Newborn

When is the best time to do newborn photography?

I usually suggest a date around 10 days after your due date since newborn photography is best done about 5-21 days after birth. But of course I’m aware that it is not always possible due to different circumstances so I’m happy to aim to get sleepy newborn poses even up until 8-10 weeks.

When shall I book my newborn session?

Newborn photoshoots are really popluar and get booked up very quickly therefore I recommend booking while you are preganant and ideally straight after your 20-week scan.

How long does a newborn session last?

These sessions are totally baby led so if need to stop to change baby’s nappy or feed them, comfort them then I accomodate all these.
Newborn photoshoots last around 3 to 4 hours in my Hertford studio and usually starts around 10.00am.

What shall I bring to my newborn photo session?

You don’t really need to bring anything to the session apart from your baby’s normal changing bag and their dummies if they have one.
Occasionally, clients ask to have sentimental items incorporated in their session. This is always welcome! But I do provide a massive selection of wraps, outfits and props and most of the options are handmade by talented designers who put time and effort into ensuring the item is perfect for your baby’s session.
Tea, coffee and snacks are available throwout the session but again you are welcome to bring your own food.

What shall I wear?

Great question!! First and foremost.. DRESS IN LAYERS!! The studio is warm to keep baby cozy.
Simple outfits without a busy pattern are suggested for your family portraits.
I highly recommend simple black or white tops, blouses or shirts with no patterns.
The goal is to create a timeless piece for you to remember this milestone. Classic never goes out of style. Trendy outfits and busy patterns can distract from the priceless memory.

Is my baby too old for a newborn session?

I always recommed to have your newborn session when your baby is around 2-3 weeks old but of course it is not always possible as sometimes they need to stay in hospital or you did’t paln your newborn session early enough but change your mind when your little one was already over 3 weeks.
Dont worry, I still attempt to take newborn images upto 8-10 weeks buta t this stage it is not always possible to have those cute curly, sleepy poses.
After 10 weeks I recommend to book baby’s next mile stone session which is called the sitter session. This takes place when baby is around 8 months and can sit without support. At this stage there is a high chance to capture those cute baby smiles and of course the whole family can be involved.

What happens during a newborn photo session?

I have a fab blog post about this topic which purly dedicated to answer this question.
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/what-happens-during-a-newborn-photo-session/

What sort of packages do Marietta Photography offer?

Marietta Photography caters for all needs from digital and album packages up until those amazing wall arts.
To find out more:
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/newborn/prices/

Does the session fee include family/sibling pictures?

Of course! Altough I normally start the session with your newborn but always finish it off with the whole family together. If you would like a sibling to be included in your newborn photo session please do mention this during our initial consultation so we can plan ahead how we can achieve this.
For toddler age siblings I recommend to bring them for either the biginning or the end of the session by arranging this with a relative or a family friend or even dad can take care them as they dont need to stay for the entitle duration of the shoot. A 3-4 hours photo session can be very boring and tiring for a toddler.

Do I need to bring props to the session?

Occasionally, clients ask to have sentimental items incorporated in their session. This is always welcome! But I do provide a massive selection of wraps, outfits and props and most of the options are handmade by talented designers who put time and effort into ensuring the item is perfect for your baby’s session.

Where does the session take place?

Newborn photo shoots take place in my cosy home studio in Hertford, which is around 5 minutes drive from the town centre.

Is there parking space at the studio?

Absolutely. There are plenty free parking spaces on our steet and on our drive too.

How long have you been photographing newborn babies?

Although my photography career started before I fell in love with baby and childrens’ photography, I have been been specializing in newborn and baby photography since 2015.

Can I purchase digital files from my newborn session?

Yes, you can. In fact there are two digital packages available.
To find out more:
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/newborn/prices/

When will we get to see our pictures from the session?

I usually edit your images within two weeks. Once they are ready I contact you to arrange for your face to face viewing session in my Hertford studio.
During this session you will have a chance to see your entitle gallery on a big screen, choose your favourite package and also to have a hands-on experience in those beautiful wall arts.

Can my pet be in the session?

Of course, they are more than welcome. After all they are family members, right? I love creating images with pets along with your newborn. But please dont worry, normally these images are created (newborns and pets) separately for your baby’s safety and then they are combined together in post production. Your baby’s safety is my utmost priority.

How many images will be included in the final gallery?

Your gallery will have 20 individually edited high resolution images. That is the minium but if I have a very good sleepy baby during your session quite often I end up editing more just because I cannot resist.

What happens if I’ve reseved a date for my newborn photoshoot and then my baby arrives late/early?

I usually suggest a date around 10 days after your due date since newborn photography is best done about 5-21 days after birth.
Many babies arrive either earlier or later than their due date, but normally I can reschedule bookings. I do not photographs babies every day as editing takes a lot of time, so these editing days can be swaped if needed.

Should I feed my baby before the session?

Please – if you can of course – feed your baby in the studio just right before the session not at home. I like well feed sleepy babies to work with.

Do you offer any discounts?

Oh yes! The best possible option you have is sign up for the first year package. This basically includes 3 sessions (newborn session + sitter session + cake smash or maternity session) for only £99. (session only.) Instead of paying £69 for each individual session.

