STORYTELLER AND MATERNITY MAGIC MOMENT CREATOR
It's not just a photograph, it's all about capturing a memory!
Hey There
Being a mother myself I truly get just how important Maternity photos are. I didn't get any maternity photos done when I was pregnant with my son. Granted that was over 18 years ago I still regret it. With my daughter when I was pregnant I got pictures done at one of those places in the mall. While they do give you different options for your background and props, I really felt no personal connection to the photos. I just sat there and smiled at the camera for a couple of photos. While I am happy I at least have some photos I wish I had found a photographer to capture some meaningful photos that show a bit of my personality. I love pictures that capture real emotions and sentiment. This is why I love shooting outside in natural areas where I can capture the glow of your skin. Where we can roam and get different beautiful backdrops. We can do some interactions and really get some real emotions to show up on the camera. That is where the magic truly happens.
When is the best time to schedule a maternity session?
Most clients schedule their photo session between 28 and 36 weeks. It all depends on how much you’re showing, and which phase of pregnancy you’d like to capture. I recommend not scheduling too close to your due date, for obvious reasons like babies having their own timeline! You should reach out to your photographer way earlier than that so they have it on their radar and to ensure you can schedule a session before they book up. A maternity session doesn’t have to be during the above time range. It could be a pregnancy announcement or gender reveal session, or both! I’m happy to offer a discount if you would like to schedule multiple maternity sessions. The lighting for outdoor sessions is best during the 1-2 hours before sunset or during the 1-2 hours after sunrise. The lighting for indoor sessions is best during high noon when the sun is the highest.
What is a maternity session like?
I totally understand getting your photos taken can be awkward. But the one nice thing about a maternity session, is that you always have something to do with your hands!. I will help guide you through the basic poses, like how to hold your belly, where to look, etc. I will also give you some actions and tips to help things feel more candid and fun!. I typically offer suggestions of where I think the photos will look best, based on the lighting. But I always love when clients have input! If you have a favorite flower, color scheme or look that you like, let me know!. Feel free to bring any props you’d like to include. Some clients will bring an ultrasound photo, blanket, letterboard, chalkboard, special baby outfit, baby shoes, etc. (But don’t let this stress you out. Other clients don’t bring anything and the photos are still perfect! This is completely up to you!)
Can I include my significant other and children?
This is a definite YES. I totally reccomend bringing them along with you. This is going to be a life changing moment for all of you. They won't be in all the photos because let's face it, this is your moment to be recognized for the changes you are going through. Most of the time the fact that you are the main one being photographed actually works in our favor. Most guys and children don't sit well for long periods of time being photographed. This gives them a chance to wander around and take a break while I focus on you. That being said I have had mothers opt out of bringing thier family with them, especially ones with large families. That is 100% your choice. Don't let that scare you off if you have a football team of kids lol, they are welcome at your session!
What do I wear?
Your clothing should both reflect your personality and also be something you feel comfortable in! I advise clients to bring a casual outfit like jeans and a sweater. Then also a long, flowy dress. We will have time for two different outfits if you’d like to change in the middle. If your husband and kids are joining, I love complimentary outfits! But not everyone has to wear white polos and khakis, if you know what I mean : )
If you are looking for a maternity dress, my clients have found theirs on Amazon, Ebay and my personal favorite Pink Blush. You really don't have to break the bank for a dress that you will only wear once. All three of the above options are pretty affordable. If you aren't interested in buying a dress there are also websites that rent out gorgeous gowns for a fraction of the cost you could buy one.
When it comes to shoes you can wear whatever you are comfortable in. I have had some clients wear heels and some go barefoot, it really is whatever you are comfortable with. If you are going to wear uncomfortable shoes because they are just to die for, maybe bring some slip ons to wear in between while walking between different spots at the photo shoot location.
Can I include my pets?
100% YES! Furry family members are always welcome too! Depending on your pets’ personalities, I have a variety of tricks to try and get them to perform in the shot. The only thing that pets will impact is location options. (Some locations don’t allow pets.) But I know plenty of spots that do!
The Packages
Pregnancy announcement
What better way to tell your friends and family you are expecting than a unique to you announcement?
$150
Includes: 20 minute session
1 Location
Location Scouting
Personalized Location Guide
1 Outfit
Styling Outfit Inspo
Print Release
Private Online Gallery
15 High Resolution Images
Brainstorm Session
Personal Client Portal
Gender Reveal
Are you going to find out the gender? If so it could be a cute idea to involve the whole family when finding out.
$150
Includes: 20 minute session
1 Location
Location Scouting
Personalized Location Guide
1 Outfit
Styling Outfit Inspo
Print Release
Private Online Gallery
15 High Resolution Images
Brainstorm Session
Personal Client Portal
Maternity Session
I cannot say enough about how important these sessions are. Mamma if you don't do it you will regret it later!
