We recently used Kat E Photography for Olivia’s studio newborn photos! She photographed Jacob as a newborn and also around the one year mark for his cake smash photos, so we had no doubt she would do an amazing job. If you are in Houston, TX and expecting a baby, you will definitely want to keep reading!
When to schedule a studio newborn session
In the past I had scheduled studio newborn sessions around the 7-10 days old mark, but this time we didn’t have these photos taken until Olivia was three weeks old. I was a little worried she wouldn’t be as cooperative since she was a little older and more alert, but I actually found it to be the opposite. She was alert in some of the photos. I loved seeing her cute expressions and big beautiful eyes. But we also got some of those sweet, sleepy newborn photos too. I was also a *bit* more rested at the three week mark than I was around one week, so I was able to enjoy the session a little more.
You can read all about the process of working with Kat E Photography on a newborn session and my personal experience at Jacob’s newborn photos here.
What to bring to a studio newborn session
- Milk for baby – whether that is in the form of mama for breastfeeding or a pre-made bottle, you are definitely going to want to be able to feed baby at some point during the shoot.
- Diapers and wipes
- Pacifier to help soothe the baby
- Any outfits you want them to be photographed in. I brought this lace outfit and angel wings (similar).
- Any special items – I brought a cross stitch with Olivia’s name that a friend made for me, my pearl necklace and Marcus and I’s wedding bands.
What to look for in a studio newborn photographer
I’ve shared in past blog posts the MANY things I like about working with Kate – you can read those posts here and here. A few highlights, though, are:
- She is very kind and incredibly patient, which is huge for working with babies and kids.
- She has a very well-stocked prop, headband and wrap closet, so you truly do not have to bring a thing.
- But she is also very open to working with outfits or items you bring in that are special to you.
- The most comforting part: Kate will not let you go wrong when it comes to props, outfits, or color scheme! She normally pre-selects a few options she know will photograph well before you come in. This makes it beyond easy for new moms and was something I really appreciated.
- Kate is a strong communicator and had a quick turnaround time on the edited images.
What’s new at Kat E Photography?
Kate is completely redoing her studio! The refresh will include new paint on the walls, new flooring and all new furniture. She talked me through her ideas for the new space – it’s going to be beautiful! Follow her on instagram to see the progress.
She will also soon be adding video to packages, which I personally cannot wait to see! There are so many sweet moments that happen during a shoot, and being able to see the smiles forming and the giggles happening in real time will be so special! Kate also plans to launch a completely online photography class that has a 1:1 call at the end to answer any questions. This way she can serve people outside of the Houston area.
Lastly, she has started a new venture in the rentals business! Elizabeth Marie Rentals rents out furniture and a Mirror Me photo booth. Keep them in mind if you have any events coming up in Houston! I think this vintage high chair would be so cute for a first birthday where your little one is going to do a cake smash!
Kate’s newborn packages and pricing
You can see Kate’s pricing guide for newborns here. Her packages start at just $275, which is very reasonable when in comes to in-studio newborn photography. The petite session is by far her most popular package. It includes a 90 minute session, 25 edited images, an online gallery and print rights.
If you take anything away from this blog post, I just encourage you to photograph your babies! Whether that is with a studio session by professional photographer, with your family in your home or with your iPhone at the hospital, don’t miss an opportunity to catch them on camera while they are this small. And if your kid is no longer a newborn and you are feeling like you missed out – DON’T! It is never too late to photograph your child and capture the sweet stage they are currently in.
This session was gifted to me in exchange for my honest opinion here on the blog. All opinions are my own.
