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I totally get that there’s a lot to take in when choosing the right photographer for you. Here’s a set of common questions, I hope it helps – do just reach out if you still have more!
Sessions are available Monday to Friday, at a time that suits you. For families with older children too, a limited number of weekends are also available September-March.
I recommend a 10am start where possible, for the best natural light, but sessions can be booked throughout the day to suit your schedule.
With siblings, we’re after a time when children won’t be particularly tired or hungry.
Once you’ve booked, I’ll send you a prep guide including all sorts of things like what to wear and what to have to hand on the day.
I’ll send you an information gathering form to find out more about you and your priorities.
We’ll then arrange a phone consultation to discuss your photoshoot, and what you’d like from your photos.
My goal is for you to feel fully prepped before your session, so we have a good idea of the look and feel of the photos you’re after.
The simple answer is clothes that you feel good in.
I’ve put together lots of tips and pointers over the years based on what works particularly well, as well as some things to avoid – and will share this with you before your session.
We’ll discuss this before your session.
Some key points:
It’s a good idea to have a spare outfit in case of nappy explosions or spit-up.
Consider a onesie without feet for close-ups of your baby’s little feet.
Large blankets or quilts to lay your baby on.
With a 2-hour session, we’ll stay at home. There’s a lot going on with a new baby in tow!
With a 3-4 hour session, we have scope to head outside too for some outdoor shots in your local park.
I totally understand feeling camera shy – I fall into this camp myself!
As a full-time photographer, I’ve developed a range of techniques over the years to help people who are nervous about being in front of the camera.
I’ll always make sure you feel comfortable, and I’ll never ask you to pose awkwardly – I promise you’ll never feel silly.
No matter how camera shy you or your partner feel, focus on the main goal – meaningful photographs that will bring back memories of family life for years to come. Your children will cherish the photographs when they grow up, and won’t give a hoot about whether your waistline used to be more streamlined in your youth! You can read more about how I photograph camera shy parents here.
I recommend either 7-10 days from your baby’s EDD (not their actual arrival date), or waiting for their 6-week milestone. You can see more on this here: blokestoke.com/scheduling-newborn-photography
Don’t worry, I totally get that these things happen.
Just let me know as soon as possible, and we’ll find a new date for you.
Please note that if anyone in your family has a cough, fever or feels unwell, we will need to rearrange your session.
Nope! Natural light is so soft and flattering, there’s no need.
Absolutely! I love cheeky kids.
I’ve got years of experience photographing children, and can promise you that no matter what mood your child’s in on the day, I can take gorgeous photographs of them.
I let your children set the pace so they’ll never feel pushed into doing something they don’t want to do – and I make a game of the experience so children just feel they’re having a fun morning.
Parents of newborns often worry about what will happen if their baby has a bad day. Don’t worry! There’s plenty of time built into the session for feeds, nappy changing and settling your baby. There are always windows of calm between all of that, and that’s when I’ll take the photographs!
I’ll also provide guidance as to the best dates for your newborn, to minimise our chances of taking photographs when colic or digestive issues can be problematic.
And even if your baby is experiencing problems on the day, I can suggest some tips that might help – I work with newborns week in, week out so nothing phases me.
Yes! I totally get that pets are part of the family, and that you love them too.
We can incorporate pets when the moment feels right – with a parent close by, just in case.
I’ll send you the link to your password-protected online gallery two weeks after your portrait session.
Your photographs are fully edited (eg colour corrected, any cropping necessary to straighten an image slightly) and gently retouched.
I’m very happy to remove the little scratches and spots that life throws at us.
I’ll remove wrinkles on clothing or bits of fluff that may have crept in – no extra charge for making sure your photos are tip-top.
I don’t provide body contouring, as it doesn’t fit with my own values about body positivity.
If you require more detailed retouching, I can connect you with a professional retouching company which charges $10 per image.
Yes – I edit every photograph in both colour and in B&W.
No, because this isn’t my finished product – the high-resolution, edited and print-ready jpeg is.
When I take a photograph, I know how I plan that photograph to turn out – I choose the camera settings accordingly, that will allow me to get it there from the Raw file.
It’s part of the service provided that the Raw files are expertly edited before being provided as jpegs – in the same way that a restaurant provides a cooked meal and not just the ingredients!
These are for families, to help with designing frames and albums. I recommend booking your design call for around two weeks after your session – either on Zoom, or in-person. This is a great opportunity to be sure you’ll love the end result of any products you might order.
My previous role managing a photography gallery, combined with my Design degree, means I can provide you with expert support in how to display your photographs beautifully.
You can see scale mockups to see exactly how different size frames would look on your walls, and we can discuss what will suit your home best.
If you’re planning on ordering prints, we can crop them together to be sure you’ll like how they’re cropped at particular sizes.
If you’re thinking of creating an album, I can show you the various sizes and formats, so you can make your album just the way you’d like it.
Digitals are available to download on the same day they’re purchased.
Fine art prints and frames will be with you in two weeks.
Albums will be with you a month after you approve the layout.
Of course – I totally respect your privacy. If you’d prefer to keep your photographs completely private, that’s absolutely fine.
I’ll send you a form which asks about whether your photos can be shared, and where.
I have an MA in photography, and I’ve been a full-time photographer since 2010.
You can read more about me and my professional experience here.
I have a simple pricing structure and no hidden surprises.
I’m not the most expensive photographer out there, but I’m also not a cheap option – I offer only the highest quality products, and both my photography and customer service are award-winning.
Access my investment guide for a breakdown of all the booking options, prints, frames and albums available.
Just get in touch – I’ll send you more information about my approach, my prices and what to expect.
If you feel I’m the right photographer for you we can get you booked in!
We’ll find a date and time that’s convenient for you, and I’ll send you the booking links to confirm the date.
Once you’ve booked, I’ll send you an information gathering form, and we’ll arrange a time to discuss the practicalities of your session.
Yes – I have elegant gift vouchers so your loved one can have something nice to open on the day, and then they can get in touch to arrange a date for their session.
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