Full session vs mini

I often get asked, what is the difference between my two newborn sessions. Full session vs Mini.

First is time- the mini session is 1 hour and the full is 2 hours.

When booking you have to ask yourself a few questions- Are you wanting more complex poses? Are you wanting family, sibling and baby photos? If you answered yes to both, I think a full session would be a better fit.

Newborn mini sessions are one hour, so its more simply posed baby photos and then some family photos, we usually wouldn’t have time for sibling, family and baby photos.

I will give some examples below.

This is a more complex pose. Baby has to be super sleepy to get into this pose.

This one too- in order to get baby into this position baby has to be nice and sleepy and most babies will only get into these poses under two weeks old.

In order to get baby into a prop, they have to be under two weeks old and again, super sleepy- given the extra time we can usually get baby into a prop like this.

This would be a example of “simply posed”

Baby is wrapped and it’s super simple but a classic portrait

This is another example of a simply posed baby set up. This is perfect for when a baby is super alert and awake, maybe a bit older but we can still get super cute photos wrapped up.

The full session and the mini session can be done in studio- 1801 WELCH ST. North Vancouver

The mini session can only be done in home. I do not do full session in your home because I don’t bring props, bean bags or backdrops to clients homes.

Maple Ridge At-Home Newborn Session Featuring a Dreamy Nursery

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of at-home newborn sessions (or any newborn sessions, let’s be real), but there is something so special about photographing a newborn baby in their new home. Newborn sessions are done between 5 - 14 days old, which, understandably, can be a challenge for parents to get done. Some parents are eager to get out and about and have a studio session with props and outfits, others are keen to stay in the comfort of their homes.

This newborn session features sweet Bobby Jude, she’s a dainty little bundle and did so well in the shoot. We lucked out and were able to get a nice mix of awake photos (see the first image and try not to smile), as well as some precious sleepy newborn photos with her parents. Her parents lovingly put together a stunning nursery for her, and it was so fun to feature it in the shoot. If you’re putting the effort into making a beautiful nursery space for your little one, an at-home newborn session is a perfect way to remember it and your tiny little babe forever.

At-Home Newborn Session with Lark and Family

At-home newborn sessions are so special and real. The newborn days are so fleeting, I totally understand when my clients want me to come to them to document these special first memories in your safe place. At-home newborn sessions require no packing up the family and no props, which is ideal when you have older children at home.

Preparing for your newborn session at home is pretty simple, but here are some tips:

• Ask someone (partner, parents, older children) to help with a quick tidy. By no means do you need to hire cleaners, but a tidy space that’s aesthetically pleasing helps the focus stay on you and your family in the images.

• Try to keep your baby awake for a decent stretch of time prior to the shoot so they’re ready to have an hour or so stretch of sleep during the session. With that being said, if they’re having an alert day, fear not! This is all about you and baby and if that’s how they are that day, perfect, let’s document it.

• Wear something comfortable that you feel good in. You don’t need to completely colour coordinate, but complementary neutral colours and subtle patterns are ideal.

Check out this at home newborn session from this summer if you need some inspiration or just some sweetness in your day.