Why you should consider having your maternity photos at home

As we all know, the weather can play a major role in your Seattle photo session. With rain that lasts from October to May (or so it seems), a large majority of the year is taken up with bad weather. Many people are now opting for in home newborn and family sessions, but lately, in home maternity sessions are on the rise too.

Your home is the perfect backdrop for your maternity session. During an in home maternity session, we’re been able to include the mother-to-be’s food cravings, pets, and a little more skin that many people are comfortable with in a public place. When your maternity photo session is at home, we can use the nursery that your baby will soon sleep in as the backdrop to some of your photos. This will be so special to show your little one in the future.

As with family and newborn sessions, there is no need to stress about the weather, or stay up to sunset to get that beautiful golden light. In home sessions are best done in the mid morning or afternoon, so if you have other kids, we can book your session around their schedules.

If you’d like an in home maternity session, I would love to work with you. Please contact me or feel free to book online.

What to Expect at a Maternity Photo Session

Are you expecting a new baby and thinking about having a maternity session. As a Seattle area maternity photographer for the last ten years, I’ve photographed a ton of expecting mamas, and here are some tips to ensure your maternity session turns out the way you want it to:

Schedule your maternity session for between 28-36 weeks

The whole point of a maternity session is to show off that bump, so make sure to schedule your session once you’re showing but before you’re too uncomfortable. The general rule of thumb is that a maternity session should take place between 28-36 weeks.

Choose a location that is meaningful to you

Many people opt for an at home maternity session, but I have had a couple of families choose flower fields because they are naming their daughter after a flower. To me, that is such lovely nod to the chosen name.

Wear a dress

Dresses always look best for outdoor maternity sessions. There’s something special about the way they hug the body and blow in the wind. Not sure where to start looking? This one gets praise from everyone I’ve known who has worn it.

Get your hair and make up done

We all know pregnancy causes us to feel not like ourselves. One way you can make yourself feel better is by getting your hair and make up done.

Check for chipped nail polish

This is a tip I give everyone before their session. Chipped nail polish really does show up in your images. Make sure you have freshly painted nails, or no polish at all.

Lastly, relax and trust your photographer

As a maternity photographer, I know how to pose you in the best way to make sure you look as beautiful as the rest of us see you.

If you’re interested in a maternity session, please contact me. I would love to photograph you during this special time in your live.

Is it Worth Having Maternity Photos Taken?

Most families know they want to have a newborn photography session but have you ever considered having a maternity session too? Here are my top reasons why I think you should have a maternity session.

This may be the last professional photos of just the two of you.

Once baby arrives, life is going to be all about your new little one. This may be the very last time you’ll have professional pictures of just the two of you.

It’s important to document this time in your lives

Once baby arrives, you’ll forget all the aches and pains, the movements, your body changing seemingly overnight, the small smiles you received from other women who have been in your shoes. One way to take you back to this time is through photographs.

It provides a great way to get to know your photographer before your newborn session

Those first few days of motherhood are raw, intimate, and emotional. When you have a maternity session first, we get to know each other so that when I arrive for your newborn session, it’s just like having an old friend visit and not some stranger when you’re feeling the most vulnerable.

Questions about having a maternity session? Let’s chat.

Is Spring a Good Time for a Family Photo Session?

Spring is a wonderful season to have your family photography session here in Seattle. So many people believe that Fall is the best time, and while it is beautiful, here are my top reasons why I think you should try having your family photos done in Spring over the other seasons:

The sun sets at a more reasonable time

The sun in Seattle sets so late in the summer, meaning that your kids have to be kept up late. Kids typically handle it fine, but if you’d rather not keep them up so late, a Spring session may be just what you’re looking for.

The weather is normally nice, but not too hot or cold

Last year, I did back to back family sessions on the hottest day of the year in King County. Not only was I sweating, but so were my families. In Spring, you can wear a cute dress and bring a pretty cardigan if you need an extra layer. You will have more fun during your session if you’re not sweating or freezing.

Your photographer won’t be completely booked up

Everyone wants family photos in the Fall, but the Spring isn’t as popular. The chance of getting the date you want is higher if you book your family photo session in the Spring. Which brings me to my next point:

If it does rain, you’ll have more chance of getting a new date sooner rather than later

Almost all photographers are booked solid in the Fall, but if you have your photography session in the Spring and you need to reschedule, your photographer likely has much more availability.

High chance of flowers

I’m never going to promise flowers with the unpredictable weather patterns we have in Seattle, but if you love flowers, Spring might be the best option for your session.

I would be so honored to photograph your family this spring. Please take a look at my portfolio and if you think we’d be a great match, let me know!

When should I have my family photos taken?

If you’re thinking about having a family photography session, you may be wondering when the best time to have one is. The answers will depend on where you live. This blog is going to be about when to have family photos taken in the greater Seattle area. This will also apply to the majority of towns in western Washington. I believe that there is no wrong time for family photos so I’m not going to say I prefer one time of year over another, but hopefully this will help you decide what works best for your family.

What time of year should I have my family photos done in Seattle?

