portrait options, investment, helpful tips to prepare for baby
Maternity Guide
Cayton Heath Photography
Love, Cayton
I'm so honored that you are considering trusting me with capturing portraits of your amazing growing family!!
With over 12 years of experience in the wedding and portrait photography industries I have the expertise you desire and the calm understanding you didn't realized you needed. Hand the reigns to me and I will capture this beautiful special season in your life and you will be able to get rid of some mom guilt because you got it done!
Feel free to reach out at any point during the process!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
WELCOME
Below you'll find some handy tips for nailing down the perfect style.
Client wardrobe is such a helpful service and one I am so proud to offer you! I have a huge range of sizes and something for every member of the family. Let me know you are interested in this complimentary service when we have our consultation.
Size Range:
Women's XS to 4X
Men's Large to X-Large Shirts/sweaters
Children's Newborn to Size 12
& why we love it!
Client Wardrobe
no way, jose
- Being "matchy-matchy"
- White Socks That Stick Out
- Big Logos and Writing on Shirts
- Red, Bright Pink, or Orange (competes with skintone)
- Something that just isn't YOU
- Something uncomfortable that needs constantly adjusted
- Professional Hair and Makeup (a plus but not mandatory)
- Complementary color schemes
- Comfortable + easy to move in
- Flowly skirts or tops that show movement
- Something you feel AMAZING wearing - we want you to feel confident and look your best!
yes! yes! yes!
Maternity photo styling tips
It can be so hard finding something to wear right before you have a baby! To make things as stress free as possible I offer client wardrobe in size XS-4X. I would love it if you came by and checked it out just to see if it would be a good option for you and your family.
If you are a do-it-yourselfer I put together some dos and don'ts to make what you wear an easy check off on your list.
what to wear
BE PREPARED
baby essentials:
Not only do I want you to be prepared for when baby arrives but I want you to feel like you know exactly what to bring to your newborn session if you choose to have one. All you need to bring to your maternity session is your gorgeous self!
I highly recommend feeding and burping baby right before you get in the car to come to me or right before I am set to arrive in your home.
It also helps to have baby dressed only in a white onesie so they can easily be swaddled.
The hospital does have these items but they are less then awesome most of the time. however if you don't want to do laundry when you get home just skip these and use the hospitals.
newborn session check list
pillow & bath towel
The hospital will hook you up with mesh undies and pads but "Depends" can be more reliable
SHOES to shower in
extra long cell cord
re-fillable water
sweet & salty snacks
your birth plan
nipple cream
diapers
wipes
white onesies
nursing cover or
formula
pacifier
burp cloths
snacks & drinks for you
ANYTHING ELSE SPECIAL OR SENTIMENTAL if you want it photographed
- going home outfit, mittens, hat, blanket
- pediatrician's contact information
- bottles or nipple shields/cream
- car seat.
hospital bag checklist
comfy clothing
nursing bra
A robe
(if you use one)
Let's check something off your list!
adult diaper / postpartum care
PRINT THIS CHECKLIST!
DADS
- snacks (sweet & salty options)
- extra long phone charge cord
- change of clothing (be comfy)
- his own refillable water bottle
- toiletries
- pillow & sleeping bag
Don't forget this guy! He will need some things too and will be able to be the best support possible with just a few essentials.
Dad Essentials:
01. Maternity Session
Normally, the first session of your Belly to Baby Membership would be a Maternity session. This is a great way to start this precious little one's story and showcase your beautiful belly. I have client wardrobe to help make this as easy as possible.
02. Newborn Session
Memberrship Value:
Membership Price:
The next session in the membership is a Newborn Session. You can choose to have your newborn session in the studio, in your home, or outdoors. This is the longest session in the membership and normally lasts 2.5 hours.
03. Two Milestone sessions
Within the membership you will receive 2 milestone sessions. These sessions capture your baby at 2 key month milestones. Tipically we would do this at the 6 month mark and the 12 month birthday mark.
Belly to Baby
A wonderful savings through membership
04. What else is included in the membership?
Besides 4 specially priced sessions you will also receive:
- a private ordering appointment after each session
- 15 digital files from each session
- exclusive end of year membership gift of your choice
Can you just imagine how wonderful it would be to have a full year of images of your baby!
The Belly to Baby membership is a fantastic way to capture your baby as they grow throughout a full year. Below is great information about what the membership entails.
$2,500+
$1495
First came love
and then came you.
Location Location
location
pros & cons
pros & cons
Studio or In-home
backyard or select location
Where should we have your newborn session
inside
outside
The location you choose is such a huge factor in your maternity season's story. If you arepregnant in Spring going outdoors would display that with beautiful colors. If you would like more formal shots of your new baby going into the studio would really capture that!
