Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time 

Maternity & Baby’s First Year Client Guide 

www.photographybystudioeleven.com 

216.438.0380


216.438.0380

“Displaying photos prominently in the home sends the message 

that our family and those in it are important to one another, and 

we honor the memories we have experienced…“ 

Cathy Lander-Goldberg, LCSW 

www.photographybystudioeleven.com

About 

took this of my son, 

in the 90’s 

This isn’t a hobby, it’s in my blood. I’ve been infatuated with 

photography, and computers for as long as I can remember. 

From the first time I held my dad's Minolta in the late eighties, I 

was hooked. In high school, I was the yearbook photographer. 

In my junior year of high school I worked as a photographers 

assistant at Olan Mills where I worked for a few months before 

accepting a position at Expressly Portraits where I photographed 

with a Mamyia RB67, processed negatives and developed 

enlargements, I was promoted several times, eventually 

becoming Studio Manager. Additionally, I started assisting as a 

second shooter after training with Jerry Clay, an award winning 

wedding photographer in Northeast Ohio in the late 1990’s and 

had the privilege of photographing commercials events for the 

Cleveland State Convocation Center. My photography has 

been published, most notably for an image of the “Artist”. 

Fast forward well over a decade. I have always been the 

photographer in the family. I always had a camera in hand, 

always. Photography has always been the constant in my life. 

Here I am today, still passionate about people and my craft. It’s 

been a gift to capture a newborn’s portraits and take his senior 

portraits years later. 

When I am not behind the camera you will find me out and 

about in CLE with my husband and two children. 


Location, Location, Location 

Popular Locations* 

Coe Lake 

Berea 

David Fortier Park 

Olmsted Falls 

Frostville 

North Olmsted 

Rocky River Beach 

Rocky River 

Edgewater Park 

Cleveland 

Wade Oval, University Circle 

Cleveland 

Mentor Headlands/Marsh 

Mentor 

Cleveland Public Library, Main 

Cleveland 

Brecksville Reservation 

Brecksville 

Horseshoe Lake Park 

Shake Heights 

Brandywine Falls 

Sagamore Township 

Prayers From Maria Sunflower Field 

Avon 

Squire’s Castle 

Willoughby Hills 

Holden Arboretum 

Kirtland 

Rockefeller Park Greenhouse and Botanical Gardens 

Cleveland 

Stan Hywet Hall 

Akron 

The Arcade/East 4th 

Cleveland 

Crocker Park 

Westlake 

Huntington Beach 

Bay Village 

The Conrad Bottom Farmstead 

Akron 

*some venues may require a permit, reservation or additional 

fee not included with session fee 



“I don’t like the way I look…” 

radiant 

With my first child I was in my twenties, and I had maternity pictures taken. 

Unfortunately, sixteen years later my pride got in the way and I refused to have 

pictures taken. While friends and family took pictures at the shower, it’s not the same 

and I regret that decision. I was not alone. There are lots of expectant mothers that 

cringe at the idea of maternity photography. Let’s face it, pregnant mommies are 

nervous about the thought of a photo shoot featuring their changing bodies at a time 

when they don’t always feel their best. This is exactly why you should embrace the 

change and use the pregnancy “glow”to your advantage. 

beautiful 

With a little preparation and a photographer you trust, you will not only enjoy the 

process, but be incredibly thankful that you took the time to document the 

beginning of your new baby’s story! 

Most importantly, think about how priceless these photos will be to your child one 

day… What better reason can there be? 

strength

When to schedule your maternity session: 

For most mamas, anywhere between 32-36 weeks is ideal. The goal is a nice round belly while you are still feeling great 

and not too swollen or uncomfortable. However, listen to your body! Everyone carries differently and you should schedule 

accordingly. Moms of multiples will typically schedule their session a few weeks earlier. 

What to wear: 

The cardinal rule is to wear clothing that makes you feel beautiful. If you feel confident, that will shine through in your 

photos. Start with good undergarments! A well-fitted bra and supportive maternity shape-wear will make anything you 

wear look better. Solid colors, maxi dresses, and open necklines are universally flattering. Make sure that you choose 

fabrics and silhouettes that hug your curves and show off the belly. A thin belt just under the bust can give shape to looser 

dresses or shirts. Layers like scarves, cardigans, and jackets along with accessories can change up your look without the 

need for changing your outfit. Don’t forget to look for your session outfits in the “regular” sections of stores, too! There 

are beautiful dresses with high waistlines that look amazing on pregnant women. 

