Sometimes, people reach out to me who are “almost there” on booking, but just… not quite sure yet. They know they want photos of their family - they really want photos - but there is something stopping them actually booking a session. This is such a normal experience and I believe we should always respect these hesitations when they come up - they’re there for a reason, I believe. Booking a photo session for your family - especially for your newborn baby - requires trust. It’s not just the financial cost or finding the time. You’re deciding to allow a stranger into your life for a while, to represent what your family is like right now. If you’ve just had a baby, that’s a particularly vulnerable time.
The truth is that every family has things that need to be treated gently and respectfully. You might be concerned about how your toddler might respond. You might be concerned your home is not “photo worthy”, or self-conscious about your appearance. You might have neurodivergent kids and be concerned about meltdowns and acting out (quirky kids are my absolute fave 🤍) Although it will look a bit different for everyone, one thing we all have in common - as humans - are these insecurities and worries.
Prioritising trust-building
At Little Wing Images, emotional safety is the heart of what I do. Building trust is what I do. Proceeding with gentleness and kindness is what I do. My business is built on a “come as you are” model of photography - it doesn’t have to be performative. Your life right now is worth capturing to keep always - even without the flowy dresses. Even with the insecurities. Even with the uncertainty of how kids will respond. I absolutely believe it’s worth it, but I also understand it takes trust. This is why my approach is relaxed, slow, and child-centred.
If you are someone who’s stalking photographer websites and socials, wanting to book but just… hesitant - my suggestion is: respect the hesitancy. Be curious about it, and get some more information about it.
Keep reading to learn about some common causes for hesitancy among my super-keen yet still unsure potential clients - and some suggested ways to find your way through!
How do I know we’ll feel comfortable with you?
It’s so natural to pause here and wonder… will I actually feel comfortable with her? You’re inviting someone into a really personal space - your home, your family, your story - and it matters that it feels easy, respectful, and genuinely safe to be yourself. If you’re sitting with that uncertainty, you might start by spending a little time with my words - reading through the blogs and pages on my website to get a sense of how I see families and how I hold a session. You could also wander through the kind reflections shared by past clients, both throughout my website and over on Google, to hear how it’s felt from their side. And if it still feels a little unknown, you’re always welcome to book a free, no-pressure consultation call with me. We can simply chat, gently, and see how it feels to connect before you decide anything at all.
How will you respond if my children aren’t cooperating?
It’s so common to worry about this - what happens if your child doesn’t “cooperate”? If they run, refuse, cling, or unravel a little under the pressure of something new. You might be wondering how I’ll respond in those moments… whether I’ll expect you to manage it, or whether it will feel stressful or awkward. The truth is, I don’t need children to behave for me. In my work, I gently follow their lead, meeting them exactly where they are rather than trying to change them. As I share in my blog When Children Don’t Cooperate, there’s no need to force a mood or demand a certain version of your child - trust is built slowly, and that’s where the most meaningful images come from. Also have a look at the blog How Do I Prepare My Kids for a Family Photo Session? Here, I talk about how children feel safest when there’s no pressure to perform, when they’re simply allowed to be themselves - loud, quiet, wiggly, unsure, all of it welcome. My role is to hold a calm, respectful space, to move at their pace, and to gently shape the session around who they are on the day - so you don’t have to carry that worry at all.
What does the process involve?
Sometimes the hesitation isn’t about the photos at all - it’s just that one small unknown that makes it hard to take the next step. You might be wondering how it all actually works, what happens before and after, or whether there’s something you’re meant to know before booking. I’ve gently laid out the basics of the process on each session page - both family and newborn - so you can move through it in your own time and get a feel for how simple it is. And if there’s anything that still feels unclear, you’re always so welcome to reach out and ask. Whether it’s a quick message through the webform, a note on WhatsApp, or a relaxed consultation call, I’m here to answer your questions and help it all feel easy and understood.
Will I get re-creations of all the photos I have saved on my pinterest board?
It’s so understandable to pause and wonder… will my photos look like the ones I’ve been saving? Those late-night Pinterest boards can be full of beautiful, polished moments, and it’s natural to hope for something just as lovely. There are two gentle pieces to hold here. The first is my style - the way I see light, connection, and emotion, and how I edit and finish your images. That’s something you can really feel through my website and socials, and it stays consistent. The second is that every session is shaped by your family, as you are on the day. I don’t recreate exact images - I respond to what’s real and unfolding in front of me. So while your gallery might not match a saved pin image for image, it will be filled with something just as meaningful - honest, beautiful photographs of your family, exactly as you are right now. And if you do have particular ideas you’re drawn to, you’re always welcome to share them. We can gently weave those into your session through thoughtful choices like wardrobe and location, so it still feels like you, while honouring what you’ve been dreaming of.
What can I expect in my finished gallery?
It’s completely natural to hesitate if you’re not quite sure what you’ll actually receive at the end of it all. For my full sessions - family, newborn, and maternity - your gallery includes all of the carefully edited digital images from our time together. That’s at least 40 images, and often many more, each one delivered in high resolution for you to download, keep, and print as you wish. You’ll also have the option to order prints directly through your gallery, if you’d like something tangible for your home. And if you’re someone who likes to know exactly what to expect, I’m always happy to share complete galleries on request. It can be such a helpful way to gently see the flow, the variety, and the quiet, in-between moments that make up a full story.
Reach out to ask
If you’re feeling unsure, that’s not something to push past or ignore - it’s something to listen to, gently. These decisions hold a bit of your heart in them, and it’s okay to take your time, to ask questions, to move slowly until it feels right. Whatever is sitting underneath your hesitation, we can almost always talk it through together and find a way forward that feels calm and comfortable for you. You’re always so welcome to reach out in whatever way feels easiest - a message through the webform, a note on WhatsApp, or by booking a quiet, no-pressure consultation call. I’m here, whenever you’re ready.
