I know there are many photographers out there these days, many talented people whose talent is obvious and vast. I also know that is often a hard decision to make when deciding which photographer to trust with the task of photographing your family honestly and candidly. Knowing this, when you choose me, through Capture the Happy, I hold that trust dear to my own heart. With you, with all of you, I promise to create memories that you can cherish through the growth and changes in your own family, through the growth and changes of life.
Your special images from any session with me will be available to view within two weeks after your session via an online gallery. You will be sent a link via email. This is when you will let me know which package you would like to go for. From there any amounts owing will be paid and your products will be sent to you ASAP (depending on production times which
I will advise immediately). To book, or to discuss any of these sessions with me, please click here to contact me
Maternity sessions generally take place when you are between 35-37 weeks pregnant. This is because at this time your gorgeous growing belly has flourished to almost ripe, gorgeous and glowing and you are oh so ready to meet your princess or prince. This vibrancy and pleasure is always apparent in the resulting maternity images, and sharing this session with your partner and other children is not only suggested, but very much encouraged. Your maternity session should last between 30 minutes to 1 hour. Your input into your session is welcomely received. Please wear something flowy, something that shows off your gorgeous bump. If you're having trouble let me know! We can work it out together.
Family sessions and Children sessions can last roughly between 1 and 2 hours. It depends on each family, on each child, often on the time of the day or what side of the bed your child woke up on. We can't guarantee how people, big or small, will feel on any given day especially when that day is booked sometimes months beforehand. I will not pressure your child to smile at me directly if they're not feeling in the mood, nor will I ever hand you an image of your family in a forced, plastic-faced pose that looks awkward and uncomfortable. The benefit of having relatively untimed photography sessions, outdoors in nature or at your home where all are comfortable, is that we do not have to force anything. We can take our time getting to know each other, for your kids to feel relaxed with me and hopefully the results are amazing images. But, you know what, if it doesn't work out that time, we can reschedule free of charge. Please wear simple, layered, neutral coloured clothing to your session, but you do not have to match. Perhaps choose a colour theme and each family member can wear one item of clothing with that colour in it (i.e. a black shirt with a red vest and jeans for master 4, a red plaid shirt and jeans for master 6, a red polka-dot dress for princess 2, a black shirt and jeans for Dad and a simple red dress for Mum. Feel free to run over a few options with me if you're totally confused!
Newborn sessions can be very different to any other photography session, obviously! Your little one is brand-new, and more often than not the new life with a newborn baby can feel VERY brand-new to her parents too. Because of this, these sessions can last up to 4 hours and in the odd case, sometimes longer. We will stop often throughout your newborn session, for feeding, for changing, for timeout. Please be prepared for this with a fully loaded baby bag complete with many nappies, wipes, formula if required, a dummy (this is recommended even if you are not planning on using one please), and perhaps a special blanket or soft-toy that has been near Mum and baby, which will be smelling deliciously of Mum and help soothe baby when she is with me.
Because your newborn has not long left their very warm, comfortable little cocoon of a womb their session will be very warm. All windows will be closed and a space heater (or air conditioner) will be used to maintain a temperature of roughly 34 degrees. This can often be hot for any adults, or other children present so please bear this in mind - I assure you it will be very cosy for your little one and allow for the best session possible and allow for the squishy, adorable, unclothed newborn images we love! You may bring an outfit for your newborn, but as it almost impossible to find a newborn outfit that fits baby perfectly and I prefer to use wraps and props to highlight their newbornness more than anything else. For photos with parents though, I recommend a black or white singlet or shirt, or bare chests and shoulders for Dad and Mum too. For siblings, something simple, smart-looking and neutrally coloured.