This information guide has been created to help you prepare for your upcoming photography session and Baby Imprint appointment at our studios. Prior to your arrival we encourage you to read through this guide as it will provide you with all the information you need.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Brisbane Studio on (07) 3899 2735 or Sydney Studio on (02) 9418 8703, we would be delighted to assist you with any queries you may have.
OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Each of our studios has an array of Photographers that will be perfectly suited for your session. All of the photographers have received personalised training from Marie herself which ensures that your session maintains her distinctive photographic style. Additionally, it’s worth highlighting that Marie also is available for sessions upon request which will come with a minimum spending requirement.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY
Your photo session is designed to be a warm and enjoyable experience for the whole family. We allocate 1 hour for your session, which involves multiple combinations and different settings to give you as much variety in your photos as possible. It is common for babies to stop and feed during a session, so don’t worry if this happens to you.
Most of our customers prefer to view their images on the same day especially if they request to have Imprints made. This is to ensure that the age of the child (written underneath the tile) matches up exactly to the day the images were taken. Please request for an appointment if one has not been arranged for you already.
COVID-19 HEALTH PRECAUTIONS / NEWBORN SAFETY
Our world has changed since COVID19 and the health and safety of our customers and staff is our number 1 priority. Since my staff and I work closely with newborn babies we have a strict policy whereby all staff at Marie Ramos Photography are fully vaccinated against whooping cough and COVID19. We kindly ask that if you or any of your family is feeling unwell to please contact the studio so we can reschedule your session.
Our photography style is natural and candid so we refrain from posing newborns into positions that may be uncomfortable. Our approach to achieving the best possible images from your session is allowing your baby to take the lead, keeping them content and letting the magic unfold naturally. If you have any concerns regarding newborn health and safety please let us know in advance so we can make your time with us as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
OUR BRISBANE STUDIO
Our new Brisbane studio is open from the 26th of April 2022, this date was the exact same date I opened my first Sydney studio in 2007- 15 years ago! Just like the Sydney studio it is well equipped with everything you need to make your time with us a warm and inviting one. As a mum of two I have designed the space to feel like a home, the studio is light and airy with lots of toys and space for the kids to roam and explore, I believe that if people feel comfortable in an environment, the more relaxed they will feel which always helps when creating magical moments with the family.
BRISBANE LOCATION AND PARKING
Located in the beautiful leafy riverside suburb of Hawthorne our light and airy studio is tucked away within the local area and within walking distance to parks for outdoor photography sessions and cafes for a bite to eat with the family after your session with us. Just 10 minutes from the city there is plenty of all day parking right around the corner on Billington rd which is a short 1 min stroll to the studio. Our studio is well equipped with all the amenities that your family will need so your time with us is a warm and enjoyable one.
OUR SYDNEY STUDIO
As a mum I understand how daunting it can be to travel outside with a newborn so I have designed our studio to be a home away from home. We are well equipped with a kitchen, coffee and tea, water, bathroom facilities, a change table and toys for older siblings to keep themselves occupied. We also have a comfy couch and feeding chair for you to feed your baby before, during or after your session. During the colder months we ensure our studio is well heated as many parents ask to have their babies photographed bare. We want you to feel relaxed and at home as much as possible.
SYDNEY LOCATION AND PARKING
We are located on the corner of Centennial Ave and Garling St, Lane Cove. There are two allocated parking bays reserved for our customers directly in front of the studio on Garling St. Please be aware that Garling St has a ‘no right turn’ sign from Centennial Ave if you are coming from the Epping Rd direction, so you will need to take the back route to the studio.
WHAT TO WEAR AND ITEMS TO BRING
Our photography style is natural and candid so we request for your clothing to be simple, as we love our images to be about expression and connection and less about clothing. We recommend a simple white, neutral or soft coloured top or dress and dark bottoms, all black is effective too. Please avoid clothing with large prints and busy patterns especially if you would like the whole family photographed together
Item checklist for babies under 6 weeks:
- Textured, fluffy or knitted blankets and wraps that you would like your baby to be photographed on. We have plenty of options at the studio if you wish to use ours.
