What to wear
Choosing outfits doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, it’s simple when you follow a few golden rules.
No patterns
No text
No logos
Keep it simple
Logos and prints distract from what matters — your connection.
Keep in mind – shirts and dresses that say things like – “big brother to be” or “promoted to big sister” are not ideal for photography. When positioned perfectly and the wearer stays perfectly still, the text can often be read. 99% of the time though, you only see part of the message which makes it distracting.
Make sure to try clothes on that are bought online BEFORE your session day! Yes please Dad, even your clothes!
Newborn clothes purchased online that say “from newborn to 3 months” are basically ALWAYS too big for a newborn.
Keep The Style Consistent
Make sure everyone matches in vibe.
If one person is casual, everyone should be casual. If one person is formal, everyone should be formal. A mix of sneakers and cocktail dresses doesn’t photograph well. Consistency creates harmony.
Choose clothes you can move in!
If the dress doesn’t fit well and you can’t bend or if a strap keeps falling off your shoulder – not a great option!
Don’t worry too much about shoes – we often don’t see them.
Newborn
The studio is a calm, quiet space, and your session is completely baby-led. We follow your baby’s pace — if they need a feed, a cuddle, a burp or a nappy change, we pause and wait until they’re settled. There’s no rushing. Your baby is the star, so we stop whenever they need us to.
The studio is kept at a comfortable temperature, with a small heater right by baby so they stay warm and cosy while you and your family stay comfortable.
What to dress baby in
Pop your baby in a plain onesie with a zip — and if you can, one with no buttons, poppers or seam detailing. A zip makes changes easy, with nothing to pull over their head. And if your baby arrives fast asleep, a plain onesie means I can take a few photos of them just as they are before we unwrap. You can skip the singlet — I have a special way of wrapping baby with just their nappy underneath, so they’re cosy from the very start.
What to bring
- At least 4 nappies and wipes
- A dummy if your baby uses one (bring it even if they don’t always take it)
- A warm blanket for feeding
- Whatever you need to feed baby — they’ll likely want more than one feed during the session
- Any special items you mentioned on your questionnaire — a teddy, a meaningful blanket, an heirloom
Because it’s baby-led, the order flexes to suit your baby. If you have older children, we usually capture the family and sibling photos early, so the big kids can relax for the rest of the session and we make the most of their attention span. Then it’s your newborn’s turn — a variety of wrapped poses on the beanbag and in a few props. If there’s time and baby’s happy and settled, we might try a few unwrapped poses or a cute outfit or two. We always follow your baby’s lead.
We totally understand how important it is to stick to your baby’s schedule, and we want to work with you to make that happen. If your baby arrives ready for a feed and a nap, that’s perfect! But if they’re not quite on their usual schedule, no worries – we’ll work with your baby and their needs to make sure they’re comfortable and happy throughout the session.
At the end of the day, we just want to capture some beautiful memories for you and your family. So whether your little one is a stickler for their routine or totally off schedule, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
Siblings
If this isn’t your first rodeo at the studio, we gotta be real with you for a sec. Your first session might have been all zen and chill.
But this time around? Yeah, it’s gonna be a bit different. Let’s just say there might be a little more chaos, a little more noise, and a lot more mess. But hey, that’s all part of the fun, right?
And when everything magically falls into place and we get those perfect shots? Your heart is gonna swell with pride like never before. So don’t worry about the mess or the noise or any lack of cooperation from your kidlets. Just go with the flow, embrace the craziness, and let’s capture some amazing memories together!
When it comes to preparing your older kiddos for the session, a little bit of advance hype can go a long way. Keep it light, fun, and don’t put too much pressure on them. Depending on their age, you can tell them you’re all going to hang out with your friend Kristy and take some super cool photos!
If your little one is feeling a bit anxious, no worries! You can take it slow and steady, encouraging them along the way. And if they’re feeling extra nervous, just tell them that Kristy wants to meet the baby and maybe even see how awesome of a big brother or sister they are! Often, if your older children are under 4, we will lay them down with their new siblings for photos. Getting them to practice this is a great idea. “Show Kristy how you lay down and hug baby!”
