Sitter Session Photography in Bicester, Oxfordshire
Your baby is learning new skills everyday. All-too-soon he or she will achieve their first major milestone: being able to sit up unaided.
Sitter sessions capture this feat as well as all the other joyful developments this age brings: the smiles and giggles, a love of play and interaction, perhaps even the arrival of the first tooth or two!
“I cannot recommend Sarah enough, her photos of our little boy are truly beautiful, she was absolutely amazing with him and the photos are evidence of this. She is also really good at getting the best from you too (I’m not great with having my photo taken) it all felt very natural and we had a lovely day with our little boy.”
Holly, Sitter Session client from Collier Row, Essex
What are sitter sessions like?
As with all my photoshoots, sitter sessions are fun, relaxed and baby-led. When you look back on these photos, you’ll remember how much you enjoyed laughing, cuddling and interacting with your baby. I’ve got lots of tricks up my sleeve (and toys in the studio!) to help get your baby’s smiles and attention, so join in and play along!
Of course, it’s hard to genuinely enjoy yourself if you don’t feel relaxed. That’s why I’ve created a welcoming studio environment, with a friendly, good-natured and totally un-intimidating photographer (me!) at the heart of it.
You’ll be the only shoot booked that day, which means there’s no time pressure, either. That means that we can follow your baby’s lead. If he or she wants to have a snack, needs a nappy change or wants a cuddle, we’ll do that first. We’ve got as long as we need to create a series of stunning images which you’ll treasure forever.
“From the initial consultation through to the end results Sarah was brilliant. She is clearly very passionate about getting all the right pics that we wanted on the initial brief, her studio in her home is incredible, (the coffee and cookies were very well received!) … Communication is brilliant and the results surpassed our expectations there was even a decent pic of me which I can assure you is no easy task!… I would have no hesitation recommending Sarah, its clear how she has won so many awards. Thanks for everything Sarah!”
Craig, Sitter Session client from Thame, Oxfordshire
Sitter session FAQs
My baby is 8 months old but is a bit unsteady when sitting unaided. Can I still have a sitter session?
All babies develop at their own pace. The 6-8 months’ old guideline is just an approximate age range for sitter sessions. If you’ve booked a sitter session with me ahead of time and your baby isn’t quite ready to sit unaided, you’ve got a couple of options.
Firstly, we can postpone your photoshoot for a month or two to give your little one more time to practice their balance.
Secondly, we can go ahead with your shoot, and support your baby as appropriate. For example, I can use studio props behind your baby to give them a surface to lean against. I can surround your baby with thick fabric to ensure a soft landing if he or she does take a tumble. And you or your partner can stay close by, to swoop in if baby starts to wobble.
Can I include sibling or family photos during a sitter session?
Yes, absolutely! Your baby’s six-month milestone is a great time to update your sibling and family photos, especially if you didn’t get a chance to do so when your baby was a newborn. Some of my clients also include aunts, uncles and/or grandparents, which result in beautiful images showing just how loved baby is by everyone in the family.
Whoever you choose to bring, we’ll capture a mix of everyone together, each grouping (e.g. siblings together), and parents with each child, as well as plenty of your youngest on his or her own.
And please don’t worry – I’ll guide you through everything you need to do, know and bring. On the day of the shoot, I’ll capture you at your best and get everyone laughing and engaged in a natural, relaxed way. My clients are always surprised by how much fun they had!
Can I bring props?
Yes, of course! Previous clients have brought favourite books, soft toys and outfits (including some fab, seasonally-themed creations!) to personalise their shoot. For a creative picture-within-a-picture, some clients have also asked me to include a picture or album from their baby’s newborn shoot. This is a great way to show just how much their little one has changed!
Simply let me know what props you’d like to bring. The best time to do this is during our pre-shoot consultation. However, if you have any last minute requests, please let me know before your shoot, if you can so I can plan in how best we might include them.
You’ll also have access to my studio props, from timeless fabrics to sweet little baskets, cushions and buckets. We can discuss which (if any) of these best suit what you’re after from your photos during your pre-shoot consultation.
You’re also welcome to bring a couple of outfit changes, for you and your baby, if you’d like to.
How long does a sitter session last?
