Baby
Casting
The Process of casting Baby's Hands or Feet
I use a totally safe and natural moulding material called Alginate to form an mould of your child's hand or foot.
It is totally safe for even for the tiniest babies
Taking the actual mould is very quick (less than 5 mins)
The baby's foot or hand is placed in a cup of Alginate which is luke- warm and lovely and squishy so your baby should not even notice. If it is a slightly older child, they will hopefully love the process!
The Alginate forms a 3D mould and after you have gone home I will take a special stone cast of the mould. The stone takes on all the details is very strong when it is set.
I am very careful to identify every line and fold in tiny hands and feet to create a beautiful final 3D cast which highlights all of the unique fine details.
I usually allow 40 mins to 60 mins for each appointment (depending on the number of casts you require), so we then have time to relax, discuss what you'd like and to choose colours, frames, mounts and finish etc.
When the stone cast is dry I will hand- finish your casting using paint, wax and polish. Finally I will frame or mount your 3D casts to your individual specification.
I aim to work in a relaxed atmosphere to make the process really easy and enjoyable.
Your totally unique casting will need to dry for approx 8 weeks. I will then personally paint, finish and frame your cast so it will be ready to collect in approximately 12 Weeks.
For more information about Framing your Cast - Framing
All casting appointments include a free home visit within 10 miles of my studio (SO15 5GX)
Baby and Child 3D Life Casting Price List
Two casts framed in a bespoke frame of your choice with a choice of coloured mounts and an engraved name plaque or Vinyl decals.
.jpeg)
Under 12 months........£170- £175
12 to 18 months.......... £180- £185
18 to 24 months..........-.. £195- £200
2 to 3 years.................- £215- £220
3 to 4 years.................- £230- £235
Two casts mounted on a plinth with engraved name plate
Under 12 months from - £165
12 to 18 months...........- £175
18 to 24 months............- £185
2 to 3 years...................- £215
3 to 4 years...................- £220
Two Casts framed , with a 6 x 8 photo (customer to supply & print) in a bespoke of your choice
including engraved name plaque or Vinyl decals
Under 12 months from - £195-£200
12 to 18 months...........- £205- £210
18 to 24 months............- £215-£220
2 to 3 years..................- £235- £240
3 to 4 years.................. - £255- £260
Four casts framed in a bespoke frame & mount of your choice and an engraved name plaque or Vinyl decals.
Under 12 months......- £ 245 - £250
12 to 18 months........- £255- £260
18 to 24 months........- £265- £270
2 to 3 years...............- £285- £290
3 to 4 years...............- £305- £310
Four Casts framed , with a 5 x 7 photo (customer to supply & print) in a bespoke of your choice including engraved name plaque or Vinyl decals
Under 12 months from - £265- £270
12 to 18 months...........-£275- £280
18 to 24 months............- £285-£295
2 to 3 years...................- £305-£310
3 to 4 years...................- £325-£330
Any frame layout is possible, please contact Laura for details of bespoke designs and prices for older children.
FAQs
Is alginate completely safe?
Yes, alginate is completely safe and can be used in direct contact with skin. Alginate is extracted from natural seaweed.
It is the same material that has been used totally safely for making dental impressions millions of times by dentists in people's mouths for well over half a century.
Alginate is a flexible mould- and impression-making material which is perfect for casting. It is a very fine powder which is mixed with water to form a liquid gel that can pick out the tiniest details.
Is the alginate mould re- usable?
No, the mould is not reusable as the 3D cast needs to be peeled away from the mould. The alginate is flexible but easily tears when the cast is peeled away. I will therefore take a new mould for each cast.
Should you buy a DIY casting kit?
I get a lot of new parents coming to me after having tried to use Home Casting Kit and failed!!
The images Online and on the Home Casting Kit Box makes it look pretty easy BUT I've heard of many people not managing to get the baby's hand or foot into the alginate before it sets, let alone managing to make a hand or foot cast. They are usually just left with the frame with nothing to put in it!!
The Home Casting Kits are not cheap, they are often between £50-60… and they usually contain cheap materials which are not suitable to make a good cast.
The Kits do not contain the tools to properly finish the cast.
Often parents would like to cast a slightly older child's hand or foot but often the frames supplied are only deep enough for a very small baby.
Also for these lager casts just mixing the correct amount of alginate takes skill and practice.
Please do your research and spend your money wisely.
I am happy to discuss all your requirements. For larger casts I am always happy to do payment plan to spread the cost.
Please also see My Blog on Home casting Kits...
Prices for Baby Casting & Photography Packages
I’ve teamed up with Lucy from Lucinda Photography to offer two great packages.
I first met Lucy when I cast her second baby. I have used her personally for photography and I can’t recommend her enough.
So why not take advantage of this luxury casting package. Book with both myself and Lucinda Newborn Photography and get some extra goodies.
Lucy and I want to create a very special package for parents who would like to use both our services to capture the special moments in your baby’s first year.
The Newborn Package
A Newborn session package with Lucinda Photography- Includes an 8 x 10 mounted print from your professional gallery. Your baby must be under 14 days for a new-born shoot - £75
A casting session with Laura’s Treasured Prints, includes 2 baby casts in a bespoke frame of your choice with a space for a photo (age 12-18 months) - £210
With this special New-born Package you will ALSO receive a free 8 x 6 print from your professional gallery with Lucinda Photography to display in your casting frame and a free out print hand or foot print plaque from Laura's Treasured Prints.
Cake Smash
A 1st Birthday Cake smash session package with Lucinda Photography, session fee includes an 8 x 10 mounted print from your gallery - £75
A casting session with Laura’s Treasured Prints, includes 2 baby casts in a bespoke frame of your choice with a space for a photo (age 12-18 months) - £200
With this special Cake Smash and 12-18 month Cast package, you will ALSO receive a free 8 x 6 print from your professional gallery with Lucinda Photography to display in your casting frame and a free outprint hand or foot print plaque from Laura's Treasured Prints.
Terms
A minimum spend of £250 towards products applies to all photo sessions with Lucinda Photography in addition to the session fee. Please discuss details with Lucy.
Website -www.lucindaphotography.co.uk
Email- Lucinda-photography@hotmail.co.uk
Please inform both Lucy and Laura at the time of booking.