Maternity & Newborn Prep Guide
WELCOME. THIS PREP GUIDE IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL MATERNITY & NEWBORN PORTRAITS SESSIONS
Thank you for selecting Anna MacIsaac Photography to document the first moments of your child's life. We strive to provide our clients with a pleasing photography experience, great images, a diverse product line and exceptional customer service, all at an affordable price.
We've learned over the years, what makes our clients happy and we've built our business around it. Specializing in newborn through the first year, we have the knowledge and experience to safely handle your baby with delicate care. Please read through this guide to view ideas, information and tips to help you feel prepared.
Be sure to contact us with questions. hello@annamphoto.com
Pregnancy
Jump for joy! Or panic, or both... you know, feel out those crazy emotions!
Discuss what you would like to document throughout your pregnancy. Announcement, Gender Reveal, Maternity as well as Fresh 48 Sessions are all available should you decide to include them.
Start browsing my portfolio for ideas of what you like about my style and determine if Anna MacIsaac Photography is the Photographer for you.
Schedule your due date on our self-booking feature on the website. Your due date is used as we can only accept a limited number of due dates per month. After baby is born, we will schedule our session will take place when baby is 7-14 days old.
Schedule and book your Maternity Portraits Session. This is typically held between 30-34 weeks.
Share any ideas you have for your session with me. I will have everything we need for your newborn session and you are welcome to borrow from our Client Wardrobe. I will let you know if there are purchases I need you to make!
Think of any final details for the session. Colors, themes, etc. You will receive a Questionnaire to write down these details. Anything NOT added to the Questionnaire may be overlooked so please be sure to remind me in the Questionnaire any details we have discussed through email, text or message.
Attend your Maternity Portraits Session
Save my number or email in your phone to contact me when baby is born!
Be prepared for the newborn session to take place on a weekday 7-14 days after baby is born.
MATERNITY TIPS
Book your session to take place between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy. This is the perfect time to allow your belly to fully pop, but also not too late in the pregnancy when you start making the decision that leaving the house... or the couch... is just not going to happy today.
Dress for the season, but wear what makes you comfortable! I'd rather you be comfy and glowing than overly fitted and miserable. If you dislike wearing dresses, then don't! It will reflect in your images if you are worried about how you look in a certain outfit. If it's hot, wear less. If it's cold, wear more. I also suggest solid colors verses patterns, it helps bring the attention to you and the love you have for baby.
Dress shopping:
You also have access to borrow dresses from our Client Wardrobe.
The Studio Maternity Session
Maternity Mini Session: Arrive to the studio on time with hair & makeup ready to go. Your wardrobe will be laid out for you ready to get dressed.
Maternity Family Session: Arrive to the studio on time with hair & makeup ready to go. Your wardrobe will be laid out for you ready to get dressed. Plan to have your family arrive 30 minutes into the session so we can capture your solo shots first without creating cranky monsters waiting for their turn.
Maternity Luxe Session: Arrive to the studio with a fresh face & hair. Do not add products or heat to your hair to change your natural curl pattern - our artist will help you with this. Please read the notes below from your stylist. Hair & Makeup will take approx. 1.5 hours to complete before we begin your session. Your wardrobe will be laid out for you ready to get dressed. Plan to have your family arrive 30 minutes into the session so we can capture your solo shots first without creating cranky monsters waiting for their turn.
Congratulations! Welcome baby!
Heading to the Hospital
If you have booked a Fresh 48 session, the best time to give us a heads up is when you're heading into the hospital or in active labor. Once things have settled down and baby has arrived we will plan a time for Anna to arrive at the hospital before your discharge date. Let your nurses know about this time we have planned so they know to expect Anna and we don't overlap any important things they may need from you or baby at that time.
Twenty Four- Forty Eight Hours After Birth
Enjoy this time. Take in every second, scent, sound and movement of your newest bundle! Arrange for someone to reach out to us by text or email to announce baby's arrival and schedule your session date. This is important as things move fast and the sooner we know about baby, the better prepared Anna will be for the session. Plan to arrange the session within 7-14 days after birth. If baby is being breastfed, having the session closer to 10-14 days will allow baby more time to adjust to a good feeding schedule. Remember, this will fall on a weekday!
At this time we will email you a Newborn Questionnaire to get to know baby and prepare for your session.