We all know that Seattle weather can be cold, rainy and gray. If you want your family session done at your house, then we never have to worry about rainy days. Winter is the perfect time for a cozy, snuggly in-home photography session. However, if you want your session outdoors, it’s probably best to avoid having family photos done in November through March. Spring is a great time for family photos as the weather has normally started to improve, and sunset (the best time for family photos) isn’t too late. In summer, we’re most likely to get that beautiful golden hour light, however, in Seattle sunset in the summer is pretty late. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, just that you may want to make plans to make it easier if you have little kids. Take a look at some tips on late sessions with young children. Everyone loves Fall images! It’s the busiest time of year for most photographers. Sunset isn’t too late, autumn light is beautiful and flattering and the leaves are such beautiful colors. Fall does fill up quickly so if you want a fall family session, you’ll want to schedule it early.

What time of day should I have my family photo session?

This will depend on whether your family photos are scheduled to take place at home or outdoors. If your session will be at home, I recommend starting at 10am. By this time, the sun won’t be directly above the house so you’ll be getting light coming in through the windows. If you have little kids, they’re normally happiest at well rested by mid-morning. If your family photo session is taking place outdoors, the best light is in the hour before sunset, commonly known as “the golden hour”. This is the prettiest and most flattering light. Obviously, the actual time will depend on the time of year. As mentioned above, it can be difficult for young children but it’s certainly doable.

Once you’ve decided what time of year you’d like your family photos, let’s get you officially scheduled. I can’t wait to meet you!

The Sweetest Love Story {Edmonds Family Photographer}

It has been such an honor to photograph this beautiful family for the third time. You may recognize them from their prior newborn sessions. You can read about their first two newborn sessions here and here.

We met on a beautiful evening in Discovery Park for their maternity session. The temperature was perfect and the sun was shining. The best time for outdoor family sessions is the hour before sunset, but with young kids and being in the height of summer, this can be hard. We opted for an earlier session time, and thankfully, Discovery Park has enough shade to make this possible. Discovery Park is one of my favorite locations for many reasons, but one of the best is because of how versatile it is. There is shade for non-golden hour times, there are views of the water, a giant field to run around in, trees, old buildings, a beach and long grass. It really doesn’t get much better than this.

This session was bursting with love, just the same way every other session I’ve done for them has been. Isn’t it amazing how your heart just seems to grow with love for each child? This is what I can see happening each time this family welcomes a new baby into their lives. Their hearts expand and it’s so beautiful to be able to witness.

When this mama contacted me for her maternity session, she said she envisioned bare feet, a flowy dress and tall grass. I’m so honored that we were able to do her maternity session exactly how she envisioned.

If you’re expecting a new little baby in your family and would love to document this time, please contact me here. It would be an honor to photograph you as you wait for your newest family member.

Welcome to the World Sweet Baby

A Cozy In Home Session on a Cool Fall Day {Seattle Family Photographer}

What happens if time gets away from you and you never get around to scheduling a newborn session when your baby is still tiny? Should you just skip a session? In my opinion, absolutely not! I photograph babies exactly how I photograph newborns, it really doesn’t matter if they are 6 days or 6 months! This sweet boy was almost 4 months for his sesison. His amazing parents had just finished renovating their gorgeous house and it was a perfect time to photograph this new family of three in the four walls which makes up their home.

Welcome to the World Lois {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

Coming back from maternity leave is always a little stressful. I worry that I’ll be rusty and I’ll forget something or forget how to direct families, but thankfully, this first session back was so easy and relaxed. This sweet family welcomed their first baby over Easter and it was such an honor to be invited into their home as they adjusted to their new roles as parents. They are doing such a beautiful job with sweet Lois and I hope they will cherish these photos for years to come.

A Peaceful Morning at Home with a Family of Four {Everett Newborn Photographer}

This has been a year for the newborns! While most of the world has stopped, babies are still arriving and they still deserved to be documented. Despite not being able to work for four months, this has been my busiest year for newborns to date. Some families had to wait and push their newborn sessions out a few weeks, meaning their newborns were more like 6 or 7 weeks before we could do their session, but that is the beauty of a lifestyle photo session. It doesn’t really matter how old the baby is as we don’t have to get them sleeping and curling up in unnatural poses. I can’t wait to see all the new babies in 2021!

Now onto this session! Little Ford was still one of those tiny newborns at only 11 days for his session. He was such a chill, easy baby and fits right in with his family. His big sister, Sloan was so adorable with him. I always try to start with family and sibling images so that the other kids can take off after that. Sloan was a champ and was so loving with her baby brother. The rest of the session went so smoothly. He hardly made a peep and was just content being in his parents’ arms. I love to focus on the mama and baby during all family and newborn sessions. Often the mom is the photographer in the family, even if she isn’t a photographer herself. Mamas deserve to be in the picture too, so I think it’s so important that I photograph those bonds as much as possible. It is so beautiful to witness the love between a growing family. This family was no exception. The love between them was so beautiful.

Little Ford, welcome to the world. You are so loved!