Maternity session guide

Maternity sessions are the best way to remember this monumental time in your life. Whether this is your first baby, or you are adding a new member to your family, a maternity session allows you to capture the emotions and love that you are feeling in the final months of your pregnancy. When the sleep deprivation kicks in and you can’t remember the last time that you had a shower, these images in your nursery will be a wonderful way to remember those feelings of love and joy that you felt before you even held your baby. I am so very honored to photograph you during this special time. Please know that your experience is not something that I take lightly. I want to make this day perfect for you!

Thank you for your time and for helping me be able to be my best for you! I can't wait to meet your little one!


Congratulations again,

Savanah Hogan


IMPORTANT!

Before your session:

-My studio is located on the second floor, you do have to go up several stairs, if this is an issue for you or a family member please let me know ahead of time so I can accommodate for you!

-Also keep in mind, It is an old building! (Stairs may creek!)

-Remaining balance MUST be paid before day of session!


Business & Contact Hours:

STUDIO- Open by appointment only!

CONTACT HOURS- Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. (Please feel free to message me anytime via Facebook messenger from my business page! Just please keep in mind if it's after these hours and days it may be a little before I can respond!)

PHONE- (256) 476-3561 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. (Please do not call outside of these hours unless there is an emergency! If I do not answer, please leave a voicemail or send me a text!)

EMAIL- Anytime! hello@savanahhoganphoto.com


Studio Address-

201 Main Street W Hartselle, AL. (It's right above Marmac on the corner! The black building!)

-You may parallel park in the front, or you can park in the back, behind the building (This way is easier since you will come through the back door!)

Please walk to the back if you didn't park there and message me once you arrive and I will come downstairs and unlock the door for you!


SICK POLICY

If a family member is sick, please DO NOT bring them into the studio. If the ill family member must be present for the photos, please reschedule your session for a later date when they are well. Since I work closely with newborn babies, children and pregnant mamas, it is very important that I stay healthy for these precious little ones, as well as keeping germs out of the studio. I sanitize and disinfect my studio top to bottom before each session. (Including all door handles and switches!) I do all I can keep myself healthy! I will always use Germ-x and wear a mask while handling your baby. If you or a family member is ill (and has not been symptom or fever free for at least 24 hours) PLEASE call to change your session date. If a person arrives and is obviously sick, I may ask that client to leave and reschedule. (And that is super awkward!) I greatly appreciate your efforts in helping me keep myself and my clients healthy!


IMPORTANT!

If you haven't already, please make sure you fill out the Maternity Questionnaire that I have emailed to you! This helps me get a better idea on what you would like! Failure to do so can result in not having the props or colors you'd like for your maternity session!

MATERNITY SESSION PREP SHEET

 

Maternity sessions are the best way to remember this monumental time in your life. Whether this is your first baby, or you are adding a new member to your family, a maternity session allows you to capture the emotions and love that you are feeling in the final months of your pregnancy. When the sleep deprivation kicks in and you can’t remember the last time that you had a shower, these images in your nursery will be a wonderful way to remember those feelings of love and joy that you felt before you even held your baby.

 

Things to Think About Before Your Session

  • Best time to schedule your maternity session is 28-35 weeks. This is when you will have a nice little bump, but before you are too big to move comfortably. 
  • Strongly consider having your hair and makeup done by my hair and makeup artist! If you do your own makeup, please make sure that it matches your natural skin tone. Don’t put too much makeup on to cover up a blemish. It is normally easier to correct a blemish in editing than to correct too much makeup :)
  • Pay close attention to your nails. Many of the photographs will focus on your hands. Consider treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure, or convince your partner to help spruce up your fingers and toes so that they look picture perfect!
  • Consider how you feel about varying levels of undress in your photographs, and the final look that you want in your pictures. You need to feel comfortable enough to discuss this with your photographer. Please don’t hesitate to tell me if you are not comfortable in a certain pose or with a certain body part uncovered.

 

Things to Bring to Your Session:

Clothing for Indoor Studio Session (Remember, I Supply your gown! Please fill out the maternity questionnaire that I have emailed to you! This helps me make sure I have everything you want!)  

  • lacy panties - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
  • strapless bra - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
  • pretty bra and panties that make you feel beautiful 
  • Dad can wear dark jeans and a coordinating shirt. It does not have to match your shirt, but should be a coordinating color. 
  • If older siblings are coming, they should coordinate with mom and dad. Male siblings should be in dark jeans and a coordinating shirt, and females can be in dark jeans and shirts, or dresses to match mom or cute tutus, etc… Cute tshirts with older brother or sister are items to think about as well. 

 

Clothing for Outdoor Session (Remember, you can use any of my gowns from my studio for this as well, and I will bring it to the session!)

  • lacy panties or boy shorts - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
  • strapless bra - black and/or nude (nude is preferred, both is great)
  • any dress or outfit you'd like to wear (If you're not using a gown from my studio)
  • Dad can wear dark jeans and a coordinating shirt. It does not have to match your shirt, but should be a coordinating color. 
  • If older siblings are coming, they should coordinate with mom and dad. Male siblings should be in dark jeans and a coordinating shirt, and females can be in dark jeans and shirts, or dresses to match mom or cute tutus, etc… Cute tshirts with older brother or sister are items to think about as well. 

 

Other Items

  • If you plan to bring any sentimental items, please let me know before session date! Please keep the items to one or two of them!


The final photographs are yours, and I want you to be happy with the images. That is the most important thing!

Just some things!


Session time frame: Typically indoor and outdoor sessions both take up to an hour/hour and half! Sometimes we go over and sometimes we finish sooner! I always recommend planning for it go go over and not scheduling anything up to 2 hours after your session.

Hair and Makeup: You do have the option of either! It is HIGHLY recommended you get your hair and makeup done professionally (Especially if you're doing studio!) I do have a hair and makeup artist I use for an additional $50. This is totally optional! (Hey, it can always be an excuse to have yourself pampered for the day!) Studio sessions will have their hair and makeup done in studio or in the salon we use right across the street! Just let me know before hand and I will get it all booked for you!

Posing: Please do not stress about this part! It is my job to make you look and feel your best! I will pose you the entire session making you only feel beautiful!

Wardrobe: When you booked your session, my gowns in my studio are part of the package! You will have access to the one(s) you'd like to wear! It is super super important to fill out the questionnaire I emailed to you! This helps me know if I need to order a gown for your session! I always recommend going barefoot! Even outdoors! But if you would like to wear shoes we can talk and come up with some that match your gown! Outdoor sessions do not have to wear a gown, but you totally have that option too!

Studio Maternity: Please have childcare ready for your children after their part of the session is over. I will always start with family shots first! There is a lot of equipment in the studio, please do not allow your child to run around or play with items. Please only allow one extra person other than who is in the session to tag along. I understand it's just a beautiful thing to see! But please no more than one extra guest! Thank you so much for understanding that!

Thank you again for choosing me to photograph this special time!

It is my hope that you come to my studio feeling comfortable and at home. I am truly honored to be able to document this incredible time in your lives, and look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby!

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me at hello@savanahhoganphoto.com anytime, or call/text me at 256-476-3561 (Monday – Thursday 8am-5pm only please).(However if there is an emergency, please feel free to contact me outside of business hours.)


-Savanah Hogan