Newborn Session Prep!

I get the question a lot… "what do I bring? when do we schedule pictures? what do you provide? will my baby get to eat during pictures?". I'm hoping this will answer all your questions, but it may not. If you do have any other questions feel free to use the contact tab and send me a message.

Scheduling: 

Please call me the day you have your baby or the day after so we can schedule your session within the 4-10 day range. I will schedule newborns who are up to 14 days old and newborns older than 14 days who have been in the NICU. But where possible I do recommend the 4-10 day range because they sleep longer and are more easily posed therefore making it so you receive more photos back. 

About your newborn session:

• ·      Typically they last 2-3 hours
• ·      There will be time for 1-2 feedings in the session as needed

Preparation before you come:

• ·      Try to feed your baby right before you come if possible
• ·      Keep your baby awake the hour before you session if you are able (sometimes its hard, don’t stress this one).
• ·      Please come comfortable! You have a newborn in your home which means you have been up all night for a number of days now. No need to get ready to come for pictures. I always dress comfortable as well. 

What to bring:

• ·      5-6 extra diapers
• ·      feeding supplies (nursing cover, bottles, formula)
• ·      burp cloth
• ·      binky
• ·      waterbottle for you and snacks (you can totally snack during pictures and you may need to especially if you are nursing)
• ·      any headbands you love for girls, or bow ties for boys
• ·      any sentimental items you want in photos

What I will have for you at the session:

• ·      fabric and vinyl backdrops
• ·      baskets, buckets
• ·      cheese cloth wraps
• ·      hats for boys and girls
• ·      headbands, tutus, and pearl necklaces for girls
• ·      pant sets and overalls boys 

2 years and counting...

It's crazy to think that I started Kimberly Aldrich Photography just 2 short years ago! It's definitely been an amazing learning experience and something I've never regretted. It was a bit of a struggle to learn the tricks of the trade, but to also to not get discouraged when I see the work of others (who have been doing photography professionally for 5+ years) that far surpasses my own. It's a constant inner battle to not compare myself to others, but to still learn from their amazing work. One thing that has helped me is to take out pictures from when I first started my business and find a recent one with the similar number of people and ages, and compare myself to myself. The progression that I have made is phenomenal when I do that. It makes me excited to compare pictures 2 more years from now and see how much more improvements I will one day make!

Here's an example below. It was a huge strain for me not to re-edit the picture from 2011, but it's not necessarily a bad picture either. The biggest difference that stood out between the two is the editing techniques I used. I definitely improved big-time in that area! The 2011 picture does look a bit posed, but you do have to get in some of those in each shoot. My favorite though are those candid shots like the 2012 picture I took. I can remember trying different things out that year to see what cues would work the best for different groups of people to get those darling candid shots.  It's fun to learn a bit along the way.

Photography is definitely a learning experience. And although I'm not the perfect photographer, I continue learning and improving my work so that one day I can be. The knowledge that I've gained over these 2 years is absolutely priceless! And the people I've been blessed to work with are amazing and have become some of my best friends! I love my job and the wonderful referrals I've received from all my past clients. I love this opportunity to bring out my creative side and to get out of my comfort zone. Thank you so much for supporting me and my growing business! I hope your Holidays this year are very JOLLY!

Love,

Kim