GEELONG IN-HOME NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY
WELCOME GUIDE
Hello there, friend!
Whether you're preparing to welcome your first baby, you've recently grown your little crew by just one more, or you're simply looking to have the current chapter of your beautiful ordinary life documented, there's a story to be told - and I am *so* here for it!
This little welcome note should help to answer some of the bigger questions you may have - things such as how a session will run, what to expect, and what's best to wear for timeless, artful imagery that will look at home in your albums and your walls for years to come.
I'll give you a call in the week leading up to our session to check in on how you're feeling and to answer any questions, but if you've any thoughts or questions before then, please don't hesitate to reach out - I'm here and oh so happy to help!
Michelle x
Let me introduce myself real quick!
i'm michelle -
memory catcher, light seeker, life enthusiast, see-er of the beautiful ordinary, photographer, artist, maker, educator, mother, lover, friend.
On any given day you might find me at home - most favourite place in the world - with my fella Francis, our two rapscallion children Sylvie and August, a pair of adorable but allusive ginger kitties (Tess and Alfred), and Rosie - the most dopey, snuggly groodle you're ever likely to meet.
I'm a collector of plants, an ardent gin enthusiast, a lover of love songs and a really (like, really) terrible cook.
As well as making it my life's work to create a lasting, artful and meaningful record of life with your young ones, I'm also an online educator of all things in-home photography and memory catching.
I hosts a community many thousands strong world wide, write and run courses on the art of photography, and I've taught at acclaimed photographic retreats.
All this to say - you're in safe hands, my friend.
I can't wait to catch memories with you.
just a quick selfie with one of my babies!
THE FIRST STEP
So you discovered my work and felt we'd be a great fit; you'd love someone to make an artful, lasting, meaningful record of this time in your young family's life - a stunning visual legacy that will forever tell the story of love, belonging and connection you share with your little darlings.
If you're reading this guide it means you've already reached out to arrange a story session. Once you transfer your deposit and sign our session agreement contract, your date is secure - there is nothing more for you to do between now and the day I come to visit (other than select outfits - we'll get to that next!).
Due of the nature of newborns and the unpredictability of their arrival, I can only take a certain number of families a month, so as to allow for the flexibility of reaching you soon after little one's birth. For this reason, it is important to fully complete the booking process outlined above to ensure you're in the books.
After that, you can sit back, relax (as much as is possible!), watch that tummy grow, and wait for your pretty baby!
If little one happens to come early and you'd like to chat about me coming before our tentatively scheduled date, don't hesitate to reach out - we can see about offering you one of my just-in-case windows. I do love a brand new freshie, so if it's at all possible, I'm always happy to adjust our date.
INVESTMENT
For a complete refresh on pricing, you can go here, but basically..?
You pay your creative fee and that’s all you pay before the session.
After the session I’ll send you a gallery of unedited proofs (roughly 120 of the absolutely best frames we made during my visit) and you’ll select which digital collection you’d like to purchase, based on how many of the images you’d love to keep!
You’ll send through payment, and then I prepare those and make them delightful for you.
Then (because I LOVE you) I gift you $200 to purchase something tangible listed on the Investment Guide linked above.
YAY!
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
Ah, this is *such* a great question!
When selecting what to wear, it's a great idea to begin by considering exactly what it is we're trying to achieve. In our case, we're looking to make timeless, natural imagery that celebrates your organic connections and relationships, that will forever look at home on your walls, AND that will FEEL LIKE YOU.
With that in mind, I recommend you gravitate toward neutral, or natural tones - either a nature inspired palette with deep earthy greens, creams, and browns, or else pale pastels and off-whites.
These colours look great in-camera and will translate super well to wall art, creating imagery where the tones are balanced and complimentary, and where the focus can remain on you and your loved ones.
Varied textures in your choice of clothing are great, too - denim, wool, linen, lace, corduroy, and cotton for example - all in that same tonal range we mentioned above.
Layering these varied textures is a fantastic way to add visual interest. Scarves, beanies, wool cardigans and knitted blankets can bring an element of texture to your imagery that is instantly sentimental and nostalgic.
In terms of what to avoid, I recommend steering clear of blacks, navy blues and dark greys entirely, as it will be too visually dominant in your imagery. This also means no black jeans for the guys, please. Blue denims are a-okay.
For a newborns, keeping it simple and classic is usually best. Make sure you have on hand a plain onesie or singlet, or some sweet and simple bloomers, as well as a one toned or intricate (where detail is small) patterned muslin wrap. Crochet and knitted blankets in neutral tones work beautifully for adding texture and visual interest, too.
As a final suggestion, I would urge you not to match the kids, but rather to have them in complimentary clothing - items that work well together while not being identical. Avoid anything with branding, logos or large graphics, as these will distract from your little ones' lovely faces, and finally, make sure they're comfy - comfy kids are happy kids. 💛
On the day of my visit, think of it as a few precious hours you’ve set aside to truly enjoy one another.
Give yourself permission to slow down, to connect.
these are your babies.
this is your family.
You made this.
IT’S THE DAY OF OUR SESSION - HOW SHOULD WE PREPARE?
You secured a session maybe months back, maybe just last week, but either way - the day has come to make some memories and now you're wondering how to prepare to get the best from our time together!
