BABY WELCOME GUIDE

FOR NEWBORN PARENTS

A POCKET OF TIME PHOTOGRAPHY

HERE’S A LITTTLE SOMETHING

ABOUT MY PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

You will never forget the first moment you laid eyes on your daughter or the first time you heard your son cry. These are truly magical moments. As much as we hope and pray they will stay little forever, they grow up anyway. Those first few weeks seem to fly by and each moment becomes a fleeting memory.

I am married to a British rock star (well in my eyes anyways) and mom to the cutest toddler boy ever and to two amazing Chihuahuas named Ziggy Stardust and Luna Star. I am one of the few "Angelinos" that was actually born and raised in Southern California. Currently, I reside in Sherman Oaks, CA and book sessions throughout the San Fernando Valley and surrounding Los Angeles area.

* Canon 5D Mark III camera* Canon 24-105mm 4.0 lens* Sigma Art 35mm 1.4 lens* Canon 50mm 1.4 lens* Canon 85mm 1.8 lens* Canon 135Lmm 2.0 lens** A couple fun Lensbaby lenses

Thanks to Just Maggie Photography for my family photos!

* Photography (obviously!)* Baby laughter* Pumpkin Spice lattes* The Beatles* Depeche Mode* Autumn** Watching Toy Story for the 100+ time with my son

Besides hopefully liking my photography style, I understand babies and kids. I have a BA in Child Development from CSUN. I worked for LAUSD for nine years working with elementary aged children with special needs. I am up-to-date on all of my vaccinations including TDAP and flu shot. I have invested in numerous photography workshops to learn proper newborn posing, safety and handling And as a parent to a two year old myself, don’t worry - I get it. I am extremely patient and lipatient and like to just let them be to capture who they really are. My sessionsare laid-back, stress free and fun!

Hello , my name is M elissa

M E E T T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R

2 6 3 18

I COME TO YOUI am also a mom myself to an adorable son named Sawyer born January 27, 2014. Now I remember those first few weeks at home with him. I was terrified to take him out and sat in the backseat next to him while my husband drove us anywhere for a good three to four weeks. This is why I bring my mobile studio to you! All of my newborn sessions are done in the comfort of my client’s home. All I need is a small area next to a window and I take care of everything else!

When was the last time you had portraits made at a large chain studio and actually had the luxury of your photo session including handmade props that were custom ordered from around the world just for your session? Don’t you want to ensure your photographer is properly educated in not only photography, but also in newborn safety and handling? Shouldn’t your photographer be up-to-date on all of their vaccines? Can you even remember the name of your cookie-cutter in-store photographer? in-store photographer?

WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A PROFESSIONAL NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

Do you really want to trust just anyone to handle the most precious person in the world to you? Newborn photography is a specialized art and requires a real professional. In addition to being completely up-to-date on all of my vaccinations including the TDAP and flu shot, I have participated in numerous photography workshops on newborn posing, handling and safety. Plus, my sister is a NICU nurse at UCLA Harbor Hospital and has personally watched me work to assure me that everything I was doing was totally safe for the baby. As you can see I take this all everything I was doing was totally safe for the baby. As you can see I take this all very seriously... don’t you want the same for your photographer?

TOO DARN CUTE

Custom photography is simply that… a custom experience tailored to suit you, your style, your personality and your needs. When I am contacted for a newborn photography session far enough in advance of the actual session date that is scheduled, I have the luxury of ordering props such as hats, blankets, baskets, etc that are suited entirely for your session. All of my blankets, wraps, headbands and hats are 100% organic, handmade and sourced from around the world, with most coming from Europe. I want only the best from my around the world, with most coming from Europe. I want only the best from my clients and these items take time to be made and delivered.

WHAT TO

EXPECT

PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION

BABIES ARE BEST PHOTOGRAPHED IN THE FIRST

14 DAYS OF THEIR NEW LITTLE LIVES

Once you decide to schedule a session with me, we will set a tentative date based on your due date.

I understand that babies rarelycome when predicted and I will accommodate their personal plans for arrival, but a due date will give us for arrival, but a due date will give us a baseline.

Once your infant is born, and you know when everyone will be heading home, either call or text me to confirm the actual session date.

Ideally we want to schedule the sessionwithin the first two weeks. They are still within the first two weeks. They are still flexible, generally sleep better, don’t have colic yet, and usually haven’t started developing baby acne or cradle cap.

