Your Session: Step By Step

 
 
 

Welcome!!
Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph you and/or your family! This really isn’t just a business for me. I am very passionate about what I do. I am very emotional about your pictures just as you are, so I want everything to go smoothly and I want you to love what we create together! I want this experience to be fun and stress-free for you! So I have put together this little step by step guide that may help ease any worries you may have.

 

Step 1- booking + Confirmation


The first step would be to contact me. You’ll fill out a quick form which will let me know what you are looking for. That will get the ball rolling. I will respond as soon as possible with the detailed information that will get you officially booked. (If you don’t hear from me, check your spam folder.)

Then about 24 hours to 72 hours before your session I will send you a message via email or text just confirming everything.


Step 2 - How to Prepare for Your Session

A few simple steps will help things run smoothly and keep the focus on fun, relaxed moments:

  • Kids: A good snack, nap, or break before the session helps keep little ones happy. Don’t stress if they get silly, I’ll work with their energy.

  • Babies: For newborns, have extra swaddles, outfits, and feeding supplies ready. We’ll follow baby’s lead and keep the pace gentle.

  • Homes: No need for a spotless house, just tidy a couple of rooms you’d like to use with natural light.

  • Props & Play: Bring a sentimental blanket or items, and think of a simple family activity (play Jenga, bake, blow bubbles, throw leaves).

  • Mindset: It’s normal to feel awkward at first. Trust the process! Within minutes it will feel natural, and the best photos come when you let go and enjoy each other.

Tips for What to Wear:

Wear something that makes you feel awesome! Avoid big company logos. They are very distracting.

Patterns are great, however not when everyone wears different patterns. It’s best to choose the person(s) wearing the patterns and draw colours from that for the people who aren't wearing patterns.

Pinstripes often don't photograph well in unpredictable lighting.

Some bold colour pop is always good. Colours that really pop in pictures are vivid gem colours. Golden yellow, or mustard yellow, reds, pine green, royal blue, ruby red, and such.

Dressing exactly the same can be a little cheesy, but sometimes that's what people are going for.

For Glow Up and Branding sessions, we will create a vision together and find the perfect outfit(s) for your session.


Step 3 - At Your session

On-Location Session

We’ll meet at our chosen location, and I’ll text or call when I arrive. I will bring a wagon along with a blanket so you can store your belongings in the wagon if need be. We keep moving to capture different scenery and light. It’s normal to feel a little awkward at first, but I’ll guide you with prompts so it quickly feels natural and fun. Kids stay engaged when there’s play, so adults, stay involved! Hug, laugh, hold hands, link arms, and join in the games. Whether it’s swinging, throwing leaves, playing chase, climbing trees, or giving shoulder rides, the more playful and engaged you are, the better the photos will be. I will have a blanket for sitting on, but feel free to bring your own, especially if it’s meaningful.

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In-Home Session

When I arrive, we’ll chat and choose the best spots in your home with natural light. Often that’s the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, porch, or backyard. The couch is great for cozy family moments, kids’ rooms for play, and the master bedroom for snuggly family or couple shots. For maternity sessions, the bedroom, kitchen, living room and even bathroom works beautifully. We’ll capture a mix of planned portraits and real-life moments, such as reading books, tying laces, baking, building blocks, and all the little in-betweens. Sometimes we’ll even add a mini adventure, like a walk to the park, bakery, library, or just the backyard.

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In-Home Newborn Session

When I arrive, baby is either feeding or sleeping. If they are feeding it gives me a chance to chat and take a few photos of siblings to help them warm up to the camera. With a first baby, we’ll simply ease in, capturing those early moments like feeding or getting dressed. Once baby is ready, we usually start with family and sibling shots, like snuggles on the couch, bed, or floor, wherever feels natural. Common spaces include the living room, master bedroom, and baby’s room. I’ll also bring swaddles if you’d like some wrapped shots. If the Posed Newborn add-on in included, additional time will be added to your session. That will allow time for extra feeds, changes, and posing.

