Although having a newborn session done just days after birth is a fairly new concept for many people, I strongly believe it isn’t just a fad. Fads are things that come and go, because people get tired of them and move on to something else. The concept of newborn photography is similar to the concept of wedding photography. Your newborn baby will only be this tiny once in their life, and only for a matter of days. You have one chance to capture that moment before it passes you by.

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WHEN SHOULD WE BOOK OUR NEWBORN SESSION?

The sooner, the better. I suggest booking during your 2nd-3rd trimester to secure a spot on the calendar. I only take on so many newborns per month, for ease of scheduling once little ones start arriving. Sometimes they are early, sometimes late...rarely on time. With that said, it's never too late to book. I'm always happy to squeeze in last minute sessions if time permits. Of course already booked clients have top priority. 

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HOW OLD ARE BABIES WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR NEWBORN SESSION WITH YOU?

7-12 days old.  7-8 days being my favorite. Under 2 weeks, newborns still have that magical womb like behavior that allows their fresh newborn look to be captured undisturbed. Not to mention they sleep better ;) I have however in certain situations photographed older babies due to NICU stays. Babes that have a stay in the NICU, I usually photography around their original due date & of course once they are home. 

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I HAVE A DUE DATE...BUT WHEN WILL THE NEWBORN SESSION BE IF I'M STILL PREGNANT?

Booked newborn clients go on my calendar with their due date. This is not your actual session date, this is what I like to call a "soft book" date. It gives me an idea, just like you, of when your little one will arrive. By booking with me, your session is guaranteed. Once baby is born, parents get ahold of me within 48 hrs to let me know of little ones arrival. I then give clients several dates to choose from (Monday-Friday), that is within the 5-12 day old time frame. 

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WHAT TYPES OF NEWBORN SESSIONS DO YOU OFFER?

I offer Wrapped (like an ultra mini session), Mini & Complete Newborn Sessions. Details are in my pricing information sent via email when you inquire about booking a session.

 

WHERE WILL THE SESSION TAKE PLACE?

All newborn sessions take place at my studio on our property located in Versailles, MO.  We bought a small hobby farm in June 2020. My studio is a portable building, fully finished in August 2020. It's definitely the smallest space in nearly 10 years of different studio set ups. I customized it to my needs with photographing newborns. Clients are able to park right up next to the building upon arrival. It's stocked with a bathroom, family seating area with TV, wifi, snacks, fully stocked changing table, mini fridge & toys for siblings. My small studio caters to newborn & baby photography, having everything needed to create beautiful portraits of your little one & family. Sessions take place Monday-Friday and always start at 10 am.

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DO YOU PROVIDE PROPS?

Yes, I have everything that is needed & more. Clients have tons of colors choices to choose from & I have lots of adorable baby goodies to customize the session. I believe in simple, organic & modern portraiture, a style that focuses on your beautiful baby. I don’t use a lot of  “crazy props”. Some of my favorite images have no props at all. Just baby. 100% beautiful on their own. This way, they don’t get lost in the image. I do have simple props available at the studio, buckets, bowls, crates, beds, hats, headbands and lots of textures that I like to use. Newborns often look most beautiful naked, or just with a hat/bonnet, headband or wrap. Newborns are beautifully perfect…just as they came.

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DO YOU HAVE AN ASSISTANT?

I did for quite a while, some know my sister Becca who helped me for several years. She packed up and moved to Florida in Summer 2017, fast forward...she's married and now has two kiddos of her own<3

Newborn safety is a top priority for me. So... I'm back to being solo & rearranged my posing flow over the years for ease of transitioning to different set ups. Parents are always happy to be an extra set of hands for certain poses & be involved in the process. Parents and I are quite the team for the few quick poses, when I need an extra  hand or two for baby's safety. 

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MAY WE TAKE PICTURES DURING THE SESSION?

I always welcome phone snapshots & ask that you share them with me. Love it! Absolutely no videos or professional DSLRs are permitted during any session.
 

CAN WE COPY POSES WE SAW ON PINTEREST?

The photos you see on my website or social media are a representation of my particular style, and your session will reflect that simple, monochromatic & organic look. I will be happy to incorporate any props you bring, but I ask that you keep them to a minimum and limit them to sentimental items (as it adds to session time & preparation) Also I'm big on educating my clients, some poses that are on Pinterest or on the internet are not safe or done poorly. If I believe I can achieve it safely with my own take on it, we will give it a go. But if I don't believe it can be done safely, I won't do it. Your baby's safety is my top priority. 

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HOW DO WE BOOK OUR NEWBORN SESSION?

Please use the contact tab. I will get back with you within 1-2 business days. Once newborn clients are booked, I send them my newborn prep guide. It has all the links and further information you will need about your little one's newborn session.

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HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR OUR NEWBORN SESSION?

All booked newborn clients receive my Newborn Session Prep Guide. It's pretty fantastic with an awesome breakdown for clients to follow, to encourage a successful newborn session. I even included places to grab a bite to eat after the session.  

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WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOU?

Email is definitely the best way to get in touch with me. Just click the contact tab, or email me at emilyryderphotography@gmail.com. I'm quick to respond to emails. Clients are welcome to call or text me with the number I provide in my PDF guides, however, I ask that calls occur between 9am-3pm on Monday-Friday. Time off is reserved for my family. Unless you are messaging me to tell me your baby is here! For all other inquiries email is always the quickest and easiest way to contact me with questions. *Please avoid using Facebook messenger, as I do not always receive these messages and do not check often. 

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HOW MUCH DO NEWBORN SESSIONS COST?

It depends on the type of session. Each have a varying amount of digitals included & set ups. Newborn clients on average spend $500+. You will get a linked price list when you inquire. I also have payment options leading up to session dates. 

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WHEN AND HOW WILL WE GET OUR PHOTOS?

After your session, your photos will be hand edited & retouched. I take time to make sure each photo in your gallery is perfect! They will be ready for you to view in your private online gallery within 3 weeks/21 business days. You will receive a notification email & link + password when they are ready to view.

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From your gallery you will be able to choose your favorites & then I will create your separate download gallery, delivered in the same manner as your viewing gallery. From your download gallery you will be able to download your high resolution files & print them with your included print release at your convenience. No more waiting for a CD. My clients love the  simplicity of being able to download them to their computer, tablet or phone. Your email will include  navigation instructions on how to download your files & where is best to print. 

 

DO YOU MENTOR OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS?

I get asked this a lot or when will I hold workshops for other photographers hoping to learn posing, newborn safety & camera/lighting set ups. I'm always happy to advise and help others when I can. We all start somewhere. At this time, my main focus is on my clients. I hope to hold workshops sometime in the future, but I don't see it happening within in the next several years. I'm always flattered though :)

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Choosing your newborn photographer is a hard decision, as more and more people buy cameras and call themselves photographers.  Many of these cheaper photographers don’t have the experience needed to get amazing images at every session. I have photographed over 300 newborn babies. I am also a mom to 3 children myself. I have learned a lot over my years of photographing newborns and I take newborn safety very seriously. As a mommy, I know how fast these days disappear. These images are just as, if not more important than your wedding photography. These aren't "just pictures", just like your sweet, new baby will not be "just a baby". Every baby that comes into my studio is special & I pour everything I have into each and every session. The portraits that result from his/her session... will be their introduction to the world. 

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