questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to my FAQ page dedicated to newborn & family photography in Melbourne! Here, I provide answers to common queries, guiding you through the process of capturing precious moments with your loved ones.
Questions
ready to book your session
Brittany’s cosy home studio is conveniently located in Altona Meadows, just 20 minutes west of Melbourne’s CBD.
Get in touch via the contact form on the website with a few details (such a type of session, how soon you’d like your session etc.)
I’ll then be in touch as quick as I can to get the ball rolling.
Once I’ve recieved your Session Fee & Portrait Agreement, we’ll set you a date in my calendar.
As I only book a certain amount of sessions per month to make sure all sessions can go ahead with the best possible service, care and efficiancy, i recommened bookng 2-3 months in advance to avoid missing out on your desired date.
I always make sure to take the time to retouch your images to make sure they’re absolutely perfect!
Here are just a few of the things I focus on: exposure. colour correction, blemish removal, teeth whitening, stray hair removal, distraction removal etc.
I always make sure to communicate with you to understand your preferences and make sure that the final product is exactly what you’re looking for.
Maternity Sessions are best around 33 weeks when your belly is nice and round but still feeling comfortable enough to move around.
Newborn Sessions are best when baby is under two weeks old and preferably booked before baby arrives. We book based on due date and your session date is scheduled once you’re home with bub.
Baby Sessions are good anytime! However, you’ll get the most variety (and personality) for your session when baby is sitting but not yet crawling usually around 6-9 months.
Cake Smash session are held around the 1 year mark (either before/after is fine).
Questions
preparing for your session
Where to have your session is such a personal decison and should really relfect your family’s personality.
There are certainly a few factors to consider when chooising your session location, including the type of session, time of year, weather, and of course desired look & feel of your final images.
Click here to see examples of the locations available for your session with Something Meaningful
Depending on your session, expect it to take between 2-3 hours for a newborn photography session and 45 – 90 mins for all other photography sessions.
The key to amazing outdoor photos is all about capturing that beautiful, golden light!
Outdoor sessions start about 45 minutes before sunset, so it’s something to think about when deciding on the timing of your session. During daylight savings, we’ll typically start around 8:30 pm, but don’t worry – most kids do great during these sessions provided they have a full tummy and plenty of rest in the afternoon leading up. If you book a winter session, they typically start a bit earlier around 5:00 pm.
When choosing outfits for the family, try to coordinate rather than match. Use things like colours/tones/patterns/textures. Feel free to get in touch if you need any help or guidance.
Find outfits that work well together, but aren’t necessarily the same as each other. Feel free to get creative!
If you can, please try to avoid busy patterns, characters and logos as they can be distracting to the eye in your final images. We want your beautiful smiling faces to be the main focus.
There will also be no shoes worn in the studio, so please wear footwear thats easy to put on and off. Its so much nicer seeing toes rather than the ugly soles of shoes!
I do not suggest heavy makeup for your session but do suggest a little blush & mascara to give some colour to your complexion. Also using a little clear or very lightly coloured lip gloss/chap stick can help for close ups. It’s also a good idea to make sure your nails aren’t chipped with polish.
We will make a tentative booking for your newborn session based on your due date and set a date once baby arrives. If your bundle arrives earlier or later than expected, this can easily be changed.
If you have already had your new baby, please contact me as I may have some availability to fit you in. If I am unable to do so, I am more than happy to refer you to some of my prefered/reliable professional newborn photographer colleagues.
Almost all the props & accessories you see in the Something Meaningful Portfolio are available for use in your session, with a wide range of handmade beanies/bonnets, wraps, throws, blankets and unique props to choose from.
These beautifully unique items have been sourced by Brittany from all over Australia & the world.
If you see something you like, please don’t hesitate to let Brittany know.
If you have sentimental items such as knitted blankets, special clothing items or hats you would like included in your images, please bring them along to your session and Brittany will make every effort to incorporate them into your session.
Absolutely YES!
We want the whole family involved! In your session my aim is to give you as much variety in your images as I possibly can. We’ll get poses of baby on their own as well as with siblings, mum & dad and the whole family together.
There is no extra cost for bringing immediate family members to your session.
YES! Provided they have excellent recall and obedience skills.
It can be a good idea to bring a helper along to your session to babysit while we capture photos they are not included in (especially for outdoor sessions).
Arrangements needs to be made at the studio, so its important to let me know in advance if planning to bring your fur-baby along.
Questions
after for your session
This usually happens 1-2 weeks after your session.
After I’ve narrowed down the best images (usually around 50) from your session, we’ll sit down together in your in-person viewing appointment to view all the gorgeous images in your gallery.
In this time. Ill help you select & order your favourite photo products.
Something Meaningful offers a wide range of high quality finished photo products, which can effortlessly turn your house into a home.
These products are all available to view at your session in Brittany’s comfortable home studio, so you can get an idea for what best suits your home before you decide what to purchase.
See the range of professionally printed photo products here!
Absolutely you can!
Digital images are purchased individually or in collections and come on keepsake USB. Each image is lovingly hand retouched in colour and black & white for your convenience.
You’ll also recieve a complimentary 5 x 7 inch loose print of each image chosen.
Turn around time for all orders is between 4-8 weeks (depending on the products ordered.
Your order will be put into production after receipt of full payment (this is when the 4-8 weeks start).
All payments information can be found in the link provided in your online invoice.
Payments can be made by Direct Deposit/Bank Transfer or Cash. Payment Plans are also available through Pay Advantage.