“Where are you located?”
Tiffany Walensky Photography is located in Wesley Chapel, FL, which is in Pasco County just north of Tampa. Service area includes all of Tampa Bay, (Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties) including but not limited to Land O Lakes, Lutz, Citrus Park, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Spring Hill, Dade City, Zephyrhills, Odessa, Westchase, Brandon, Valrico, Plant City, Riverview, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, and more.
“When should I schedule my session?”
The sooner the better. Maternity sessions take place at 30-36 weeks, so it is best to schedule while in the early part of your second trimester. I can sometimes accommodate on short notice, so it never hurts to check availability. Priority is always given to newborn sessions, so it is more likely I would have to turn down a maternity session or other type of session if it is not scheduled in advance.
Newborn sessions should be scheduled before the baby arrives to ensure I have availability before the baby is 2 weeks old. The best time to capture a posed newborn session is between 6 and 14 days old. The calendar does often fill up in advance so please contact us as early as possible. If your baby has already arrived, or arrived prematurely, I may still be able to fit you in if you contact me right away. Lifestyle newborn sessions have more flexibility, and can take place up to 3 or 4 weeks old if needed.
Baby milestones sessions can be captured any time between 4 and 12 months, and some good milestones to photograph are tummy time sessions (around 4 months), sitting up sessions (6-7 months) and first birthday sessions.
“How long does the session last?”
Maternity and family sessions typically last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. Studio newborn sessions typically last 2-4 hours while lifestyle newborn sessions are usually closer to 1-2 hours. I don’t set time limits for sessions, and will shoot either until it is dark (for outdoor sessions), or until we get all the images we need. The length of the session will depend on a few factors including location (amount of walking involved), outfit changes, and how well the children/newborn cooperates. It is perfectly fine to take breaks as needed.
“How many images will I receive?”
That’s entirely up to you! After the session, you will be sent a link to view a soft proofing gallery of 75+ images (not fully retouched). You can choose the images you like best, and purchase however many you like – as long as it meets the minimum requirement. See pricing for minimum purchase requirements.
“Are props included?”
I provide everything needed for your newborn portrait session, and most everything you see in the portfolio is available for use. Your newborn session can be full of props, or you can elect a more timeless session with minimal props.
For maternity sessions, I do not generally include props but you are welcome to bring something personal if you’d like, such as an ultrasound picture or baby shoes. I do have over 50 maternity gowns available for use (no charge to use them).
Baby milestone sessions (tummy time and sitting up) are also done with minimal props, but if you have something in mind I am always open to ideas.
For first birthday sessions, I have a few ‘first birthday’ themed props (large ‘hot air balloon’ basket, large standing number ‘1’, cursive ‘one’ letters, large standing chalkboard with birthday stats, little crates or a chair to sit on, and a few cake stands to choose from). I do not provide outfits, decor (such as balloons/banners/pom-poms) or the cake itself. You are welcome to bring a cake and any cake smash background decor you would like to use. Cake smashes can take place in the studio or outdoors, but if you are including family portraits then the session will take place outdoors.
“What should we wear?”
This will vary from family to family and by session type. For newborn sessions, plan for one outfit for the family that is solid, soft, neutral colors such as white, ivory, brown, gray, blue, peach, or tan/khaki. Black is okay too although I think lighter colors look better with newborns. You don’t have to all wear the same exact color, just colors that look nice together.
For maternity sessions, plan for one or two outfits total for outdoor sessions (3-4 if in studio). I have over 50 maternity gowns to choose from (no charge to use) or you can bring something of your own. More details are provided after you book your session.
Family sessions should choose 2-3 colors that coordinate and mix and match them. This looks better outdoors than having everyone wear the same color.
You can also view my Pinterest boards for ideas.
“Can my spouse/other children/dog be included?”
Spouses and/or other children are welcome and encouraged to be included in sessions.
For newborn sessions, the focus will be mainly on the newborn unless you choose a lifestyle session. A few family/sibling pictures can be included in a studio newborn session, but I do ask that the sibling(s) be brought to the session separately for their pictures if possible. Since the session is 2-4 hours, I ask that older children not stay the full time, as it can hinder my ability to provide amazing images of your new baby. If you are more interested in images of the family as a whole, or siblings, a lifestyle newborn session would be a better idea than a posed studio newborn session. Lifestyle sessions focus more on the family, and less on the baby by themself.
Sorry, pets are not allowed in the studio. If you’d like to include your furry child, a lifestyle session in your home is recommended.
“Will you come to our home for the session?” / “What is the difference between studio and lifestyle newborn photography?”
In home photography sessions are available for those looking for a more natural and less posed look. These are typically called ‘lifestyle‘ sessions. I am more than happy to offer these sessions. For newborn sessions, this means non-posed and prop-free baby pictures with a focus on the whole family. If you are interested in a posed newborn session with or without props, I do ask that you come to the studio for the session. I use very large studio lighting, backdrops, and props that do not easily travel. Examples of both types of newborn sessions are available to view in our portfolio.
“Will you provide location suggestions for our maternity session?”
Absolutely! I have many beautiful locations I use on a regular basis, and once I find out more about the kind of look you want, I will provide a great recommendation.
“How would you describe your style?”
My style is fun, colorful, modern, a bit whimsical, but also timeless. While I love an occasional bold black and white image, most of my pictures will be full of rich colors. I use careful consideration for posing, angles, and lighting. I give a lot of direction, which most clients find helpful since many people feel awkward in front of the camera. My editing techniques are bold and clean. I provide as much or as little retouching as you would like.
“Why is custom photography so expensive?”
Custom photography may seem expensive to someone that is used to high volume photography companies. The truth is, these companies make their profit by charging cheap prices and turning over as many people as they can each day.
Instead of photographing dozens of families in one day, I photograph 8-12 families per month. This ensures I have all the time needed to give you an experience that is more enjoyable from start to finish. Yes, this means you are paying more for a top of the line experience. It’s not just about the product (which is ultimately better), but also the experience, the atmosphere, the service. Sessions are customized completely for you. We will work together (even meeting in person beforehand if you’d like) and I will provide suggestions for a location, your outfits, and the photography products that work best for your family. You will never be left waiting or rushed. I spend as much time during your session as needed to get the very best images of your family. After that, I spend even longer retouching your images so they will look their very best when displayed.
Contact me today to start planning the photography session that is perfect for your family.
