I just love seeing these families for a maternity and then a newborn session. I love how this Momma glows being pregnant. Her beach maternity session had the perfect evening as we did a little off roading to our location. Her beautiful baby girl made her appearance in our studio at two weeks old. She did so well and is just gorgeous. Welcome to this world little one. I am so thankful to see them all again and if you are interested in learning more about booking a maternity session with newborn session with me please contact me HERE

TIPS FOR SUCCESS DURING YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

Keep baby awake for a minimum of 90 minutes or more prior to your session start time.

Nursing? Avoid spicy foods for 24 hours or more before your session.

Schedule shots or immunizations the week (or at least 48 hours) prior to your session date.

If you use a pacifier, bring it with you but don’t use it prior to the session.

Turn off your phone so you won’t be distracted during the session.

Your hands may be visible. Time for that manicure! I like to grab details photos.

PACK YOUR BAG

Sessions can last 2-3 hours, so a “Newborn Session Kit” is a great idea.

Here are some things to include:

• Your Special Blankets

• Extra Milk or Formula

• Extra Diapers

• Baby Wipes

• Pacifier

• Any sentimental items you want in your image but everything is provided.

 

Leland, NC newborn photographer

Wilmington newborn photographer

North Carolina newborn photographer in Wilmington

If I had to create a bucket list for maternity session themes and locations….this would be on it and achieved! I had so much fun documenting this beautiful Mommas twin belly! Yes, she is having twin boys. Such a treat! I love the gowns she chose for her session.

My Gown Closet:

Save some worry and come see what I have inside. I understand it can be hard to shop for yourself right now. You want something to make you feel comfortable and beautiful. But when you book your session with me, I can assure you, I have some options for you to consider. I keep my gown selection to the style you see in my work…warm, neutral and timeless. Keeping the focus on you. With a new body to become accustomed to, it might feel nerve-racking. The outfits I have are flattering to a variety of shapes.

This is entirely complimentary to you! Trust me. I get it. Tight bank, tight schedule. Before your session, we will consult. I will send you images of my gowns and will bring a variety with me. This way, it saves you from the hassle of losing any session time. Typically, we do this a week or two before your photo shoot so I can steam, press, and have your outfit set to go!

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This beautiful family headed to Wrightsville for the weekend and to capture this beautiful growing belly on this stunning Momma! The sunset was amazing, the temps were perfect and the light breeze was helpful to add a little mood to the evening.

If you are considering a maternity session for you and your family, here are some tips that can help prepare you for a special day. And if you are wanting more information on booking a session with me be sure to click HERE for details

 

Maternity Session Tips:

If you’re new to the portrait session game, chances are you may feel a little bit nervous about what to expect. That’s completely natural, so don’t think you’re strange for feeling that way. In fact, I hear from my clients all the time that they’re apprehensive to get their pictures taken for all sorts of reasons, ranging from being “un photogenic” to feeling awkward in front of the camera and beyond. To help you feel a bit more at ease leading up to the day of your session — and during the actual shoot — we’ve given you some pro tips below. 

Chat With Me Before The Session

Sometimes simply talking through the process with your photographer can help you feel much more at ease. For starters, we’ll walk you through each step of the session-day process so that you know what to expect. Second, getting to know the person who’s going to be photographing you can help you feel much more relaxed and yourself on the day of.

Be Authentic to Yourself

Have you ever packed for a vacation and decided you were going to bring four different novels and a couple workout outfits even though you rarely read or workout? That same sort of mentality can occur when you’re prepping for a photo session as you try to reinvent who you are. Instead, relax and show up on session day as your authentic self. Have a look through my client closet and see what options are available to you during your session — this is all about capturing the essence of pregnancy!

Go Ahead and Glam it Up

It’s a fine line between not being true to who you are and wanting to look amazing the day of your shoot. The key to feeling amazing and comfortable on your session day is to elevate the traits you really like about yourself. If you love flowing dresses, find one that you feel incredible in. If your hair is your favorite feature, go ahead and get a blowout or spend the few hours beforehand focusing on your hairdo. Do these things only if you feel like it will make you feel your best and not because you feel like you “should.” My sessions are meant to be relaxed and natural and I capture a variety of posed and unposed images.

Know That I am Here For YOU!

One of the reasons why people experience post-photo stress is that they might not have had the best images taken. Because of the lens, selfies create a distorted image of your face. Also, lighting and angles seriously matter. An image that you take with your cell phone in bright sunlight is not going to look the same on my camera. I shoot in specific lighting situations that go with my style which is why you have chosen me…. I know which poses to put you in.

 

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I have been meaning to write this post for quiet some time now. Many have listened to me talk about it. It truly means so much to me, so I am taking the time while I have it today to get it out.

