Before you contact me to book a session, please read the following information carefully…
Pre-consultation
The pre-consultation is done via e-mail and consists of messages to get to know each other and to help us have a clear vision of our aim for the photo shoot. We will choose a date and time, and decide if the shoot will take place in the studio or outdoors (depending on the weather, your baby’s age and your personal preference). We can also talk about which images are the most important ones: is it mainly the baby, or are family portraits the most important ones, or a bit of everything? Please continue reading before contacting me, there is a lot of information you will find useful!
How far in advance should we book the session?
Please get in touch with me about 2 months prior to your desired date for the photo shoot so I can have a spot saved for you. If it slipped your mind and you want a last-minute session, please write to me anyway… you might be lucky!
How many family members are included in the family sessions?
– Package XS: only the baby
– Package S: baby and 1 family member
– Packages M and L: baby and 2 family members (for example baby+Mom+Dad, or baby+Mom+sibling). A €20* fee will be added for every additional family member.
– Package XL: baby and 3 family members (for example baby+Mom+Dad+1 sibling). A €20* fee will be added for every additional family member.
What day of the week do you photograph babies?
Fridays or Saturdays, a perfect way to start the weekend!
Who can come to the sessions?
In order to make the most of your shooting time, I ask that only those being photographed come to the session. Of course both parents are welcome for packages XS and S.
I will bring my other child/children. Should they stay during the entire photo shoot?
It depends on your children’s ages, including the baby’s. The levels of cooperation and attention are different with a 4 mo. old + 18 mo. old sibling, and a 10 mo. old baby + 5 year old sibling. If they are both young, we will start with the family photos (baby with Dad, baby with sibling, baby with parents, all together). Once these shots are finished, Dad can leave with the other child/children, or someone else can pick them up. Photo shoots can last a long time and more family members can be distracting not only for the baby but also for the photographer. In addition, it can be tiring for the children, depending on their age. You are welcome to bring a toy to entertain your child during the baby+parents photos.
Where do the baby sessions take place?
Most of the baby sessions are held at my home studio located in Haidhausen, Munich. The room is small and cozy and it’s full of cute props I bought in different parts of the world! I occasionally do baby sessions outdoors, depending on the weather and on how old the baby is. I suggest not to have photos outdoors if the baby can’t sit on its own. Please let me know if that is what you are interested in so we can talk about it. Travel fees apply for greater Munich and surrounding areas.
Home studio’s address and how to get here
The address is Welfenstr. 23, Munich 81541. If you are coming by car, there is usually no problem parking in the street. If you cannot find a spot, there is a private parking garage right across the street. If you are coming by public transportation, the lines and names of the stops nearby are the following: S-Bahn (stop Rosenheimerplatz), Tram 15 and 25 (stop Regerplatz), bus 62 (stop Regerplatz), bus X30 (stop Schwester-Eubulina-Platz), tram 17 (stop Ostfriedhof).
Settings
A setting is a combination of background, floor, lighting, poses and props or accessories. For example, a setting could be: wooden wall, a carpet on the floor, the light coming from the side, the baby inside a bucket, and wearing a hat. Within each setting, small changes can be made to offer different looks on another photo. Using the mentioned setting as a further example, a possible change could be: wrapping the bucket with a scarf (so it looks like a different bucket), turning the bucket towards the light to get another light angle, and swapping the hat for a headband. This change is not considered a setting change. A setting change is one that involves a different background, moving the baby from one prop to the other, etc.
We will have different settings, usually these involve a bean bag, a cream-colored background and a dark wooden one. Please let me know in advance if there is a setting that you have already seen on my Baby gallery that you specially like. Some props are smaller than others, so being able to use them will depend on your baby’s age/size. On another hand, I cannot guarantee that we will be able to have as many settings as we would like to, it all depends on how the baby is feeling. Some babies are calm and sleepy during the sessions and it is easy to move from one setting to the other. Some babies have a harder time to be calm and we must respect them and make them feel as comfortable as possible. So we will always try our best to do as much as possible, but our priority will be your baby’s comfort and safety.
Deposit, final payment and payment methods
– Once all the details are finalized, a €100* retainer fee will be invoiced to save your date. The deposit is non-refundable and the payment must be received within 1 week from the session booking date.
– The final payment can be made after your photo shoot but before you receive your photos. No photos will be made available to you before the payment is received.
– You can pay cash on the day of the shoot, or you can wire the total amount. In each case, an invoice will be sent to you via e-mail.
Getting your baby ready for the session
– Please dress your baby with a zip-up or button-up onesie, or something that is easy to remove. Avoid clothes that go over the head to prevent waking them up.
– I love capturing them awake, but I prefer to have them asleep at the beginning. The peaceful and curly poses are only possible if your baby is asleep. One idea is that you interact with your baby before the session so that they stay awake and are sleepy later.
– Feed your baby right before the session. Bare in mind how long it takes you to get from your place to mine, and have the baby fully fed about 20 minutes before arriving here. Of course, we will give the baby the necessary time for comforting and feeding during the session.
– For nursing moms, it is important to avoid certain foods and drinks 2 days prior to the session. Gassy vegetables and acidic foods can lead to a baby with an upset tummy. Please avoid the following: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, asparagus, spaghetti, pizza, chili, clementines, oranges, lemons, berries, tomato and its products. Also avoid coffee, soda and beer. We must make sure the baby is comfortable at all times and looking after their tummies is very important to achieve that.