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Posed Newborn Mini Session Add-on

For the Newborn Poses add-on, I bring a simple studio-style setup with blankets, a heater, swaddles, hats, and a few props. We can also include sentimental items from your home. These sessions don’t need much space, just a well-lit area, often in the master bedroom or living room. With years of newborn experience, I safely swaddle and gently pose babies in natural, comfortable positions. If baby is sleeping when I arrive, we may begin with posed shots before bringing in family and siblings. We always follow baby’s lead to keep them content.

 

Step 4 - AFTER THE SESSION


This will be the hardest part for you. Waiting to see your beautiful images. Trust me, the wait is worth it! Within 3 weeks after your session I will contact you via email with your gallery link and password.

For birth and meet the baby sessions, you will be sent a few birth announcement pictures within 72 hours after your session. But the full editing process takes 5 to 8 weeks.


Step 5 - ordering


Once I contact you via email with your gallery link and password, that’s where you can choose your images for your collection, download them, and place your lab order. When I send a gallery I makes sure to set aside time over the following days to assist in placing your lab order. I’ll be there to design your album or mini book, or to help decide which sizes or images to put on your walls. That’s why I set a 4 day timer on your gallery. If you place your lab order within that 4 day window, you will receive 25% off your print order. And since you didn’t have professional portraits taken so the images can sit on a computer, you should take advantage of the 25% off!

Collections, prints, products, and prices are all listed on the investments page here: https://www.heatherbays.com/investments/
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need guidance.


Step 6 - THE FINAL COUNTDOWN


After you place your order, I will send it to the lab, and your online gallery will be archived and accessible for 8 more weeks. Once I have your order in my hands from the lab I will contact you so we can arrange pick up or delivery. Turn around time varies depending on your order. Traditional prints take about 4 - 7 days. Mini books, floatmounts, wood mounted, canvas, and metal prints take about 12 to 14 days. Renzo Albums take 18 to 24 days.

And that’s it! You’re done!

 
Book Now!

 

PHOTOGRAPHY FAQ'S

I’m nervous and not sure what to expect. How can I ease my nerves?
First and foremost, let’s let go of any fears by noting that your session isn’t just a photoshoot. It’s a fun experience that will leave you feeling confident. The vibe over here is easy going and uplifting so don’t be nervous! Just be you! And always feel free to ask me questions that will help you overcome your nerves.

How do I book a session with you?
You can book a session by filling out the contact form. Once we’ve discussed your vision and selected a date, a signed contract and retainer will secure your booking.

What exactly is Birth Photography and how does that work?
Contact me for the Birth Photography FAQs.

How long will my session be?
For lifestyle sessions you can expect your session to be about 45 minutes to an hour. Glow Up and Branding session are generally 2 to 4 hours. And headshot can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on your needs.

When should I expect my images?
For lifestyle sessions you should expect your fully edited gallery within 3 weeks of your session where you can choose the images you would like for your Collection. Glow up and Branding sessions you will get to see unedited images as we shoot and you will select your images right there after your session. Then you can expect your fully edited images along with your prints and products within 3 weeks of your order.

Where do sessions take place?
Sessions can be held in natural outdoor settings, in-home, or at a studio. It just depends on your session and vision. I can help you choose the perfect spot.

What if it rains or the weather is bad?
We’ll keep an eye on the forecast and reschedule if needed. Your comfort and the quality of your photos are always my priority.

What’s the difference between a lifestyle session and a glow up session?

For lifestyle sessions we generally use natural light and it’s a more natural and organic real life flow to the session. It’s like styled documentary. Whereas a glow up session is way more intentional often using a lighting system and a solid plan where everything is intentional. It’s more fashion/editorial.

Can I change outfits during my lifestyle portrait session?

Sure! Even if the session is outside at a park, I have a pop- up change room that we can plop anywhere! But note, if children are involved, I would recommend limiting this as much as possible since small children can get impatient real fast.

Do you have a client closet?

I am in the process of growing my client closet so for Glow Up and Branding sessions I am happy to help find and provide certain pieces to bring your vision to life.

Not sure what to wear? It can be hard to coordinate!
Here’ some tips along with colour combinations that work well together.

 
Book Your Session!