How to book
Click 'book now' to choose from available dates at a location near you. Our licensed photographers offer Pop-ins during special events just once or twice per month. We have Pop-in locations available all over New Zealand.
Booking online is essential, by creating an account on our website our photographers can easily upload and send your digital portraits after your shoot.
Payment is due at the time of booking online to secure your spot. Our events sell out quickly so make sure you are booked in advance to avoid missing out.
Book new Pop-in™
How do I know when the next Pop-in™ session is going to be?
Check out the calendar on your homepage for all upcoming events, use the filters to see the most relevant information for you.
Where is my Pop-in™ session held?
Your Pop-in™ is held in a photography studio, home studio, or temporary studio at a community centre. Check the details when booking to ensure you are booking at a place near you.
I want to add extras to my shoot, how do I do this?
You can add Extras, such as a Close-up during the booking process. To add extras once you've already booked, go to My Pop-ins and click on your upcoming appointment. If there is space left in your timeslot you will see the option to add Extras, you can pay for these with your saved credit card or a coupon.
Each Extra you add includes at least one Photo Credit, that can be used to unlock a photo from your Gallery page, after the Event.
I want to book a sibling portrait of my children together but I can't see the option to add this on?
Each child's individual monthly portrait is $25 a pop, sibling portraits are unavailable at the monthly Pop-ins (twins are no exception). Look out for our next Sibling Special held during the school holidays.
I didn't receive my confirmation email?
To double check you've booked successfully, log in to your account and visit the "My Pop-ins" tab, your new appointment should appear here - by clicking on your appointment you can find all of the information you need to attend. If not, then your booking has not been successfully made. Try again, or contact us.
My baby is two weeks old, is the Pop-in™ suitable for him?
Babies and children of any age are welcomed at Pop-ins.
We recommend waiting until your baby has had immunisations before attending your first Pop-in™, as other children will be present at your shoot. That said, this is a recommendation, not a rule, and we welcome littlies from day dot.
Most of our photographers are highly skilled newborn photographers and will have gentle hands, and the patience required for this age group, even in our fast paced environment.
Booking Payment
Payment is made at the time of booking to secure your time slot. Secure payment is completed through credit card payment on the Stripe network. You'll need to have your login and/or credit card details handy. Payment via cash or bank deposit is not available.
Oh no, I can't book into an event because it's full—what happens now?
Don't worry—our trusty Pop-in app has a handy waitlist feature. If an event is fully booked, you can join the waitlist, and we'll notify you via email if a spot opens up. Everyone on the waitlist gets the notification at the same time, so it's a race to grab the spot before someone else does!
Does joining the waitlist mean I'm guaranteed a spot?
Nope! The waitlist lets you know when a space becomes available, but it doesn't guarantee a booking. If someone else books the spot before you do, it may no longer be available.
Do I have to book if I get notified?
Not at all! Joining the waitlist doesn't mean you're committed to booking—you can choose to grab the spot or let it pass.
Can I choose what emails I receive?
Absolutely! You can tailor your email preferences based on the specific Pop-in appointment type you want updates for. You can choose between:
- Full Subscription – Stay in the loop with exclusive early access and special deals for events you're interested in.
- Limited Subscription – Get notified only when bookings open to the general public.
- Off – Receive no emails for that specific Pop-in appointment type.
How do I update my email preferences?
You can change your email settings anytime in your Account section of the app—quick and easy!
We strongly recommend you stay subscribed to system updates. These emails include important information about your bookings, such as schedule changes and other essential updates. If you unsubscribe, you might miss out on critical messages.
To prepare
Once you've secured your booking the only thing left to prepare is your child's special outfit, see our Popaholics group for outfit inspiration! Our photographers are experienced professionals and know exactly how to get the best out of every poppet, you're in safe hands.
On the day
When you arrive at Pop-ins, log into your online account and check in online. You'll be added to the remote waiting list and you'll receive a text or email to let you know when it's your turn to Pop-in. If there is no online check in available simply come on in and give your name to the person at the desk, once you've checked in you can find a comfy place to wait your turn. If your baby is due a feed or a change there's no rush, just let the next in line go ahead of you so your baby is at their happiest for their photo.
At Pop-ins up to 20 other babies are booked for the same time slot. Each child takes only a few short minutes to photograph. Your timeslot is super flexible, come along any time within the hour. You can expect to wait for around 5-15 minutes for your turn. Please avoid the last 15 minutes of the event to ensure you still have time to get your shot before your photographer needs to pack down.
I'd love to have a family portrait taken, can I get a photo of me and the kids at my Pop-in™?
Pop-ins are for individual kid-only photos that we always take in the same style each month, for more range in your portraits check out our great range of special events available during the year.
How long will my appointment take?
Each Pop-in™ session only takes a few minutes to capture a variety of cuteness! You'll be surprised at what your professional photographer can capture in a short time.
Please come to the studio anytime within the hour you've chosen for your session. We work hard to ensure everyone in the chair get lots of great shots, while not keeping others waiting too long!
If you're in a rush, let our staff know so they can try to accommodate you.
Do I need to bring anything?
Please leave your buggies behind when visiting the studio to avoid congestion in the waiting area. Many parents choose to bring their baby's 'photo outfit' along to change into at the studio. When you arrive check in with the photographer (or their assistant) and write your details on one of our Little Annie whiteboards. Many poppets like to bring a toy, blanket, small prop or milestone cards along to their session as a marker to show how much their baby has grown month by month.
Poppets under 4 months should bring their own blanket, which should be a plain, light coloured blanket which is bassinet or cot-sized, which they can be safely laid on for their portrait.
My baby isn't sitting unassisted yet, is that ok?
