What should we wear?

Babies look their best wearing nothing at all. However, any outfits you want to see them in are welcome, as well as favoured hats and toys! The parents are advised to wear dark clothes, with no writing or logos, for the shots with the black background, and light clothes – for the light background images (optional). Fathers are invited to get topless for some of the “holding” shots; and whereas we still haven’t photographed nude mummies, we welcome any willing participants!
Children are best photographed in plain clothes, with no bold patterns, writing or logos.

Simplicity in clothing will give your photographs that timeless feel, and they will also look great in black & white. For example, plain white shirts and denim jeans or skirt, or a white dress. Having said that, strong colours often provide a nice contrast with the natural surroundings, as well as emphasising the eyes! So, all single colour red, blue or even green outfits are more than welcome! Young children also look very cute in overalls, and hats are always fun!

Is there anything we should bring with us?

With baby studio shots, we strongly advise a change of clothes for the parents, since while the babies are naked, accidents will happen (numerous times!).

A favoured toy, or anything that attracts attention or draws a smile is very welcome (we have a great array of noisy toys, but cannot account for all tastes!).

What time of day is the shoot? When should we schedule?

Natural light works best in early mornings and late afternoons, so we tend to schedule shoots for an hour and a half after sunrise or before sunset. Consider when your child is in a better mood.
Most babies are shot indoors, with smaller ones photographed both awake and asleep. We try to schedule for after a good nap, when they are responsive, alert and happy.

Is my house suitable for Cheeky Monkey's photographic session?
Ideally, we look for a large room to set up the lights and the backgrounds. For older children, a large green back yard will be perfect.

How long does the shoot last?

We never limit the duration of our sessions. We photograph as long as it takes to capture the little one's personality. All children are different, yet none are very patient, so, in most cases, the shoot will last between one and two hours. We are very patient in regards to changing, feeding, and even napping.

What are good locations for your photoshoots?

We photograph a lot in the Botanical Gardens, Centenary Lakes, the Pirate Ship playground on the Esplanade and Palm cove. Each location gives its character to the images, and the choice is purely up to you. If you have any other suggestions, we are more than happy to check them for suitability. Anywhere with a lot of space, play equipment, some water and some shade (not necessarily all of the above!) is applicable.

Anything that give the images a sense of place and creates a connection with the subject is great! (eg. Cane fields, swimming holes, a special tree etc.)

How far do you travel?

We travel between Palm Cove and Babinda free of charge. Any further travel can be arranged for an additional fee.

What if it rains on the day?

We aim to capture the best possible images of your child, so, rescheduling due to weather is free.

How many images should we expect?

You will receive between 30 and 50 images to choose from.

When can we view the images?

About a week after the photoshoot, you’re invited to view the selected images at our studios in Edmonton. The images will undergo very basic retouching, to give you an idea of what the finished images will look like. We will also convert all files to black & white. and design a few collages. The studio also contains examples of metallic prints, canvases, collage prints and coffee-table books.

Is there a minimum order?

At Cheeky Monkey we have never had the need to set a minimum order. However, in order to take advantage of some of our promotional orders, you’ll need to order a certain amount of images.

What are your prices?

We tailor packages to suit every wallet. Single print prices start at $40. E-mail Cheeky Monkey for a full price list.