model info.
thank you so much for your interest in allowing your new baby to model for a mentoring session!
i’m erin, and i teach people from all over the world my methods for photographing babies. 
For your participation, you will get an edited gallery of photos via digital download, 3-4 weeks after your session date, much like my paying clients get. i always try to post previews to facebook within 24 hours or so, so you do get some teasers right away. the files are yours to keep and print wherever you choose. there is absolutely no obligation to purchase anything. *you* are doing me the favor, by giving me a beautiful model to practice on! i will be doing all of the baby handling, and have many years of doing this under my belt, so your babe is in good hands, i promise.
no matter who you are, i can honestly say i am *so* looking forward to your session, because i wake up before every newborn session excited to meet my new little clients and their families.
this prep info is basically the same thing I send my clients… i want you to get the most out of your baby’s session, and that means following directions!
please read this thoroughly, it’s in your best interests, I promise!
typically there are two model slots, one in the morning and one in the early afternoon or a single 10am slot. we will let you know which one is yours! you can expect to be here for about 3 hours. the room is very, very warm, so dress accordingly.
the most important thing on this page: I’m going to ask you to keep your baby awake for at least two hours before your session. i know that this doesn’t sound easy for many babes. in fact, it may sound like downright torture. however, this is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a successful session. even babies who ‘sleep all the time’ still need this extra wakeful period to sleep soundly through their session. i will be touching them constantly and moving them around, so it takes a little extra magic to make it happen, and the wakeful period IS that magic.
ideally, your morning looks like this:
wake up (7? 8?)
feed!
{wakeful period}
keep baby awake until session time
my tips for keeping baby awake prior to session:
- bath time! babies are exhausted by bathing, even sponge baths.
- no pacifiers!
- walking, talking, stimulation
- tummy time and other “floor exercise”
- if you have a long drive to my place, a cool washcloth on the cheek or other pestering works well in the car… we don’t want to use up our sleepy time up en route!
- no feeding in this time frame! if baby isn’t motivated to eat when you arrive here because they’ve been snacking, they likely won’t sleep soundly.
arrive at studio
feed!
we want baby to arrive ready to have a nice full feed. after you get here, we’ll strip baby down in the nice warm room and have a serious meal. whether this is by breast or bottle does not matter one bit, just be sure that there’s plenty of it. if your shoot is scheduled before you feel you’ve got a good handle on breastfeeding, some pumped milk or supplemental formula can help immensely. it’s essential that your baby be getting a full tummy.
you’ll be asked to feed as many times as necessary to keep baby content, just like you would at home! newborn sessions contain lots of breaks for eating and cleaning up the inevitable potty messes that sometimes happen.
stuff: the studio is equipped with everything we will need. we’re talking tons of hats, headbands, props, etc, so don’t stress about bringing or buying anything for your time here. i do all of the styling of the session and will not be photographing items that parents bring in, since the styling of sessions is part of what i am teaching my students. you can just relax and enjoy it.
please DO bring:
- a soothie pacifier – the kind they use at the hospital (I do have sterile ones here at my studio, but most people would rather bring their own!)
- the usual leaving-the-house with baby stuff, a receiving blanket, some extra diapers.
what to wear: (you may or may not be asked to pose with your little one)
- for moms, a neutral colored tank top is best. think beige, ivory, camel. you will only be photographed from the most flattering angles, so don’t worry about that part! if you have brightly colored nail polish on, it can be distracting so removed or very neutral is great.
- dads: shirtless, or a plain black v-neck tee.
- siblings: little boys are usually shirtless in plain jeans (make sure no bright colored underwear may peek up!) and girls can either be wrapped in a makeshift top here, or a simple ivory, nude, beige, top or dress works best and lets the focus remain on their faces and not their wardrobe.
siblings:
- unless we’ve specifically discussed photos with big brothers and sisters, please come with *just* your new bundle.
my studio is located at:
1009 W 13th Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
just about any GPS or phone will get you straight here with no issues. it’s very easy to find just west of downtown Vancouver. please park in the fenced parking lot. it is a shared building but the studio is located at the back entrance with the barn wood exterior and BRIGHT green door.
i’m looking forward to your session!