$350
Includes: Up to 90 minute session
1 Location
Location Scouting
Personalized Location Guide
2 Outfits
Styling Outfit Inspo
Print Release
Private Online Gallery
70 High Resolution Images
Brainstorm Session
Personal Client Portal
Fresh 48
I will come to the hospital to get pictures within the first 48 hours of your child's life? You will surely want to remember these times.
$300
Includes: Up to 1 hour session
Takes place at the hospital within 48 hours of the birth.
Immediate Family Only
Print Release
Private Online Gallery
30 High Resolution Images
Personal Client Portal
Newborn Lifestyle
Love the idea of getting some images of a sweet baby in their new digs to remember the place you brought them home to ?
$400
Includes: Up to 2 hour session
In your home
Lots of time for feeding breaks and diaper changes!
1 Outfit
Styling Outfit Inspo
Print Release
Private Online Gallery
70 High Resolution Images
Brainstorm Session
Personal Client Portal
I understand that not every package fits each person and that is why I would love to offer you a personalized package. All you have to do is reach out to me and let me know which packages you are interested in so I can come up with an offer for you. Keep in mind the more packages you bundle the bigger the discount you will receive.
“Making the decision to have a baby is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
– Elizabeth Stone
Milestones Package
Your baby will grow so fast you won't be able to keep up sometimes. When they are all grown up and moved out of the house you will wish you had documented all these milestones. I know going all out and doing a full shoot for each one can be a bit much and get expensive. That is why I wanted to combine these into a set of mini sessions. Each of these sessions will last 20 minutes long. They all come with a print release, online gallery. Each session will net about 15 photographs. They need to be scheduled two weeks in advance. This is a package deal which is why you get a great discount, so, unfortunately, they can't be split up. Below read more about when to schedule each one, since each child progresses at different rates.
3 months - baby is really cute just laying
6 months- baby can hold head up for long lengths of time
9 months- baby is sitting up all by themselves
12 months- baby turns one
$350
Breastfeeding Sessions
On the subject of breastfeeding let me start off by saying that I believe "fed is best". That applies to women who can't breastfeed and those that just don't want to. Your body... Your choice! So if you fit into that category you can just bypass this whole section.However, if you are a momma who is planning to breastfeed or is currently, I completely understand the needs of babies to eat constantly. I don't want anyone to feel scared to ask or ashamed to pause a session because your child needs to eat. Just let me know and we can find a spot for you to sit down. I do offer breastfeeding sessions separately as well. I like to offer tasteful breast feeding sessions for you to capture this magical time with your sweet baby. I am also a huge advocate for normalizing breastfeeding. That is why I like to share images from these sessions to help educate others. I know not all people are comfortable sharing these moments and that is why I always ask permission for each image and only share the ones that were approved by you. Even if I own the rights to the photos I would never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. This is why if we are doing a regular session and you need to take a break to breast feed I will always ask if you want me to capture some images for you. Just keep in mind that it is a safe space and you can always say no which is perfectly fine. Just don't let the reason you say no be because you don't trust me with your pictures. I promise I would only share with permission.
"My body, my life, became the landscape of my son’s life. I am no longer merely a thing living in the world; I am a world.”
- Sarah Manguso
Maternity Adventure Sessions
Maybe you are thinking that you would really love your maternity photos to be set under a waterfall or in front of a breathtaking mountain vista. Then you wonder how the heck you would get there in the current state of your body where tying your shoes is too hard and you generally need help standing up. Well in that case you have come to the right place. In my search for adventure elopement sessions and my love of hiking I have come across quite a few locations like this that have very minimal effort in getting there. Some you can just hop out the car and walk a few feet to and there are others that are within a mile walk a little more strenuous than a fast walk but way less than a hike. If you are super active and having an easy pregnancy and want to hike to a location that is always an option as well. Just no that this option is not cancelled out simply because you are pregnant if that is something that you have considered.
"This is the most extraordinary thing about motherhood - finding a piece of yourself separate and apart that all the same you could not live without."
- Jodi Picoult
All in all...
I really love maternity sessions and motherhood. I would be honored to be your maternity photographer. I send a questionnaire with every session booked so that I can get to know you better and understand your pregnancy journey. No two pregnancies are the same and that is why it is such an important part of the planning. I want your session to be as personalized as possible, to really tell your story.I have been pregnant 3 times; 1 miscarriage, 2 induced vaginal deliveries and I am a single mom with two teenagers. So even if I don't understand your journey because I haven't personally walked it, I have learned to be empathetic to loss, joy and things not going as planned. Motherhood and the journey it takes to get there is specifically unique to each individual, each different time. I think this is why I love maternity sessions so much, because every story is just as beautiful as the next. If you would like to choose me to tell your story you can just click the book now button below. I really look forward to meeting you!