I only book a maximum of one client per day. This means we’ve got as much time as we need for your shoot. If your baby needs a little bit of time to feel comfortable in new surroundings, that’s fine. Equally, if he or she is ready to go straight away, that’s fine too! Either way, we can pause for a snack, cuddle or nappy change midway through the shoot as needed.
In general, sitter sessions normally take about 90 minutes. However, please allow up to two hours to ensure we have plenty of extra time if we need it.
When should I book my baby’s sitter session?
I recommend you book your session a few months before your baby turns 6-8 months old to ensure availability. when baby is 3-5 months’ old.
However, if you are looking for a specific midweek date (e.g. when your baby is six months’ old exactly), then please get in contact as soon as possible. This gives you the best chance of securing your preferred day.
How much do sitter sessions cost?
I charge a £75 session fee, which reserves your shoot and covers all the pre-shoot preparation. You then choose which images you’d like to buy once you see them. Click here for full details.
“We loved our family photoshoot with Sarah. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere and the pictures Sarah created are amazing. Sarah was excellent with our baby boy (Musa). Sarah didn’t take any shot/pose that Musa wasn’t comfortable with. Overall experience brilliant, 10/10 and AMAZING!!”
Samarah, Sitter Session (6-8 months’ old) client from Banbury, Oxfordshire
How do sitter sessions work?
If you’ve got a question, or are ready to book, get in contact with me. I’ll answer any initial queries you have and if you’d like to go ahead we can put a date in the diary for your sitter session. I’ll also send over my price list and shoot Ts&Cs.
We’ll also agree a time for me to call you for a 30-minute pre-shoot consultation. This is our chance to get to know each other, discuss what you’re looking for from the photos and exchange the info you need to ensure you get the most from your shoot.
I’ll also send you a beautiful, printed Welcome Pack. This is full of useful reminders such as what to wear and how to get to the studio.
On the day of your shoot, simply turn up and relax. I’ll guide you through everything I need you to do – and it’s all easy! We’ll spend an hour or so creating a series of delightful, varied images. We’ll play lots of games together, such as making noises, spinning around and playing peek-a-boo!
Then, about one to two week after your shoot, I’ll send you a link to an online gallery containing 20 beautiful, hand-edited images for you to choose from. There will be smiles, laughter and possibly even tears.
At this point, you can choose what you want to keep, with absolutely no pressure whatsoever: buy only what you love. But be warned: you’ll probably love them all!
I offer Digital Collections (which include high resolution digital files), stunning Framed Wall Art, timeless Heirloom Albums and Fine Art Canvases, all created by the top lab in the UK. Click here for full details of what’s available.
“We had our photos taken as a family including 2 small children (one 8 month old & one 3 year old) & the photos turned out absolutely amazing! Sarah entertained the children so much that they were smiling in all photos! She was very welcoming, accommodating & the outcome of the photos couldn’t be any better. It was a lovely experience & I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for beautiful pictures☺️.”
Abbie, client from Kidlington, Oxfordshire
How to book your sitter session
If you’d like to get booked in, or if you have any questions about sitter sessions, please get in contact.
Let me know when you’d like to have the shoot, and ask any initial questions you may have. I’ll check availability, answer your questions and send you my price list and shoot Ts&Cs. If you’d like to go ahead, I’ll send over an invoice for the session fee which reserves your sitter session at my Bicester studio.
We can then book in a convenient time for your pre-shoot consultation. This is our chance to get to know each other and start planning your shoot. Normally this is via a phone call but if it’s more convenient to plan everything by email, or if you’d prefer to pop over to my studio for an in-person chat, just say!
“Sarah is so lovely she instantly made me feel relaxed & comfortable in her home. My 7-month-old didnt play ball in our session but she was so brilliant about it, being so patient & didnt give up. I would highly reccomend her to anyone she was great with my baby aswell as me & my partner. Thank you.”
Jasmine, Sitter Session (6-8 months’ old) client from Bicester, Oxfordshire
About Sarah Plater Photography
Sarah Plater AMPA is a multi-award-winning qualified, certified professional portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
She is the Master Photographers Association Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 and Young Families Photographer of the Year 2022 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).
