Studio Session Prep Guide

 

Hi there & thank you for booking in a studio session with me! I am thrilled to capture you and your family! Here are some essential details and tips to help you prepare for your session:

Milestone Sessions

These sessions hold a special place in my heart and are what sparked my love for photography. They focus on capturing one of the most precious stages of life—your child between 6 and 11 months—before they’re on the move!

Milestone sessions are designed for ONE child only and are all about preserving their sweet expressions, little personalities, and big milestones like sitting, smiling, or clapping.

📸 Please note: If you’d like to include more than one child (e.g. siblings), please book a Mini or Full Family Session instead.

All milestone sessions are scheduled on weekdays.

Family Sessions

Standard vs Mini Sessions - Which to book?

I offer two session types to suit different needs, and it’s important to know what to expect from each.

Full Standard Session (45 minutes with 100 images provided - chosen by photographer)

This is a relaxed, unhurried session designed to capture a wide variety of natural, storytelling moments. We take our time to create a mix of solo, sibling, and full-family photos with plenty of room for cuddles, giggles, and quiet moments in between. It's perfect if you're after a fuller gallery, more creative variety, and an experience that feels like a visual chapter in your family's story.

Mini Session (20 minutes with 40 photos provided - chosen by photographer)

A mini session is short and sweet—just enough to capture a snapshot of this season in your life.
It’s a session structured for efficiency, usually split into:

  • 10 minutes focusing on your little one(s)

  • 10 minutes with the whole family together

Because of the limited time, I don’t push or force smiles—instead, I focus on capturing your child just as they are in the moment, whether that’s playful or shy.

  • Minis are best for families wanting just a few beautiful photos to mark an age or milestone. They do not include the variety or depth of a full session.

Please note: If your mini session runs over time or results in more images than planned, there may be an additional cost. This helps keep things fair for everyone and ensures my schedule runs smoothly.

If you’re after a bigger gallery, more interaction, or time to let the kids settle in, I recommend booking a standard session instead.

Location and Parking:

  • My studio is located in Somerville, East Auckland. It's a cozy natural light space within my home, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for your session. Address will be sent upon booking.

  • Please park on one side of the driveway to allow space for others to park when they arrive.

What to wear:

  • For the best results, we recommend wearing whites, nudes, denim, linen, greys, blacks or other neutral-toned clothing but we can definitely make anything work. These colors and textures photograph beautifully and create a timeless. Think about the photos that you will display on your walls and the colours you would like to see.

  • Avoid wearing bright or distracting colors, as they can take away from the focus of the photos.

Footwear and Treats:

  • Opt for barefoot or clean shoes to complement the relaxed atmosphere of the studio. I always recommend barefoot to get you sitting on the ground or on the couch snuggling!

  • If you're bringing treats for your child, please choose non-staining options to avoid any mess on your little ones mouths and faces during the session. Eg. avoid chocolate but bring things like lollies/marshmallows.

Allergies and Other Considerations:

  • Please be aware that I have a cat in my home studio. If you have allergies, please let me know in advance, and we'll make necessary arrangements.

  • If you anticipate being late for your session, kindly send me a message as soon as possible to inform me and provide a heads-up incase we need to reschedule.

Photography Style and Delivery:

  • I specialize in capturing natural, storytelling photos that reflect the essence of your family or individual personality.

  • I will guide you throughout the entire session to ensure we have a range of angles, combinations and plenty of smiles. Sometimes the best shots come from unexpected moments or angles so relax and enjoy the experience.

  • After your session I will choose the most successful photos of the lot & you'll receive a mixture of color and black & white images edited in high resolution delivered via online gallery. You will have 30 days to download your gallery once your link has been sent.

  • Your gallery will be ready within 3-4 weeks from date of shoot, allowing you to relive the memories and share them with your loved ones.

And Most importantly, come prepared with your smiles and let’s capture some precious moments for you to look back on for many years to come!

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to me. I can't wait to create beautiful memories with you!

Ivey x