Sweet Emma Mae | Zionsville Newborn Photographer

Blog post #2 of the year! I’m falling in love with my sessions all over again. Newborn sessions are a labor of love. From planning out fabrics, props, & accessories, determining what poses I’ll do, to having the session and getting to know the parents and their story, to editing the images to perfection. It’s so rewarding to deliver a gallery and realize you created beautiful art with a family’s beautiful babe.

Emma Mae was born in December and had a rough entry (vacuum) (: And she was so resilient about sleeping. Mom and Dad even said she never wants to miss anything and doesn’t sleep for long stretches. Well, that held true for her session but we still snagged so many great shots of this gorgeous girl.

If you are looking for a maternity or newborn photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.

An Atypical Fresh 48 + Newborn Mini | Zionsville Newborn Photographer

My first client blog of 2020 comes at a crazy, crazy time in our lives. I haven’t been good at keeping up with my blog the past two years as my business and life busy-ness has ramped up. But now I sit with more time on my hands and I want to share with everyone what I love to do. Looking back and reminiscing on past sessions will be good for my soul, so I’m challenging myself to do a blog a day until this whole virus situation clears up and I can be out doing what I love again. I’m worried about how this pandemic will change our industry and change the way we interact with clients, but rest assured we’ll be back in full force documenting families’ lives and love again.

The Edwards’ family welcomed baby #3 in late December (and he was SEVERAL days late). Xavier’s tardiness actually forced our Fresh 48 session to be canceled as the hospital implemented flu restrictions so instead we turned it into a Fresh 96 at home. It was a gloomy day with far from decent lighting, but the memories made overshadow that fact.

The little man’s newborn studio mini was held a few days later. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a newborn awake for sibling shots but he did not want to sleep. Big bro and sis rocked it too - look at those smiles (:

If you are looking for a maternity or newborn photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.

Now | Indianapolis Lifestyle Photographer

This is a project I’ve had in the back of my mind for awhile. Our little humans are slowly transforming into bigger humans right before our eyes. And even though I just used the word “slowly,” in the whole scheme of life it feels like a millisecond from when they were newborns to now. While it’s so rewarding watching and helping them grow, learn, and flourish, each milestone tugs at my heart.

I wanted to capture NOW. I documented my kids on a day they were all off school and we spent most of our time at home. I wanted to showcase our life as is….so I didn’t really pick things up (although I think I was cleaning up as we went through the day) or stage any of this. I wanted to intentionally remember their little art masterpieces, their crazy clutter on their dressers (not clutter to them!), the toys they play with, their rooms, their imaginations and how they interact with each other. It will all look so different in 5 years.

Fresh 48 Prep | Indianapolis Newborn Photographer

I’m honored to capture these raw and emotional moments for you. As a mother myself I know how crazy and emotional those first few days in the hospital can be. You may be a new parent, trying to figure it all out. Or you may be seasoned and this is your 2nd or 3rd…..or 4th. (: Either way, there is a new little human in your life and I want to document your love for this new being soon after he/she arrives. These will not be the images you print and hang on the wall - they will be the ones you put in a book and look over several times as your baby grows up and remember the time surrounding his/her arrival. This moment will only happen once and I’m so happy you decided to have quality images taken to document it and to keep forever.

PRE-BABY:

• Once you book, please put my number in your phone (765-749-4388)

• I ask that you keep me posted about your due date if anything changes. If your doctor schedules an induction also please let me know.

• Text me when you are on your way to the hospital

BABY IS HERE!

• Text me to let me know once baby arrives.

• We’ll discuss the best time to hold your Fresh 48 session. Fresh 48 sessions will occur during the day to maximize the natural light available. Let me know if there are siblings you want to include and I’ll try to coordinate with you when they will be at the hospital.

• Text me your room number and if there is a security code I need to enter the ward. (or sometimes it’s easier for Dad to come get me)

PREP:

• Pack away your bags and put them in a closet or bathroom so the room is "tidy" for pics.

• As for dress, for mom I recommend something simple like a plain tank top and comfy pants or I have some mom's that wear a nice robe from home.  For baby- he/she can be in anything - diaper, swaddle, onesie.  Really can't go wrong with baby and it's all about remembering the time so whatever you have him/her in when I get there will be fine I'm sure. I do like to get some shots of fingers, toes, etc. so at some point we'll strip down to diaper and get some close ups of features.  Sometimes we wait until the end for that as it might upset them. For dad I also recommend something simple.

• Try to time a feeding so that he/she eats before I get there. (if you do want some nursing photos, please let me know and I’m more than happy to capture that for you)

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• The session will last 30-45 minutes.

• Once I arrive I’ll open up the blinds to try to maximize the light in the room.

• There is not much formal posing but I will help direct you to get the best images. I will place you and baby in the best light but sometimes light in a small hospital room can be sparse. We will spend a lot of time near the windows but in some cases the overhead lights will have to do.

• I don’t mind if a few extended family members join but I recommend they are only there for a short period and not the entire session. Most hospital rooms are small!!

POST-SESSION:

• I will post a sneak peek on Facebook & Instagram within 2 days unless you opted out (in that case I email them to you).

• Final images will be delivered to you via online gallery within 2 weeks of your session (3 weeks max if your session was during fall busy season).

