q & A
How would you describe your style?
While I typically love simple, neutral earth tones with a timeless feel for the majority of my photography & personal work, I do also love color, a bold statement piece/prop to add some variety, as well as a fun creative setup or background when the situation or theme calls for it.
When should I schedule my newborn session?
All newborn sessions take place within 6-16 after birth, so it is important to schedule your session while still pregnant to reserve a spot within this timeframe! I usually book 2 to 3 months in advance but anytime after the 1st trimester is acceptable. If you are later than that, or your baby has already arrived, I occasionally have last minute availability and will do my best to accommodate you.
How do I book my newborn session?
Use the Contact Me form to inquire & once you decide which session option is right for you I will send you several links via email: the contract to sign, the link to make deposit payment, then a questionnaire form will follow. Once you pay the deposit, your due date will go on my calendar and I will hold a session spot for you within 16 days of your delivery date. You should contact me within 48 hours of your baby’s arrival to ensure a spot on my calendar in the ideal timeframe for photos.
What is the best age to photograph my newborn?
The best age to schedule the session is within the first 14 days after birth (typically 6-16 days is ideal for most full term babies) but will accommodate up to 3 weeks or more depending on the situation. This is when babies are most sleepy and curly for the newborn poses. Full term babies over two weeks old can be more alert and sensitive to being posed during their newborn session. I will provide a prep guide before your session so that you can prepare your baby the best way possible to ensure he or she is sleepy, and I will try my best using the right conditions such as a very warm room, lots of feedings, pacifier, cuddling, etc.
Where do newborn sessions take place?
All newborn sessions take place in my small home studio in Middlesex, NJ. This allows me to have consistent lighting and a temperature warm enough to keep the baby comfortable, and access to all of my newborn props & blankets so that you can help choose your favorites to incorporate in your session.
What can I expect during a newborn session?
Depending on which session you book, sessions can take anywhere from 1-3+ hours. This is so that we have time built in to feed and soothe the baby (which you will see often takes the most time!). The studio will be kept very warm to ensure your baby’s comfort while undressed, so you dressing in layers is recommended. Feel free to bring in drinks & snacks of your choosing (I do request that the front door be limited to the amount of opening & closing while baby is asleep & naked especially during the colder months) My clients love to take advantage of the opportunity to get out of the house. It is a great time to relax, catch up on email and social media, or even take a nap, knowing their little one will be in good hands while here. This is also when you'll have the chance to look & feel the products that I offers, flip through pages of heirloom albums, see & feel the amazing quality of the folio boxes and matted prints, check out gift ideas for grandparents & others like the pocket accordion albums.
Can I get photos of the baby with my older child or children?
Of course! These photos can be included in the Petite & Deluxe session options. Family sessions that include parents can be included in the Deluxe session option or as an add on to the Petite or Simple newborn option but does not include any additional images. Please let me know ahead of time if you wish to have sibling or family photos included in your session.
What is the difference between the Simple, Petite and Deluxe session?
The Simple newborn session which is limited up o 45 minutes in length and includes just two simple setups while baby is wrapped (swaddled). The Simple newborn session comes with 3 digital images. Although I give suggestions & steps to follow before you leave your house to have baby already asleep on arrival to achieve the sleepy poses you see in my portfolio some babies will be awake anyway. Due to the time constraint, less time is spent getting baby to sleep as compared to the other sessions & baby's will be photographed awake or asleep.
The Petite session can last between 1.5-2 hours, will include 3 different set ups (siblings can be included at no additional fee) & your choice of 12 images.
The Deluxe session can last 2-3+ hours which includes 5 setups with much more poses covered as compared to the Simple & Petite newborn session. Sibling & family setups included. This option includes 20 images of your choice.
The Simple & Petite sessions are perfect for parents looking to just get a couple of photos of the baby only &/or siblings together or who may have a limited budget, but would still like to enjoy a newborn session with Sarah Dipity Photography.
Do you offer additional images or products?
Yes! Additional images will be available to purchase from your proof gallery at a rate of $50 per image. Heirloom products such as keep-sake acrylic covered albums, acrylic photo blocks, fine-art prints, & metal high gloss artwork is also available Ala-carte. A Price guide will be provided after time of booking. Absolutely no unedited photos will be for sale.
Can I bring props to my newborn session?
I provide all of the blankets, hats, headbands, wraps and props you see in many of my photos for newborn sessions. If you wish to include an additional item, please limit the amount that you bring to 1 or 2. You will be asked to fill out a pre-session style questionnaire where you can let me know if you have any color and pose preferences for your session where you can list props/personal items aswell. I do request no cutesy little crocheted outfits, those are adorable but they have a place outside of the artistic, fine art photography look which I feel greatly takes away from the baby's natural beauty. With that said one special request/fun set up (ie super heroes, Disney princess themes, sport themes with props more than a ball, etc.) will be allowed at my discretion.
How do I prepare for my newborn's session?
As soon as the baby is born, contact me to get your session date scheduled & you will then receive a prep guide via email that will give you more information about how to prepare. In summary though – lots of milk, white noise and heat are all the things that go into the session so that we have a nice sleepy baby!! I hold M,Th,F mornings open & do not book other sessions until last minute to insure I have enough open time for my expecting newborns. This way if your scheduling family visit or doctor appointments in advance I ask to try to keep these days & time in mind that they may be needed for your newborn session.
Can I bring other family members to watch?
Since the studio space is small with only enough seating for 2 adults comfortably I do request that anyone not being photographed or a required driver refrain from joining us during the session. I even suggest that other siblings be brought out of the studio by a parent or other family member once we are done with their set ups to insure a smoother running session when we are concentrating on baby alone.
When will my photos be ready?
Within 2 weeks you will receive a proof gallery which will be mainly unedited images that you can view & choose your favorites from. I ask to please have your choses back to me with in 1 week so I can start editing your gallery. Then about 2-3 weeks from then you will receive an online gallery with the high resolution photos for you to download so that you can print your photos anywhere at any size (I do provide cropping guidelines) but for the highest quality heirloom images professional printing through your photographer is recommended. Yes, you receive the full resolution edited images that you chose in the online gallery with all packages.
What is your sick policy?
Sicknesses happen, especially if you have young children! For the safety of your brand new baby, under no circumstances will I photograph your newborn if I am feeling ill. And the same goes for all of my clients that come into my studio… I do not want anyone who is possibly sick to enter the studio because I need to keep it as sanitized as possible for all of the newborns that come to see me as well as my own family. Therefore, if you are sick, please let me know and we can reschedule. Thank you for your understanding!
Do you have any pets?
We do have a family pet, a cat named Charlie & he is very important to us. I understand that some people are severely allergic to cats so if that is the case then an outdoor session may be a better option since Charlie does have free range of the studio room while sessions aren't taking place.
Balance payment is accepted on the day of the session via cash, check, Paypal, Venmo, or credit card.
For all newborn sessions the contract must be signed and $299 non-refundable deposit must be paid to reserve your session. I will choose the best photos from your session to upload to a proof gallery and hand edit each of your favorites. The original raw files are not available for purchase. For all sessions you will be provided with an online gallery to download images, and this gallery will not expire as long as my hosting company is still in business. Due to the nature of custom photography, all sales are final and nonrefundable. Digital files come with a print release, however Sarah Dipity Photography retains the right to all images.
