Jessica Jane Photography: Warrnambool Newborn & Family Photography
Jessica Van Den Berghe
BUSINESS: Jessica Jane Photography
LOCATION: 156 Bowen St., Camperdown, VIC 3260, Australia
PHONE: 043 9932 229
Packages
SESSION FEE: $250 (See Package Inclusions Below)
We find most clients spent around $2,000, but it can vary from $400-$6,000.
Additional products are available for purchase at your ordering session.
Prints start at $85, wall hangings start at $250 and digital collections start at $900.
1. What life experience made you become a Photographer?
When my daughter Bonnie was born, the experience of becoming a mother led me to my new career path of photography. I wanted to capture every precious moment and milestone of our baby girl.Photography now had such a deeper meaning to me. The emotion and connections captured in a single image is so incredibly powerful. Ever since I've hit the ground running.
2. What makes your service unique?
I understand how stressful it can be adjusting to life with a newborn. Sleepless nights, anxiety and exhaustion setting in. Please let me reassure you, if your baby is unsettled, or you have had sleepless nights, look at our time together as an opportunity for you to rest and relax while I take baby off your hands for a few hours.
I create a calming and relaxing environment for you and baby. Your baby's comfort is a priority. The way I work with your baby will have him/her asleep for almost the entire session!
We provide custom in-person viewing and designing sessions. Design artwork for your home 1:1 with Jess. You'll go home with exactly what you want. Ensuring perfectly sized artwork for your home's walls and to match your home decor.
We are so confident that you'll be rapt with our amazing service, that we back it with a 100% money back guarantee.
3. How did you get started and build a client base?
I first started shooting as a hobby for friends. I then started posting these images on Facebook. Before I knew it, I was receiving messages and people were wanting to book me for photography services.
I attended in-person workshops so I could master using my canon DSLR. I have undertaken countless online photography courses.
I have also attended several in-person workshops specializing in newborn photography from internationally recognised newborn photographers.
4. Describe your style.
My style is beautiful, honest, fun and timeless. I have a unique style in a sense that I cover both lifestyle and posed aspects of photography. I love both so why only choose one?
5. Do you offer posed newborn sessions? Do you bring props along?
For our in-studio sessions I provide all wraps and headbands, hats etc. This also includes props. Clients usually use the props I provide, however if you have a particular prop in mind, please get in touch and I can let you know if I can help your needs.
6. When is the best time to have a newborn session?
Most professional newborn photographers schedule sessions in the first 2 weeks of life. That means that the ideal time for a newborn session is generally when a baby is 5-12 days old. They are very sleepy at this time and still remember being curled up in the womb, so their legs tuck up underneath them very comfortably and we can pose them in all those sweet curled up poses quickly and easily.
At about two weeks old, babies go through a growth spurt where they want to feed more often and don’t fall back asleep easily and they don’t stay asleep while we pose them.
This doesn’t mean that you cannot have a newborn session if your baby is over 2 weeks old – but it does mean that you may have more images of your baby awake or you may choose a more ‘lifestyle’ session where baby isn’t being posed, e.g. being held by mum instead of in the curly, sleepy poses.
I've photographed babies at 11 weeks old and having them sleep most of the session too!
7. What should I wear to the shoot?
For at-home newborn or family photos which are typically taken in our studio, I suggest wearing no shoes and loose and comfortable clothing. Staying neutral keeps the photos simple and soft with the focus on the connection and emotion between people.
Always go for timeless clothing. In 20 years from now, will your wardrobe outdated?
If you'd like some colour, pick a palette of 3-4 colours. Let this be your starting place. Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen colour palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully.
8. Do you have props and accessories or do I have to provide them?
I provide accessories and wraps ect for in-home and in-studio sessions.
Props e.g. buckets, baskets artificial flowers etc are only provided in-studio.
9. What are your packages and its inclusives?
SESSION FEE $250
Includes:
Newborn 2-3 Hour Shoot or;
Family 1-1.5 with up to 6 people
Phone call to discuss what you would love in your session and what to wear.
- A comprehensive welcome pack sent in the post to help you to prepare
- Facebook sneak peek
- A gallery of 40 professionally edited images for you to view and purchase from at your personal reveal session.
- A 1-hour reveal & designing session where together we create wall-art and/or other products to perfectly match your home decor. Go home with exactly what you want, no more ordering the wrong size art!
- 2 x 5x7" matted prints (value $85).
The best part is you only buy what you love! You can spend as much or as little as you like. Your photos can be purchased individually or from packages.
We find most clients spent around $2,000, but it can vary from $400-$6,000. Additional products are available for purchase at your ordering session. Prints start at $85, wall hangings start at $250 and digital collections start at $900.
10. What happens if kids don’t behave on the day?
All Mums worry about this. period.
It goes like this... "Jess I'm so sorry. My kid is being the biggest pain in the rear, he/she must be the worst you've had to deal with.
It's ok if your child needs an emotional moment or wanted to do something else
It's ok if your child is exploring and running off
It's ok if your child didn't follow prompts at the exact time because they were distracted
In fact, it's my job to educate you to ensure you let you child have a little fun and explore. If we can't get them having fun or being curious, it makes it so much harder to get them to participate.
So when this happens, join in with your child and EMBRACE it!
If your child has a meltdown, let's ride it out and give them the time that they need.
Does your child have special needs? I'll work with you and your child to make the best possible experience during your time with me.
Don't let your fears stop you from capturing your family’s memory your dream of.
12. What camera do you use?
Canon Mark IV
13. What is your favourite lens?
The canon 35mm f/1.4
14. Can I book a session if my newborn has already arrived? What if they are older than the recommended days?
Yes, you can book a session if your baby has already arrived. It just might mean your baby is a little older than the optimal time that we recommend (under 14 days old).
I have ran newborn styled sessions for babies up to 11 weeks old. All babies are different and some sleep more soundly than others. Just expect the older your babies is, the more likely it is that they will be awake more in your session so there may be less posing and more of you holding baby and interacting with them.
15. Tell us about a photoshoot that you’ll never forget.
A mum had a very unsettled baby who had some feeding difficulties that were being treated. When she arrived with her baby, she soon had tears of joy as she told me it was the longest he had gone without crying.
She didn't want to leave. I was so happy this beautiful baby was comfortable if only for a short time and that mum had got a much-needed break.
16. How long before I get my photos?
Usually within 3 weeks they are ready to view.
17. What’s the best way to get in touch?
jessica@jessicajanephotography.com.au or message me on Instagram/Facebook.
18. How far ahead do I need to book?
For newborn photography, I recommend booking in as early as possible as your session is time-sensitive. Usually 3 months in advance.
19. Anything you’d like to share with us.
I can't wait to meet you and baby!
