Newbies

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Newbies F R E S H 4 8 A N D N E W B O R N P R E P G U I D E W W W D I S T A N T S E A C O N Z
is Fresh 48 all about, how
work,
do it? 2 0 2 3 / 2 4 Bringing home mini me!
and nurturing in the early weeks and capturing those precious moments..
What is a Fresh 48 Session? What
does it
and why
Bonding
CONTENT S 04 07 10 15 18 23 22 What is Fresh 48? How to choose your session Fresh 48 Prep Guide and FAQ In-home FAQ Investment Online store Maternity Sessions Contents DISTANTSEA CO NZ
All
48
03 08 10
Made with LovePrep Guide
to make the most of your session and to relieve those newbaby worries
Investment Pricing, packages and products All that you need to know to make the decisions that are right for you 1
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About Fresh
What is Fresh 48 anyway? How does it work and what is the big deal?
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Tips
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What is fresh 48 and why do it?

A new baby brings a rush of emotion. It's excitement and joy, fear and insecurity This little life is so small and fragile and is dependent on you for everything, the responsibility can feel overwhelming

One of the challenges of the early stages of parenthood is that feeling of being way out of your depth It doesn't matter how many books you read or how much good advice you ' ve been given, there is really nothing you can do to prepare for it

It's a lived experience that needs to be felt and savoured and treasured, but I know very well how hard it is to really focus on those precious moments when you have no idea what to do and you ' re completely exhausted

A Fresh 48 session takes place, as the name suggests, within the first 48 hours of your baby's arrival I can visit you in hospital to capture your first moments together or, if you are discharged quite early, then I'm very happy to come to your home.

This is one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about the Fresh 48 newborn session It really is a one-time deal a once in a lifetime - literally - that you never get back again At least not in this moment, and not for this child.

YOUR FIRST BREATH TOOK OURS AWAY

Babies change so rapidly in the first days and weeks of life. If you don't record it, you will blink and this precious stage will be gone

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How does it work?

Birth is never predictable and there's no way to know exactly how it will go, when it will happen or how long it will take When I schedule a Fresh 48 session, I will book you in for your due date and we will just keep in touch.

The first thing you need to do is arrange to contact me. It is great if you can give me a heads up that you have gone into labour so I can clear some time in my schedule straight away You can message me yourself, or you can ask your birthing partner to be in charge. Either way, the sooner you can let me know, the better.

Once your baby is born, let me know I will then arrange to see you in hospital or at home, depending on how you are feeling and where you are going to be

There's nothing you really have to 'do' in this session. It is very relaxed and beautiful Because I am a documentary

The session will involve lots of cuddles, but I am there to capture whatever is happening, so don't worry about trying to set anything up For example, I can photograph your baby's first bath, which is pretty exciting and sometimes a bit scary (though it can be more scary for you than for them!). I like to capture your baby feeding too, but that is your choice.

Your baby will, usually, be very sleepy during their first 48 hours, so it can be an ideal time for photographs However, if you would prefer to have a record of your baby at a more alert stage, then it might be best to book an in-home session for a later date. Newborn sessions can be scheduled for up to 12 weeks.

CAN I HAVE MY BABY PHOTOGRAPHED AT 6 MONTHS INSTEAD?

Absolutely! OR you can do both. I have packages il bl f lti l i ithi 12 th i d

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In-home lifestyle newborn sessions

SO, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

While the Fresh 48 session is scheduled for the first 48 hours after your baby is born, the In-home lifestyle session can be arranged for any time within the first 12 weeks of your baby's life

Both session options provide beautiful keepsake records of your baby's first days, weeks or months. It's just up to you to decide when you would rather get started.

THE TINIEST FEET MAKE THE BIGGEST FOOTPRINTS ON OUR HEARTS

What to choose?

While Fresh 48 captures the tiny wrinkles, uncut fingernails, and scrunched newborn deliciousness that only lasts for those first precious days, the in-home sessions can capture a range of different milestones that are no less significant.

Week 1-2

During this time your baby is becoming more alert and will begin to stay awake for short periods You may have more open eyes and staring than you would in the first 48 hours.

Week 2-3

The alertness continues to increase You may experience some contented gurgling sounds, more movement in arms and legs, and stronger head and neck control Your baby is becoming more observant of his/her surroundings.

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The beginnings of a smile

Week 4-5

This may be the precious time you start to experience your first smiles of recognition (not just wind!) This is such a lovely milestone for your baby to reach because their social interaction with you is really starting to blossom. They will also start to gain some control over the movement of their arms and legs, and the jerky movements will start to become less frequent You might hear some more vocalisations, too!