Do you do weekend sessions?

Yes, Saturday sessions are available but tend to be booked up very fast. To avoid disappointment please contact me as soon as you can.
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/contact/

Maternity

What shall I bring to my maternity photo session?

I suggest to bring a pair of jeans (not the maternity one but your pre-pregnancy jeans which are going to look fab unbuttoned.) and some crop tops or any dress you feel like wearing on your session. I do provide many maternity gowns and dresses that you are more than welcome to wear for your session. As I also take some boudoir style images please don’t forget to bring some nice underwear either black or skin coloured ones which are the best.

What sort of style do you offer for maternity session?

Most of my maternity sessions take place in the comfort of my home studio, where you can relax and have many dresses to change into. I use darker backgrounds (bown, grey and black) which complements perfectly with your skin colour and the different maternity gowns. I also love creating monocrome images and to finish off the session I offer to take some boudoir style images.
Please have a look at my images in the gallery:
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/maternity-and-motherhood/maternity-gallery/
If you wish however we can schedule your session outdoors but then we have some limitations and we are at the mercy of the british weather.

Can I bring my partner?

Most definitely! In fact it is better to bring your partner for this type of sessions and also if you already have other children they are also welcome regardless their age.

Does hair and make-up included in the session?

I’m afraid hair and make-up are not included however I would be happy to recommend one.

How many images will be included in the final gallery?

After the session you will be invited back to your viewing session in a few weeks to see your gallery which consist of 15 individually edited high resolution images.

Do you offer any discounts?

Oh yes! The best possible option you have is sign up for the first year package. This basically includes 3 sessions (newborn session + sitter session + cake smash or maternity session) for only £99. (session only.) Instead of paying £69 for each individual session.

Do you do weekend sessions?

Yes, Saturday sessions are available but tend to be booked up very fast. To avoid disappointment please contact me as soon as you can.
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/contact/

Cake smash/first birthday session

Do I have to bring the cake for the cake smash session?

I do provide everything (props, décor and outfits) for the session except the cake so yes please bring the cake. This cake is mainly for the baby so I would recommend 2 or 3 small layers of a 6 inch cake.
I have been working with a couple of cake makers who come highly recommended.
One of them is Karley Joyce who will make you the most beautiful cake for a reasonable price and Cake Magic who can make your baby’s most luxurious cake.

What do I need to bring for the cake smash session?

I do provide everything (props, décor and outfits) for the session except the cake, and you are also welcome to bring any outfit for the baby if you wish.

Can I choose colours and themes?

You can choose from a selection of colours and themed props like jungle, flowers, rainbow, retro etc. Please contact me beforehand to discuss the details.

Do you offer any discounts?

Oh yes! The best possible option you have is sign up for the first year package. This basically includes 3 sessions (newborn session + sitter session + cake smash or maternity session) for only £99. (session only.) Instead of paying £69 for each individual session.

Do you do weekend sessions?

Yes, Saturday sessions are available but tend to be booked up very fast. To avoid disappointment please contact me as soon as you can.
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/contact/

Family

Where do the sessions take place?

Most of my maternity sessions take place in the comfort of my home in Hertford but I do do outdoor sessions particually themed ones like bluebell, levander field or authumn sessions.

When will we get to see our pictures from the session?

I usually edit your images within two weeks. Once they are ready I contact you to arrange for your face to face viewing session in my Hertford studio.
During this session you will have a chance to see your entitle gallery on a big screen, choose your favourite package and also to have a hands-on experience in those beautiful wall arts.

Can my pet be in the session?

Of course, they are more than welcome. After all they are family members, right?

What is a sitter session?

Sitter sessions is the next miletone session after the newborn one. It takes place when your little one is able to sit unaided. It happens around 6-8 months in their lives. This is a fantastic opportunity to capture those gorgeous smiles and the whole family can be involved even grandparents or your pets if you have one.

Do you do weekend sessions?

Yes, Saturday sessions are available but tend to be booked up very fast. To avoid disappointment please contact me as soon as you can.
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/contact/

Fine art

What does fine art photography mean?

Fine art photography menas capturing not what the camera see but what the photographer is seeing, therefore using the camera is only a tool to create a work of art similarly to a paintbrush for a painter.
All fine art portraits are done in my studio in Hertford. These portraits are timeless and capture the essence of my model’s character. I offers this type of session for anyone from the age of five and above including families as well.

Why do you offer less photos than for a normal portrait session?

Once the images have been created and the best ones are selected hours and hours of retouching work commences. This painting-likeness means more intense than average Photoshop work to create strong light and dark contracts and lots of dark tones.

Do you do weekend sessions?

Yes, Saturday sessions are available but tend to be booked up very fast. To avoid disappointment please contact me as soon as you can.
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/contact/

Portrait

Where do the sessions take place?

Most of my maternity sessions take place in the comfort of my home in Hertford but I do do outdoor sessions too. Please contact me to discuss the details and the purpose of your portrait session.

Do you do weekend sessions?

Yes, Saturday sessions are available but tend to be booked up very fast. To avoid disappointment please contact me as soon as you can.
https://mariettaphotography.co.uk/contact/