3 Reasons To Get Maternity Portraits Done | South Jersey Newborn and Portrait Photographer

Congrats! You're expecting a new addition to your family! What an exciting season of life!

Let's be honest though, pregnancy can also feel overwhelming, chaotic, and exhausting. As a Philadelphia/South Jersey maternity photographer, I've heard just about every reason why moms-to-be don't want to book maternity photos.

"I don't feel pretty."
"I'm too tired."
"I've gained too much weight."
"I'll just wait until the baby gets here."

Trust me...I get it.

When I was pregnant with my oldest, I was completely against the idea of maternity photos too. I didn't feel like myself, and stepping in front of the camera was the last thing I wanted to do. But looking back, I wish I had documented that season!

Pregnancy is only a small chapter in your story, yet it's one of the most transformative. It's the season where you're growing not only a tiny human, but also becoming a new version of yourself.

So if you've been making excuses, consider this your sign. Here are my top 3 reasons why you SHOULDN’T skip out on these.

You’ll be surprised how stunning you look!

I can’t tell you how many times I hear WOW THAT’S ME?! Hiring a professional maternity photographer is different from taking your photo in the bathroom mirror. You don’t have to know how to pose or be a professional model. We know how to use light, focal length, and natural posing to capture you at your most beautiful! I even offer a studio wardrobe collection full of gorgeous dresses that photograph well and flatter my clients.

You (AND your kids) will love looking back at your Maternity Portraits!

My kids love looking at photographs of me when I was pregnant with them! . For them, it was exciting to catch a glimpse of life before them and preparing for them. When I looked through these photos with them, it gave me time to reflect on my body’s incredible work during those long months of pregnancy. I found that I valued these few pregnancy photos and appreciated my pregnant body in a new way!

Your South Jersey Maternity Session will be EASIER than you think!

Many of my clients are relieved to hear that their maternity session will take just 60-90 minutes. My Maternity sessions don’t require elaborate costumes or props (unless you WANT to use them) You can choose to do your own hair and makeup or hire a trusted make up artist to come to your home before the session. I have a gorgeous selection of maternity dresses and robes in the studio collection, so you won’t even need to go shopping. Most importantly, I give you constant direction throughout the session so that we get flattering and natural portraits, and you are never left wondering what to do in front of the camera!

Ready to schedule your own south jersey maternity session? Lets chat!

Timeless Newborn Portraits with the Whole Family | South Jersey Newborn and Portrait Photographer

There is something so timeless about a neutral newborn session. Soft tones, simple styling, and a focus on connection allow the images to really keep the focus on your little one! This recent studio newborn session was the perfect example of how less can truly be more.

While your new baby is certainly the star of the show, these sessions are about so much more than newborn portraits. They are about documenting a family in this new season. They tell the story of a family growing. Years from now, these images will serve as a reminder of not only how tiny your baby once was, but of how deeply loved they were from the very beginning.

For this session, we kept everything simple with a neutral color palette neutral colors that allowed the focus to stay on this beautiful family and their newest addition. Soft creams, warm whites, and subtle textures created a clean, timeless look that will fit seamlessly into any home and never feel tied to a specific trend,

This sweet session was filled with cuddles, gentle moments, and so much love. It was an honor to capture these memories and preserve this fleeting chapter for a family that will undoubtedly cherish them for years to come. 🤍

A Cozy South Jersey In Home Newborn Session | South Jersey Newborn + Portrait Photogapher

There’s something incredibly special about documenting your baby’s very first days in the place where your family story is truly beginning.

One of the best parts of an in-home session is the comfort it brings.

This recent in-home newborn session was the perfect reminder that the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.

One of my favorite parts of this south jersey newborn session was how relaxed everything felt. Mom and dad simply soaked in the moments together while baby slept peacefully in their arms. We captured tiny fingers wrapped around theirs, sweet forehead kisses, and all of those in-between moments that can so easily be forgotten in the blur of newborn life.

These are the memories worth holding on to. The way your baby fit perfectly on your chest, the cozy mornings spent together at home, and the overwhelming feeling of welcoming a brand new little love into your family.

I’m so grateful I got to document this beautiful season for this sweet family. In-home newborn sessions truly have a magic all their own.

The Ultimate Guide to Booking a South Jersey/ Philadelphia Fresh 48 Photo Session

What is a Fresh 48 Newborn Session?

