FAQ

Newborn shoot usually takes around 4 hours. This includes feeding, settling and changing. Some sessions can last longer (for example twins or when we have a very unsettled baby). For this reason I only book one session per day. Due to the fact babies can sense our mood, I never rush the shoot, so please do not plan anything else on the day. Newborns cannot be rushed and sometimes some extra time is needed. Patience is the key to a great newborn session. 

Sitter and cake smash sessions are 100% model dependant, but all goes well, you will be free in 1 to 1.5 hours.

The ideal time to photograph your baby is 7 to 10 days of age. At this age your baby is still very sleepy and flexible and this allows us to safely and comfortably pose your baby in the beautiful, dreamy, sleepy poses that are so popular.

The best time to book in your session is as soon as you know your due date. I will set a provisional date in my diary and amend it when you arrive home with your new baby. Babies can arrive up to two weeks early or late, so we need a bit of "wiggle room" in the diary. I therefore can only book three newborn sessions in a week (one session a day), so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

There is absolutely no obligation to purchase a package and there is never any "hard sell". There is however a minimum spend, outlines on separate pages for each session. Please see the "newborn packages" section on my website for the details.

Your final gallery of approximately 15-20 beautifully enchanced images can be viewed at my studio at a date we choose during the shoot, usually about 1 week after your session. It is at this point when you decide which package you may want to purchase.

At Dinky Feet Photography I make safety and comfort of your baby an absolute priority. I practice safe posing techniques and there is always a supporting hand on or very close to your baby during the session. I also have beautiful girls myself so I know how it feels in those first few days when you get home with a brand new baby! 

No poses are ever forced, and if your baby doesn't feel comfortable in any of them, I move on to the next.

For more complex poses, I use Photoshop to combine certain elements. 

Before the newborn shoot:

Please feed your baby 2-3 hours prior, and plan on feeding him/her as soon as you get to the studio. Also, please try as much as possible to keep your baby awake, try a bath and a massage, tickling toes, and try not to give your baby a dummy for the few hours beforehand (if you use one). This will ensure those squishy, sleepy newborn pictures! 

This is perhaps the most important part of preparing your baby for an easy session but of course if your baby is very tired and needs to sleep or feed, please let him/her.

Your baby will normally fall asleep in the car on the way to the studio but will usually wake up when undressed, once you have arrived. We then feed your baby and usually do not have to wait long after that for him/her to fall asleep. That is when we get those beautiful, dreamy newborn poses.

The temperature in my home studio will be at least 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees F). I do this to keep your (naked) baby warm, snug and sleepy. I come dressed for a warm few hours, and I suggest you do too! 

Sessions typically last around 4 hours and sometimes longer if your baby is a light sleeper, very alert or hungry. The easiest way to ensure a sleepy baby is the willingness to nurse/bottle-feed on and off during the session, so bring extra bottles if you are bottle feeding. 

If you are using one, bring a dummy. They call them soothers and pacifiers for a reason.

Before a sitter session or a cake smash session:

Make sure our model has a really good nap. We want them rested and full of energy! 

I usually have plenty of hot and cold drinks available. However, I would suggest that you bring along some food, especially if mum is breast feeding. 

If your baby takes a dummy: bring it with you.

I always suggest a change of clothes in case your little one decides to go to the toilet whilst you are holding him/her.

Mum & Dad are a big part of the show. Photographing the connection between you and your baby is one of my favourite parts of the session. Just as they encourage in the hospital, skin to skin contact creates the most beautiful images and these are the pictures you and your baby will cherish most in years to come! 

Dads: If you prefer not to be shirtless, we ask that you bring a plain, tight fitting v-neck t-shirt to wear with a good, snug pair of jeans. A simple, light coloured, collared shirt with sleeves that can roll up is also nice.

Mums: A loose-fitting tank top works well. Keep the colour neutral and design simple. Also bring a strappy vest in either nude, grey or black. Please use a very natural nail polish (or none) as your hands will make their way into the images. Bring your make up bag along and rest assured, we aim to photograph using flattering angles and lighting to bring out the natural beauty in your family. 

Due to the limited space available to me at this stage, I can only safely accommodate up to seven people. 

There are certain foods that are known to cause fussiness and make newborns unsettled when breastfed. If breastfeeding, please avoid those items 48h prior to the session:

• chocolate
• spices (cinnamon, garlic, curry, chilly pepper)
• citrus fruits and their juices (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit)
• strawberries
• pineapple
• kiwi fruit
• gassy veggies (onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, peppers)
• fruits with laxative effects (cherries, prunes)
• excessive amount of caffeine

Hahnemühle Fine Art Bamboo paper is the world’s first digital fine art inkjet paper made from bamboo fibres (90% Bamboo fibre and 10% Cotton). Bamboo represents spirituality, naturalness and resource-saving paper production. Particularly suitable for warm-toned colour and monochrome prints, Bamboo really highlights the sensuality of images.

This natural warm-toned, smooth surfaced and OBA* (Optical Brightener Additives) free genuine art paper offers maximum aging resistance. It guarantees an extremely large colour gamut and high colour density.

No, mini sessions are valid for new bookings made after the date of the offer. 

I only photograph family sessions at the weekends, when those are available. 

I do not work Sundays and Bank Holidays. 

Yes. Your payment can be broken into 3 monthly installments, with your first payment of 50% of the total amount of your order done at the viewing. 

No.

Please email maggie@dinkyfeet.co.uk to discuss your circumstances. Home sessions start from £1795

30 days from the day you receive your digital files.