"A NEW BABY IS LIKE THE BEGINNING OF ALL THINGS –– WONDER, HOPE, A DREAM OF POSSIBILITIES.”

EDA J. LE SHAN

Week 6-8

Over these few weeks you will see your baby start to engage a lot more. They will try to move their head and reach for objects, and the movement of their arms and legs will become more fluid They will vocalise, and you may hear some cooing and gurgling as they experiment with their newfound ability to produce sound. They are more likely to start tracking your movements and turning their head to look for you when you are out of their field of vision

Weeks 9-12

Rolling and squealing! All those cheeky little things to look forward to. Some babies start to roll earlier than others - it's not an exact science - but you will certainly start to see some personality coming through

Your baby may start to hold his/her head up for much longer periods during tummy time, and they may be able to weight-bear when you hold them. He/she is also more likely to reach out to try and grasp objects

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Made With Love

FRESH 48 PREP GUIDE AND FAQ

I am asked lots of questions about newborn sessions, whether at hospital or in home I will try to answer a few of them here for you.

HOW MUCH NOTICE DO YOU NEED?

Not much! Babies are unpredictable, so we need to be flexible The beauty of a 48-hour window is that I can usually re-arrange my schedule within that time to make sure that I can be there

WHAT DO I WEAR?

This is entirely up to you. You have just given birth - it can be both a beautifully surreal moment and a hazardous experience! It's great to have low expectations about things going "back to normal" Your old normal is gone - a new normal is here! I suggest wearing something that's comfortable for you and something you can feed in. If you are really concerned, dark colours and loose-fitting clothes tend to be more flattering in the very early postpartum stage. The darker colours can also produce a nice backdrop for closeup images of your baby Feel free to brush your hair and put on some lipbalm, but you certainly don't have to get dressed up and perfect your eyeliner! Don't get me wrong, if you would like to wear makeup feel free, but there's absolutely no pressure. Our goal is to document the reality of this unique stage, not to put on a show. Whatever you decide, if it helps you to relax, it's a good decision

WHAT IS REAL-LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY?

You may have seen a lot of pictures of newborn babies in baskets being squished into cute little poses. That's not what I do!

My newborn photography is largely unstaged and natural My goal is to capture you and your baby, just as you are, in your own environment. Whether that is your hospital room when baby first arrives or in your loungeroom when you come home, I am looking for those real and authentic moments which will be special to you and your child forever, and which speak volumes of your love for them

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WHAT HAPPENS IF THINGS ARE DIFFICULT?

Birth is always unpredictable There's no way to know how you'll be feeling or what your baby might need until it happens. Sometimes your baby may require extra attention in hospital in those first few days. You may have had a very difficult labour and not be feeling up to doing a photo session straight away as you had previously expected

You might be having a difficult recovery, or maybe you ' ve had an emergency caesarean section and you ' re healing from surgery Whatever the case, I will work with you to make sure you are comfortable with the timing of your session If you have booked a Fresh 48 and it is just too much to manage, we can easily re-schedule for an in-home session in a few days or weeks time. There is no cost difference between the sessions, so we will just see how you are feeling when it happens and go from there

If you are in a lot of postpartum discomfort or you re struggling, you won't enjoy the experience, so it might be best to postpone.

I am a mother myself and I have experienced three Caesarean sections (one was an emergency after a long and difficult labour) The very last thing I want for any of my clients is to feel pressure to participate in something like this when they're not ready. Please talk to me if this is the case for you. You are not putting me out and I will be MORE than willing to reschedule for you at a later stage. The Fresh 48 photos are truly beautiful, but the images I will create for you in week 2 or week 6 will be precious too

NB: If you have had a Casearean, I will usually not come in during your first 24 hours so that you have a bit more time to become mobile again after your surgery. I can come in on day 2 or, if you are staying in hospital longer, day 3 or 4

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regular visiting hours, although they may make exceptions if there is a particular reason why we need to complete your shoot at a certain time.

WHAT TIME IS BEST FOR PHOTOS?

Mid-morning is usually a more settled time for newborns, so that's generally the best time But if you have other children in your family who are coming in after school to visit their new brother or sister, we can arrange an afternoon session.

ARE YOU IMMUNISED?