What should we bring for the baby?
– Diapers and wet wipes. I have a changing mat to make changing easier and more comfortable.
– Make sure you bring enough milk bottles if you are not breastfeeding.
– If your baby takes a pacifier, make sure you bring it to the session.
– Some outfits of your choice. I personally recommend knitted outfits because the texture looks very soft on the photos. I also have a wide selection of wraps, hats, diaper covers, headbands, blankets, pieces of fabric, etc for the baby. We will go through all those before starting, and together decide which ones you like best.
For parents and siblings: What should we wear, bring and have ready before the studio photo shoot?
– Layers! The room will be warm so that the baby is comfortable when naked. Therefore, I suggest you bring layers for yourselves because it will be warm!
– You can bring jeans and white/cream/black/blue outfits, or pastels in general. Please avoid large stripes, patterns, logos, letters and numbers… we want the focus to be on you, not on your clothing! The simpler, the better. Dads can borrow some plain t-shirts from me. Moms can borrow dresses, skirts, tops, etc. I also suggest avoiding shirts, since buttons and sleeves tend to get in the way and the high collars give a formal look.
– Please make sure to have your make up and hair done before coming to the session.
– Pay attention to jewelry and watches, please only wear those items you would like to be photographed with.
– I personally love skin-to-skin shots with the baby and parents. If Dads feel comfortable with topless shots, please think about details. (For example shaving his chest if he usually does it). I have strapless tops that Mom can wear so that we can see her shoulders.
– I suggest bringing more than 1 option in case the baby pees on you… they tend to be great at timing!
What should parents do during the session?
Relax! I completely understand that you want to be by your baby’s side, but it is actually better if you take a break, sit on the comfy couch and enjoy a few hours of calmness. Why? Because babies can smell Mom and this could trigger their desire for eating often, even if they don’t really need to. This is why I prefer having Mom away from the baby, unless of course they need feeding or if I need her to assist me. I know that 2 hours can be a long time, you can bring a book and you are even welcome to take a nap… don’t feel bad if you fall asleep, trust me when I say you would not be the first one!
What is not allowed during the sessions?
As you are trusting me to photograph your little one, no other kind of photography during the shoots is allowed, including your own cameras and cell phone photos. Thank you for understanding.
On the house
If you are having a studio session, beverages and snacks will be provided for sessions M, L and XL. Please inform me in advance should anyone coming has allergies I should take into account.
How will I get to see and choose the photos?
For packages XS to L, you will receive an email 1-2 weeks after your session with a link to your online gallery. These photos will contain a watermark and they will have a number displayed next to them. You will then send me a list via email with the numbers you have chosen. For package XL you won’t have an online gallery, you will receive the images preselected by the photographer (between 30 and 40 color photos plus their black and white conversions).
How long will it take for me to receive the photos?
I usually take 1-2 weeks to have your gallery ready for viewing. After you have selected your photos, it usually takes 1 week for me to have the final work done. Some times during the year are exceptionally busy (Christmas, for example) and I might need a few extra days. My goal is always to offer the best possible results, and that means that sometimes I will need some extra days. Thank you for understanding!
Color and black & white
You will receive all the color photos you choose, as well as all the black & white conversions of the same photos.
How will I receive the photos?
You may choose from the following to receive your digital images:
– Dropbox – no charge
– CD €5*
– DVD €6*
– 1GB USB stick €10*
Bear in mind that some of these data storage devices could be too small for the amount of photos you choose to have, so you might need a bigger one.
CDs and USB sticks should be picked up at the studio. For your convenience, I can also mail them to you and a €15* shipping charge will apply.
Final image quality
The photos you receive will be high resolution, top quality, watermark-free, hand-edited, ready-to-print images.
Do you offer print packages?
No, I do not offer prints, but I can recommend online stores for you to print your photos.
Copyright and printing right
Tammy Nicole Photography owns the copyright for all the images, and releases the right for you to print your own photos.
Privacy
Tammy Nicole Photography owns the copyright and reserves the right to share your photos on its website and blog, though your names and personal information will never be revealed. By hiring me you agree to having your photos posted on my website and blog. I will always ask for your permission to share the photos on social media, for print promotions or for vendor recognition.
Your social media sharing
You will receive all the original JPEG files of the photos you choose and you are welcome to share these photos on your own social media accounts. However, please follow these rules when posting them:
– Upload only after ticking the ‘high quality’ box
– No cropping
– No alterations, no filters
– If you are on Facebook, make sure you are friends with Tammy and that you ‘Like’ Tammy Nicole Photography
– Write and tag ”Photo by @Tammy Nicole Photography” on the photo description
Note: many times uploading from your phone or tablet can lead to automatic cropping. If this happens to you, please upload the photos from your computer.
Is there a *special* for booking the maternity and the baby session?
Yes, if you have already had your maternity session with me, you will receive a €20* discount on your baby session.
How can I follow Tammy Nicole Photography to receive the latest news and updates?
You can follow me on:
– Facebook
– Flickr
– Instagram
– Pinterest
– Google +
– Ello
– 500px
– My blog
Testimonial
You are welcome to share your experience of the photo shoot by leaving a ‘love note’ on my testimonials page. Thank you!
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* 19% tax is not included.
* These packages and prices are valid from January 1st 2015.
* Tammy Nicole Photography reserves the right to change the packages and prices without notice. All sessions booked with deposits paid prior to the price change will have the initial terms and prices guaranteed.