When it comes to attention spans, we know kids can be…well, kids! We’ll do our best to get those sibling shots and family images done early on, so we can keep things moving and keep your little ones engaged.
It will be a fast paced part of the session – we need to maximise the attention span!
When it comes to your older kiddos,the best idea is to to bring along their outfits and dress them when you get here. This way there is less chance of messy, outfit ruining accidents 🙂
We recommend bringing some snacks and an iPad or something else to keep them entertained. We want everyone to have a fun and stress-free experience during the session, so don’t hesitate to bring along whatever you need to make that happen.
Once we’re finished with your older kiddo’s session, we don’t want them to get bored and zone out on a screen. So, we’ve got some options for you! If the weather is nice, there’s a fantastic park just a few minutes’ drive away. Maybe Dad can take them for a little play while you get some one-on-one time with your newborn. Or, if you’ve got grandparents in the area, they might love to come and pick up the kiddos for a few hours. That way, you and Dad can have some well-deserved downtime with your newest addition. Of course, the kids are more than welcome to stay in the warm and cozy studio and watch the rest of the session too – whatever works best for you and your family!
Milestone
Oh my goodness, these sitter sessions are an absolute blast! They’re lightning fast, jam-packed with action, and so much fun you won’t want them to end! We just can’t get enough of capturing those adorable baby expressions and the budding personality that’s starting to shine through. But hold onto your hats, because these sessions are not for the faint of heart. If your little one is already crawling, be prepared for a full-on workout for Mum and Dad! But trust us, it’s all worth it for those priceless memories we’ll capture together.
Get ready for some serious cuteness overload! Our studio is stocked with the most fabulous collection of outfits for your precious little one. Now, we usually advise sticking with simple and plain outfits, because let’s face it, simplicity is timeless. But guess what? Sitter sessions are the perfect opportunity to let loose and have some fun with bolder colors and even some patterns. Just remember, let’s steer clear of logos and text, because we want your little star to shine bright without any distractions.
It’s essential to schedule your session during a time when your baby is well-rested, happy, and alert. So, please don’t wait until the last minute to book your session and hope for the best. Let’s aim for the ideal scenario, where bub wakes up from their nap, has a quick feed, and off we go to the studio for an incredible photo shoot. If you’re traveling a fair distance, no worries, we’ve got you covered. Plan for a nap in the car, and don’t forget to pack those extra bottles and snacks to keep your little one fueled up and happy throughout the shoot
Let’s make your little one’s photo session even more special by incorporating personal touches that truly capture the essence of who they are at this moment in time. Do they have a favorite toy that they simply can’t live without? Let’s showcase that special bond between them and their toy in a timeless photograph. Anything that makes you say “oh, remember when?” twenty years from now is a must-have for this photo shoot. Let’s make this an unforgettable experience that you’ll treasure forever, and create stunning, unique images that reflect the beauty of your little one’s personality and individuality
Cake Smash
Hold on to your seats because Cake Smash sessions are an absolute blast! They’re fast-paced, full of energy, and yes, a little messy too! But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We provide all the theming, the perfect outfit, and of course, the cake. All you need to bring is your little superstar, and we’ll take care of the rest! This is your chance to watch your little one explore the world of cake, and create priceless memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. Get ready for some serious fun, laughs, and a whole lot of icing!
Please make sure your child has eaten the food we will be smashing on the day. Not just eaten but held it in their hands. Babies generally HATE to be dirty and as soon as they get stuff on their hands they are done. Hoever if they have held it before and eaten it AND they liked it – we should be on a winner!
We’ll keep it super simple and focus on capturing those precious moments with your little one. Let’s aim for timeless and classic! Think simple, plain outfits that will never go out of style. We want these photographs to be a true reflection of your little one’s personality and showcase their natural beauty without any distractions. So leave the frills and crazy patterns at home, and let’s create stunning, timeless images that you’ll cherish forever.