The details: 

I always recommend that you hire a professional for makeup and hair the day of the shoot. A great makeup artist knows 

what products to use for camera and can do any look you choose from completely natural to more dramatic. A photo 

session is a fabulous “excuse” to pamper yourself! Don’t choose a look that is drastically different than normal. You want 

to feel like yourself, only more polished. Treat yourself to a manicure a day or two before your shoot. Your hands will be 

featured prominently in many of the photos. A simple buff or clear polish will give you the most timeless look. At the very 

least, make sure nails are clean and trimmed! This goes for partners, siblings, and anyone else that will be in the photos 

with you. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your shoot and avoid excess salt for glowing skin and to avoid 

swelling. If you will be taking any bare-belly shots, remove or loosen anything binding (socks, underwear, elastic bands) a 

couple of hours before to avoid indentations on your skin. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a snack for yourself if you 

will be shooting on location. It’s always nice to take a break and recharge- believe it or not, modeling can be hard work 

(especially while pregnant)! 

Location: 

Decide where you would like for the session to take place. Many clients choose locations that have meaning to them- their 

home, a family farm, the place they got engaged or married, or a favorite park, for example. You can also give your 

photographer an idea of what kind of feeling you’d like in the photos- urban/edgy, pastoral/romantic, etc. and have them 

help you choose a location from there. You should also consider the time of day- typically the most flattering light is just 

after sunrise and just before sunset, although different locations will have great light at different parts of the day. Your 

photographer can let you know the best time of day to shoot for the best light at your chosen location. If you’ve chosen a 

location that requires a permit or fee, make sure that is taken care of well in advance of the session day. 

Partners, Siblings and Pets: 

Although some women are more relaxed being the only subject at their maternity session, many expectant mamas want to 

include their partner, other children, or even their pets. Personally, I think including people and pets you love is a 

wonderful thing for your portraits! Partners and siblings should take their clothing cues from mom- staying in the same 

range of tones photographs well (neutrals, pastels, darker tones), but matching outfits tends to look very dated. If you are 

including siblings and/or pets, it’s often a good idea to take photographs with them first (while they are “fresh” and most 

excited), then have a grandparent or friend pick them up so you can relax and finish the shoot with your partner or alone. 

Final thoughts: 

Relax! Your maternity session should be a lot of FUN. Hopefully you’ve chosen a photographer whose work you absolutely 

love- trust their artistic vision and don’t be afraid to try new things even if they sound a little crazy at first. You might be 

surprised at how amazing the light is in that “ugly” location or how lovely your reflection looks in the water or how 

beautifully your bump echoes the round hay bale you’re draped across. However, you should always feel 100% 

comfortable, it’s always okay to say no, your comfort and safety should be to priority.

Newborn photography is incredibly challenging, but it’s so amazing to be a part of baby’s life when they are just days old. 

There’s a bit of prep and planning that needs to go into these sessions to make them more successful though. We’ve compiled 

a few tips below to help us get the very best out of your upcoming newborn session. 

LET’S PENCIL YOU IN! 

We recommend that you schedule your newborn session PRIOR to your baby’s birth to ensure a spot on our calendar. Contact 

us during your second trimester and we’ll pencil you in. 

Then, shoot us an email soon after you deliver so we can arrange a time for the session. 

(And we always feel super special when dad’s put us on the official “baby is here!” call list!) 

BIRTH DAY! 

Newborn sessions MUST be scheduled within the first 10 days of life. However, the BEST time is between 3-7 days after their 

arrival. We’ll be moving them around and scrunching them into those sweet sleepy newborn images, so we want to make sure 

they’re sleepy enough to allow us to handle them. 

Plus, babies just tend to do a lot better with the session within their first 7 days. 

Somewhere around day 8 they discover the joy that is stretching! Once that happens…they’re not about to let us get them into 

those curly poses without a fight! After day 10, it’s almost impossible to get baby into that deep sleep that came so easily in 

their first few days…so it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to get them into any of the more bendy newborn poses. Keep in mind that 

newborn acne (and sometimes colic) is likely to flare up after day 14. While we can easily edit problem areas, we prefer to do as 

little retouching as possible to baby’s skin. 

