Newborn Sessions
Thank you for contacting me about newborn sessions and congratulations on the expected arrival of your new little one. I am happy to give you information on the sessions I offer.
Newborn sessions are intended for newborns between 5-10 days after birth. This is the time that babies are still sleepy and curly. After 10 days of birth, babies become less sleepy, are more alert and awake and are not able to do many of the newborn poses for newborn sessions. You may find that your baby can be wrapped after 10 days for newborn pictures; however, the images that I’ve been capturing for clients since 2008 have always focused on the classic sleepy newborn poses.
Newborn sessions are held in my studio location in Bowmanville just off the 401. Newborn sessions take place Monday through Fridays at 11:00 a.m.
The length of time for the newborn session is about 3-4 hours long allowing ample time for feeding and comforting your baby throughout your session.
About Chandra Lee
Chandra Lee Photography was established in 2008. Chandra Lee Photography is an incorporated entity, has a business license, carries insurance and has a BN number with the government. Since 2008, I have photographed just over 1000 newborn sessions. I believe that training in safe newborn handling is paramount when it comes to working with newborns. Your baby is precious and needs to be taken care of with the utmost care.
I am also a mom of two, a ten-year-old and 10-month-old (both girls).
If you would like to know a little more about me personally, you can view my About page here.
Professional Accreditations
The Professional Photographers of Canada is a long-standing national organization for photographers in Canada. I have been a member since 2009. I became professionally accredited in “Children and Infant Portrait” on November 3, 2011. Since that time, I have also earned my professional accreditation in the “Maternity” and “Newborn” categories.
To become accredited by the Professional Photographers of Canada, you must submit 10 samples of your work from 10 different models and 10 different sessions. Each image must be unique from each other. The images are then approved or rejected by a board of three professional examiners.
You can find out more information about the Professional Photographers of Canada here.
I have many other credentials and if you would like to know more, I have put together a professional resume related to my maternity and newborn photography that you can find here.
Newborn Safety
During newborn sessions, you get to sit back and relax while I create beautiful images of your new little one. My studio is kept warm, and relaxing. I take my time handling your new precious baby. With over 10 years of newborn posing experience, I know how to handle your baby safely.
I have current first aid and CPR training, and a current criminal record check.
I have received training in safe newborn handling from attending three newborn posing workshops. It is important to understand that many poses are accomplished as composites in photoshop. One such pose is the “froggy” pose. Baby is held at all times and then in post processing, the hands supporting baby are removed. When baby is in a bucket pose, there is always a spotter immediately beside baby to ensure your baby’s safety.
Since 2011, I have mentored other photographers and held newborn posing workshops to teach other aspiring photographers safe newborn handling.
You and Your Baby’s Comfort During Your Newborn Sessions
I want you to feel comfortable throughout your session. Newborn sessions are never rushed. Your session time always allow ample opportunities for feeding and soothing your baby.
Nursing Mothers
I have nursed both of my daughters. I understand the complexity and challenges of nursing. I had my own challenges with my second daughter who was unable to initially nurse due to latch issues. Here is an article about breastfeeding and latching issues from the Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation.
If you are having any challenges relating to nursing during your newborn session, don’t be afraid to tell me. I am very compassionate about this subject. If a baby is not latching or nursing well, baby won’t pose well because they are not having a full belly of food. If this is the case, I need to know so we can accomodate and perhaps have baby come back to the studio in a few day’s to finish up your session.
Whether you choose to feed your baby formula or breast milk, fed is best and that decision is yours.
If you are a nursing mother, pacifiers are never used as a soothing technique during your newborn session. I have never used pacifiers in my 10 years of newborn posing experience. I personally feel that nursing babies should only be given mom’s breast in the first few days of nursing. Because I photograph the babies in the first 10 days of their arrival, my newborn sessions allow ample time for nursing. I am able to soothe and pose your newborn without the use of a pacifier.
Quality of Images
You can expect high quality for your images as I use professional lighting and equipment. In my beginning years of newborn photography, I did use natural light. As I became a more experienced photographer, I came to prefer studio lighting because I believe the images captured with studio lighting are sharper with more detail.
I began using professional studio lighting in 2011 for my work with pregnant mothers. This allowed me to capture lighting effects not possible with natural light. On a day in 2016, there was a very dark rain storm. Not enough light was available for the natural light newborn session I had scheduled that day. I decided to use my studio lighting that day and have never looked back.
Newborn Photography Props and Accessories
I have a love for collecting beautiful items for the babies to be photographed with. Quite a large selection has been created over the last 10 years.
All props, hats, headbands, etc. are provided for your use during your newborn session.
All you need to bring is your gorgeous baby and milk (breast or bottle).
Pricing Information for Newborn Sessions
Newborn sessions start at $599 plus hst. This amount includes the time for your newborn session of 3-4 hours of photography time, 15 high resolution digital images of your choice, professional retouching of your images, a digital download of your chosen images and a permission to print letter.
Optional add-ons are available for additional digital images, a la carte items and fine art products including wall art, canvases and story albums.
You can find full details on pricing for newborn sessions here including information for optional add-ons and fine art products.
Image Viewing Gallery
There is no need to come back to the studio to view and select your images. You select your images from the comfort of your own home in an on-line ordering gallery.
Your on-line ordering gallery will have 30 – 40 beautiful newborn images to choose from.
Your image selection gallery is ready within two weeks of your newborn session. The newborn images displayed in your viewing gallery are already professional retouched and available for immediate download as soon as your image choices and purchase are made.
How to Book Your Newborn Session
Once you choose to book your newborn session with me, a retainer is paid in the amount of $226 to reserve your session and a service agreement completed.
No more than 2-3 due dates are booked for any given week. This allows time in my schedule for your newborn session whenever your baby decides to arrive.
My newborn photography focuses on the classic sleepy baby images, not wrapping baby for the entire session. One wrapped setup is included for each newborn session because they are super cute!
I believe that looking back, you will want to see your baby and all of their amazing little features and details. For this reason, I keep the focus primarily on your baby and work on quality images where you can see the detail of even the fuzz on the side of their little cheeks, macro work of toes and fingers, ears, etc. as well as the sleepy newborn images.
The actual date for your newborn session is booked within the first 10 days after your baby arrives.
Your newborn session is guaranteed to take place within the first 10 days of your baby arriving. This is the best time for the classic sleepy newborn poses.
Newborn Photography Portfolio
Questions and Consultation
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to book a session. I would be happy to speak with you in person to answer any questions you may have. Appointments are available for in person consults or you can reach me by phone at 905.449.2200.
I look forward to working with you and your new little one.
Survey for Newborn Photography – Receive $25 Credit
We are interested to know what you are looking for in your newborn photographer. If you have the time, we would appreciate your completion of our Newborn Photography Survey. Complete our survey and receive a $25 credit towards your Digital File Newborn Session Package should you decide to book your newborn session with Chandra Lee Photography.