First and foremost I want to impress on you that this is supposed to be fun. My biggest hope is to discover your children's true and authentic selves - it's the essence of those unique little personalities we are really hoping to capture, after all.
I'll be there to help you, using prompts and conversation to guide you in a way that's organic and natural, so you needn't worry about what your scallywags are up to - I'm there to take care of all that.
Do your best to relax into the experience, and know that as a mama of two delightful mischief makers (and a former school teacher!) I've seen it all.
Please know, the time I estimate for our session is only a guide, intended to help you plan your day. I'm not watching the clock or being led by the time. With the exception of the mini length session, time is an aside. I'll be with you until we've made all the photographs I've come to make, so please don't stress about stopping for a snack.
Bedding
For newborn sessions and sometimes families, we'll often find ourselves on the bed - whether in the master bedroom or in the children's spaces. I recommend selecting plain coloured sheets and bedding for the day, in either light or earthy tones, so as to provide a clean and distraction free backdrop for your imagery.
Warm the space
If I'm coming to meet your new baby, chances are we're going to want to make some of those lovely sleepy shots to document all her teeny tiny details - her feet, her little leg rolls, her belly button.
To set us up for success, make sure the home (or at least the master bedroom or nursery) is lovely and warm (almost too warm for adults - you should feel comfortable in a dress, regardless of the time of year) to keep her calm, sleepy and happy while we make those photos.
Preparing baby
The way these sessions run is very baby led, meaning when I arrive we'll begin from where ever she happens to be in her routine; be it sleeping, feeding or enjoying some snuggles. If baby is likely to be sleeping when I arrive, be sure to dress her in the clothing you'd like her wearing for her photographs; that way we'll be able to begin seamlessly, and without disrupting her too much.
If there is a toddler in the family, I’d recommend you give babe a top up feed in the 20 minutes before I’m due to arrive. This will allow us to get those family shots done while our big-little is still enthusiastic and engaged.
Snacks.
If there are toddlers or big kids in the house, make sure they've had a healthy meal before I arrive - something in their belly to give them good, slow burning energy over the course of the session.
I recommend having some easy to eat snacks on hand for throughout the session, too - in case your little ones need a break. Cheese and crackers or sliced apple are great, rather than juicy berries that might stain their clothes, or chocolate biscuits that will result in messy teeth and faces.
I'd also recommend having a little thank you treat tucked away for after the session - something special they can look forward to enjoying once we'll all done.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER OUR SESSION?
When I walk smiling out your front door there's nothing left for you to do but get busy with loving on that beautiful little family of yours - I'll reach out to you when your gallery is ready for viewing and selection.
I like to estimate it takes up to four weeks for you to see your completed photographic art, though you'll have selected your favourite images from a proofing gallery within the first week or so after our session.
This gives me a comfortable window of time to give your imagery the attention they deserve, while also balancing my other families, allowing for those busier weeks, and providing me a little insurance for when things come up at home - sick kiddies, for instance.
It's not uncommon for me to have prepared your imagery a little earlier, but rest assured I will reach out the very moment it's ready.
If your collection of choice includes wall art, I'll order it within 48 hours of you letting me know your selections. Depending on the time of year and what you've ordered, prints and wall art can take anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks from the time we order.
When it's ready and I've checked it over, I'll either mail it directly to you, or else deliver it myself, right to your front door (I do so like to sneak a peek of those growing babies of yours!).
LET’S GET THOSE PHOTOS ON THE WALL!
All my families walk away with wall art after a story session.
You can see my offerings here, but here’s my most popular piece - a 12x18 fine art photograph, archivally framed in raw oak.
I'm delighted to offer is such an understated beauty, as stunning as it is timeless. With a warm white mount and sleek Tasmanian Oak frame, it will easily make a home of any wall, and will stand alone, but loves to live in a group of three or a growing gallery.
This is my go-to recommendation for those who are printing wall art for the first time. It’s printed on a luxe professional cotton paper, and will last forever.
Simple, elegant, classic.
LET’S END WITH SOME LOVELY WORDS
"We wanted some photos to mark our daughter's first birthday but didn't want the run of the mill cake smash or studio shoot. We really wanted something that would stand the test of time, and to capture Florence as she truly is - the giggles, the mischief and even the tantrums.
A friend recommended Michelle, as she'd had some beautiful photos taken in her home when her son was just a few days old. Throughout the booking process and session, Michelle was so warm and open, and she genuinely delighted in our daughter.
I wanted to avoid contrived photos, and Michelle ensured that the whole process was organic (something which especially put my husband at ease as he'd been reluctant initially when I said I'd booked a session, thinking he was going to have to plaster on a false smile and pose!).
At the session, we just enjoyed our usual Saturday family morning and Michelle captured it - the beauty of the way she runs the sessions, is that she essentially becomes part of your family for the few hours she is there, laughing along with you and sharing tales about her lovely family, too.
This results in photos that are nothing short of art, because she's been able to capture the essence of your family as an insider, rather than someone looking in. The beauty and mischief I see in Florence every day is now forever captured in our prints, and it truly takes a special talent to create something so striking yet so familiar.
I think the best way to put it is that Michelle takes the things about family life that have become mundane a year in - play time, bath time, feeding, and soothing a tired little girl - and reminds you how special parenthood really is."
RACHEL, mama to Florence
Still have questions? Reach out for a chat!
michelle@michellemckayphotographer.com.au
0421 632 007
