I am so grateful that you have chosen me to photograph you and your tribe and I cannot wait to connect with you to be part of your memory making.
If you have reached out to me to capture your portraits, it's because you love my portfolio and work. Below is some guidance to make sure that you have a collection you love, in my defined clear style. I love to photograph portraits in an organic way and nothing brings me more joy than capturing a priceless moment, beautifully. For me, photographing families is all about love and connection.
╸newborns ╸
For bespoke newborn photo shoots running up to three hours, I want you to plan to feed your little one on arrival at the studio. The perfect scenario would be that you feed them so they have a very full milk drunk belly just after arriving, then after burping, we can start straight away.
For wrapped newborn photo shoots at the studio or in home running for up to around 90 minutes, please give you little one a full feed just before you set off to the studio or the session is due to begin.
I normally start with some cuddly family portraits with them awake, then when they are sleeping later on, move on to some solo baby portraits. If they are deep sleeping on arrival, then I may reverse my flow little. Will just see how we go.
Baby outfit - Please dress them in something that is very easy to take off, think a wrap or something with snaps across. Neutral or pale colours are timeless, and generally I would avoid words splashed across the fabric. I will also use my neutral photography wraps too.
Pacifiers - Even if you don't use them, they can be the difference between achieving specific shot or not at all, so I do use them in my sessions, but I use them quite lightly. If you have one, please bring it sterilized and ready to use. They are used just to help the baby settle between poses for a short time, if the baby needs just that little extra help soothing.
Top Up Feeds - As the sessions are always baby-led and never rushed, we may need to do a top up feed. If you are bottle feeding, make sure you bring the necessary milk to do a good full top up feed (not a small snack feed), as well as maybe another feed before your drive home. Also don't forget your usual out and about baby bag items (nappy change etc).
╸ Glamour Ready ╸
It's best we optimize your time with me. So if possible, please be your version of 'glamour ready' and wearing your outfit for the start of the photo shoot. That means hair and make-up done, so all we need to do is a quick refresh (if needed) when you arrive. For kids with long hair, I recommend having it either fully or partially up. This means that even the most wild dynamic captures will still work well, because they won't have hair all over their face. Also, you won't spend a lot of energy in the session smoothing it out and trying to fix it, which can annoy them and squash all the good mood vibes!
╸ Wardrobe Guide ╸
I highly recommend a 'less is more' approach. This works best with my minimalist natural style. The most important thing though, is that you are comfortable. So please do wear an outfit that will help you all relax and ensure that you have a range of movement to play and connect with your little ones. For newborn and 100 day photo shoots, I usually prefer to use neutral onesies, diaper covers and my 4 way stretch photography wraps, so I can capture ALL those little details.
Here are a few quick tips to follow -
Do's
- Choose simple necklines, that don't flutter up and cover faces.
- Feel free to use layers & textures - they always photograph beautifully.
- Consider choosing neutral, warm, lighter, autumnal colour pallets i.e. beige, white, cream, brown, orange, red tones.
- Wear similar tones to each other, but keep in mind that you do not need to be 'matchy-matchy'.
- Make sure that finger nails are nice and clean.
- Embrace any jewelry you would like to wear.
Don't
- Wear bold colours or busy loud patterns.
- Wear clothes with words splashed across.
- Wear your watch, unless it is sentimental, as the watch face is often distracting.
- Bring an outfit that has not been tried on i.e. please make sure it actually fits, especially little ones.
╸ Little oneS ╸
I recommend making sure that any siblings at the photo shoot also have something in their belly. If possible, I like to try to schedule the photo shoot when they are not due a nap if they still enjoy a siesta, so please do connect with me on this ahead of time. Where possible we can plan the best time to schedule the photo shoot around their daily routine. If there are any motivators that may help them to enjoy the session i.e. snacks that don't leave orange food dust and stains everywhere, toys or songs, do bring them along. Please however kindly keep them hidden, until I signal that we might need them.
╸Session Flow ╸
I usually plan to start with a whole family portrait. Then move on to a range of all the family portrait combinations. I do some close ups of the baby within the family portrait flow, and then after I tend to do more dedicated solo baby captures. I will always keep the session fluid and will change things up depending on the mood and how they adjust to the space, as well as me.
I love making all my photo shoots bespoke. So please do let me know ahead of the shoot if you have any concepts, preferences and ideas in mind e.g. Do you have a portrait concept, or wall in your home that you would like to plan a portrait for in a frame? It's always a pleasure to try to tailor the session to your family where possible, though kindly note, this is not always possible for mini sessions.
╸Directions ╸
The Lullaby Images Studio is in a wonderful pocket of Hong Kong, and a little hidden. So please let me know your ETA when you set off, and also whether you will be arriving by taxi, or driving and require parking. There is village street parking available near by (note there is a small risk of a parking ticket, however so far there has only been two tickets issued within 24 months).
For full directions, with photographs, please click here!
*Kindly note that the studio is open by appointment only.
Lullaby Images' Studio, G/F, 52 Hiu Po Path, Sheung Sze Wan, Clear Water Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong
WHO IS BEHIND LULLABY IMAGES?
Hi! I'm Lu, a Hong Kong photographer specializing exclusively in newborn, baby and family portraits from my home studio in Clear Water Bay. Lullaby Images was established in 2016 and I have extensive training and experience in newborn baby posing and baby safety. With both professional and personal experience with tiny humans, baby safety and comfort is at the heart of all my photo sessions.
BOOKING ANNOUNCEMENT
I am normally fully booked 2 months in advance so if you are interested in a photoshoot, please reach out early!
I currently have bookings through until December 2024.
WAITLIST
If you have just come across my work and want to try to book a last minute shoot, I usually have a waitlist and will do what I can, where possible. Sometimes additional photo sessions are made available at the end of the month, for the following booking month. After I have updates from my confirmed clients regarding their pregnancies and birth plans, I am sometimes able to wiggle in 1-2 more sessions. If you would like to be waitlisted for these, please do get in contact.
I hate saying 'no', so please help me say it less by reaching out to talk about your newborn photography session well before your due date. I only take on a limited number of bookings a month
and many Mamas reach out to me in their first & second trimester to book in their session.