It’s essential to schedule your session during a time when your baby is well-rested, happy, and alert. So, please don’t wait until the last minute to book your session and hope for the best. Let’s aim for the ideal scenario, where bub wakes up from their nap, has a quick feed, and off we go to the studio for an incredible photo shoot. If you’re traveling a fair distance, no worries, we’ve got you covered. Plan for a nap in the car, and don’t forget to pack those extra bottles and snacks to keep your little one fueled up and happy throughout the shoot
If you are opting for a full session, we can incorporate some fun and sentimental items! Do they have a favorite toy that they simply can’t live without? Let’s showcase that special bond between them and their toy in a timeless photograph. Anything that makes you say “oh, remember when?” twenty years from now is a must-have for this photo shoot. Let’s make this an unforgettable experience that you’ll treasure forever, and create stunning, unique images that reflect the beauty of your little one’s personality and individuality
Dad
So, you might not know much about this photography session, but don’t worry! It’s actually a really cool thing to do as a new family, and you’ll definitely earn some bonus points if you get excited about it too. Plus, it’s one of the first things you’ll do as a family so it’s a special experience.
We like to keep things super relaxed and easygoing, so there’s no need to stress. So, kick back, relax, and let’s make some memories!
Best advice here is to wear something plain and simple – in similar or complimentary tones to the rest of the fam. Plain, cotton shirts and chinos are a great option 🙂 No logos or text please!
If possible get a haircut a week before. Nice clean and trimmed nails are a plus! Also – try and avoid getting strains your hands the days leading up such as paint, oil, dirt…etc!
To make sure your photos look their best, we recommend leaving off any smart watches or techy gadgets during the shoot. We want to capture timeless moments that you can treasure forever, and we don’t want any distractions like texts popping up on your watch. So, unless it’s super important, let’s keep the tech out of sight and focus on creating some beautiful memories!
Mum
We know how hectic mornings can be, especially when you have a newborn and a photo session to get ready for. So, we suggest you get a head start by packing your bags the night before and maybe even arrive at the studio dressed and ready to go! That way, you can save yourself some precious time and focus on enjoying the session with your little bundle of joy. Let’s make this as stress-free and fun as possible!
When it comes to choosing your family’s wardrobe for your photo session, we suggest starting with something that makes you feel amazing! Once you’ve found your perfect outfit, you can use that as the foundation for everyone else’s clothing pieces.
For studio sessions, lighter colours are always a great choice. If your outfit has patterns, use the colours in the pattern to inspire the tones and colours of everyone else’s clothing. Natural and neutral colours tend to work best.
Don’t worry too much about shoes – they are very rarely seen for Mum or Dad!
So, let’s talk about hair and makeup for your session. Listen, you do you! If you’re feeling like getting dolled up by a pro, then go for it! But, if you’re not feeling it, that’s totally cool too. Just keep it light and fresh, like you’re headed to a daytime wedding. We want you to feel confident and comfortable during your shoot, so do what makes you feel best!
Yes, they’ll be in the photos, so you want them looking fabulous. If you’re feeling fancy, getting your nails done can be a real mood booster, and honestly, who doesn’t love feeling like a million bucks? But if that’s not your thing, no worries! Just make sure they’re clean and neat, and remove any crusty old polish. We want you to feel confident and comfortable during your session, and we can’t fix grown-out acrylics or chipped polish in post-processing, so let’s make sure your hands are looking their best!
Please don’t feel you need to tan for your session. If you do decide to, please do it several days before your session. Not the night before! Please also use green based tan rather than orange based.
Pets
Fur babies are the best, aren’t they? We totally get it – they’re part of the family too! And we’re thrilled to have them join in on the fun. Just make sure your pup is potty trained and well-behaved (or at least relatively well-behaved…we know they get excited!). Of course, they need to pose no threat to anyone – especially the baby.
Bringing your furry friend along adds an extra element of adventure to the session, but it’s totally worth it. Plus, they bring some much-needed comic relief and can be a welcome distraction from all the posing. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a dog who’s always happy, no matter what?