What Happens During a Newborn Family Session? Steps to Expect with Sarah Borchgrevink

Steps to Expect During Your Posed Newborn Photoshoot with Sarah

Congratulations on your newest addition! I have been photographing newborn babies full-time since 2013 and genuinely adore capturing earthside cherubs in their brand new nature. Besides having 4 (spirited!) little ones myself, I have invested in mentoring and workshops and have formally trained in posing, handling, lighting, post-processing, and more. I utilize top-of-the-line professional gear, a custom-built PC, and both natural and studio light. My husband, Kevin, and I work together and enjoy being a team. Please note we are fully vaccinated and insured as a safeguard to promote newborn safety. All props and textiles are sanitized between uses. Daily cleaning service also visits.

If you haven’t added your due date to our calendar, feel free to do so here: Due Date Placeholder Scheduling Link.

Importance of Transparency

The prep guide is essential because this is the key to having quality images. Keeping Baby asleep during several setups, poses, and wraps are much different than putting Baby to sleep at home in a crib or a swing. Your baby is handled with love, care, respect. I acknowledge this is a great deal of information, and you're right: it is! However, this removes stress during the session process, so you’re up to date on everything that will happen.

Studio Address and Office Details

 

and is fully stocked with luxury items reflecting the vintage-inspired, dreamy, and timeless branding. The type of setups and designs you may expect is the style displayed in my portfolio. (www.sarahborchgrevinkphotography.com) Your styling questionnaire has you share colors you like and perhaps would like to avoid. I request no props from home except for a few heirloom pieces, if this is of importance to you. If there is a specific setup from my website you would like, please let me know in advance so I may prepare. We will cycle through all of our setups. If Baby shows signs of distress, I will move on from that portion, though we can return if there is time after we have completed other setups. Please remember your gallery will be lovely, and that is important to respect Baby. If Baby is crying and uncomfortable, I will never force Baby into a position, no matter how much a parent begs me to do so. I cannot ethically do this and request you not pressure me to do so. It makes me extremely uncomfortable and can hinder the atmosphere of the session.

What to wear? Family, Sibling, and Parent Images

I have a client wardrobe mothers may use for their session. It includes gowns that photograph well in the space, typically in small-large sizes. They are flowy and timeless. You are welcome to use one for our session though if you have an outfit from home, you prefer that's fine, too! If you would like to use the client wardrobe, please wear a nude bra and bring an underslip to prevent undergarments from showing.

There is also a sister wardrobe, too, in sizes three months – 5t.  For siblings and Dad: please stick to neutrals, if possible, or muted pastels. Avoid neon colors. Orange, yellow, bright greens or pinks are not favorable. Colors that photograph well are light grey, tans, creams, white, and ivory.

Seafoam, mauve, and colors of this sort are lovely, too! The baby will be wrapped for their session in a coordinating color.

Dads look lovely in a pair of jeans or khaki pants, simple button-up, or even a polo shirt without distracting labels. Moms can do a long maxi dress if they would like or cardigan, tank top, whichever you're comfortable.  Children look precious in jeans or khaki pants with a solid or neutral colored top. Little girls look darling in a simple cotton dress without any cartoon characters or distracting labels.

Hair and Makeup: Professional Airbrushing and Artistry

If you’re interested in adding professional hair and makeup to your photoshoot, the preferred vendor we use is Annie Williams. If you prefer your hair and makeup be done at the studio, we’ll photograph Baby while your hair and makeup are completed. Read all about how to add hair and makeup to your package.

If doing your own hair and makeup, please stick to a matte color palate. Avoid dark eyeliner, neon highlighters or shadows, and harsh lines. Think classic, soft, feminine, and chic. Nudes and peachy tones are stunning. I also recommend filling in your brows and using a primer so that the skin pores look soft. A translucent powder is excellent for smoothing out complexions, too. Even a store such as Ulta or Sephora is a great place to stop by for a quick touchup. These are just tips and tricks I recommend as I have four young kiddos and have had many photoshoots myself.

Before You Arrive at the Studio

• Feed Baby very well before you leave for the studio. Your session time allots time for feeding, diaper changes, soothing, and more, so have no fear: we’ll have a great session!