Yes! All my immunisations are up to date, including MMR and Pertassis I also receive an updated Flu shot every year If I am sick on the day of your session, I will not come It is simply not worth the risk to your baby to pass on any infection when we can easily re-schedule for another date. I will also be maintaining all Covid-19 protocols as currently advised. As much as it pains me not to, I also do not handle your baby during the session I will accept a return invite for a cuddle any time ;)

sometimes it takes a bit longer if your baby is particuarly unsettled

If you have other children coming in to visit, I prefer to come in before they arrive for some quiet time with just you and your new baby for at least the first 20 minutes. It is lovely to capture siblings doting on their new baby, though - it makes for some really special memories

It is a good idea to let other visitors know that you are having a photo session and to ask them to arrive afterwards. It can get very crowded in a small room with too many bodies, and it will affect the quality of your photos The purpose of this session is to capture you bonding with your baby It is fine if you would like some special people to be present, such as Aunties, Uncles or Grandparents. However, I still advise you to let them know to come later in your session or to wait outside. When you include other family members it will also reduce the number of images of just you and your baby together that I will be able to provide

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Coming home

IN-HOME NEWBORN FAQ

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IN-HOME AND HOSPITAL SESSIONS?

Other than the location, not a lot. The main reason to choose a Fresh 48 hospital session is to capture your baby straight after they are born, which is usually when you ' re in hospital A Fresh 48 session can also be done in your home if you leave hospital soon after delivery, especially if you are having a home birth. The other really special thing about an in-home session is the opportuntiy to capture your baby in your own home with your own things This is your baby's first home! Often your child may not actually grow up in the first house they ever live in, so it's a lovely way for them to have a record of their time in a special place.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Plan to allow at least an hour, usually up to 90 minutes. Often the in-home session can be a bit more relaxed because nurses and hospital staff are not coming in and out If your baby is particularly grizzly, I can give you more time to feed and settle them - it's all part of the documentary process

If you have other children who will be part of the session, I prefer to arrange some quiet time with just you and your new baby for at least the first 20 minutes It is lovely to capture siblings doting on their new baby though - it makes for some really special memories

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WHAT TIME IS BEST FOR PHOTOS?

As with hospital sessions, mid-morning is often a more settled time for newborns, so that's generally the best time But if you have other children in your family who are coming home after school to visit their new brother or sister, I can drop by for an afternoon session.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?

Nothing special! It's just the same as a hospital session Snuggle your baby, and spend time gazing into their eyes and tickling their tiny feet. If you want to give your baby a bath or change your baby, that's great too. I do like to capture feeding photos, but that is a personal preference and it's certainly not mandatory

HOW DO I PREPARE MY HOUSE?

Don't! The last thing I want is for you to stress yourself out about cleaning your house for this session The goal of my work is to show the real you in your home with your new baby I am not a realestate photographer, and I am not there to photograph your home. What's important is the connections you have to your space and any special items that you might like to showcase in your images Did Nanna knit a little hat for your baby, or did an Aunty buy a special quilt or teddy? Let's find those items and have them present for your session. It's also lovely to photograph your baby in their nursery or in their cot with their special things around them

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WHAT TO CHOOSE?

WHERE SHOULD I CHOOSE TO DO MY SESSION?

This one is such a personal choice, but it can also be impacted by your circumstances Birth is unpredictable! Even the best-laid plans can change at a moment's notice If you have booked the Fresh 48 session, we will obviously be guided by your circumstances. If you are still in hospital during that window, we will do your session in your room. If you are being sent home soon after delivery, I will come to you

WHEN DO WE CONTACT YOU?

I appreciate a message when you go into labour if (and only if!) you can manage. Sometimes labour takes hours and there's a lot of waiting around In this case, if you or your birthing partner could send me a text to let me know things are underway, that is fantastic, because it means I can prepare to clear my schedule for you. If your labour progresses rapidly, the last thing you need to be concerned about is contacting me! Focus on your baby, and contact me some time after you have met your new arrival The sooner you contact me, the better, so we can choose a time for your shoot If you are unable to contact me during the first 24 hours after delivery, that is completely fine, but it means I may not be able to fit your session within the 48-hour window. However, it's absolutely no problem to schedule your session for day 3!

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Investment

Choosing to have photographs made is an investment It's an investment of time and it's a financial investment But it's also an investment in your memories, and your child's future self will thank you for it. No one knows what curve balls life is going to throw our way, but one thing is certain: when we create images of our loved ones, they become cherished family heirlooms What is the first thing people rush to save out of a burning building (other than people and pets, of course?). It's photos. Why? Photos are our links to the people in our lives who are precious to us.