WHERE? 

Newborn sessions can take place in your home or in-studio. If the weather is warm enough and you’re comfortable with the 

idea, we can take the session outdoors. (Baby being all pose-y and cute in a big, open field or at the base of an old tree? 

SWOON!). Worried because your house is a mess? Don’t even stress out! You just had a BABY! If you didn’t have dishes piled in 

the sink, dirty clothes and baby items strewn all about, we’d think you were weird. Clutter is definitely expected! We’ve shot inhome 

sessions in the middle of moving in/renovating and in some very tiny spaces…and rocked them! We really don’t need 

much space and can shoot around any problem areasWe’ll also probably be moving furniture around if we need to make room 

for ourselves, but don’t worry – we’ll put it all back when we’re through!

LOVELY LIGHT 

We ask that you open all of the blinds and curtains in your home prior to our arrival. This enables us to find the best source of 

natural light in your home, so that we can set up our “mini studio” in the best possible location. Nothing flatters like natural 

light, so we prefer to use it whenever possible. 

For this reason, sessions are normally done mid-morning to late-afternoon when window lighting is as its best. 

When we arrive, we’ll walk through your home looking for the best light and that is where we’ll do a majority of the shoot. 

Sometimes the best location ends up being a foyer, by the backdoor or kitchen…usually wherever there is a large window. 

We’ll also bring additional lighting equipment to help out when needed. 

CRANK THE HEAT 

We recommend that you keep your home a bit warmer than normal during the session. (Like a toasty 80 degrees or so.) 

Newborns are used to being all bundled up, warm + cozy…and then we come in and yank off all their clothes for those 

adorable naked baby shots. They tend not to like that too much! 

Pushing up the thermostat is guaranteed to make the session flow more smoothly and help them sleep better. We may be 

sweating, but baby will be nice and warm…and that’s really all that matters! 

Crank the heat 30 minutes before our session to ensure that it’s warm enough in time for the clothes yanking…and we’ll bring 

along a space heater to help keep baby in a steady warmth. 

Bonus points if you’re willing to make a few back and forth trips to the dryer to keep baby’s blankets warm! They love that! 

LOOSEN UP 

Please loosen your baby’s diaper and clothing at least 30 minutes before the session. This gives those little imprint marks time 

to disappear. (You baby will be naked in most of the shots, but we pose them so that all the “important bits” are not on display.) 

SLEEPY 

Most of the images we’ll be shooting work best if the baby is in a deep sleep. To encourage this, we recommend that you do 

whatever it takes to make sure baby is nice and exhausted. Keeping your little one awake on top of your own sleep deprivation 

might feel like torture, but we think it will be worth it in the end! 

HUNGRY 

A well fed baby is a happy baby! Please feed and burp baby right before our session to ensure a happy, sleepy (“milk drunk”) 

baby. We’ll also be more than happy to take as many breaks as needed to help him/her re-fuel. It’s tough work being a model! 

VOLUME CONTROL 

Please do whatever you can to keep the noise level to a minimum during our session. If you have other children that might 

create noise, try to find a sitter or family member to take them away from the home for a few hours. If you have a noisy pet, you 

may want to do the same. We’ll bring a white noise machine, but it doesn’t always block out tantrums and playtime. 

If you have children and would like them to be included in some photos, we recommend bringing them in at the beginning or 

end of a session and then having someone take them. Only those being photographed should be present to help maintain a 

calm environment. 

PATIENCE IS KEY 

Newborn sessions can last anywhere from 2-4 hours. It all depends on baby’s mood and willingness to sleep. Unfortunately… 

this isn’t something we can predict! We ask that everyone remain calm, should he/she not want to sleep, since your baby will 

pick up on any frustration in the room. And if sleep doesn’t happen, that’s okay! Wide-eyed newborn photos are beautiful too.

RELAX 

Let me say it again… Relax! 

We’re pretty comfortable holding and posing newborns. (Ashley has several years of experience working with special needs 

babies + toddlers and nanny-ing kids of all ages.) Your baby is in safe hands, we promise! 