• Please dress baby in a loose-fitting outfit to avoid too many lines on their skin. A zip-up sleeper or footed pajamas are a great idea. Avoid pulling anything over the head so as not to disturb your baby too much.

• If you're comfortable doing so, please bring a pacifier. If you're not using one, I completely understand and respect your parenting wishes. A pacifier is a great soothing tool, especially for prop shots like Baby in a bucket or the naked beanbag posing.

When You Arrive

• I promise I am excited to meet you! We’ll go right into our session. Family photos take place in my all-white, lifestyle room and your Baby’s individual setups take place in the newborn room. Family photos take place first, followed by Baby as the star! If, however, you are interested in using my motherhood wardrobe, you’re welcome to try on gowns and see what you like. In this case, we’ll start with Baby’s individual photos first and then go into the family, parent, and sibling portion.

• The newborn room is set to 84 degrees, white noise is turned on, and all setups are prepared in advance. This cozy environment emulates the womb and helps Baby sleep through many designs, poses, and being moved.

• Remember: at home, your baby is covered and often clothed, but in a studio environment, they're naked or have less clothing. For family photos, I will wrap Baby in a coordinating color and make sure they’re a snuggly bundle of joy. I’ll give plenty of direction and ensure you feel safe and comfortable.

Family/Sibling/Parent Images | Setups You May Expect

If you’ve selected a package with family, sibling, and parent images, you may expect us to spend 20 - 25 minutes on this portion. We cover setups such as each parent with Baby, parents together, immediate family, and sibling (if applicable) with Baby. If you would like the majority of your appointment to be family-based, let me know in advance so that I may plan our session setups accordingly. We can do less with Baby and more with family.

During Your Session Appointment

• Feel free to sit back and relax. You’re welcome to hang out in the newborn room or the lobby, too. I won't need any assistance, so if you'd like to rest, think of me as your babysitter. You're welcome to bring a tablet or laptop to work, or maybe even your Kindle to read (a luxury, I know, ha!).

• I am very comfortable working with newborns. Don't worry if Baby goes potty or spits up on anything. After you leave, everything is cleaned, as this is simply part of newborn photography.  Always feel like you can ask a question. Once your session time is up, you are welcome to stay and feed Baby in the mothers' room.

After the Session: What’s Next?

All of the following information is automatically sent you to 24 hours after our session occurs; however, I include it at the end of our prep guide, too. Feel free to read all about soft-proofing and how we share, receive, and download full-resolution JPEG files.

• Parents select the full-resolution, non-watermarked JPEG digital files via a private online proofing gallery. The proofing gallery is delivered to your preferred e-mail address, and you choose images from the comfort of home.

• All portrait packages include props, time and talent of Sarah/Kevin, the number of full-resolution JPEG digital files, listed in your package, plus matching black and white edits of those selections, unlimited released printing rights, as well as a list of curated labs, so you’re sure to have excellent options for display. If you're interested in professional prints/products, however, you're welcome to shop in your online gallery to see an array of professional-grade options.

• Your online proofing gallery is delivered 14 days after your appointment.

• Your gallery showcases the top images. Galleries are soft-proofed, which means a light edit is applied to your selections, though your final copies will be professionally enhanced; this is when the skin smoothing, eye sharpening, etc. is done. Once you select your final images, the retouching will be completed in three business days, M-F.

• Upon logging into your gallery, instructions are given on how to choose the images in your session. At that time, if you’re interested in additional digital files, your gallery will share how to upgrade though there is no obligation to do so.

How Many Images You Will See in Your Private Proofing Gallery?

• Wrapped Newborn| 40 images

• Bean Bag Newborn | 30 images

• Petite Newborn Session | 50 images

• Full Newborn Session | 65 – 70 images

Digital Files Available for Instant Download

The final image selections are shared through an online gallery in which you may instantly download your non-watermarked, full-resolution digital images JPEG images. You are responsible for downloading these images within 30 days and archiving them into the cloud.

I will include a few consumer-grade labs, so you have an idea of where to purchase albums,

prints, canvases, etc. If you are interested in professional-grade prints & products, however, let me know! The gallery has a store attached so you may shop and select the highest quality products. Products are shipped to your home, and there are no in-person ordering appointments or need to pick up products from the studio. Thank you for choosing me to photograph your baby's session! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to notify me immediately. I want you to have a fantastic portraiture experience. I know this feels like a lot of information, and I do not want to overwhelm you; however, newborn photography takes planning. They're once in a lifetime, and you will treasure them forever! I look forward to our time together!