This may sound morbid, but what would it be like for your child if they suddenly lost you? What would they have of you to remember? If you choose to make these memories right from the start, they will always have a record of just how precious they are to you. In terms of worldly value, one image may be nothing more than a single digital file or a pretty piece of paper However, when you make these images, the gift you create for your child is priceless - a tangible reminder of your love.

EASY

AS 1, 2, 3!

There are only three steps with your investment process for the newborn session.

Reserve

The retainer is payable on booking and holds open a space for you around your due date or locks in your preferred in-home booking time.

Select

Select your package option All of my packages include a fixed amount of digital files, as well as print credit which can be used to purchase your choice of stunning products from my online store. The package you select is due one week before your due date or, for scheduled in-home sessions, one week before your session After you select your package, you can still choose to upgrade it before you select your products

Choose

Browse the products in my online store and use your print credit to purchase your favourite products, and download your included digital files

That's it!

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Choose Your Package

1. Reserve | 145

This is the retainer for your session and it is fixed regardless of whether you are doing a Fresh 48 or an in-home newborn session. This fee is payable upon booking 2.

Select | Choose your package and inclusions.

This is payable two weeks prior to your session or due date

Gold | 1500

All digital files

800 print credit

Silver | 990

40 digital files*

400 print credit

Bronze | 550

20 digital files*

200 print credit

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Choose | Use Your Credit

After I have sent your gallery through, you simply use your purchased credit to order your products in the online store. You can also upgrade your package, share with family and friends, or pay for additional products as you wish You have one month to go shopping!

*For the silver and bronze packages, you can choose to use your credit to purchase additional digital files. 1 | 2 | 3

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Online Store

LET'S MAKE YOUR MEMORIES COME TO LIFE

WHY SHOULD WE PRINT?

When I was a kid, we used to spend every Sunday night having dinner with my grandparents It became a ritual that we shared together - a special meal and family time. One of the things my sister and I loved the most was watching home movies projected onto the bar fridge in the games room. We begged and begged to keep watching ourselves, even though we'd seen the films a thousand times When I became a parent, I noticed the same trend My kids love hearing stories about themselves. They want you to tell them about what they were like when they were babies; they want to know about the times they can't remember. They want to see and feel and experience your love for them through these memories

The problem is, in our modern world, all of our memories are locked away on our hard drives or on our social media timelines. We only re-live them when Facebook decides to share the ' memory ' .

But why let Facebook determine how and when we share our memories? Photographs are made to be seen and shared and loved. There's not much point in making pictures if they're never going to see the light of day after that first initial post.

I have carefully curated my online store with truly beautiful products that will showcase the memories of your baby's first days or weeks for a lifetime.

All the products I select are hand-made. Yes, that's right! Nothing comes from a mass-produced factory line They are all products that are made b individual craftspeople who truly care about the way your memories are presented. Most of my products are made right here in New Zealand, so you are supporting local businesses when you purchase. A couple of my products are handmade in Italy from fabulous European materials

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HOW DO I USE MY PRINT CREDIT?

Using your package print credit is really simple. After you have chosen your package option, I will open your online store for you with your gallery and your print credit already loaded All you need to do is select the products you would like to purchase and use the print credit to buy them. If you want to buy something additional above your chosen credit amount, you will only need to pay the balance. It really is that simple!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

After you have ordered your products, I will review and check your order before it is sent to print. If you have ordered an album, I will design it and send you the album proof for approval before printing I will also send you proofs of the matted frames to make sure we get your size and mat specifications just right before printing.

Album orders can take up to two months from order to print (not including shipping time) Wall art canvases and frames are usually delivered within 23 weeks

ARE YOUR PRODUCTS GUARANTEED?

You bet! Because I stand by the quality of the workmanship in the products I offer, if your product is defective I will have it replaced for you - without charge, of course

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CHOOSE!

I am very happy to help you decide which products will be the best for your home and for preserving your memories Heirloom albums and Photo books are a wonderful way to print all the photos from your session in one place This is a very special keepsake to share with your child as they grow.

Wall prints, canvases and frames can be purchased as a single product or as a set, and are very popular Why not mix-and-match a couple of matted and unmatted prints to make a gallery? The Framed Wall Art Package offers great savings. The framed prints are all custom-made to order and come in seven different colour options to suit any decor The wooden memories box with album is a wonderful way to keep you baby's hospital bracelet, special cards, and other trinkets The box even comes with your favourite image printed on the lid.