So yes! Feel free to rest and leave the room for a bit if you’d like. We’ve had parents who’ve used this time to take a nap, 

shower…and even run out for a quick dinner. All totally acceptable to us! If we have a question or need you for feeding, we’ll 

come and track you down. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED THAT: RELAX! 

Moms tend to stress out because this is a new experience…and they aren’t used to the waiting game that is newborn 

photography. They see their baby being fussy or having a difficult time getting settled and panic. 

“This is a disaster! They aren’t going to get ANY good photos…” It isn’t, and we will! 

We take the baby’s lead; getting them to sleep before posing takes time and they may need to be fed or cuddled a few 

times first. In fact, we’d say that a good 50% of your session will involve feeding, diaper changes, and cuddling to get baby 

comfortable. If that doesn’t work, we’ll take a break or we’ll work with what baby is giving us. Sometimes that best photos 

happen when baby isn’t doesn’t what we want. 

Just remember: Babies can sense stress and anxiety (especially from their mommy’s!) It’s super important that EVERYONE 

remain calm and relaxed during this session. Keeping the environment as mellow as possible is pretty much the only way 

we’re going to get the shots we’re looking for. 

POOP HAPPENS 

Your baby is going to be in the buff for the majority of this shoot. Please don’t panic if your baby decides to use our blankets 

(or us) as his/her own personal potty. This is natural and we expect it! Please don’t feel embarrassed or worry when this 

happens, because they all do it. We wash all of our baby props and blankets between each session with non-scented baby 

detergent. It would definitely be helpful if you had a stack of old towels, extra wipes and blankets available for when things 

get messy though. 

*If you would like shots in a diaper, it’s a good idea to have a cloth diaper, diaper cover in a solid color, bloomers, or 

something to put over the diaper. Diapers on their own tend to look a little messy and distracting in photos, but throwing a 

cover over it cleans things up.

PROPS 

We have a collection of bowls, baskets, blankets, knit hats and headbands that we’ll be bringing to your session. You are also, 

of course, welcome to use any of your own props. Looks for items with texture and color to help make your images unique. 

If you have any family heirlooms, toys, hats, props, etc. that you would like me to use in your session, please gather them 

before we arrive. We may not get the chance to use ALL of the items, but we’ll look through them with you to determine what 

will work best. (We also STRONGLY recommend that you discuss any ideas, props or poses you have in mind at least a week prior to your session) 

We start planning out your session weeks in advance, so dropping a huge idea on us mid-session (that requires an unavailable 

prop) can cause stress on everyone! So talk to us early on and let us know what you have in mind! 

THE NOSE KNOWS 

As a mother, your smell is so recognizable to your baby, that it may be necessary for mom to step out of the room for a portion 

of the session. This is not meant to hurt your feelings, only to allow us to help the get baby thinking sweet, sleepy thoughts… 

instead of “where’s my milk?!” 

SPEAK UP 

Your baby’s safety comes first! If there is ever a point where you become uncomfortable, just let us know! We take every 

measure to ensure that your baby is never in any danger. For that reason, we will always make sure that a parent or assistant is 

nearby to lend support if needed. 

BUT WHAT DO “I” WEAR? 

I know! You just had a baby and aren’t feeling your best. But we think this is the perfect time to pamper yourself! 

Go have your hair + makeup done (or better yet, have someone come to you!), schedule a massage or have your nails done. 

Looking super relaxed and at your best will make you feel more comfortable during the session. This is an exciting time in your 

life and we want to capture all of that…so take care of yourself first! And feel free to tell your husbands that we’re making you if 

they need a little convincing! As far as clothing? Keep it simple. Throw in a little color if you’d like, but skip the busy patterns. 

(And please don’t feel the need to match everyone in white shirts and jeans – there’s simple…and then there’s boring!) 

For moms, we suggest cotton knit camis and knit tops. We’re also big fans of skin-on-skin portraits with you holding your baby 

against you. They’re so simple + timeless! So if you want some portraits like this with your newborn, consider a strapless top or 

tank as an alternative. 

FOR THE MEN 

Your hands, and possibly even your feet, will play a major role in this session, so it’s important that you tend to them too! 

Even if you aren’t planning on participating much in the session, you’ll still be handling your baby a bit, so it’s a good idea to 

touch up on your grooming. Trim and tidy your nails and apply lotion to any dry skin. (It also never hurts to dab a little 

moisturizer on your face to help you look more refreshed. Those late nights can take a toll on your skin!) 

