This Is Where You Stop Guessing and Start Knowing
One day. One photographer.
Everything you need to work with newborns safely, confidently, and beautifully.
Now accepting applications — Saint Paul, MN
WHO THIS IS FOR
You’ve been drawn to newborn photography but something is holding you back. Maybe it’s safety — the weight of responsibility that comes with handling a brand new baby. Maybe it’s posing — you’ve watched videos but nothing clicks until someone shows you in person. Maybe it’s the session itself — you don’t know how to read a baby, manage parents, or keep things moving when everything is unpredictable.
This intensive is for you if:
- You’re new to newborn photography and want to start right
- You’ve been shooting newborns but know your safety and posing need real attention
- You learn best by watching, doing, and asking questions in real time
- You want to leave with a complete picture — not just posing tips, but the full session from setup to send-off
This is not for everyone. I take on a very limited number of mentees and I review every application personally. If we’re a good fit, you’ll know.
WHAT THE DAY LOOKS LIKE
Tour intensive is a full 8-hour day at my Saint Paul studio — just you and me.
Morning — Foundation We start with coffee and a conversation about where you are and what you need most. Then we move into the studio. You’ll learn safe handling and posing technique hands-on using a professional posing doll, so you can practice without pressure. We cover studio setup, environment, temperature, sound, lighting — everything that happens before a baby ever arrives.
Afternoon — Live Session A real newborn model and their family come to the studio for a full session. You observe, photograph, and learn in real time as I work. I narrate everything — how I read the baby, how I talk to the parents, how I move through the session when things don’t go as planned. This is where everything from the morning comes to life.
End of Day — Debrief We sit down with your images, talk through what you saw, and cover editing workflow, business questions, and whatever else is on your mind. You leave with printed resource materials and a clear picture of your next steps.
WHAT YOU WALK AWAY WITH
- Hands-on posing and handling instruction in a real studio environment
- Live newborn session observation and photography
- Safe handling technique you can trust from day one
- A full understanding of session flow, parent communication, and reading the baby
- Three printed professional resource guides to take home
- 30 days of email access to me for questions after the intensive
- One 30-minute follow-up call within 60 days
YOUR MENTOR
I’m Giliane Mansfeldt — a Saint Paul photographer with over 25 years of experience specializing in newborn, maternity, and family photography. I’m a multi-year Lux Global Award winner for Best Newborn Photographer in Minnesota, and I’ve spent my career thinking deeply about what it means to photograph someone at their most vulnerable and most precious.
I teach because I believe newborn photography done right matters — for the families who trust you, and for the babies in your care. I’m not interested in churning through mentees. I take on very few, and I invest fully in each one.
INVESTMENT
Newborn Photography Mentoring Intensive — $1,200
Includes everything listed above.
Payment is collected in two installments — $600 at booking and $600 one week before your intensive date.
A signed Mentoring Agreement is required to confirm your date.
The Process
Getting started is simple:
- Apply — Submit your application using the button below. Tell me where you are, what you’re working toward, and what you most want to learn.
- Get approved — I review every application personally and reach out within a few days.
- Secure your date — Sign your agreement and submit your deposit. Your date is confirmed when both are received.
- Show up ready — Bring your camera. I’ll handle everything else.