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HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO ORDER?

I know this is a crazy time, you are living in a sleepdeprived haze, and you can't remember what day it is or when you last took a shower. Believe me, I remember what it was like!

I want you to take the time to make product selections that you are happy with and not rush into anything. At the same time, if you leave it too long other things fill out your to-do list and you quickly forget! I have clients from three years ago who have still not ordered the products from their session I don't want that to happen to you!

I don't want you to miss out on these incredibly beautiful products that you have paid for. I will send you some gentle prompting reminders to help you remember you have some decisions to make Your gallery and online store will be open for you for four weeks after your session to give you a good window of time in which you can make your selection. That should enable you to look through your gallery carefully and decide what you would like to print

I suggest sitting down together with your partner one night, or in a quiet moment when your baby has fallen asleep, and commit to making your decisions together. You won't regret it! It will be wonderful to hold your prints or your album in your hands while your baby is still a baby, to cherish those moments which have already passed, and to know that your special memories have been preserved for the future

CAN OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS PURCHASE FROM THE STORE?

Of course! You can share your gallery with your parents, your in-laws, your sister (now proud Aunty) or Great-Grandma! Anyone can make their own order using their email address, or you can place a combined order together The Heirloom Showcase Matted Print Box is a great combined option You can keep the box yourself, which doubles as a lovely standing frame, as well as some of the included matted prints. Then you can also share the other matted prints with family members The prints can be rotated on display in the box or taken out and framed individually

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WHAT ARE THE PRODUCT PRICES?

Product prices vary depending on your selections The variables include size, quantity, and print quality. The standard Lustre print finish is a stunning choice - it is made to last with vibrant colours and a beautiful matted sheen to the print, and it doesn't show fingerprints. The fine art print options are stunning, high-quality pieces that will become a focal point in your home. All of my printing is done by exclusive professional print labs

Individual matted prints start from 120 The prices below show you the price range for each individual product selection. The choice is yours.

LOOSE PRINTS From 50

MATTED PRINTS 120

LARGE FORMAT PRINTS 190+

PRINT PACK 350

MATTED FRAMES 345-1295

UN-MATTED FRAME 295-1295

FRAMED PRO-GRADE CANVAS 390-1590

HARD COVER PHOTO BOOK 495

LEGACY SHOWCASE BOX 690-1490

LEGACY SHOWCASE ALBUM 795-1695

STORY JOURNAL 40+ Pages 590+

BOXED ART ALBUM 950-1290

DIGITAL FILES (each)

50

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Maternity

Maternity Sessions

There can be a number of different reasons to choose a maternity session before your baby is born Sometimes parents want to record a special time spent with their older child(ren) to showcase the beautiful bonds that exist in the family already before a new family member arrives.

Sometimes a maternity session is a for a couple rather than a family because this baby will be the first! Maternity sessions can also be for Mum only or with someone special like Grandma-to-be Whatever you choose, this can be a lovely way to celebrate the stage of life you are currently experiencing while you are waiting for your new little blessing to arrive

The session fee of 145 holds your preferred date and time and the balance of your payment is due two weeks prior to your session.

Maternity + Newborn Package

Because it is a lovely opportunity to capture the before and after I have developed a special package option If you purchase both the cost of your Newborn session will be reduced by $150 AND you will receive an additional $50 print credit for your online store!

When you purchase the Maternity + Newborn Package both of your galleries will be linked and your print credit can be combined so you can spend it all on one purchase if you prefer*.

*The digital allocation remains on a per-session basis

Print credit can also be used to purchase digital files, you can upgrade to a higher package if you wish

Maternity Couple-Only Session | 450

45 minute session

10 digital files

100 print credit OR

Maternity Family Session | 550

90 minute sessin

10 digital files

200 print credit OR

Maternity + Newborn Session | Save 150

Reduce the price of your Newborn session by $150 if you book the Maternity + Newborn package option. Also includes an additional $50 print credit for your online store.

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WELL, I'M EXCITED!

please ask I want to make this experience as enjoyable as possible for you and to make memories you will treasure forever

distantsea.co.nz +64 21 522 998 liz@distantsea.co.nz IG: @distant.sea FB: distantsea.co.nz all images copyright @distant sea film and photography 2023
Welcoming a new baby is one of the most amazing experiences of your entire life! I am very excited to work with you - I can't wait to meet your precious new addition and to create some extra-special memories that will last for both your lifetime and theirs. If you have any questions at all,

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