When should I schedule my session?
I recommend scheduling your session(s) as soon as you can. This allows me to set aside time for your session in my calendar. I only take a limited amount of sessions a month – depending on the session type.
A maternity session is best held between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy. Mothers are looking beautifully pregnant and it also helps us to capture the anticipation time in case your little one makes an unplanned & early appearance (babies can be tricky like that). I encourage your spouse to participate in the session as well since you are both anticipating your new baby together.
A newborn session is best held between 5-10 days after birth. It is ideal to have our planning and consultation done in advance of the birth. If you have already had your baby and are just now looking for a photographer, I would be happy to hear from you.
When should I have my baby photographed?
As your baby grows and changes from birth through the first year (and beyond), there are many amazing developmental changes that you will be witnessing and hoping to remember. A 5-10 day old newborn will be sleepy, curled and poseable. An older newborn is often much more alert, less-likely to allow posing and is now stretched out and uncurled from the womb. Also, IF a baby is to have signs of colic, that is often showing itself around 2 weeks after birth (or 2 weeks after full-term date for preemies). As your baby gains head control and can push up from their tummy (around 4 months) this is also a new time for a session. Once your baby is sitting unassisted you’ll see joy, excitement and a huge amount of personality from your baby. Finally, many families love to celebrate their baby reaching their first birthday with a session as well.
The top times during the first year with your baby are ….
1. newborn at 5-10 days after birth
2. about 6-8 months (when they are sitting unassisted, but not yet crawling)
3. at one year of age
Do you have a studio?
No. At this time, I am entirely on-location. Newborn and baby sessions are held in your home. Parents enjoy the ability to have me come to them. There is no packing up of your newborn or baby. This minimizes exposure to germs and you don’t have to pack up the entire nursery in the car. When I arrive I will need to tour your home for the best lighting. I bring all the blankets, props and materials/equipment needed.
I don’t think my home has ‘good light’?
I want to avoid sunlight streaming in the window. A west or north facing window will serve the most consistent and soft lighting. I am able to search out the most optimal lighting in your home. I have never been in a home with lighting I could not work with.
What time of the day do you recommend for sessions?
A newborn or baby session is best in the morning. I tend to schedule newborn sessions to begin by 9am. The light is softest and newborns tend to be sleepiest in the morning. Babies also tend to be happier in the early day as well. Outdoor maternity or family sessions are best 1-2 hours before sunset or 1-2 hours after sunrise when the light is at its most beautiful.
Do you also photograph the newborn or baby with the parents?
Yes! I encourage images of you together. This is a precious time that will pass by very very quickly. This also adds some variety to your session images as well.
How long will my session be?
Since I only take a limited number of sessions, you can be assured that I have patience and time for you and your baby/family! A maternity session lasts about 30-45 minutes. A newborn sessions lasts about 3 hours (sometimes slightly more). A family or baby session lasts between 1-2 hours. Breaks are taken for snacks, feeding, drinks, clothing changes, playing and chatting. Your session will be laid back and pleasant. Please avoid scheduling newborn check-ups on your session day.
When is my session fee due?
Please pay your session fee as soon as possible. Space on my calendar will be held for 3 days after your session invoice has been emailed.
How much should I plan to spend on my order?
Custom professional photography is much much more time-intensive and specialized than chain photography. Your photographer is likely to total over 10-15 hours of time on your session from pre-consultation all the way to sending your order to you. Your prints and products are also absolutely the best in the professional printing industry as well. Therefore, you can rest assured, that your photographer is not selling you a .15 cent print. You are purchasing heirloom quality items that your children will enjoy as adults looking back on their childhoods. There is a $400 minimum purchase (not including session fee). My clients tend to anticipate investing $650 to $2000 on their order. This will depend on the family budget and types of products ordered. Collections offer significant savings over a la carte items.
Do you have any suggestions for clothing?
I do! Part of your pre-session consultation email will have samples of clothing. Suggestions will depend on if we are meeting in a natural location (nature preserve, beach, orchard, etc) and the time of the year. I will recommend different color families for clothing based on the chosen area. For newborn sessions, simple is best. Whites, pinks, cremes, lilac, light blue, are all nice colors if you’d like your newborn or baby in clothing. Generally, newborns are nude for most of their session.
Do you use natural light or studio lights?
I prefer and only use natural light from a window or outdoors.
Where do you typically travel for sessions?
In-home photography sessions for newborns and babies are often held in communities such as: Cedarburg, Grafton, Menomonee Falls, Wauwatosa, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Brookfield, Mequon, Sheboygan, Kohler, West Bend, Shorewood, Germantown, Fond du Lac, and surrounding areas. If a location is outside of 40 miles from 53090, a travel (time & gas) fee is applied to the session fee. For outdoor sessions, I have some suggestions, but am open to ideas.
What if we need to cancel?
Please note that session fees are non-refundable, as once my calendar is full, I then am unable to take other families who expressed desire for a session. If you or your baby is sick, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule. If our session is outdoors, we will only reschedule if rain or storms are present (or definitely coming).
How should I contact you to reserve a session?
Please use the contact tab above or email me at jill@jillvelicer.com. You may also call me at 262-689-4593.