- Any sentimental items that you would like your baby to be photographed with, e.g. a favourite toy or a blanket knitted especially for your baby.
- Headbands, beanies and accessories you love.
- For potty accidents, bring towels and wipes, and a change of clothes for baby, as well as for mum and dad.
- Remember to trim your nails and your baby’s too for photos and for imprinting purposes.
Items to bring for children 6 months and older:
- Please refer to the above list as some items may apply to you.
- For babies over 6 months of age neutral colours are recommended as well as colourful clothing, e.g. your baby may have blue eyes so compliment your child’s clothing with a touch of blue.
- Your child’s favourite toy, used mainly to get their attention.
- Plenty of snacks and water for toddlers and older children..
HOME SESSIONS
If you have decided to have a portrait session at home, please advise your photographer what time the natural light in your home is the brightest as this is important when discussing a booking time for your session. If your home does not have sufficient natural light that is not a problem as your photographer may bring a portable flash unit and backdrop to your home. If the room you have chosen for the shoot is cool, please heat up the space for about 20 minutes before the start of your session so that your baby is warm and comfortable during the photo shoot.
LOCATION SESSIONS
Each season brings out the best backdrops that mother nature has to offer and is perfect for photography, especially when your child is over 6 months of age. If you have chosen to have your portrait session outdoors there are a few important points to keep in mind:
WEATHER: Your photographer will call you at least 2 hours before the allocated time of your shoot if the weather is unsuitable. You will have the option of rescheduling to another day or to be redirected to our studio. Your photographer will provide you with their personal mobile number just in case you need to contact them on the day.
TIME: The best time for taking photographs is generally early morning or late afternoon depending on the season. We try to avoid midday as this is when the sun is directly above your head and can cast strong shadows on the face.
CLOTHING: Please wear what is appropriate for the season. Block colours such as white or black are recommended, however clothing with colour and texture to complement the season and your chosen location are also encouraged, e.g. Wear earthy tones if your family is being photographed with Autumn leaves. Feel free to consult your photographer if you have any further questions.
OUR IMPRINT PROCESS
Taking your baby’s imprints is a quick and safe process that we have perfected for over 12 years! The process involves gently pressing your child’s hands or feet onto soft organic clay, which is similar to the consistency of playdough. It is common for your baby to be a little upset as the clay can be quite cold but the imprints are done in seconds and the results are timeless. To give you some peace of mind, I took imprints of my two girls when they were both 1 day old in the hospital! The clay is then dried, sanded by hand, glazed and then taken to our kiln where it is fired for 24hrs. Two imprint copies are always made to ensure there is a backup tile should any accidents occur. The good news is that accidents are rare and the raw backup copy is given to you upon collection for your safekeeping. Should anything happen to your original Imprint frame it’s always reassuring to know that you have a backup copy. If you wish to have your backup imprint tile fired we can do this for $50 per tile. Please ask our staff for more information.
ARE YOU A RETURNING CUSTOMER?
If so, welcome back! If you would like to match the “look” of your previous photo session, please let your photographer know before your appointment. You may want to provide some photos of your last session as a point of reference. If you are planning to match a Baby Imprint frame that you ordered previously, please bring the original frame with you so we can match the dimensions, or you can take a photo on your phone and provide measurements using the diagram below as a reference.
BABY IMPRINT DIMENSIONS:
- The outside edge of your frame (height and width)
- Approx. size of your photo
- Approx. size of your Baby Imprint tile
- All measurements in millimetres
Please note that as much as we try to match your previous frames identically, there may be slight variations to the clay tiles size, shape and appearance and selected frame colours as we are dependant on our suppliers for consistency. Our work as you know is just like art and each frame will have its own character, but we will always do our very best to give you an outcome you are happy with.
