Will I be welcome?

First and foremost, ALL are welcome at Chelsea Lietz Photography. CLP does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. I recognize that families can look a thousand different ways, and I celebrate that. Chelsea Lietz is an LGBTQ+ affirming photographer in San Antonio.

How do I book a session?

Email me through my contact form to tell me what you have in mind and inquire about availability.  I will get back to you within 36 hours.  When we confirm availability and your desire to book, I will give you the password to complete the contract and pay your retainer in the Client section of this site.

Are you just a newborn photographer?

Newborns are my favorite and I certainly specialize in them.  But I love watching your babies grow. Sessions in the first year are most popular, but don’t forget to schedule portraits every year to capture the missing teeth, the long legs they haven’t grown into yet, and the emerging confidence of your teens.  Scheduling priority goes to newborns clients, so if you have another session in mind, please book early!

Is newborn photography safe?

A newborn in the hands of a professional newborn photographer with training and experience is extremely safe.  The health and safety of the baby must come first. I am trained in posing newborns SAFELY.  Any “dangerous” looking shot that you may see is a composite… this means that I combine 2 or more photos to create the illusion that the baby was hanging or holding her own head up in her hands, etc.  Or sometimes I just edit out the hand that was supporting baby’s head. In addition to using composites, I use spotters, counterweights, a soft beanbag, and a lot of patience to settle baby comfortably and safely into a pose. I am vaccinated against Covid-19, whooping cough and the flu.  I currently wear a mask during all sessions and will continue this as long as you prefer. I never work when sick and I wash my hands very often when working with your child. The studio is sanitized regularly.

When do newborn sessions take place?

Newborn sessions take place 5-15 days from birth. This is done for many reasons… Newborns this young are more likely to “curl up” and remain sleepy for the duration of the session. They are much more tolerant of being posed and moved around than a 3 or 4 week old. Almost all of the “sleepy newborn” shots you see on the website were done with newborns 14 days old or younger. If your baby is older than 2 weeks, don’t worry, we can still capture beautiful photos-it may just take more patience and we may need to skip some of the poses you see.

How do I book a session when I’m not sure when baby will be born?

That’s easy… let me know your due date and I will pencil you in on my calendar. Once baby is born, let me know as soon as possible (ideally within the first couple of days and absolutely before baby is 7 days) and we will select an actual date for your session. If you do not contact me within that first week, I cannot guarantee availability before the 2 week mark. I book a maximum number of newborns per month so that I have the time it takes to create a beautiful gallery for you… but I do have other sessions to schedule around.  Newborns are usually scheduled Monday – Thursday at 9:45am.

Can siblings and parents be in a few shots?

Of course! Any immediate family is welcome in the photos, as are birth & adoptive families. If grandma is in town to help and wants to attend, just ask me!

How long does a session last?

Newborn sessions often run long due to the nature and frequent nurturing of the infant. Please expect up to four hours, though they average about two. I do not rush the session, I let baby take as many breaks as needed. Baby’s comfort and safety is my number one priority. Make sure anyone coming along (especially Dads!) know that the session is several hours (longer for multiples) in a very warm studio where I need relative quiet.  If a sibling is coming along, some families prefer to do their images first and then have one parent take them home.  I do have some toys in the studio and wifi.  Books, laptops, tablets, and smartphones are good, quiet ways to pass the time.  I have also had many sleep-deprived parents sleep on my couch!

Where does the session take place?

Newborn sessions take place in my studio in San Antonio, just minutes from Bulverde, New Braunfels, and Stone Oak.

Are twins double the price?

Absolutely not.  Though I do add a small additional fee for multiples to offset my assistant, extra time at the session, and the time it takes to edit extra images for the gallery.

Anything else I should bring to a newborn session?

Before your newborn session you will receive a full session prep guide from me.  You don’t need to bring any props or outfits because I have hundreds.  Truly… hundreds.  When we schedule your session I will send a style survey to ask about colors, props, and themes you might like included.

How do I make birth announcements?

When you receive your gallery, you can order a single jpeg download or the entire gallery.  These images will be in high resolution.  With the print release you can make prints (at the pro labs I recommend!), or order birth announcements anywhere you wish.  Tiny Prints.com is great!