Newborn Retreat Teacher HQ

Crafting Your Retreat Video

While we don't require Oprah-level quality, this is a paid experience, and we want to ensure our students receive teaching videos with quality video and clear audio.

Videos that do not follow guidelines will need to be resubmitted (and that's no fun!)

If ANYTHING is unclear, let us know as soon as possible - before filming!!

NOTE: We'll reimburse the costs of mic + camera rentals if you need them for filming as well as up to $500 for a videographer

When choosing your models for the session, please include underrepresented and diverse body sizes, races, ethnicities, and family structures.

Please watch the video below

JOIN teacher lounge facebook group

You'll need the password from the video above 🙂

Video Checklist

We dive into more detail on each point below - but here's a quick checklist to reference.

Include intro, lesson and wrap-up

Film in landscape and ensure it's in-focus

No naked babies (this is a teaching video vs client session)

NO music used in any part of video

No white-noise, baby-shushers or fan heaters

Clear audio (we'll cover mic rental - also, if showing editing, ensure to use consistent volume throughout edit)

Show safest posing (using spotter/composites/neck straps)

Export at 1280×720 (1920x1280 even better)

Structure of the Teaching Video

Class length: 45-90 minutes

Part 1: Introduction
Please start by introducing yourself, your studio and letting people know what you will be teaching in the video. This if often easier to film AFTER 'the lesson.'
NO music or animated intros/title pages, subtitles or logo please.
Video needs to be shot in landscape (ie: it fills the screen).
We'll be adding our Retreat intro with your session title + studio name so everything is consistent.
This is usually just a few minutes long.
Part 2: The "Teaching Part"
This is the part where you dive into your topic.
Imagine your MOST eager student sitting right in front of you, and anticipate ALL the many, many questions they will have as you are going through your presentation.
(and they will have MANY!)
Try to answer as many as possible in the presentation - keeping in mind the main take-away you want the students to walk away with.
Including camera + lens used (where applicable), camera settings and anything they will see in the video will save you LOTS of questions!
If a video shows you in action, please show the resulting edited images for each segment or pose.
NO NAKED BABIES please! Have them in a diaper cover, a little outfit or wrapped to keep for their privacy.
(reminder: NO music or white noise/baby shushers please - it makes it too difficult to hear you!)
Part 3: Editing (if applicable) + Wrap Up
If you are showing an edit from your session (which students absolutely LOVE), please be sure to explain what you are doing every step of the way, what tools you are using and the settings!
It can sometimes be hard to see this on a screen share!
Also, be sure to keep your voice volume consistent throughout the edit. There is a tendency to get quieter as the edit goes on.
If you are doing an editing video - you could simply end the edit with a "Thanks so much for watching, I hope you enjoyed the class"

OR - you could have a final short video clip of you on screen doing a quick wrap up/thanks for watching..
Please do not reference other links, special offers, etc in the video.

We have a place to put this on your teacher page, which ensures the videos remain timeless (because links change!).

Clothing REQUIRED 🙂

To protect our little models, all newborns filmed MUST be wearing a diaper/diaper cover/wrap or little outfit.

No bare bums or bits showing allowed.

This is a teaching video (not a client session being filmed) - so please remember this point.

We cannot accept videos with naked babies.

Spotters, Composites
+ Baby Safety

For videos involving sessions with newborns, please ensure there is a spotter (either an assistant or one of the parents) right beside baby at all times (and visible in your video).

If you are showing prop images or any potato sack/froggy style images, please ensure it is a composite so students can see how hands are on baby at all times.

We have a variety of experience levels who take our retreats and we want to ensure that we are showing the safest possible options at all times.

When shooting above baby, please also ensure a neck or wrist strap is being used.

Screen Shot 2020-09-27 at 4.31.33 PM-min

Filming Info

PLEASE test your equipment and settings before filming day!

#1. PLEASE Use a Tripod

Let's avoid motion-sick students!

If you are working with someone to film you, please have them use a tripod unless they truly have steady hands (most people do not).

If they're a professional videographer and they truly are steady, great - otherwise - tripod 🙂

If you are filming yourself, it is handy to have an assistant to ensure you aren't blocking the camera view and that you are in focus.

Watch your angles (especially if working on the beanbag), as it's easy to have your body accidentally block the camera.

Screen Shot 2020-09-27 at 4.21.53 PM-min

#2. Quality Video

For demo-style videos, please use a DSLR (or other pro-recording device). We will reimburse the cost of DSLR rental if needed.

Video needs to be shot in landscape (ie: it fills the screen).

Cheatsheet for camera settings to film your video.

SS = 1/60th
Fstop - f5.6 (or higher)
Helps you stay in focus when moving around
ISO - as needed based on light in your studio

Be wary of too much zooming in and out, which also can cause motion-sickness, and watch for cameras that have autofocus - which can result in continual in and out focusing.

#3. Clear Audio

For demo-style videos, please use a wireless microphone (we will reimburse the cost of mic rental if you need one).

Nothing kills the learning mood faster than static or humming on the audio feed.

Doing a newborn demo? PLEASE no baby shushes or white noise! (and remember - no naked babies!)

Recommended Microphone Rentals:

Sennheiser EW112p G3 lav set - XLR cable
Rode Microphones RodeLink Film Maker Kit

Gear shops like LensRentals.com, Long & McQuade, Vistek.ca have daily and weekly rates available (and delivery options).
If you are renting one, email the receipt to lisa@themilkyway.ca and we will reimburse expense.

If the session turns out to be a little noisy (ie: you have young children in a session), voiceovers might be a better choice but generally speaking, it's best if you can teach through the session.

If you are doing an editing or slideshow presentation, headphone mics are usually pretty good - but please test your setup BEFORE recording.

Please do not add captions

Sample Videos

Example of In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Session

Example of Newborn Demo

Example of voiceover because environment was too noisy (in this case wind)

Example of Business-Related Teaching Video Using Slideshow Presentation

Example of Maternity Studio Demo

Next: Promoter Info