Also, it is important to let me know if you are having a boy and plan on circumcising him since we will want to circumcising him since we will want to schedule your photo session around thatto ensure your baby’s comfort.

Once I arrive I will set up my mobile studio and lay out my selection of bonnets, headbands, hats and blankets for you to pick from.

I can never promise any specific pose since your baby calls the shots. They will tell me what they will and wont do; what they willwill and wont do; what they willwear and what they won’t. Most of my newborn sessions includetwo different bean bag set ups,family portraits, sibling photos and one or two simple prop sets.My style is more along the “lessis more” route as I like baby to is more” route as I like baby to be the focus in my work and thesession will last two to three hours.

You get to close the door, relax and dream about all the beautiful images that will soon be yours. I drive home and go through the images from your session and select the best 30-40 photos. Once I have the “final cut” selected I meticulously edit each individual I meticulously edit each individual picture to correct any blemishes and make each photo a true work of art. Your images will be ready for delivery within two weeks.

You will now have wonderful, precious images to remind you of the innocence of your newborn, and you have of your newborn, and you have documented in a beautiful, meaningful way what those first few days of life were like. BLISS!

DURING YOUR SESSION

AFTER YOUR SESSION

Have any hats, bows, headbands, blankets, props, family heirlooms or other items you may want in the shots pulled out and ready to go.

Turn up the heat so that it is around 80 degrees in the room that we willbe shooting in. Your baby will usually have their clothes off for most of the session so it needs to be extra warm.

Have the room or rooms where the baby will be photographed tidy and clutter free please. Don’t forget your bedroom if you would like family shotsclutter free please. Don’t forget your bedroom if you would like family shotswith everyone on your bed!

Try and keep your baby awake and hold off on feeding them until 15 minutes before I arrive. By the time I arrive and set up, they should (hopefully!) be in a nice milk coma and ready to go.

Before feeding baby, remove all clothes and socks. Unfasten their diaper so it can be easily removed and wrap baby in blanket. This will help eliminate any creases or red marks on the baby’s body.eliminate any creases or red marks on the baby’s body.

You should wear lightweight breathable clothing since it will be very warm where we are shooting. Soft neutral colors looks best - greys, white, creams, beiges or black.

Your hands may be shown in some photos. Please have nails trimmed and clean.

Have plenty of baby wipes, clean diapers, burp clothes and old towels close by in case we need to clean up any little “messes” quickly. by in case we need to clean up any little “messes” quickly.

Have snacks water on hand…newborn sessions make you hungry and thirsty!!

NEWBORN SESSION CHECKLIST

Includes a pre-session consultation, 2-3 hour in-home photography session, high-end studio props and outfits, your favorite 15 digital images on disk, online sharable gallery, 10 yearsof backup cloud storage and photo print release.

$700

$550

$400

Includes a pre-session consultation, 2-3 hour in-home photography session, high-end studio props and outfits, all 30-40 digital images on disk, online sharable gallery, 10 years of backup cloud storage and photo print release.

Includes a pre-session consultation, 2-3 hour in-home photography session, high-end studio props and outfits, all 30-40 digital images on disk, online sharable gallery, 10 years of backup cloud storage, photo print release,50 custon designed 5x7 birth announcementsand a $100 fine art print credit. and a $100 fine art print credit.

The Lullaby Collection

The Sweet Digital Dreams Collection

The Moon & Stars Collection

PACKAGES & PRICING

Show off your gorgeous baby with our stunning line of museum quality fine art prints. The highest level of craft and care goes into our fine art prints. They take some time to be done properly, but they are worth the wait! Our fine art prints are printed on Hahnemuhle papers because we believe your work should look its best, and Hahnemühle’s are simply the best. The German company has been in business for more than the best. The German company has been in business for more than 425 years, and with that type of track record, you can’t go wrong. This fine art matte paper has a subtle texture to it that gives it a very tangible feel and is 100% cotton. After your images are printed, the inks must cure for 24 hours. Once cured, each print is finished with Hahnemühle’s Protective Spray to guard your prints from dirt, UV rays, fingerprints and moisture and then they must cure for an additional 24 hours. Each print is then hand trimmed and carefully packaged 24 hours. Each print is then hand trimmed and carefully packaged to protect the delicate nature of the prints.

Samples will be available to view at your photography session!

CUSTOM FRAMING ALSO AVAILABLE

FINE ART PRINTS & PRODUCTS

(818) 400-5133melissa@apocketoftime.com

www.apocketoftime.com