Welcome to your Maternity
Session Guide
Firstly congratulations! And thank you so much for thinking about booking a session with me. I am so excited to work with you and to capture some beautiful, natural images of this beautiful time in your life. This session guide will tell you everything you need to know about a photoshoot with me and how you can prepare.
This is me, Leanne. mum of two, memory catcher, sunset lover, relaxed and natural newborn and family photographer covering Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds. I can't wait to get to know you too.
I take a very relaxed approach to all my sessions. My main aim is to make everyone feel comfortable and is very much child led. My style is a hybrid between lifestyle and documentary. This means that I do a mix of standing back and capturing what unfolds in front of me as well as offering little prompts here and there and directing you into the best light. I do minimal posing but I may ask you to sit or stand in a certain spot or light and ask you to hold and hug each other to get some detail and family photos but that will be all. I also have some fun tricks and games that will interest little ones and also in result in fun and connected images.
WHAT TO EXPECT
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My maternity sessions are very much led by you and what you are comfortable with. If you have older children involved, it may look like a family session that's a bit more focused on the story of waiting for little sibling to arrive.
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Upon booking your session, I will ask if you would prefer an outdoor photoshoot or one at home. I love both equally. It completely depends on your personality and the type of imagery you are envisaging.
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If you choose outside, I will give a list of locations for you to choose from and I do think sunset is a beautiful time of day for a photoshoot.
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If you choose at home, we can relax with a cup of tea, get cosy and I will prompt you into the best light.
WHAT TO WEAR
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Whether you decide to wear your comfies, floaty dresses or just your underwear to show off your lovely bump, the most important thing is that you must feel comfortable, otherwise it will show in the photos. I do have a couple of dresses an kaftans in my client wardrobe so feel free to ask me for pictures of them. However if you need a bit of guidance here are a few tips:
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Do's:
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Mums - if you are feeling body conscious or in any discomfort, wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Leggings/baggy tops/floaty dresses all work well.
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Soft and neutral tones will always photograph well, e.g. pastels or greys/beiges/whites (not all white though)
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Earthy tones will give a more vibrant feel and look great together (burgundy/greens/mustards/blues/burnt oranges)
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Use variation in colours for each person as well as mixing up different textures (denim/cotton/wool/linen, etc) this will add depth and texture to your images
Layering looks lovely in photos and can give you variation (scarfs/shirts/hats/cardigans/jackets – depending on weather)
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If you want to show off your beautiful bump, I find a floaty dress works well as well as a tight vest top with a cosy cardigan of kaftan over the top. If you are wanting bare bump photos, then comfy underwear with a cardigan or kaftan looks lovely. Or unbuttoned jeans and comfy bra also looks good for a relaxed look.
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Dont's:
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Ideally stay away from too bright or overly patterned clothes as this will take away from what is happening in the images
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I would also advise to stay away from big logos/brands printed as this will takeaway from the timeless feel of the images.
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Don't all wear the same item of clothing or same colour, e.g. all jeans and all white shirts. This will look too contrived. We want each personality to shine.
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During our pre-photoshoot discussions I am more than happy to help you with your outfit choices further and you are more than welcome to email me some ideas or any options that you have already in your wardrobe. Ideally I wouldn’t want you to spend where you wouldn't need to. I want you to feel comfortable and confident!
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Top Tips:
Start with one outfit and go from there
Take a look at these colour combinations and see what appeals to you most
If you are going to buy something new - New look, Zara, FatFace and H&M are my go to's for something affordable but I also love Olive Clothing and Free People - Tu at Sainsburys is great for kids
HOW YOU CAN PREPARE
If you have older children, talk about how you are meeting me to take photos of your family and let them know why, e.g. we want nice photos for you to look at when your older or because we would like nice photos of you on the wall. Tell them it will be fun!
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What to have ready - a favourite book for any older children to read to the baby, any items or blankets you would like included, a snack and a drink for all of you!
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What to do - If you are with your family for the photoshoot, all I ask is that you interact with them and have as much physical connection as much as possible, such as, hugging, holding hands, etc. If you are on your own, don't worry I will guide you.
