
Let go, and enjoy! Kids pick up anxiety really quickly. We will have the best chance of getting amazing images if we let them happen naturally (with a little guidance of course).nnRelax and have fun!n
Of course! All galleries are password protected, so only you and your family can access them. In addition, if you prefer not to have your images on my website, just mark down on your client questionnaire that you prefer to keep your images private! I absolutely respect your decision.
Yes! I love when grandparents join, I even love when dogs join! These are your images, and I want the special people in your life to be included.
Of course! And I don’t judge, because my house is probably the same. Just give me a heads up about lighting, maybe send over a picture, and put away things you might be utterly embarrassed to see in pictures.
Yes! I would love to help you design and print your holiday card!
The short answer, yes, usually twice a year (once in the spring, once in the fall), I will have a marathon day of mini sessions which are 30 minutes each. These are great if you know your child has had many photos before, or if your child or toddler has a shorter attention span, but please also be aware, I do not promise any specific images during these sessions, it’s more of a “we get what we get, and we don’t get upset”. I don’t believe sessions should be rushed, and I want you to enjoy our time together with amazing memories. If you are inquiring about a mini session for financial reasons, please message me, and we can work something out! I believe family photography is important, and finances shouldn’t come in the way!
Digital Files, Images & Equipment Questions
All sessions include full-resolution digital files with a print release, which allows you to reproduce images for personal use as many times as needed.
Every proof in your gallery is color-corrected and edited 95% of the way. Any images that you order will be fully retouched at no additional charge. Common fixes included but are not limited to: flyaway hairs skin smoothing and blemish removal, escaping bra straps, etc.
I love black & white images, I just do. When I am going through your gallery, some images will just beg to be edited in B&W. If you want an additional image in B&W, just let me know! I would be more than happy to provide it for you.
The short answer, no.nnThe long answer, I believe in quality over quantity. I spend a long time culling through the images, and narrowing them down to a select amount that I believe are the strongest from our session.I then edit each individual photo. With my work, you will not see a batch edit with an instagram filter.
No, but I will provide you with hi-res digitals that are jpgs! Honestly, unless you are a photographer, you don’t need the RAW images, they are very, very large, and need special software to edit.
When I deliver your gallery, you will have the ability to purchase prints, albums, canvases etc. The lab I use is Millers. If you wished to purchase your prints on your own, I recommend 3 consumer labs. I do not recommend printing your images at Shutterfly, Target, Walmart, CVS, or Costco. These labs are not designed to handle printing professional photography. If you’d like more advice, please don’t hesitate to ask.
3 weeks after your session, you’ll receive a link to your online proof gallery. To submit your order, just check out through your gallery!
Cake Smash & Events
Yes! And I love them! We will coordinate colors and themes, and I will come to your home with a seamless background and props. The only thing you are responsible for is the cake, and his/her outfit!
Usually an hour; I like to get some of the birthday boy/girl in a nice outfit, and then do the smash at the end. The smash itself is very fast, but very messy.
One hour at my studio location, your choice of 15 digital images. nnYou bring the baby and the cake, I will take care of the rest!
Yes! I do. For larger parties, I even offer photo booth sessions with fun props and a background.
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