With the new technology we have at our finger tips, I believe we have forgotten how important it is to print our images. Whether it be a quick snap shot from our phone or an investment placed with a professional photographer. I truly believe it is important to hold that memory between our finger tips. I speak to my clients daily about the value of a print. What will you have to show your kids when they’re your age, now?

Think about it…

How much trust have you placed in technology? Starring at a computer screen vs. an actual print in your hand that can be passed down from generation to generation. Which do you trust? Yes, I do believe having digitals is important as a back up so you can make copies and add to your walls. But, do you?

I have a box in my garage of images of when my children were babies. Not just from a professional photographer but from my point and shoot of the days, the disposable cameras we all once held in our hands before the “phone” took over. The days where I held the film camera in my hand which also started my journey as a professional and still sits in my closet. It is the same camera that I find in old photos of my parents with me as a baby. My point in telling you this is that this generation and generations to come don’t have the advantage of pulling out an old box out from the garage or using the old camera their parents once used. I can always go to that box in my garage or stare at the images on my walls but I do quickly forget about the images that were lost on a hard drive or are even sitting on my computer now.

So I hope this post inspires you, alerts you and encourages you to print your images. Print your memories. We take pictures not because we don’t want to forget but because they were important enough to snap it, capture it and document it. Dont always put your trust in a computer that can fail tomorrow but in the print that you can hold in your hand and share with your children as they grow and become parents themselves.

 

And of course I can’t post this without sharing an adorable newborn baby with you. 🙂

Wilmington, NC newborn photographer

Part 1…because this beautiful soul is my sweet daughter and I can’t believe how beautiful she looks pregnant. We will be adding to her gallery of images soon so be on the look out. She’s got that Momma glow and I cannot wait for the end of May to come! If you have been following me for some time you may have had her assist me with your newborn. Well…time goes by too quickly and here she is about to become a Momma herself.

Maternity Session Intro:

If you’re like a lot of the soon-to-be-mothers I meet, you may be a little camera shy right now. Especially when you’re seven to nine months pregnant. And who can blame you! After all, your body has changed over the last several months, your baby is sitting low and you probably feel uncomfortable even walking from the kitchen to the living room sofa. Believe me, I can absolutely relate. 

Let me tell you something, though. You are gorgeous. You are stunning. In this moment, you are the absolute epitome of natural beauty. And every single picture we take together will showcase the inherent grace and elegance that accompanies all women with child. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is an unparalleled luminescence that radiates from a pregnant woman. A glow so unique to pregnancy that it’s impossible to replicate under any other circumstance. These thoughtful, artistic maternity photos of you will be treasured by you, your significant other, your friends and family and, yes, your unborn child, forever. 

In your maternity shoot, we’ll take a variety of photographs of you in different poses. As long as you’re comfortable, we’ll get photographs of you laying down, sitting, standing and leaning. Some will hone in on that adorable baby bump, some may be silhouettes of your frame and others will capture the bond between you and your significant other. 

 

Jacksonville North Carolina maternity photography

maternity photography Jacksonville North Carolina

Just love the calm waves with a beautiful sunset for this beautiful Momma! Such a sweet family with their little guy. He will soon have a little brother to love on. Cant wait to meet him this May!

Maternity FAQ

When should I schedule maternity photos? 

As a general rule of thumb, I like to schedule your maternity session shortly after you’ve told friends and family the exciting news! This will give us plenty of time to find a great day that works well for both of us. Maternity photos are typically taken when you’re showing — generally around 28-34 weeks into your pregnancy.

How many outfits should I bring to my maternity session?

One to two outfits for your maternity session is a good number to bring if you are choosing items from home. I do have a client closet where can choose from a variety of styles. I like to always have at least two for variety’s sake, but whether you want to wear more than that is up to you. I always recommend bringing a backup outfit or two just in case you’re not “feeling” the outfit you’d planned to wear.

What should I consider when planning maternity outfits? 

My biggest piece of advice is to wear something you feel both comfortable and beautiful in. My second piece of advice is for you to choose an outfit form-fitting enough to showcase your baby bump. Lastly, wear a supportive, well-fitting bra. Between us ladies, I know that breasts change a lot during pregnancy, so pick up a new bra that fits immaculately before our session to avoid discomfort and any lumps or bumps! 

Where do we take the photographs? 

Where we take photographs depends on the type of session we’re shooting. For maternity, I like to do on-location, outdoor photographs that let us maximize our access to natural light. This can be in a beautiful pasture, at the beach, or in the woods. 

Can my partner or child be in the photographs, too? 

Of course! I love incorporating mom, dad and your other children into our session photos. While in most cases you and dad will be the stars of the day, I believe it’s so important to have several photographs with the entire family. 

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