FAQs
1. Maternity Photoshoot FAQ's
I prefer to do my maternity photo shoots when mama is between 30 – 34 weeks pregnant. That is typically the time when mama is rocking a nice belly bump but still feels good enough to do a photo shoot. Of course, we can do a maternity shoot at any point during your pregnancy, that timeframe is just my recommendation.
I have a client closet full of maternity dresses in all sizes, shapes, and colors so that you don’t have to purchase or bring anything to your photo shoot. Whether you like a tight silhouette or a princess ball gown, I have you covered. Once you book your maternity photo shoot with me, you can go through the maternity dresses to choose the one that most flatters your body shape. The only thing that you will have to think about is your undergarments. I ask that you bring nude colored undergarments so that they don’t show under any dress that you choose to wear.
I encourage mamas to bring their partner or other children to their maternity photo shoot. It’s a great record of your life as a family right before the new bundle of joy arrives. However, that’s not always possible in terms of scheduling so it’s perfectly fine to have the maternity session only focus on yourself and do the pictures solo.
I have a full-service studio in Brea, CA, but you have the option to also do the maternity session on location at any park or beach in Orange County. A studio maternity photo shoot is good for mamas who may want to show a little more skin and do a semi-nude maternity. Studio maternity sessions are also good for mamas with a crazy schedule because they can be scheduled at any time of day or night since the lighting is controlled in the studio.
An outdoor maternity photo shoot is good for mamas that want a romantic, ethereal look to their maternity pictures. There are a number of parks or beaches that I can suggest for you, depending on the look that you’re going for.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to have your hair and makeup professionally done for your photo shoot. You’re about to give birth to a human being, you deserve a little pampering for your photo shoot. Plus, the hair and makeup bring out such confidence, especially in mamas that may be a little hesitant about posing in front of the camera. If you don’t already have a relationship with a hair and makeup artist, I have referrals for a few amazing ones that I trust implicitly.
I will post a sneak peek of your maternity photo shoot on my social media platforms within 48 hours of your session. You are free to share the images with friends and family. Your final gallery will be ready within 2-3 weeks of your photo shoot and you will receive an email with a link to view your images. You will also have the opportunity to purchase prints and print product, like canvasses, through your gallery and have them delivered directly to your house. I encourage all my clients to print their images and not just leave them on a hard drive or electronic device somewhere.
2. Newborn Photoshoot FAQ's
If you are interested in having your baby photographed for their newborn photo shoot, the best time to photograph the baby is around the two week period after birth. It may seem like that’s so soon after the baby being born, but that tends to be when baby is still nice and sleepy and before they start to develop any baby acne. That doesn’t mean that if your baby is older than two weeks that we can’t do a newborn photo shoot, but the pictures will be slightly different than the typical sleepy poses.
You can book your newborn photo shoot by putting a deposit down to secure your date and we will tentatively put you on the schedule on your due date. Once you have the baby, just give us a call and let us know and we will schedule your actual newborn photo shoot within two weeks of the baby being born. It’s important to get on the calendar as soon as possible because I limit the number of newborns that I photograph each month. It’s never too early to reserve your newborn photo shoot spot.
My studio in Brea, CA is full of everything that is needed for a newborn photo shoot- baby blankets, headbands, baby hats, newborn outfits, baby bed props and more. I prefer to do newborn sessions in the studio because I’m able to control the environment and optimize the setting for the best newborn photo shoot.
I understand that some parents may prefer that we do the newborn photo shoot in their home and that is definitely an option. An additional travel fee will be applied if you prefer to do the photo shoot in your home. I would work with you before hand to find the best location within your house for the newborn photo shoot. An in-home newborn Photo shoot Main look slightly different than a studio one. These newborn photo sessions will have more of a lifestyle look and focus on simple set ups that feature the baby and the family.
The newborn photo shoot can absolutely include all of the family members, including your furry family members if they are well behaved. I know that some parents may be sleep deprived and not feel up to being included in pictures, but I always encourage the entire family to get in at least one picture so that the baby has a photo of what the entire family looked like when they were born. I work with a number of amazing hair and make up artist in Orange County and we can schedule to have mama’s make up done while I am photographing the baby. It’s a nice treat after just giving birth. At the very least, if the parents don’t want to be photographed, I usually suggest that we include siblings in a photo or two.