Warmly,

Sarah & Kevin

Updated Due Date Placeholder | Accepting 2020 Arrivals

Specializing in studio infant, baby, and newborn portraits, Sarah Borchgrevnk is joyfully accepting 2020 due dates! See more information below.

Hi, gang! Welcome! As 2019 winds down, the studio is gearing up for a great upcoming year! We are thrilled to share we’re accepting due date placeholders for 2020. A due date placeholder is a beautiful way to commission our studio as your baby’s portrait artist. A due date placeholder means your estimated due date is added to our calendar. This lets us know how many babies to expect each month so we may plan accordingly.

Newborn sessions occur in the first 14 days of life, preferably when your Little One is 5-9 days old. This timeframe is the optimal time when new infants are curly, sleepy, flexible, moldable, and able to be posed in those oh-so-darling images you see via our Houston Newborn Photography Portfolio page. Adding your due date to the calendar gives you instant access to the scheduling options once your baby is born. You are most likely to have your preferred date and time not to miss the fleeting newborn window. The weekend dates are also highly sought after, o keep this in mind, too!

The best time to add your due date to our calendar is when you’re either in the second or third trimester. Your due date is simply an estimation for when the Baby is expected to arrive. Some little ones are early, late, and even right on time. No matter when your cherub is earthside, you already have access to the calendar.

• Package pricing is upfront and eareadilyvailable to you to make things simple for new parents! The studio's focus is selling full-resolution digital files, along with a print release. There are no in-person sales appointments, minimum print orders, or separate session fees. One rate pays for your entire session from start to finish. However, professional prints and products are available for purchase as a perk to parents seeking the highest quality.

• 14Fourteenays after your session, you receive a private online proofing gallery showcasing the best images from our time together! Parents select the number of portraits that come in the chosen package. At that time, those selections are fully and professionally edited. They’re polished up and ready for you to print, share online, and treasure forever!

• The chosen images are delivered three days later via instant digital download. A print release is also included. You may print your photos as many times or large as you would like forever.

• Sessions are available seven days per week in the studio between 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., M-F, and 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The standard turnaround for proofing galleries is 14 days, year-round.

• Motherhood wardrobe is included for all sessions.

Other helpful details:

• The studio is fully vaccinated and insured to provide newborn safety for our most petite clients, such as Tdap, MMR, and the yearly flu vaccine.

• Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is centrally located in the Uptown/River Oaks area of Houston.

• Sarah and Kevin are a full-time husband and wife team dedicated to offering a wonderful experience for new parents.

• Highest rated newborn photographer in Houston (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021)

Add your due date to the calendar below

After adding your due date to the calendar:

·         As soon as Baby is here, please select your preferred date/time/package from the scheduling link below. The sooner you pick your date, the more likely you are to have your preferred session date and time.

·         The scheduling calendar will have you fill out a styling questionnaire so you can answer helpful questions about Baby, share colors you like or dislike, and also anything you’d like me to know in advance.

·         Upon selecting your date and time, your posed newborn prep guide PDF is sent to your preferred e-mail address. The guide is a helpful and recommended list of instructions to ensure we have a great session together!

·         I would like to see you in the first 14 days of life, preferably at 5-9 days new, if possible.

·         When picking your appointment time, ignore the portion about signing a contract/deposit as you've already done this in advance.

 Babies are often early or late, so no worries if this happens. 

The link to schedule your newborn session is here:

https://sarahborchgrevinkphotographyschedulingcalendar.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=category%3ANewborn+Packages 

Thank you for choosing my studio! If you have any questions in the meantime, please let me know. I look forward to working with you! In the meantime, please let me know if anything changes!

The following information is everything you need to know about our time together.

Studio Expectations and Standards for Sarah Borchgrevink Photography

The following information is helpful and lets you know exactly what to expect.