Yes certainly, all ages and stages are welcome. Our Pop-in™ chair is perfect for supporting little ones who are not sitting yet and our photographers are pros at making sure your baby is comfy no matter their skill level. We can't wait to see your baby develop through their milestones!
Can I bring a toy along?
Yes! In fact we recommend it, a toy or prop of your choice is perfect for showing how much your baby has grown month by month. Feel free to get creative, if you have a cool idea that will look amazing once your full set is put together, go for it!
A couple of notes: please ensure your prop fits within the Pop-in™ chair (alongside your baby aka, no bicycles...), please do not bring cakes or other messy props, balloons etc should be filled with helium and no larger than 30cm to fit into the photo, props that take a lot of setting up or don't support themselves are usually not worth the hassle.
Also please note that we are aiming to get a great photo of your child, not their teddy bear, while we will do our best to get teddy smiling too, sometimes the one great shot of your baby has teddy's bad side... and that's just the way things go.
Do I need to do anything before I leave?
Once your shoot is finished you are all good to go, you'll receive an email from us very soon! Once you've been photographed, kindly make your way out of the studio to leave room for others.
How do I reschedule?
You can easily reschedule your appointment online. Just log in to your account and click 'Reschedule' on your upcoming appointment.
You can change to a different available timeslot at the same event anytime, free of charge. However, if you need to reschedule to a different date or time, the following applies:
-
Rescheduling at least 5 days in advance: Free!
-
Rescheduling within 5 days of your appointment: There is a $10 fee to help support our photographers who have appointments rescheduled at short notice, as these are unlikely to be rebooked.
The option to reschedule closes at the start of your appointment time. For more detailed information, please see our full rescheduling policy.
How do I cancel my session?
To cancel your session, please contact your Host photographer directly. They'll be happy to assist you with the cancellation process.
Please note that if your session has been previously rescheduled, it is non-refundable if canceled. You can find more information about our cancellation policy.
What if my child is sick on the day of my photoshoot?
We understand that these things happen! If you or your child is unwell on the day of your photoshoot, please prioritise their health and the well-being of others and stay at home.
Please refer to the rescheduling and cancellation FAQ's above, or our rescheduling and cancellation policy for more details.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to capturing your Pop-in portrait when they're feeling better!
What if I am running late for my Pop-in session?
Don't worry! Pop-ins are designed to be flexible. You can arrive anytime within your one-hour time slot.
If you're running late and miss your slot completely, we'll do our best to fit you into another time slot within the same event. To check the closing time for your event, click on your appointment under 'My Pop-ins'.
When and where will I get my portrait?
You will receive an email from us within 7 days of your shoot with a link to view your Gallery. You'll find up-to 5 of the best shots from your session, and will have a minimum of 1 'Unlock' included in each session. You get to choose your favourite shot!
Your Photo Credits earned from a booking are released for use when your images are delivered to your Gallery.
If you absolutely can't resist the cuteness, you can purchase more photos with your saved card (NZ$25) or purchase Photo Credits, which help you save by buying in bundles.
Photo Credits can only be used with the photographer who took your child's photo, and only on Unlocking photos (eg: you can't use a Photo Credit to make a new booking). They're non-refundable and non-transferable, but they never expire.
'Download Printable' are high resolution photos; ready to print.
'Download Shareable' are the perfect screen resolution to share online.
If you don't receive an email or your photos aren't showing when you click through to view, please contact us.
Why do my photos get archived after 7 days?
Our Gallery is storing thousands of photos, and a huge number of photos are added to it every day. To keep our site chugging along smoothly, unselected photos must be archived after 7 days from delivery. You can Recall the session for a $10 fee, to make them available for selection from your Gallery for 24 hours.
We'll also give you plenty of advanced warning (emails) of when they're going to be archived. And you can Recall your sessions more than once if you need to.
What if I don't spend all of my session's Photo Credits?
We've got you! Any unused credits are banked in your account to unlock photos at another time, so you'll always have a chance to make the most of them. For more information, check out our Terms and Conditions.
Will my photos eventually expire?
After at least 13 months of inactivity has occurred in any session (eg: after the original archiving or any subsequent Recall activity) you'll receive a notification that the unselected photos will expire.
You'll be given a final chance to purchase the photos before they expire, just in case you've changed your mind.
Photo expiry is the end of the line for unselected shots.
I don't like the photo I chose — can I please swap it?
Please get in touch and plead your case. In most instances we don't accept swaps, refunds or returns of images that have been selected.
How can I buy Photo Credits; how do they work?
Photo Credits can be purchased in value bundles and are saved to your customer account. You need to have your credit card details saved to your account to purchase a bundle, you can update these details under My Account.
Credits are photographer-specific so if you usually Pop-in at different locations, check if you need different credits for your next appointment.
Every booking includes at least one Photo Credit and you can purchase extra Photo Credits at any time. Photo Credits can also be offered in packages or with Extras. You can choose to use them all at once, or save some for your next shoot.
When you're selecting your favourite images from your session, you'll see the option to purchase using credits or by paying $25 per photo. Stocking up with a bundle of credits offers the best value for regular poppers.
I have two or more accounts for one child in my account, how can I merge/remove them?
Under My Account, click the edit icon ( ) next to your child's name, and you'll find the option to edit their details or merge that child with another in your account. Help us to keep our information accurate, so we don't email you about things that are of no interest to you, by merging incorrect child details as soon as possible.
How do I send my friend a gift voucher?
You can order gift vouchers here.
Please note, gift vouchers can be used to book a Pop-in session (and add Extras to a booking) but cannot be used to unlock additional photographs from the Gallery at this time.