FIRST YEAR FILMS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
First Year Films is something different so you've probably got a lot of questions about the whole process.
Hopefully this page can answer all of your queries, but if not, please do contact us to ask and we'll be happy to help.
WHAT DO I RECEIVE?
HOW LONG DOES FILMING TAKE?
Sessions are very relaxed and typically filming lasts around 40 minutes to an hour, however, we know babies set the schedule so if you need longer so baby can finish their nap, be fed or changed, or anything else that crops up, we won't be rushing off so don't feel like you have to push baby into something they're not ready for.
We also film in the comfort of your own home, as we know the military operation involved to mobilise with a little one!
We aim to make each session as natural as possible, capturing you and your baby just as you are, in that moment. If you have older children or other family members you'd like to feature, we're more than happy to capture you all.
IS THIS A PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT?
First Year Films is a baby videography service capturing natural, unposed footage. As we film in 4K we are able to take incredibly beautiful stills from our films which are ideal for social media sharing or small prints. As part of your full-year First Year Films package you'll receive a mounted print from each shoot and a beautiful, hand-made fine art album at the end of the full year.
First Year Films is a family videography service, providing monthly video shoots, prints from your sessions and a luxury album at the end of your full year.
When you become part of the First Year Films family, you receive a password-protected webpage, which you can choose to share with family and friends, or keep completely private.
You'll also receive a welcome gift, containing your beautiful prints box, with wooden display plinth, and USB to store your gorgeous photos and films on.
After each shoot, we upload the content to your webpage for you to preview: a full track video in stunning 4K, an Instagram-ready edit (60 seconds, in HD), a selection of portrait clips for you to use in Stories, and a full gallery of branded stills, ready for you to download and share.
Once you have checked your previews and are happy, we will send you download links to the high-resolution files, and unbranded, print-quality stills.
Each month, you also get to choose your favourite image and we'll arrange to have it mounted for your prints box.
We can, of course, provide extra prints if you can't decide - just let us know and we can discuss options.
At the end of your full year, you'll receive a luxury fine art album, containing your favourite images, as well as your full year films, in feature length, single track and 60-second edits.
As a thank you for choosing First Year Films to document your baby's first year, you'll also receive a complimentary 'walker' session if your baby hasn't yet started walking, or you can choose to have an 18-month catch-up shoot.
WHAT IS MY OBLIGATION?
The unique concept of First Year Films is to capture your baby at every stage of this remarkable year, where your baby will make the most profound and monumental changes in a very short space of time. We ideally would like to film your baby every month and it is best to start your journey as soon after their arrival as you are comfortable with.
We will contact you each month to arrange a date and time that is suitable for your next shoot so please try and give a time where baby is likely to have already been fed and has slept so they are at their best for the shoot. We have a degree of flexibility in our booking system though, and obviously with younger babies the schedule is not always there, so if you need to reschedule or nudge your time around, just message us and we'll be happy to look at alternatives.
The full year package starts from £5000, with extras such as travel expenses, additional prints, grandparent albums or further USBs charged separately.
TO SHARE OR NOT TO SHARE?
Want to share your little one’s smiles with family and friends on your social media channels? No problem!
Each mini-film is designed to be the perfect length to share on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or your social site of choice and because not all platforms accept 4K we can also provide you with a HD (1080p) video clip too and we can send you a link to download the video format of your choice.
However, we know you may prefer to have full control over who can see video clips of your baby, and with a full year-long commitment to your First Year Film, you get a private ‘family cinema’ page on our website - password protected - so only those you choose to share your login details with can see your videos and images.
ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO VIEW MY VIDEOS THAN ONLINE?
First Year Films are best viewed in 4K which not all social media platforms support so the best way to view is to watch on a 4K TV. You could cast to your TV from your mobile devices, however, if this is not possible we recommend saving your downloaded video to your First Year Films USB and plugging it directly into to your smart TV.
Alternatively, digital photo frames which support mp4 files are a perfect way to display your family videos and photos. If you would like more information on this option please ask us about it.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Please see our prices page.
DO STILLS COST EXTRA?
With your package, you get a full gallery of branded stills from your shoot for web sharing (72dpi), you'll also receive a download link to the full unbranded, print-resolution set (300dpi).
Each month you can choose your favourite still for us to print and at the end of the year we'll compile an album of a few of your favourite image from each shoot.
If you wanted us to arrange additional prints or albums they would be charged extra, but all digital files are included in the package.
CAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY CONTRIBUTE?
Of course! We have gift vouchers available, that friends and family can purchase to contribute towards your First Year Films journey.
Gift vouchers would make an ideal baby shower gift so if you are considering First Year Films, register your baby shower with us and we'll credit your account with any contributions.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY FIRST SESSION?
We recommend getting in touch with us as soon as you've had your 20-week scan and letting us know your due date.
The newborn shoot should ideally take place within the first 14 days after birth as babies really don't stay that small for long, however, your first shoot can be whenever you feel comfortable welcoming us into your home.
Having a baby is a huge shift in your lifestyle and it can take a little while to adjust. When you're ready, let us know. We can't wait to meet your little one!
HOW LARGE CAN I PRINT THE STILLS?
Of course! As part of your full year package, we offer a complimentary 'walker' session for if your baby hasn't quite hit that milestone - or, if they have, we'll arrange an 18-month catch up with you.
While we are called First Year Films, we think it would be amazing to continue documenting your child's changes as they grow through the years, perhaps with shoots every 6 months.
We also have a lot of experience in capturing birthday parties, events and weddings, as well as First Year Films, so please ask us for a quote to capture your event.
The rate of change slows as they get older so you don't need shoots as regularly as you'll have had during their first year, but, if your child has reached a milestone you would like adding to their First Year Film we would love to catch back up with them.
CAN YOU CONTINUE TO DOCUMENT MY CHILD AFTER THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY?
Our prints are 5" x 7" and then mounted, and our albums are 10" x 10".
You can print stills larger, we have had clients print up to A2 in size, but the quality may reduce if you decide to go too large.
Remember, stills from First Year Films are screenshots from video, not traditional photographs, so there may be some reduction in quality from things such as motion blur, grain due to lighting, etc.
WE WOULD LIKE A SPECIAL EVENT, SUCH AS CHRISTENING OR BIRTHDAY PARTY TO BE PART OF OUR FILM, IS THIS POSSIBLE?
First Year Films shoots are designed to be short sessions, however, if you would like additional coverage of special family events please contact us with the information and we'll be more than happy to put a quote together for you.
We want you to love our service as much as you love our films and First Year Films is all about making you – and your baby - smile!