Below I lay out pros and cons to my top 3 newborn session location options.
pro
un-beatable golden hour light
pro
Easy to take the session outdoors
pro
perfect for more natural; relaxed portraits
Pro
commemerates the season of your baby's birth
pro
Lots of variety in posing and movement
con
The weather is unpredictable
con
sometimes there are bugs
con
If you need to Pee sometimes there isn't a potty close
con
if you are sensitive to heat and your ankles tend to swell this might not be the best choice
Things to think about
going outdoors is fun
CLOSE Tab
outside
con
timing for good light might not be when you are availalble
pro
Reliable lighting because I use artificial light
pro
Our session doesn't rely on good weather
pro
easy access to client wardrobe, snacks, AC/Heater and potty
Pro
personal touch if we use your home
pro
timeless if we shoot in the studio space
con
studio lacks the variation in background unlike outdoors
con
Studio doesn't have as much room for children to run around
Studio Maternity Session
Things to think about
Go Deeper
indoors is reliable
blog post about it:
CLOSE tab
inside
con
in-home may make you feel like you need to clean (but you don't)
Of all the things my hands have held;
the best by far is you!
Posing & session flow
Who can be in your maternity portraits?
Siblings
Does your coming baby have big siblings? They can absolutely be in the portraits! I love capturing your family together in this season but also capturing the big sibs by themselves so you can always remember how they were before baby comes.
mommy & Daddy
I love getting mommy and daddy together! Maternity sessions are a great way to get in some much needed snuggles and hugs. I have client wardrobe for both of you so getting coordinated is a breeze.
Grandparents/ extended family
Do you have lots of family that will be supporting you throughout this new life season! They can be in the portraits too and I can even provide them with wardrobe as well!
This also includes puppy dogs! If you have furry friends you would like with you in the images let me know.
Baby belly
I love close-ups of your beautiful belly! This is such a short period of time in your life and I love highlighting how beautiful and miraculous the growning child in your womb is by capturing just your belly!
maternity session shot list
Mommy alone- pulled back
Mommy alone- closeup
detail shots of belly
mommy & daddy together
mommy & Daddy with big sibling(s)
individual shots of each big sib (if aplicable)
big siblings with daddy
any extended family shots (if aplicable)
Furry friends too!
You with any sentimental props (optional)
If you are feeling up for it & doing well these shots are the goal
START THINKING ABOUT
How you want to display your portraits
With almost a decade of experience in heirloom product design I know that this can be quite the daunting process to walk through alone. That is why I love coming along side my clients and helping them create the photographic heirloom treasures that will be in their family for generations.
The first thing I recommend is for you to start thinking about where in your home you would love to either hang wall art or display a beautiful album. Once you start dreaming the process becomes fun and encouraging.
Every session includes a design and ordering appointment which happens when I hand deliver your images to you! You can utilize this service how you want to and additional purchases are optional.
talk about whats important to you
If you are going to be purchasing heirlooms I encourage you -together with your spouse and family start the conversation about wall art and albums. Heirlooms are a quality product and a worth while investment that is never regretted.
Making sure you are on the same page with which items are wanted and how you would like to pay for them helps your ordering appointments run like a dream.
If payment break downs along with spreading it all out over time helps you out I am glad to create a payment plan that works for you. Just let me know during your consultation or ordering appointment and I'll be glad to help.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
- Dr. suess
IMAGE DELIVERY
Why we use Proof images
get ready for any optional ordering
View the Frame Catalog
View the Album Guide
HOW IT WORKS
I love taking customer service to the "extra" level. Proof images are one way that makes the whole process feel magical and special for your family.
For your portrait session I will print out a set of 4x6 proof/ordering prints and personally deliver them to your door. They make it so easy to select your digitals and any custom heirlooms.
Imagine gorgeous images laid out across your table! its so much for fun to design and order that way!
THE HIGHEST QUALITY heirlooms FOR YOUR MOST TREASURED MOMENTS. THESE QUALITY pieces WILL LIVE ON FOR GENERATIONS.
Albums & frames
Heirlooms
Note about ALBUM DESIGN
A few weeks after your session we can start designing your heirloom album. Normally the start of your design happens at your design & ordering appointment. The process is super easy and you'll get to pick exactly how you want it.
Link to album guide
PICK YOUR OPTIONS
You'll have the chance to pick out your album size, material and color. I have a page outlining all of the choices!
Or for frames the catalog above.
Heirloom Layout
Once your options are selected, I'll create the album page layouts using the best of your photos. Or I'll finalize your wall art gallery preferences. When I'm done I'll send a proof your way and we can make any changes you want.
Enjoy your heirloom
Once everything looks good to go and you like your layout, I will order your album or wall art and upon its arrival personally deliver it to you.
heirloom design process
Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions!
SITE DESIGN BY RACHEL KICK & BT Creative
Thank you for considering trusting me to capture your special season! If you need to contact me at any point during the process, feel free to shoot me an email!