Preparing for Fresh 48 Hospital Visit
Prior to my arrival, lightly tidy up any loose personal items such as bags, suitcases, papers with personal information or anything else you don't want documented. No need to go out of your way to clean up, I will arrange items around the room as needed if they need to be removed from the frame.
Relax and get comfortable. This session is to capture the first few moments with new baby which can be so emotional. Don't be afraid to show your love for your new baby and growing family.
Plan to have any siblings being photographed arrive 20 minutes into the session. This will allow me some time to start with baby only before introducing the family into the photos. If you can, arrange to have siblings meet for the very first time during our session. This allows for very genuine smiles and love for the new baby.
Preparing for the Studio
Allow up to 4 hours for the session. Although we aim for 2-3 hours, every baby is different and may need to allow for more often feedings or soothing.
Make arrangements for siblings & pets to be taken away from the studio when they're no long needed for photos. If older siblings are in school, it might be best to have them take a day off or you can arrange for someone to pick-up or drop off for a half day. Let us know what their school schedule is and we will do our best to schedule a time that works best for everyone!
Keep baby awake for 1 hour prior to the session. This will help ensure baby is sleeping throughout the session. But it's okay if baby falls asleep in car on the way in, please don’t stress.
Plan to feed baby a full feeding at the studio unless your total commute time is less than 20 minutes. Do not give baby a full feeding within 2 hours session start time.
Please dress baby in an outfit with a zipper and a loose diaper- only loose enough to prevent red marks on the skin without hazmat spillage. After baby is fed and asleep an outfit that has to be pulled over their head to be undressed will likely wake them.
What to pack: Diapers, Wipes, Milk, Pacifier, Baby. Even if baby doesn't usually use a pacifier please bring one as it can sometimes help baby settle into a pose. I have bottled waters if you need some for formula as well as a bottle warmer and I have a refrigerator to store extra breast milk during the session (please bring your pump if you’re a pumping Mama - we don’t always know how long the session will take and we don’t want you getting engorged!). I also keep extra Pampers Pure diapers in the studio so if you remember halfway here you forget them, don't stress!
Feel free to bring yourself lunch or snacks and pack something for older siblings in case baby doesn't settle as quickly as we'd like it's nice to have something for their attention. Please don't bring anything that sibling is addicted to (ipads or favorite toy) as it's makes it harder to take it away when we need their attention. It might be best to keep these items in the car and use as bribery in exchange for good attention and they can have when we are finished. I do keep children's books and light snacks in studio if you forget something.
Pack a change of clothes for Mom or Dad if you plan on staying around for the duration of the session. I heat my studio to about 80 degrees for the comfort of naked baby so it will get hot in here and you are welcome to change into something more comfortable.
I know that’s a lot but if you can't remember to put your shoes on, just don't forget baby!
The Session
Our studio is located in Downtown Mooresville at 144 North Main Street, Mooresville. It is easiest to put “Anna MacIsaac Photography” into your GPS. Free parking is available on both sides of the street as well at behind the Wells Fargo Building. Look for our sign on the sidewalk in front of the small double red doors. There is no stroller parking available and we unfortunately are not handicap accessible. Enter the red double doors (if you need to open both, there is a pin in the floor you can lift up!) and proceed up the stairs. If you need any help carrying baby up the stairs (especially C-section Mama’s) please send me a message and I’ll come help. At the top of the stairs you will see our sign to the left.
If baby needs to be feed again, we will do this first. Session flows go at baby’s speed but you can expect the follow:
Newborn & Newborn Luxe Session:
First, baby will have their solo session on the beanbag. If you have requested naked booty photos those go first. Then the diaper goes back on for light wraps, headbands, hats, ect for 4-5 Beanbag poses, 3 Props, 1 Flokati.
I will have color & prop options for you based on how you answer your Questionnaire and from what you see in the studio. These will be selected based off my style of work but you are welcome to input. If you have your own props you wish to include, these must be discussed prior to the session and we will do our best to include them in the session.
If you have selected our Newborn Luxe Session Mom will sit down with our hair & makeup artist while I begin working with baby. Please come prepared with wash & dried face and hair. Do not add products or heat to your hair to change your natural curl pattern - our artist will help you with this.
