MEAGAN ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWBORN SESSION GUIDE
MEAGAN ASHLEY
PHOTOGRAPHY
PROFESSIONAL BABY SNUGGLER
Photographing you from Belly, to Baby, and Beyond.
I have always said the Newborn stage is fleeting. It passes in the blink of an eye, and suddenly they're crawling, walking, talking, and heading off to school. Those first few weeks are full of awe, adjustment, and tiny, tiny toes. I love to document every little detail of your sweet new arrival. From their cheeks and eyelashes, to their lips and their nose!
STUDIO NEWBORN
These sessions are best scheduled for when the baby is between 7-14 days old. These are posed studio sessions, using a wide variety of props, outfits, headbands, bonnets & backdrops. I use studio lighting and gorgeous setups to fill your gallery with a variety of shots, including poses with siblings and parents.
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Investment:
Full: $499 (tax included) Baby-Only: $449 (tax included)
Parents & Siblings
2-3 hour Studio Session
HOW TO BOOK YOUR SESSION
STEP ONE
Inquire about your due date month to confirm availability. In order to accommodate the rough timeline that is your due date, I only take a certain number of Newborns per month.
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
A $50 Retainer is required to get your due date on my calendar, and guarantees you a session within 14 days of the baby being born (for studio sessions). This comes off of the total amount due for the session.
All that's left to do is decide on a color scheme and wait for your sweet little one to arrive!
BEFORE FOR
YOUR
SESSION
SESSION Q&A:
WHEN WILL THE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
Newborn sessions are best scheduled within the first two weeks of life. Preferably between the ages of 7-11 days. Fresh 48' sessions take place in the hospital before you leave, within the 'first 48 hours'.
WHAT DO I WEAR?
Parent portraits with the new baby are included in your session, and encouraged! It is best to wear white, cream or black for the parent and family portion of your session. It is recommended to stay away from loud patterns, as well as big logos and bright colours. All family portraits are shot from the waist up, so feel free to dress comfy from the waist down. For more artistic shots, Dads can choose to remove their shirts and Moms may choose to be wrapped in a scarf, wrap or other stretchy material available in my studio. These can make for some very tender images.
If you have older siblings that are being photographed with your newborn, these will be the first photos we do. Cream or white is recommended for older siblings (without any logos or patterns) with jeans, or dresses for girls. The more texture the better (knit, lace, etc) and they will be barefoot so no worry about shoes.
*Due to the nature of the session and the size of my studio we ask that your spouse/partner or a family member comes to take the older siblings home or out for something fun to do while we finish up the individual newborn shots.
** A note to Mom: I know the idea of getting in front of the camera this soon after having a baby is probably dreadful, but I promise you won't regret it. I pride myself in finding your angles, and always make sure you are in flattering poses.
WHAT CAN I DO DURING THE SESSION?
I have extensive Newborn Safety training, so feel free to sit back and relax during your session! Enjoy some of the available snacks and beverages, catch up on some TV, or even have a little nap! Your little one is safe in my hands.
As a new parent, I completely understand any nerves you have leaving your precious new baby with someone new, so my studio is set up so that you can always see what I'm doing. I encourage poking your head in to see some setups!
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This is a full service studio, meaning I am equipped with diapers, wipes and extra soothers if needed during your session. If baby needs a feed, I pause the session and allow you some good baby cuddles while we get them nice and full.
WILL YOU USE PROPS?
My studio is fully stocked with a wide variety of props, backdrops, wraps, outfits, headbands, bonnets & sleepy caps. We will chat before your session about colour requests and themes, and I will style your session around that. If you see something in any of my galleries that you like, be sure to mention it before your session.
NOTES TO CONSIDER:
First & foremost, it is important to me for your baby to look comfortable and peaceful in the photographs I take. I have a lot of experience and patience with Newborns and my motto is "Safety First". I will never put your newborn in an unsafe pose/prop.
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Be prepared to spend between 2 and 4 hours at my studio. I want to capture your baby in every way that I can, even down to their little lips and eyelashes - its not unusual to spend up to 20 minutes working to perfect one pose.
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A full baby = a sleepy baby, and we need a very sleepy and calm baby in order to achieve the sweet, flexible poses you see in my portfolio. Be sure to bring extra bottles of milk with you to the studio, as its not uncommon for the baby to need multiple feedings throughout the session. If you are breastfeeding, there is space in my studio for you to comfortably nurse. It is best to give the baby a nice full feed before heading to the studio.
Stimulating the baby with a bath or by doing 'naked time' prior to the session is helpful for getting them nice and sleepy. I recommend interacting with your newborn as much as possible in the hour leading up to your session.
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Your little one will be photographed wrapped or naked for the majority of the session. The studio is kept at 78 degrees to ensure your newborn is comfortable at all times - even when undressed. I take great care in ensuring that they are posed correctly and no inappropriate bits are exposed in photos. Clothes tend to be bulky and awkward, unless purchased through a reputable newborn vendor.
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MATERNITY SESSIONS
Absolute best time ever, Meagan made me feel like an actual pregnant princess out in the woods! 20/10 would recommend !!
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- Rachael Godin (2019)
As a mother, I know how much of a rollercoaster pregnancy can be. It is wonderful, miraculous, exhausting and overwhelming all at the same time. I remember watching my belly grow and being in awe of my body but at times felt so uncomfortable sharing my body with someone new. While nine months can feel like nice years, it is also such a short time compared to the lifetime you'll spend with your child. My goal in my Maternity sessions is to make you feel comfortable, and beautiful!
I have a beautiful array of Maternity gowns for you to choose from for your session:
Investment: $349
*$75 discount when bundled with Newborn*
SESSION Q&A:
WHEN SHOULD THE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
I recommend scheduling your Maternity session between 30-34 weeks for the best bump photos, however I want you to be comfortable! If you'd prefer to do the photos earlier feel free to let me know.
CAN I INCLUDE MY SPOUSE/PARTNER AND/OR CHILDREN IN THE SESSION?
Of coarse! I always encourage immediate family members to participate in the session, and will guide you to the perfect outfits for them to go with your gown.
WHERE WILL THE SESSION TAKE PLACE?
You are open to choose between an outdoor (on location) session, or a studio session.
I have many locations to choose from depending on the look you'd like to go for. I have forest locations in Niagara-on-the-lake, Fonthill, and St Catharines, as well as some beautiful blossom fields in the spring. Beaches are a common location, and are so much fun in the summer! A location session generally allows for up to (3) wardrobe changes.
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My studio is well equipped with gorgeous backdrops, fabrics and accessories for your Maternity session. A studio session allows for multiple wardrobe changes.
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