I recommend scheduling between 30-35 weeks...  far enough along to have a cute "bump" but not too close to your due date.  

There are lots of options for wardrobe, but what's most important is that you look and feel amazing!  I love the way maxi dresses photograph, tight on top and flaring out just above the belly - they  give us lots of options to highlight the bump while creating nice texture and flow.  Medium to light colors photograph well, and I would avoid super bold colors and bold patterns because they can be distracting.

If your partner or family is going to be in the photos, choose your outfit first and coordinate everyone else around you.  Avoid matching, but coordinate with colors that compliment each other, or use neutrals and mix in textures to create depth.  

It depends!  Maternity sessions are shorter than a full family session, with focus being on mama, the bump and partner.  If you'd like a few quick photos of kids+bump then we can include them in a maternity session.  If you are looking for bump photos as well as a family portrait, siblings together, and any individual photos of your children I recommend booking a regular family session.  

I've always been a fan of natural moments, keeping images authentic and personal.  Rather than posed, in-studio newborn photography with baskets and props, I will photograph candid family moments in your own home.  I'll mix in some individual portraits and details of your newborn with photos of the family (in various combinations) focusing on your sweet baby.  I encourage you to look through my gallery of newborn photos to get an idea of what to expect! 

While I am always open to special requests, I encourage keeping props to a minimum, keeping styles simple so the eye is drawn to your newborn.  I bring a small selection of neutral swaddles, a simple white onesie, and a few delicate looking headbands.  

It’s best to book your session before baby arrives.  I’ll mark my calendar with your due date and we keep our knees bent!  I expect timing to be unpredictable, so beforehand we’ll discuss dates and compare each other’s schedule for availability.  Add me to your list of VIPs to contact when baby is born, and we’ll finalize the session date!  You’ll likely be at home with your newborn the weeks following birth, and for the most part I typically have weekday flexibility for newborn sessions.

It’s nice if we can schedule newborn photos within the baby’s first two weeks, however, because I photograph more candid, relaxed in-home “lifestyle” photos, which do not rely on newborn posing, our time frame can be flexible.  Newborn sessions are typically scheduled between the hours of 9:00am - 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, or by special appointment on weekends.

Sessions typically last around two hours, allowing enough time for feeding and diaper changes.

For that light “airy” look I recommend sticking with a neutral color palette of whites, soft blush, neutrals, grays, or lighter shades of blue.  If it flatters your skin tones, navy or dark grays can work well, but avoid bold colors and lots of black.  Layering texture adds depth and interest but keep bold patterns, logos and words minimum.  Keep in mind the color scheme of the nursery, since it’s likely we’ll be photographing in that room a lot.  Avoid matchy-matchy outfits, but coordinate them.  I recommend laying all outfits out so you can get a feel for how they look together.  

For baby:  I prefer to keep styles simple so our eyes are drawn to your newborn, not bold colors or patterns.  Simple lightweight muslin wraps, cute onesies, delicate headbands, diaper covers and bare skin tends to photograph best.  I would avoid full outfits, as they are often too large for a newborn and can be distracting.  I come with a few simple swaddles, a white onesie, and some simple headbands but if you have any special requests I recommend purchasing them prior to the session.  

For mom:  Wear clothes you feel comfortable in!  Maxi dresses, tunics or loose cardigans over leggings are flattering and photograph nicely. 

If possible, feed your baby just prior to our session so he/she is happy and sleepy when it’s time to start photographing!  

It helps the session go quickly and easily when key rooms, like the nursery, master bedroom, and living room, are cleaned up and photo ready before I arrive.  Tuck anything you don’t want in photos - diaper genie, dirty laundry, baby monitors etc. in a closet so they are out of a camera’s view.

Have outfits for everyone in the family picked out and prepared before the birth, so you don’t have to stress out about putting them together while you are caring for a newborn.  

We’ll discuss lighting in your home before the session, but I’ll want a tour of your space when I arrive so I can see the nursery and find the best light.  I’ll take a variety of images, some focusing on baby alone, baby with parents and siblings, and all of the sweet little details like little feet, eyelashes and hands.  I expect to photograph a little, and then pause for feeding and diapers… or outfit changes from spit up!  Expect our session to last two or so hours.  We’ll keep things relaxed and I won’t leave until I’m confident we’ve gotten the images most important to you.