Sibling photos (if applicable) will go next. Please plan to have siblings arrive to the studio 1.5 hours into the session. If they are under the age of 13, they cannot be waiting in the studio while we photograph just baby. If we have pre-arranged for siblings to go first, after they are finished with their session they must leave the studio for the remainder of the time. While we do have a waiting area, it can be quite boring to sit and not make distracting noises for hours at a time while we work on baby's photos. Depending on the age of older sibling we will determine if they can hold baby standing, sitting or if we will have them lay on their back next to baby for photos.
Lastly, we do family photos. Mom’s will only see your top half so Mom's totally go for the yoga pants - as if you really were going to choose something else. Dad's can also take it easy on the pants. Taller dads we might still see the top of your pants if you tuck your shirt but if you're the same height as Mom, the images are only going to be from waist up. Parent photos will be on a solid Black colored backdrop. It's best to wear neutral colored clothes such as white & cream. You can always send us pictures of your outfit ideas for suggestions. I do keep a full Client Wardrobe of dresses and tops for Mom to wear. We have a handful of Dad and older sibling outfits.
Newborn Mini Session:
We aim to shoot these posed but baby may be wrapped for some shots if they don’t settle in the short amount of time we have. 2 Beanbag poses, 2 Props, 1 Flokati. Then your session is done.
If I do not have an assistant with me at the session, I may ask for an extra hand of help for baby's safety.
I often take short videos and photos from my cell phone during the session to capture behind the scene action. If you have denied the Model Release, these images won't be used. Sometimes I might share a Facebook, TikTok or Instagram Live broadcast of a sneak behind the scene of our session.
Studio Rules
Children under the age of 13 can not stay in the studio, including the waiting area. Please arrange to have someone take them outside of the studio for the duration of the newborn session when they are no longer needed.
No additional guests unless they are caregivers needed for assistance or have been added to the session to be photographed. The studio is very small and space is limited.
Parents and guests are welcome to make themselves comfortable in the waiting area or in the hall. While we welcome you to enjoy your time and experience here please don't hover over the Photographer in the shooting area.
NO GLITTER - please check dresses and any sentimental props you are bringing in to be sure they do not have loose glitter that comes off as you touch or move the item.
No unsolicited advice. While we are taking YOUR photos and we are happy to make accommodations for special requests as we see fit, please remember you are paying for OUR art. The Photographer has freedom and the final say on artistic style, shooting style, props used, poses used, etc. You may be asked to leave if you direct the photographer to shoot something they don’t see fits their style. Example: Requesting a Pinterest photo being posed and shot exactly as another photographer has done.
What to Expect After Your Session
Booking your session you agree to the Photographer sharing images on social media, website & in print. You can keep an eye on our Facebook & Instagram pages for a sneak peek. Please note, the images posted on Social Media are low resolution files. While you can use as a profile photo or share, please do not download these copies. Your gallery will include the high resolution file, just be patient!
Galleries for Newborn Sessions can be expected within 1-2 weeks of session date or final invoice balance completed. We do not begin any editing until the final balance is paid.
After your session the Photographer with carefully select the best images from your session to hand edit. When the gallery is complete we will email you the link to download your images. Feel free to share the link with friends and family who want to view your images. You will need to use your email address to access your digital images & download. If you log in with a different email address, you will not be able to download. You can also choose to shop A'la carte for any additional prints, products or albums.
Your online viewing gallery will expire 60 days from it's launch and automatically will be archived after this limit. If you need more time, please let us know and we will extend the gallery. We do not offer free back-up storage so be sure to save your files to the cloud or external hard drives. There will be a $75 retrieval fee for us to access the archive and re-load into a gallery after it expires so please be sure to make any final purchases before the expiration date!
When you download your images, you will also receive a Print Release which will allow you to print your images wherever you choose.
Discounts
VIP Clients - Returning clients are offered a VIP discount on future sessions. This is found in our VIP Facebook group, feel free to join after your first session!
AMPLOCAL - $100 off Fresh 48 Sessions at Lake Norman Regional Hospital.
MIL20 - 20% Off off Newborn Sessions for Military Families.
Looking Forward to Working With You!
We hope that you will consider us for your Maternity and Newborn Portrait needs. Should you have any questions, we are always here to help! Email us at hello@annamphoto.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best,
Anna MacIsaac Photography