A little clothing advice? Long or short sleeved knits are best. (Make sure there isn’t too much bagginess in the sleeve.) 

Undershirts also work well. We suggest you NOT wear button down shorts, and make sure your t-shirts are free of logos or too 

much writing.*Wrinkles do show up in photos, so please make sure all clothing is ironed or steamed. The retouching involved is 

extensive and will incur an extra fee. 

MAKE THE BED 

Is there anything more simple + gorgeous than a new family cuddled up in bed together? The answer is no! 

So we might suggest that we move the session to your bedroom at some point. If that’s something that appeals to you, a few 

tips: 

1. Make the bed, just this once. 

2. A solid blanket/comforter (or something that isn’t TOO busy is best.) 

3.We highly recommend white to light cream bedding to keep things light and airy. (And are more than happy to bring some 

along if needed!

eal tips from real moms… 

“You are not selfish for wanting to brush your teeth and take a hot shower alone.” 

“Take all the pictures you can! Even if you're in your pj's, your hair is a mess, no make-up, 

whatever. Take pictures when they're happy, when they're mad (it's actually pretty fun), when 

“Ask for help.” 

they're sleeping, when they're playing, with every family member, every holiday. It goes so 

fast and there's so many little things it's easy to forget.“ 

“Make sure u make mommy and daddy time!!” 

“Find a really good support system 

with other mommies, where you can 

share your struggles and ask for help.” 

“You are going to make mistakes and yes, that sweet baby will 

make mistakes as he or she grows up. Be forgiving to both of 

you. Let them know you still love them no matter what.” 

“You wont break your baby! Don't make your house super quiet so they get used 

to noise and are good sleepers. Other parents who look perfect are faking it.” 

“Trust your own instincts.” 

“You can not spoil a baby. 

You can't hold them too much 

Don't think you have to follow 

"the norm", every baby is 

different. Follow their cues.” 

“If it's a boy child, point it DOWN 

when changing the diaper.” 

“Do what's best for your child not what other people tell you what works for one 

parent or child may not work for the other, sleep when you can, use nap time to 

either you nap or get things done around the house, and most of all make sure 

you and your husband are still there for each other and loving each other 

because you get so busy with your little one that you also need you and hubby 

time! And take lots of picture of that kid you'll capture cute, funny, sad moment.” 

“You and your significant other will do things differently… One way 

isn't better, just different! It's okay to do things a little differently!!!” 

“Do what's best for your child not what other people tell you what works for one parent or child may not work for the 

other, sleep when you can, use nap time to either you nap or get things done around the house, and most of all make 

sure you and your husband are still there for each other and loving each other because you get so busy with your little 

one that you also need you and hubby time! And take lots of picture of that kid you'll capture cute, funny, sad moment.” 

“Routine and consistency are HUGE!! 

Even from the very beginning.” 

“You are going to make mistakes and yes, that 

sweet baby will make mistakes as he or she 

grows up. Be forgiving to both of you. Let them 

know you still love them no matter what.” 

“All the feelings of being over whelmed and second guessing every 

decision you make are normal. Don't let what others say bring you 

down, you know what's best for you and baby!!!!! Enjoy every 

second, one day you'll miss being up all night and all the crying!!” 

“ALWAYS carry extra clothes for you and baby. ALWAYS. lol” 

“When people offer help, take it. It's okay to feel overwhelmed the first 

couple weeks because they are the hardest but it gets better. You don't 

have to listen to everyone, Do what you think is best because your the 

parents. Once you have done everything in your power to get the baby 

to stop crying but They haven't stopped, it's 2am, you have had no 

sleep and are just at the breaking point where you are crying along with 

your baby (personal experience lol) it's okay to put them in safe place 

and let them calm themselves or for you to take a minute to breathe. 

You will be fine, it's hard but well worth it.” 

“Our Snuza and 360 cups spared my sanity (and our carpet)!” 

If you feel like something is wrong, don't be afraid to 

actively seek a second opinion. Our first pediatrician 

told me my 3 month old just had reflux. That diagnosis 

did not settle well with me....I knew something wasn't 

right. Went for second opinion and found a new 

pediatrician. She was diagnosed with whooping cough! 