WORRIES/CONCERNS
What if my older children aren't interested? - don't worry, I have lots of tricks and games to engage older children that they wont even know they are doing it. Don't forget this is all about your family as they are, so if they aren't too interested in their new sibling that is all part of the story. We absolutely will not force anything they don't want to do. A disinterested toddler is better than an unhappy one!
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I'm feeling body conscious - don't worry, I know all the angles that will compliment you. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and you will look comfortable in the photos.
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What happens if it rains? - I usually try and stick to our date as much as possible but if it is really pouring down then that won't be fun for anyone so I am really flexible and rearrange to a different date.
WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE?
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I take a £50 deposit upon booking and the remainder is due on the day of the photoshoot. I don't start any editing until I have received the full amount.
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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PHOTOSHOOT?
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A few days after your photoshoot, I aim to send a sneak peak slideshow of about 10 images just so you can get a feel of the photos that we got on the day. I will then edit the rest of gallery and send you a gallery link to view all your photos within 4 weeks of the photoshoot date. This will be a proof gallery and I will make the finishing touches to your images (e.g. removing marks etc) once you have chosen your final images.
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If you haven't done so already, this is where you will choose your upgrade if you would like to purchase anymore images and prints. You will have 7 days from when I send you the gallery to choose your upgrade and your images.
I will aim to send your final images to download within 3 days once you have chosen. You will be able to download your images straight away in high resolution and also web-sized in order to share online if you wish.
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If you have chosen one of the upgrade packages, I will be in touch to discuss your choices of prints or images you would like in your album. You will also be able to purchase further prints or albums from my online shop.
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Your Upgrades and Products
The Mini
£150
Five additional images via digital download in high resolution an web sized
The Full
£250
All of your 40+ images via digital download in high resolution and web sized and 3 A4 piece gallery wall professional lustre prints with frame and display advice:
2 12 x 16
1 A4
The Deluxe
£400
All of your 40+ images via digital download in high resolution and web sized, a beautifully designed 10 page spread 8x8 fine art album and 5 piece gallery wall professional lustre prints with design planning:
1 20 x 16
1 12 x 16
2 A4s
1 7x5
The Deluxe
£400
All of your 40+ images via digital download in high resolution and web sized, a beautifully designed 10 page spread 8x8 fine art album and 5 piece gallery wall professional lustre prints with design planning:
1 20 x 16
1 12 x 16
2 A4s
1 7x5
With The Full and The Deluxe packages, I will take the stress and time out of printing and displaying your images for you. I know how short we are for time and I strive to make things as easy as possible for my clients.
You have invested a lot of time and money in having these beautiful photos taken so they deserve to be printed and shown off in your home.
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I am a great believer in having photos displayed around your home of your loved ones. Children love to see their happy faces plastered on their own walls that make them feel a sense of belonging. Not to mention the additional benefit in the more stressful moments in a normal day, how lovely it is to look up at your walls and be instantly be reminded of the happiness and love you share.
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In short, print your photos!
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I also offer an online store when you receive your gallery where you can purchase additional prints and items that aren't included in any of your upgrades. All prints and products are checked by me before being sent onto you so you can guarantee quality every time. I only use professional photo labs that are collaborated with my computer so you will receive the images exactly how they are supposed to look, printed on quality professional photo paper.
With your upgrade you will also receive a PDF of advice on where to buy frames, what sizes you need and how to display your images just to make it extra easy for you. With the deluxe package, you can send me a picture of where you would like the images displayed and I can design a mock up for you.
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*Payment plans are available for spending over £300*
WHAT'S NEXT?
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All you need to do is to make sure your contract is signed, deposit is paid and questionnaire is completed in order to secure your session. Before your photoshoot date, I will arrange a phone call so you can get to know me a little bit before our photoshoot and I can answer any questions you may have. A few days before, I will check you are all ok to go ahead and I will send you any details on where to meet.
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Please contact me with any questions at all! There is a contact form on my website or you can email me on leanneelizabethphoto@gmail.com or my number is 07758833962. I am always up for a chat and I look forward to meeting you all on our photoshoot.
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