Prepping for a Studio Session | Zionsville Family Photographer

You have booked a studio session and now what? I’m here to assist you every step of the way. This post will cover some helpful tips about dress, prepping kids, planning your session, what to expect, and lastly my address so you know how to get here. There is also a special section about cake smashes if that is included in your session.

DRESS:

- If your entire family is included in the session, coordinate without completely matching.  Hey, it is your session, and if you are dead set on everyone wearing white shirts, then by all means, go for it.  BUT - I highly discourage it.   (:  Variety is definitely more interesting.  I tell my clients to pick a couple coordinating colors and dress the family in a mix of solids and patterns of these colors.  Then maybe add a splash of color (if needed) in a scarf or accessories.

- Wear what you are comfortable in!  If you are not comfortable or confident in the clothes are you are wearing - it will show in the photos! 

- Bright fluorescent colors are a NO NO!  Whether you realize it or not, bright colors will reflect off of skin and clothing, so anyone standing next to that person wearing the hot pink shirt will have hot pink skin.  I can't edit that out. 

- If you have glasses that don't have the non-glare lenses, you might consider taking them off for the photos as my strobes will reflect in your glasses. If your glasses are must then we’ll work on positioning you to minimize the effect but be aware it will be difficult to eliminate it completely.

- Typically I only take photos of families from the waist up so I’ll probably ask that you remove your shoes. Shoes scuff up and leave marks on my seamless paper and that requires more editing in the end.

- Children -

• Make sure the clothes on your little ones fit and they are comfortable in the clothes. If you go out and buy something new, I know it's hard to buy clothes that aren't one size up, because you know they grow so quickly. But baggy clothes will swallow up little ones, especially if they are sitting down.

• No shoes - I typically love bare feet for kids in the studio

• Babies can show some skin! Shirtless babes or babes in a diaper cover can make great images and allow you to capture that sweet chubbs phase. (:

PLANNING YOUR SESSION:

• You can select two different backgrounds for a studio session. Below are my background options and you can let me know which two you would like and which one you would like first.

- For kids I have plenty of crates, bowls, stools, and other props for them to sit on/in.

- Feel free to bring a couple different outfits for kids.

- No matter the timing of your session, I recommend keeping the kids on a normal schedule for the day.  We can plan our session around naps, meals, etc.

- Make sure kids (and you) are fed before the session or at least have had a heavy snack.  We all get cranky when we are hungry! 

- Plan ahead, set clothes out, check timing/directions, and save my cell number in your phone (765-749-4388).  It's hard when clients show up and they are frazzled because they were in such a hurry and the kids are all crazy, etc.  I know things come up, but if at all possible, leave plenty of time to get ready, get dressed, and drive to my studio.  If you are running a little late - DON'T FRET - it's not going to be detrimental to your session.  Just text me to let me know.  I would rather you be 10 minutes late and show up relaxed than show up on time with screaming kids. 

- Please fill out the questionnaire if possible, to help me plan the best session possible.

RESCHEDULING POLICY: If you have a conflict come up, please let me know ASAP. I normally am fine with rescheduling and transferring your deposit to another session.

My Address is 6525 Briarwood Place, Zionsville, IN 46077

AT YOUR SESSION:

- Empty your pockets - no phones, wallets, keys bulging out of pockets

- If you have young children - try to make sure their faces are clean.  I don't know about you, but my kids always seem to have bits of food, yogurt stains, and/or snot on their face. 

- Please do not take photos with your cell phones during sessions.  (Unless you want to take a picture of me taking pictures and post on FB about what an awesome photographer I am).  (:  If you want to video a cake smash or special moment, please feel free.

- Most importantly - RELAX and have FUN! Sometimes kids take awhile to warm up in the studio so please don’t force them do something they don’t want to do or get frustrated. We’ll work with it and I have some tricks up my sleeve to help kids feel comfortable.

CAKE SMASHES:

- I love cake smashes! I partner with Lil’ Bites Confections to provide a custom 6 inch smash cake for an additional charge. I will pick up your cake before your session so you don’t have to worry about it! (Because you have enough to worry about!) https://www.facebook.com/lilbitesconfections

- Here are some tips if you are providing your own cake: Do NOT get red icing! (unless you are going for a bloody Halloween theme). And a cake with chocolate frosting can kind of look like, you know what, when smeared all over. Also - it’s super helpful if the cake is on a solid cardboard piece (or some bakeries put a ribbon around the cardboard to make it pretty) to help transport it to the cake stand or floor. It’s difficult to try to move just the cake without messing part of it up.

- I recommend that you feed your child a cupcake or a piece of cake a week or so prior to our session. It’s not required but it’s good to have a trial run.

- If you have a special theme and have props you want to bring, please feel free (maybe just give me a heads up beforehand). I have a few girl and boy banners that I can show you to see if you want to use those. I tend to keep my studio setups simple.

AFTER YOUR SESSION:

- Your work is done!  You did it!  I will post a sneak peek on Facebook and Instagram within a couple days, unless you opted out. A proofing gallery will be send to you in 7-10 days and then after you select your final images I’ll finish up edits and send you a final gallery. Typical turnaround time for the final gallery is 7 days. If you had a full session or upgraded to receive all images, expect the turnaround time to be 14 days or less.

If any questions arise at any point in the process, please don't hesitate to contact me.  kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.