Trust your gut. 85% of the time....you are right!!!

Investment & Savings Opportunities 

Individual Sessions Watch Me Grow Tiny Toes Oh Baby! 

Length of Session 

60 Minutes 

30 Minutes (except 

Newborn & 1st Birthday) 

60 Minutes 60 Minutes 

Maternity 

$150 yes yes 

Newborn 

$200 yes yes yes 

3 Month 

Milestone 

6 Month 

Milestone 

9 Month 

Milestone 

1 st Birthday & 

Cake Smash 

(includes cake) 

Gift Prints, 

Enlargements, 

Digital FIles 

$125 yes yes 


$125 yes yes 


a La Carte 

(3) digital files from each 

session with print release 

(6) digital files from each 

session with print release 

all digital files from 

each session, and (1) 

Mini Accordion 

Value $737.50 $1130 $2530 

Savings $38.50 $135 $330 

Investment $699 $995 $2200 

50% due upon signing 

up, then (4) monthly 

payments of $87.38 

automatically billed to 

credit card. Sessions 

are for (1) infant 

(parents permitted in 

newborn session 

pictures) for time 

period of 13 months 

from birth. 








maternity & newborn 

session pictures) for 

time period of 13 

months from birth. 








maternity & newborn 

session pictures) for 

time period of 13 

months from birth. 


Smash & Splash 

Turning 

ONE 

has never 

been so 

fun! 


Dress My Walls 

Canvas Collections 

Collection One 

Quantity Canvas Size Overall Dimension of Collection 

Nine 10”x10” 36”x36” 

Images are printed on an 10" x 10" premier art canvas substrate and professionally 

wrapped around a 1.5" thick wooden stretcher frame. This canvas gallery wrap 

arrives as a finished product ready to hang. 

Investment* $795 

Collection Two 


Two 

Two 

16x20 

11x14 

52”x25” 

Images are printed on 16" x 20”, 11”x14” premier art canvas substrate and 

professionally wrapped around a 1.5" thick wooden stretcher frame. This canvas 

gallery wrap arrives as a finished product ready to hang. 


Collection Three 


Three 16x20 54”x20” 

Images are printed on 16" x 20” premier art canvas substrate and professionally 

wrapped around a 1.5" thick wooden stretcher frame. This canvas gallery wrap 

arrives as a finished product ready to hang. 



*Prices, fees, and package inclusions are non-negotiable and are subject to change.

a La Carte Overview 

Prints | Canvas | Metal Prints | Cards | Books 

Product 

Price* 

Set of Eight Mini Wallets (must be of same pose) 7 

Set of Four Die-Cut Wallets (must be same pose per set of four) 7 

3.5 x 5 6 

4 x 6 7 

5 x 5 7 

8 x 8 10 

8 x 10 10 

10 x 10 16 

10 x 13 19 

12 x 12 21 

11 x 14 25 

16 x 20 52 

20 x 20 58 

24 x 36 139 

30 x 30 145 

30 x 40 193 

1.5 Thick Canvas Wrap starting at 92 

2.5 Inch Premium Canvas Wrap starting at 125 

Metal Prints starting at 26 

Luxe Metal Prints starting at 60 

Flat Greeting Cards (25) starting at 28 

Folded Greeting Cards (25) starting at 42 

Photobook starting at 59 

Leather Bound Signature Album starting at 199 

(1) Digital Download with Print Release 20 

(5) Digital Downloads with Print Release 88 



Complete Gallery with Print Release 200 



What to Order 

Enlargements & Gift Prints 

Who? 

wallet 

/image # 

Display Print 

{5x7, etc} 

/image # 

8x10 

/image# 

11x14 

/image# 

16x20 

/image# 

Photobook 

(i.e. Mom) 6 10 



Service(s) 

Contact Information 

Infant Water Self-Rescue 

Training 

www.littleaquanauts.com 

Delicious Custom Cakes 

& Cupcakes! 

www.threegirlscupcakeshoppe.com 

Personalized Gifts & 

Accessories 

can be found on etsy 

Exceptional Travel Services 

Babymoon 

Family Vacation 

Romantic Getaway 

www.destinationsbyolga.com

Congratulations!

Once Upon a Time

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