Studio hours are as follows:

Monday - Friday from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday are 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

 

Newborn Photography Poses through Unique & Cozy Wrapping | Allison

Newborn Photography for Houston Babies by Sarah Borchgrevink | Using Unique Wrapping to Create Posed Sessions

Allison at 2 Weeks Fresh and New | Wrapped Mini Collection

Greetings and howdy to you! My name is Sarah and I'm a Houston Newborn Photographer located in NW Harris County. My newborn portrait studio is the perfect place for your brand new baby because I have everything you need for gorgeous baby portraiture. Today's blog post is going to chat about how to pose newborn babies through cozy and unique wrapping styles. 

Before we get started, however, I invite you to check out the following post as these may interest you:

• Affordable Payment Plans for Houston Newborn Photography
• Three Precious Newborn Wrapping Styles
• My favorite poses during sessions

Please allow me to introduce this darling baby girl! Her name is Allison and she visited when she was just over 2 weeks new. My newborn sessions do take place in the first 18 days life. While I adore all of my clients and look forward to meeting you, I was especially excited to work with Allison because her mother is a dear friend of mine. I first met her mom at a playgroup when our kiddos were a little younger. Over the years, I've really enjoyed getting to know her sweet mama and when I heard she was pregnant, I eagerly awaited the arrival. I may also check out all her Instagram baby posts because her daughter is simply stunning!

Allison weighed a little over 8 pounds when she visited and has copper hair, a button nose, and the most gorgeous skin tone. I cannot help but feel blessed I was able to capture this time for her parents. Her session features all things adorable wrapping and through these styles, we're able to achieve stunning newborn portraiture. 

Posing Baby Through Tootsie Wrapping

The tootsie style of wrapping is a favorite of mine because it's creative, unique, and really allows us to see those adorable little toes you spend hours kissing, ha! As a mother myself, I understand how you simply cannot stop taking in all the gorgeous details about your brand new baby, such as their little toes or hands. This wrap is a great way to pose babies because it can be done via the bean bag or in any variety of floor props. For this particular session, I pulled a white washed bowl that has much character; it's full of chips and is well worn. This lends a vintage tone to the images, since I adore for the photos to have a classic quality to them. I use a precious cream bump blanket, white organic wrap, and stunning cream, gold, and light tan headband for baby's textured items. When placed against the barn-wood style of rustic floors, the set up is truly stunning because of contract. I love the way the light fills baby's face. The tootsie style of wrapping is a must have for any posed newborn session! 

Here's a quick tip for having more variety in your sessions: pair the bowl with a flokati rug to achieve two set ups in one look. This makes the session a little smoother and quicker. After all, when you have 1 hour with parents, you want to make the most of each set up. You could even swap out the headband for a classic knit bonnet, too! The options are endless. 

Wrapping Baby and Using Bean Bag

Another cozy and sweet way to wrap a newborn baby is by having their adorable little legs out and curled up, just like the womb! I usually do this in the beginning right after the parent posing portion of the session. You can use a variety of colors, textures, hats, headbands, etc. here. 

This wrapping style is also helpful because sometimes baby is still awake. Every baby is different; some are more alert than others. By wrapping this little one, I was able to keep moving through our session and not waste any time. I also take this opportunity to capture detailed shots of baby's feet. The closer baby gets to 18 days, the more alert and awake she is. This means you have to find ways to keep baby content and happy. Cozy wrapping is a fantastic way to have an amazing newborn session because it allows you to move through the session without baby looking uncomfortable or having flailing limbs.

Potato Sack Wrap: My Favorite Way To Pose Newborns

Okay, so the potato sack wrap is one that I L-O-V-E. Literally. It's my favorite. You can achieve SO much with the wrap! You can tuck baby in, put them on bean bag, put baby into floor props, put baby into bucket, the ideas are infinite. If I could only do one style of wrapping when posing the newborns, this is the one. I cannot stress how important this wrap is, too, because it practices newborn safety. By keeping their feet wrapped up, it makes them a perfect little ball and you can place their hands under their cheeks, perhaps delicately upon their face, or even sweetly underneath their chin. Either way, it's the perfect wrap and I cannot tell you how much I love doing it. 

Keep on scrolling to see all the fun ways to use this wrap from bean bag, to bucket, to floor props. 

Thanks for stopping by to see Allison's session and how I use creative, unique and cozy wrapping to achieve stunning newborn portraiture in a short amount of time. I hope you visit again soon!

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.