A fresh 48 session is a session that takes place right in your hospital room after birth. These sessions are traditionally taken within the first 48 hours of life before getting discharged from the hospital. These types of sessions are more documentary and candid. They are relaxed with a focus on the tiny, newness of your new baby and the first moments together as a family. We focus on the details, love and connection during this special time! These can be taken in lieu of a standard newborn session or added on in addition to them! I love seeing your sweet babes 2-3 weeks later at their newborn session!

When is the right time to book Fresh 48 sessions in Boston?

Honestly, the sooner, the better! But you can truly book them at any point during your pregnancy. Sooner tends to be better because the timing is unknown and the more time photographers have to plan, the better. Getting a tentative date early on is never a bad idea! Generally speaking, we have to block off several dates around your potential due date, and ensure we are in town (and have childcare and a back-up photographer) for a few weeks surrounding the date. My recommendation would be around 6 months pregnant! Once the baby has arrived, we can get a more specific time and date depending on the hospitals visitors hours.

What to expect during your Fresh 48 Photo Session

Fresh 48 photo sessions generally last between 45 minutes and one hour. We will capture everything from family portraits and individual images of the We spend the time snuggling baby near the window, on the hospital bed, and utilizing the chair or couch provided. I spend time taking photos of just your baby in the hospital bassinet or on the bed to ensure we capture all their tiny details. If a sibling or grandparent is there, we can definitely include them in the photos as well.

What Should Clients Prepare for their Fresh 48 Photography Session?

The nice thing about such a relaxed session outside of your home is that there isn’t a whole lot you need to do to prepare. The “outfits” and props are saved for the studio newborn session, so no need to worry about any of that! Here’s what I recommend adding to your hospital bag so that you are ready to go:

• A nice pair of pajamas, or leggings and a top, or a robe that the recovering mama feels comfortable wearing. If you’re planning on breastfeeding, something that you can easily do so in is ideal!

• You don’t *need* to bring anything for baby, but if you prefer clothes versus the classic diaper or hospital white shirt, pack a newborn sized outfit without words or graphics.

• Optional accessories: cute hat, swaddling blanket, headband, name plate, small stuffed animal, cute pacifier.

  That’s it!

6 Things Your Photographer Wants you to Know | South Jersey and Philadelphia Newborn and Portrait Photographer

CONGRATS! You’ve chosen a newborn photographer and can’t wait to get photos of the precious new addition to your family! But if you’ve never had a newborn session before, you may not be sure what to expect from the experience or how to prepare. That’s why I, as a seasoned South Jersey Newborn Photographer, want to let you know a few things that newborn photographers wish all their clients knew.

Every newborn is unique.

Just as every family is different, no two babies are exactly alike. One newborn might be perfectly comfortable posed laying on her belly, while another might absolutely hate it. Your photographer will work with you and your newborn to find the positions they’re most comfortable in and will definitely not force your baby into any poses they aren’t willing to do.

We’ve seen it all. TRUST ME.

If your baby pees on the photographer’s set, throws a fit, or just wants to nurse the whole session, don’t be embarrassed. Chances are your photographer has experienced everything from poop all over their props to being peed on. As a newborn photographer, this is their everyday life, and they’re totally understanding. After all, your baby’s needs come before your photos. So, don’t feel like you have to apologize for every little thing that goes wrong. Your photographer is there to support you and work with you.

We have a lot of tricks up our sleeves.

It can be tempting to swoop in and pick up your newborn as soon as they start crying, but most photographers know a variety of ways to sooth little ones. It’s important for parents to use their newborn session as a time to relax and to trust the photographer. If your baby is truly upset and can’t be calmed down, we’ll be sure to pass them on to you for feeding, diapering, or comfort, but until then, let us do our thang!

 You should feel free to take a break.

As the parent of a newborn, you probably haven’t had a moment to yourself in a while. Well, your photo session is the perfect chance to just sit back and relax. Most of the images will be of your baby, so you get to sit on the sidelines, have a cup of coffee, and maybe finally check your email or return some phone calls. And no judgment if you doze off during the session! I’ll wake you when I need you

We want you to share our photos.

Photographers take images for you to cherish and enjoy, and we want you to share them! Post those photos of your newborn all over social media and send to family and friends. We want our images to be seen! Just be sure to credit your photographer when you share their images on Facebook or Instagram and feel free to recommend them to other expecting parents!

Our work doesn’t end with your session.

Since everyone has a camera on their phone these days, photographers hear a lot about how anyone can take a photo. But a professional does so much more than simply click a button. We set up backdrops and lighting, and we know all the tricks of the trade to make your photos turn out amazing. And once the session is over, we spend hours editing your photos to make them the absolute best they can be, providing you with images you’ll cherish for a lifetime.