There is no wrong answer here but I recommend that you wear something that you find comfortable, and that is true to yourself. If you’re not sure, I can help pick outfits ahead of time that will work well together and will look good on camera, but if your child likes to dress up and wants to wear a Superman costume, why not?! It’s who they are and these are the memories you will look back on so fondly. Otherwise try and stay away from busy prints and logos in favour of textures, if possible please avoid bright red and and bright pink as they come out too vibrant in the edit and distract from the faces. Natural tones always work well.

Of course! They are part of your family! But please let me know in advance, so I can check the location is suitable.

There are two things to consider when choosing a time: the light, and your kids! If they still have naps, then aim for a time when they would normally be up.

For at-home sessions the time of day isn’t as important. I work with natural light as much as possible so I would just try and avoid a really late session once the light has dropped, but if the weather is especially gloomy, or if a room is too dark, I do have a soft light I can use. (I avoid house ceiling lights as much as possible. Top lighting isn’t very flattering as it creates deep, harsh shadows under the eyes.)

For outdoor sessions the best lighting is when the sun is low. (Just like house ceiling lights, a noon sun isn’t the most flattering as it creates harsh shadows on people’s faces.) In the warmer months, between 8-10am and from 4pm onwards are best. Obviously these times might not work depending on your schedule or your child’s age and routine. These are just the ideal lighting options if we have a choice, but ultimately we can work with anything and find a time that works for you and your family. If you specifically want a “Golden Hour” look, let me know so I can check the times for the relevant time of year.

And don’t worry if the weather isn’t bright sunshine on the day of your session! Although sunny is what most of us consider the ideal weather, overcast sun actually creates a lovely soft light with less shadows, which is ideal for this style of photography.

My travel time is included in the session fee up to 35 miles from Pitstone, Buckinghamshire. I can travel further for an additional cost calculated at 45p per mile.

Yes, I have no age restrictions. For a newborn I would recommend your own home rather than an outdoor session. I don’t use props like baskets and outfits, I prefer to take pictures of them in your arms, in their bed, on your bed, amongst their toys, or even nursing if you’re comfortable with that. I aim to capture real life, in all its truthful and natural beauty.

If you have agreed to your pictures being used online, I will post a sneak peak on my blog, Facebook page and Instagram the next working day after your session. This way you don’t have to wait too long to see something and you can share it with friends and family!

I will then send you a temporary digital gallery for you to pick your photos: 5 images for the Starter package and 10 for the Highlights package. Once you have made your selection these are the photos I will edit properly. For The Whole Lot package I’ll just edit all the good pictures so you won’t receive this initial gallery.

I will send you the finished photos in a private digital gallery within 2 weeks of your session or receiving your selection (although it’s usually much sooner).

You can download your photos from there, as well as order prints and other products directly from your gallery (such as albums, large prints and photo gifts).

In short, no, they don’t have to. I understand that not everyone is comfortable having pictures of themselves or their children on the internet, and social media in particular. However, if you are happy for me to use your pictures online, it will help me show other families what I do, and it will help me promote my business. I never name the people in the photos, and for home shoots I never say where they took place. But don’t worry, I always check this at the time of booking so you can tell me what you’re comfortable with.

You can of course share your own pictures online yourself, I only ask that you credit Erline Clarke Photography and add a link to my website, Facebook page or Instagram.