Client Guide

Everything you need from your first inquiry to your final images.

1. Prepare · 2. Book · 3. Select · 4. Download

1. Prepare for your session

Preparing for your newborn session

Congratulations, and thank you for allowing me the pleasure of photographing your new baby in their first days of life. I’m truly honoured to capture this incredible milestone, and I look forward to getting to know you and your sweet baby. This guide will help make everything as smooth as possible.

Keep baby awake before the session

This is probably the most important step. A bath, awake time and interacting with your baby for at least 2 hours before the session will help them sleep during the session, so we can get those snuggly, curly newborn poses. Even if your baby is normally a sound sleeper, please follow this step. Feed your baby right before you leave or as soon as you arrive at the studio — about 75% of a feeding, saving a little for the studio. Babies often fall asleep in the car and wake up when we get them ready; that last bit of feeding helps them drift back to sleep.

Dress baby for easy changes

Choose an easily removed sleeper with a zipper or buttons so baby isn’t disturbed. Avoid tight socks or clothing that leaves marks on the skin, and remove any band-aids as early as possible so the marks fade.

Skin and nails

Gently clean away flaky skin and eye discharge with a washcloth, and trim tiny fingernails and toenails. For stubborn dry skin, a baby lotion that doesn’t leave a shine can help. I always have lotion in the studio.

Plan for time and flexibility

The shoot may last up to 2 hours or more. Getting baby to sleep takes time, and babies usually need to eat more during a session, so please be flexible with on-demand feeding. Safety and comfort come first — a single pose can take up to 20 minutes to perfect.

Be ready for messes

Babies don’t care where or on whom they pee, poo or spit up! If you’ll be in photos with your newborn, bring a spare set of clothes — even if your baby never spits up, today could be the day.

Wardrobe for baby

Nothing is the best wardrobe for a newborn — clothes rarely fit well. Accessories like little hats and dainty headbands work beautifully. I have a wide selection of props, or you can bring your own.

Parents in the photos

Skin-to-skin contact creates the most beautiful images. Mom: subtle makeup softens the skin; neutral false lashes flatter the eyes. Keep nails clean and tidy, with no polish, since your hands will appear in the images. Dad: shave fresh with a new razor and moisturizing after-shave to avoid redness, trim facial hair and keep nails clean. If you prefer not to be shirtless, wear a fitted V-neck T-shirt with jeans.

Older siblings

Including brothers and sisters is a perfect way to document this time. Clean nails, hair, feet and faces make a big difference. If your child still naps, make sure they nap before the shoot. Snacks that won’t stain teeth are welcome; avoid coloured drinks or lollipops for 24 hours before. Girls: natural hair, no bows or headbands, no nail polish, no shoes. Boys: snug jeans and shirtless, no shoes. Siblings join for about 30 minutes at the beginning — we always start with family and sibling photos — so please arrange childcare for the rest of the session. An iPad can help (Wi-Fi available).

2. Book your session

Booking takes two steps, and your spot is only reserved once both are done. Amy is constantly giving out dates, so a date isn’t held until then.

1. Contact Amy to confirm that your date and time are available.
2. Complete the contract on the Booking & Contracts page.
3. Pay the non-refundable retainer by Interac e-Transfer to payment@amygrauer.com. Include your name, session type and session date in the message. See the retainer amounts.

3. Select your images

About one week after your session, you’ll receive an online viewing gallery. You have up to 30 days to choose and order your images.

Open your gallery

1. Click Open my client gallery below.
2. Enter the gallery ID Amy sent you and click Go.
3. Enter the password Amy gave you.

Choose your favourites

1. Click Select at the top right, check the images you love, then click Add to Favorites.
2. First-time clients: create an account so your choices are saved. Returning clients: log in with the email and password you created before. Both options appear when you click Continue.
3. Returning clients: always add your images to a new favourites list. At the top left, click Favorites → Create new, name it and save. Adding to an old list can mean Amy never receives your order, or you see an old gallery or images covered with stars.
4. You can also open an image on its own and click the heart at the top right, or right-click it and choose Add to Favorites. Check that the right list is showing at the top left.
5. Click the back button at the top left to return to the full gallery. Open your favourites at any time to review them, and click the X on any image to remove it.

Place your order

1. Open your favourites list and click Share Favorites at the top right.
2. In the message box, add any special requests (Photoshop edits are an additional fee).
3. Send it. Clicking Share places your order: Amy will process it and the remaining balance becomes payable, so only submit once you’re 100% sure.

Amy will email you to confirm how many images were included, how many you ordered and any remaining balance. No reply within 48 hours? Your order may not have arrived — please follow up at info@amygrauer.com.

4. Download your final images

Once your order is placed, I’ll let you know when your edited digital files are ready. You’ll receive a link to download them from your password-protected gallery.

Download one image

1. Click Open my client gallery below and enter your new gallery ID.
2. Click the current year, then the month of your session, then the album with your name.
3. Enter your password, then click Select Photos.
4. Click the image, then the circle that appears at its bottom right to select it.
5. Click Download at the top right. The image is saved to your Downloads folder.

Download all your images

1. In your album, click Select Photos at the top right, then All.
2. Click Download, enter your email address and click Request.
3. You’ll receive an email when your images are ready. Click the blue link in it to download them.
4. Right-click the downloaded file and choose Extract All to unzip it. Your images are in the new folder.

You’re ready to share! Please credit Amy Grauer Photography and don’t add filters — none are needed. If you enjoyed your experience, a review on Facebook or Google means a lot.