FAQ

General FAQ

What type of photography do you offer?
I am a portrait photographer, which just means I take pictures of people!  I love all types of portrait photography but I consider my specialty to be newborn and baby photography. I also offer maternity, child, family, couple and engagement photography!

How much does a session cost?
Please refer to the Pricing Page on my site for more information.

How long does a session last?
Regular sessions are about one hour in duration. Newborn sessions are typically 2-3 hours, although they can be shorter or longer depending on the newborn. I also offer 25 minute mini sessions at least twice a year, in Spring and Fall.

What do I need to do to book a session?
Contact me through my website or via email at laurawopperer@gmail.com. I usually book newborn and maternity sessions a couple of months in advance, and all other sessions at least one month in advance, so please keep this in mind when booking a session. A deposit is required to hold your session date and will be deducted from the balance.

Where do your sessions take place?
I offer studio sessions for newborns, babies, milestone sessions, small children and maternity. All other sessions will be done at the location of your choice within the Charlotte area.

Will you do an in home newborn session?
To achieve the posed/prop style newborn photos that appear on my website I highly recommend that you come to my studio. I have everything needed in my studio for your session and much of it is difficult and time consuming to transport. Therefore, I only offer prop/posed style newborn sessions in studio. It is important to note that newborn studio sessions are very simple for parents. The only thing you have to do is sit back, relax and watch the cuteness unfold. If you are interested in a lifestyle session done in your home please contact me. I do offer in home sessions which are a more natural style of photography done without props, backgrounds and professional lighting. Instead these sessions are more casual and focused on you and your new baby in your own enviorment.

Do you travel to other locations for photography sessions?
Yes! I will travel to locations within the Charlotte area at no additional charge. Any location beyond 20 miles of my home will incur a travel fee of $75.

Are you trained in newborn photography and what safety measures do you take for your clients? 
I began working with newborns in 2011 as a hospital photographer. During that time I handled and photographed hundreds of newborns, most less than a day old, with the same standards and health regulations as the doctors and nurses. Since then, I have maintained the same vaccination requirements as the nurses that handle your baby in the hospital today. I have also been trained by three of the leading newborn photographers in the world on newborn safety and posing techniques so that I can safely pose and complete a session without any risk to your little one. I also regularly attend workshops and other continuing education courses to ensure I am learning as much as possible about safely capturing the most precious and delicate subjects. I have a dedicated studio that is outfitted just for newborns so you can have your session completed in a private and clean location. By coming to me you can take advantage of all of my props and equipment, but with the comforts of home.

What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept check (preferred), PayPal, Venmo, or credit/debit card. A deposit is required to hold your session then the balance is due at your session.

When should I schedule a Maternity session?
Maternity sessions should be completed when you are 32-34 weeks pregnant so I recommend scheduling once you are in your second trimester. Maternity sessions can be shot at the location of your choice. I’m happy to consult with you on wardrobe and also have maternity gowns available for your use if desired.

Do you have props?
Yes! I have plenty of props for pretty much all sessions. It is not necessary for you to bring anything special unless you want to. If you do want to incorporate something special, please contact me to let me know ahead of time. You can also contact me to ask me about my props if desired.

Do you have tips for what to wear to my session?
Yes, please read the What to Wear page on my site for more information.

Newborn FAQ

When do newborn sessions take place?
Newborn sessions are best done between 3-14 days old. These are done at this age for many reasons. Newborns this young are more likely to be very flexible and remain sleepy for the duration of the session. They are much more tolerant of being posed at this age. Almost all of the “sleepy newborn” shots you see here on the website were done with newborns 14 days old or younger. If your baby is older than 2 weeks, please don’t worry, we can still capture beautiful photos. It may even be possible to get the same newborn poses so even if you are late to the game please feel free to contact me, I will do my very best to accommodate you!

How do you schedule a newborn session since the actual birth date is unknown?
Once you have booked your session with me, I will use your due date to hold your session on my calendar tentatively. Once your baby is born, let me know as soon as possible (ideally within the first couple of days) and we will firm up a session date that works for both of us before the baby is 14 days old.  If you do not contact me within that first week, I cannot guarantee availability before the 2 week mark, so please contact me as soon as possible.

How long does a session last?
Newborn sessions often take a little longer than an average shoot due to the time needed to get your baby nice and sleepy. For this reason, please expect your session to last around 2 hours. I do not rush a session, I let every baby take breaks as needed to eat and cuddle if necessary but I also provide instructions that will help prepare your baby for a successful session. Baby’s comfort and safety is my number one priority.

Can I bring something special from home or prop to include in the session?
Yes! If you have something special you want to include please bring it with you. This could be something related to sports, military or your occupation. I will do my best to include anything sentimental in your photos.

Can I request certain poses or shots I’ve seen on other photography sites?
Yes, you can. I will make every attempt to get you what you want in terms of poses/themes that you like. As long as the pose can be done safely I will do my very best to accomplish it. Please also visit my Facebook page for more ideas for posing and available props: https://www.facebook.com/LauraWoppererPhotography/

Can siblings and parents be in a few shots?
Of course! I recommend that siblings join the last 30 minutes of the session. The session does last a few hours and little ones tend to get anxious while waiting in a small space. It is most ideal if dad or a grandparent brings the sibling towards the end or comes along to take the sibling(s) out to play for the majority of the session.

Is there anything important I should bring?
A “soothie” pacifier, like the kind they have in hospitals. These are GOLD in keeping your newborn asleep! Once you book, I will send you a full detailed information kit with everything you’ll need for session date.

I don’t want to use a pacifier for my newborn, will it affect my photos?
I would never complete a session doing anything that makes Mom or Dad uncomfortable. If you are completely against using a pacifier I will try my very best to pose your baby without one. However, I always try to educate my clients on the helpfulness of bringing a pacifier for your little one to use during the session. Although you may not use or need one at home, a pacifier can  be the difference between getting a baby in a certain pose or not. Newborns are more easily soothed by parents holding and cuddling them so at home it may not be a necessity day to day. Since you cannot hold or feed them continuously during our session, it is helpful for me to have some tools to use to keep your baby happy. This allows me to pose him or her more effortlessly and obtain the best possible images for you while keeping them content. If you have concerns feel free to discuss this with your pediatrician to see if they are comfortable with me using a pacifier as needed for a couple of hours.

Laura Wopperer Photography is a Charlotte Newborn Photographer and Charlotte Baby Photographer located in Charlotte NC, Dilworth NC, Myers Park NC, Southpark NC area. Laura Wopperer Photography specializes in Newborn, Baby, Maternity, Child and Family Photography. Please contact me for more information or to book a session.