The Luxury Photography Experience: Understanding My Session Fee

When you inquire about a session with me, I provide all the details regarding my pricing, services, and what I offer as a luxury newborn and maternity photographer. If you decide to move forward, I send a comprehensive guide—one that I have spent countless hours creating—to help you make an informed decision about choosing the right newborn photographer. This ensures that even if you choose a different photographer, you walk away with valuable insights.
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If you decide to book with me (yay!), I reserve your preferred session date—typically your due date—and send an invoice for the session fee. This fee guarantees your spot and covers the extensive preparation that goes into each session. Before your session, I invite you to my studio to see the space in person, discuss your vision, and ensure we align on creative ideas. If you're unsure of what you want, I guide you through all the possibilities. This consultation lasts about 1-2 hours, during which I provide a selection of gourmet snacks and beverages for a relaxed experience. You’ll also receive a professionally printed session guide, meticulously designed to prepare you for the process before, during, and after your session.
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Throughout the booking process, you’ll receive additional emails, including a questionnaire, contract, and helpful reminders. I remain available for any questions and encourage open communication to ensure your session is everything you envision.

What My Session Fee Covers

My session fee is not just for my time—it accounts for the luxury experience I provide from start to finish. This includes:

• Studio Preparation: Before your session, I spend approximately two hours setting up the studio, including heating the room to a cozy 80°F using multiple heaters to ensure your baby’s comfort.
• Consultation & Planning: A personalized 1-2 hour consultation where we tailor every detail of your session.
• The Session Itself: Sessions typically last 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on your baby’s needs, feeding, and the complexity of setups. Maternity sessions take approximately 2 hours, and I offer an exquisite collection of gowns sourced from world-renowned maternity designers—some valued at up to $1,000—to provide a truly stunning look.
• Comfort & Hospitality: I provide high-quality refreshments, pastries from a local bakery, and homemade treats such as cakes, cupcakes, or cookies.
• Post-Session Sneak Peek: At the end of your session, you have the opportunity to see a preview of your images on my studio’s HD TV while you feed your baby one last time before heading home.

Beyond the Session

After your session, I carefully curate and review your images, narrowing them down to the best selections—a process that takes about an hour. I then perform a soft edit, which takes an additional 1-2 hours, to ensure your images are ready for your viewing appointment.
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When it’s time to reveal your images, we schedule a private ordering session where you can relax, enjoy a slideshow, and go through your photos with me. I provide a luxurious experience with delicious refreshments, ensuring you can make your selections at your own pace. This appointment lasts 1-2 hours, allowing us to discuss prints, albums, and custom artwork.Why a Session Fee?Many wonder why photographers charge a session fee. The truth is, running a high-end photography business involves significant time, effort, and investment beyond just the session itself. The session fee covers my preparation, consultation, and session time, but it does not include images or products—these are purchased separately to ensure each client invests only in the products they truly love.The price of my products reflects not just the physical items but also:

• The hours of professional editing that go into each image
• The premium packaging and gifting experience
• The costs of running a professional business, including studio maintenance, professional editing software, electricity, and equipment upkeep

Additionally, while my studio is located in my home, my business requires dedicated space. My children share a bedroom to accommodate my studio, and as my business continues to grow, we are in the process of moving to a larger home to better serve my clients. If I were renting a commercial space, these costs would still exist, and they are factored into my pricing structure.

The Value of Luxury Photography
The session fee does not account for the thousands of dollars I have invested in high-end props, custom-designed wraps, delicate newborn outfits, and specialized equipment to create breathtaking images. While these items are reused, their initial cost is significant. Additionally, ongoing education is crucial in this industry, and I continuously invest in workshops and training to refine my craft and elevate the experience I provide to my clients.
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When you choose me as your photographer, you are not just booking a session—you are investing in a boutique, high-end experience, one that captures the beauty of your growing family in a timeless and artistic way.

I hope this provides insight into why photographers charge a session fee and how it contributes to the overall experience. If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re expecting—so congratulations! I can’t wait to create something beautiful for you.