You don’t have to buy or bring anything to your newborn photo shoot. I have a studio full of everything that we will need, including some outfits for siblings and mama. If parents are going to be included in the pictures, I will send you a guide on some things that you might want to wear. Other than that, I have everything else that will be needed. I send out a questionnaire to all my newborn photo shoot clients prior to the shoot and I use those answers to create and style your baby’s session.
If you have any family heirlooms or something that you specifically want to be photographed, you are welcome to bring it and I will try and fit it into one of the set ups if possible.
I have different packages that you can choose from, but they all include high resolution digital files. You will be able to download your digital files directly from any device of yours. please be sure to copy your digital files to multiple devices to serve as back up.
I offer print services that can be ordered through your gallery and sent directly to your house. I encourage you to order through my website because everything is printed with archival ink and paper. But, since you will be given the digital files, you are welcome to have your pictures printed anywhere that you would like. Keep in mind though that color and quality will definitely vary depending on where your images are printed.
I post a sneak peek on my social media platforms within 48 hours of your session. Be sure to follow me on Instagram (www.instagram.com/freebird.studios) and Facebook . Your final, edited images will be ready within two weeks of your session.
While I know that everyone makes their own choices when it comes to vaccinations, I have received my Covi19 vaccination and booster, and I am up to date on all my other vaccinations, including pertussis. I am only disclosing so that you are aware as my potential client and won’t ever ask any of my clients for their vaccination status.
3. Family Photoshoot FAQ's
An average family photo shoot will include your immediate family (typically 3-6 members). However, I offer extended family photo shoots that include multiple generations and all siblings and cousins. Those are pretty amazing to have an entire family in one place at one time.
I offer family mini photo shoots throughout the year that are 15 -30 minutes long. Some people question whether or not this is enough time for a photo shoot and I assure you that it’s the perfect amount of time for a child’s attention span. Sometimes if shoots are too long, then the children will start to get restless. If you are doing an extended family photo shoot, those will be longer by nature because we are going to be doing different combinations of family members. For an extended family photo shoot, plan for at least an hour for the session.
I prefer to do family photo shoots at outdoor locations. Being outdoors allows for the children to run around and get a little energy out. It also helps get cute pictures of the kids interacting with each other and their parents. For all pre-scheduled family mini sessions, the locations are already determined. However, If you are not doing a pre-scheduled mini photo shoot, I’ll help you decide the perfect location for your family session. The two most popular locations are parks and beaches and we have plenty of beautiful ones in Orange County. I have a portfolio full of different locations for you to choose from.
The best thing that you can do to help with the success of your family photo shoot is to relax. I know it sounds so simple and a little crazy, but if mama is calm and carefree, it helps with the whole mood of the shoot and the kids will be calmer. Also, keep in mind that family photo shoots are meant to show the interactions that you guys have as a family so we actually want action shots of everyone connecting. If worse comes to worse, I can always use the magic of photoshop to switch heads and make for a great picture with everyone looking haha I have never had to reschedule a family photo shoot due to unruly children, so have some confidence that we will get a great shot.
When you book a family photo shoot with me, I send out a session prep guide with some suggestions on what you can do and bring to help make a successful photo shoot. One of my biggest tricks is to bring lots of bribes. It’ not really a trick, but it works most often. Make sure the kids are well-rested and have full tummies right before the shoot and then we can top it off with candy bribes haha
I never want anyone to have to come to a photo shoot if they’re sick and not feeling their best. I’m happy to reschedule the session for a day when everyone is happy and healthy.
The biggest tip that I can give my clients when it comes to styling their portrait session is to wear clothes that coordinate, not clothes that match exactly. For example, everyone can wear creams, whites, and beiges rather than everyone wearing a white top and jeans. Another option would be to pick two colors that complement each other (blue and orange) and then two neutrals.
When I pick out my own family’s clothing for portrait sessions, I usually start with the hardest person to dress (my picky teenager, haha). Once she has picked out an outfit that she likes, I then take the colors from that and use them in all other family member’s outfits.
Freebird Studios is an Orange County Maternity, Newborn and Family photography studio located in Brea, CA and serving Fullerton, Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Rowland Heights, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Laguna Beach and all of Los Angeles and Orange County.
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