What is an in-home lifestyle newborn photography session besides a ton of words put together?!?!

Well, they are very easy for you as parents, first off. A newborn photo session in your home, in London, in England or anywhere means, the photographer comes to you. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home. That means you don’t have to pack up a newborn, pack up the clothing you want, pack up a diaper bag, pack up whatever it is you want to bring with you when you leave the house. It also means that you can be at home, the backdrop of your photos will be where you live; where you brought your newborn for their first time; where the nursery is; and where you will make most of your newborn memories.

A lifestyle session is done with natural light. All I need is a window (and they are better if they’re dirty.) So, don’t go around cleaning everything - leave it as it is. The only space that needs to be clean and clear is where I decide to place your newborn. We figure that out when I arrive and then we can just move things around.

I recommend preparing for your prior to baby’s arrival. It’s a good idea to start collecting anything you want photographed and putting it aside. Find a drawer or a corner or a basket and just put your favorite blankets or outfits there when you think of them. That way, after baby comes home, that is one less thing you have to remember to do.

lifestyle photography newborn session London

During an in-home newborn session, I will photograph all of your baby’s tiny features - eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands, toes and baby wrinkles. Some of the photos I like to leave as is - flaky skin, baby acne, whatever is there - because they are still part of your memory bank. A newborn session is best completed within the first 10 days of life because many of those real life baby features haven’t started yet. However, if they have begun, I will leave it in for some photos and edit it out for others.

If you want photos of you and your baby, siblings or grandparents - they are included in these sessions as well (if you want them.) I’m also happy to take photos of you breastfeeding your new son or daughter - but only if you are comfortable. I thoroughly enjoy these in-home sessions for new parents because they are relaxing for you; but not everyone wants them. If a lifestyle session is your dream newborn photography session, don’t worry, I do studio photography as well. So, if you are preparing to welcome a new person into the world, contact me to discuss which newborn photography package best suits your family.

In today’s post I wanted to help answer a question for you - “What is a day of coordinator and what makes them different from a planner?” I thought Occasion Queens was perfect to help with this because it is their specialty! Plus, their owner/founder has the last name Beer, so I felt like we were a London wedding vendor match made in heaven. Nina was incredibly easy to reach out to and I am looking forward to meeting her in person soon.

At first glance for OQ’s service, they have a few different regions they work in - Costwold, Surrey and Essex for wedding coordination. However, Nina also provides services to consultancy to venues who are either just starting out or are having trouble reaching their ideal clients. How cool! I love that she uses her knowledge in wedding coordination to help other wedding vendors do better. In the wedding industry who better to help each other than other industry professionals. If anyone has any questions for Nina, please comment on the blog post and I will make sure she answers your questions.

Nina Beer, Occasion Queens — “OQ’s success is down to having honed a service that covers exactly what couples need to have the best day possible and being the first company to truly specialize in that.”

Nina Beers, Founder

When did you begin working in the wedding industry?

I’ve started Occasion Queens coming up to 4 years ago now! It’s been a very quick 4 years that’s for sure! I have been working in the events industry though for the last 17 years so have seen and done it all.

What are some things you do that keep you interested, inspired and current on the year’s trends?

My couples do that! I love the fact that because of the way that Occasion Queens works, we don’t have a set style and therefore we are surrounded by all the inspiration and ideas that they come to us with. We then help them to hone it down into something that will work to their budget and fit in the venue.

I’m also a big fan of networking and meeting amazing suppliers, following their creations and see what wonderful weddings they are involved, basically surrounding myself in all things wedding!!

What services do you offer?

We specialise in on the day set up and coordination. We aren’t wedding planners as in, you plan your wedding but we will come in at the end and make sure your wedding goes exactly as you hoped and dreamed it would.

Why do you love the wedding industry?

The wedding industry is a wonderful world to be a part of! You meet so many fantastic people who are passionate about what they do and want to do the very best for all of their couples. I have made some friends for life by doing some amazing weddings with amazing people.

What is the difference between day of coordination and a full wedding planner? Why should a bride choose day of coordination versus a planner?

It entirely depends on the level of input you want from a planner, your budget, the kind of venue you have and what is important to you. I always say that we are for people that don’t want or need a planner as we don’t plan your wedding, you do! However, for any couples that want the reassurance that all their hard work comes together on the day just as they hoped they should definitely think about a Coordinator. Couples can’t do it all and that is especially true for the day of their wedding. We are the insurance and reassurance that your wedding will be executed just as you hoped without having to rely on family, friends, your partner or get involved yourself!

When should a couple get in touch with Occasion Queens for their big day?

Whenever you want! We have pulled a wedding together in 6 days and 2 years. We are there to take the stress away at any point you feel it’s good to have an extra pair of hands and the insight of a wedding professional.

What do couples say is the best part of having a “day of coordinator?”

Being completely stress free, knowing everything is taken of and that they can truly relax making memories in all the right ways.

Can you explain your job title Nina - Queen of the Clipboard?

Hah! I love logistics and all things organized with spreadsheets and tick boxes! Until recently you would often find me with a clipboard in hand at a wedding, however, I have to admit that now, all the details and schedule are put into my phone and appear on my Apple watch which makes things a lot slicker.

Is there something you would like to see go away from the 2020 wedding season?

Nope! Who are we to dictate a style or theme! Go with what you love and your wedding will be perfect.

Can you describe one of your most memorable weddings you have worked on and explain why you loved it?

Ahhhhhh, this is so hard, every wedding is amazing but sometimes it’s the ones that really require a lot of team work (power loss in a marquee or missing guests) that are the most memorable as there is always a greater appreciation for what we do and how we can help make everything go just as it should!

What makes Occasion Queens successful?

I think that OQ’s success is down to having honed a service that covers exactly what couples need to have the best day possible and being the first company to truly specialize in that. We aren’t distracted by anything else and ensure that our couples have everything they need to have the best day possible.

How do you make your clients feel special?

By making sure they have the wedding they always dreamed of, giving them everything on the day and knowing that I have always gone above and beyond! This is what makes our couples feel special because they know their wedding was the best day ever!

Below are some of the weddings Nina and Occasion Queens have provided their service for.

Photo credit in order of appearance:

No1. - Elena popa

Liana - Modern Vintage

ChloeSammy - Andy Gaines

Sally & Kris - Albert Palmer

I also have additional UK wedding vendor interviews from Marble Private or Malarkey Cakes.