So, you booked an in-home, lifestyle session... 

Thank you!

I'm so very happy you scheduled an in-home, lifestyle session!  The photos from your session will be so meaningful to your little family. They'll tell the full story of your life with your new bundle of joy, teething toddler and/or rambunctious bigs.  They'll feel your smile and hear your laugh when they look at these photos.  They'll see how you looked at them, and they'll know how much you loved them from day one.  All that, and you'll have a great baby announcement, Facebook profile picture, and Christmas card.  Win. Win.

How do i prepare my home?

Light, light light.  Open all the curtains & draw up the blinds prior to the session, please.  There's just something magical about bright, happy photos.

Um, how tidy does my home have to be?

If we’re going to be real with each other, and we are, here’s a peek behind my curtain: I have a week’s worth of unopened mail living on my kitchen counter, plus that eternal, mysterious paper pile by my computer that will probably outlive us all. There are sticky little fingerprints all over my fridge that make me smile every time I see them. There are enough Legos on my bathroom floor to supply an entire preschool, sitting right next to three different toddler potty options (one day she’ll pick a favorite, right?). And don’t even get me started on the laundry situation.

So when it comes to prepping your home for session day, keep it simple. Pick the spaces you actually want in the frame—usually the nursery, the living room, the kids' rooms, or the primary bedroom—and shove the rest of the clutter behind a closed door. Chuck it in a closet, slide it under a bed, or stash it in the hallway I’ll never see.

Even if you’re usually a "could eat off my hardwood floors" kind of human, you just brought a newborn home and you're coordinating tiny, unpredictable people. My bar for your housekeeping sits comfortably at "one notch above an episode of Hoarders."

I'm just thrilled you invited me into your world to make stunning photos of your family. Take a breath, put the vacuum away, and spend that extra fifteen minutes on your hair or a cup of warm coffee instead of scrubbing your kitchen sink. Your photos will thank you.

WHAT DO WE WEAR?

Step 1: Check out my 'What to Wear' Pinterest board, then head to your closet.  

Step 2: Decide on a style and coordinate your entire family.  Sunday Casual. BOHO. Denim. Preppy.  Any style will do as long as it's You.

Step 3:  Toss all the outfits together so you see how they mesh.   Then head back to the closet or start pondering a little shopping. 

Step 4:  Send me a picture of all the outfits together. I'll help guide you to perfection!

A few helpful wardrobe hints:

Newborn Sessions are best in pastels or light colors.

Little kids: Add an element of texture, delicate pattern, or colored pant to the outfit to make it pop.  

Dads: Depending on the style you chose, light blue collared shirts or vintage t-shirts and jeans look great on dads. If you're dressing Dad for a newborn session, plan something breathable that doesn't show perspiration.  Newborn sessions are toasty!  

Moms: Necklaces and layers look fab.  Skinny pants/jeans/leggins look great with a flowy top.  

Newborns: Babies are best photographed in clothes specifically made for newborn photography or a simple white or lightly patterned onsie.  Let's chat about this.  It's important.  :)

o my gosh.  i woke up with a zit in the middle of my forehead!

Of course you did.  It's picture day.  But, don't worry.  A blemish I can handle.  Photoshop is amazing.  It is easier to fix small blemishes or uneven skin tones with minimally applied cover-up.  So, don't go overkill trying to cover it up, let's just pretend it's not there because it won't be in your final photo.   Just don't forget the eyes.  A little extra eye make-up really helps your eyes pop.

KIDS!

Let's be honest.  They're the reason we're taking photos.  If it were just the two of you, you'd snap a selfie and call it a day.  So, I bend some rules, jump on beds, listen to the littles intricate stories, tickle some toes, and go with their flow.   Kids' eagerness to make photos comes and goes in waves throughout the session.  It's A-OK.  I like to surf.  ;) 

Baking sessions.

Yay!  These are super fun.  A few pointers: prep is essential.  Have all your ingredients pre-measured and in matching little bowls prior to the session.  Pre-heat your oven before I arrive.  And, accessorize.  Cute milk glasses.  Fun straws.  Sentimental plates.  You name it.  A few little details will really make your pictures special.  

WHEN CAN I SEE MY PHOTOS?

After I leave your home, I spend hours on my little computer turning your amazing moments into the story of your life.  I edit.  And, ponder. And edit, and ponder.  When I sit back and smile at your gallery, I know they're ready for you.  Then, I send them on over.  This normally takes about 3 weeks post shoot.  

Secret sauce for sessions with babies...

WARM AND TOASTY, PLEASE.

For babes 6 months and younger, please adjust the temperatures so it's around 80 degrees in the rooms we'll be photographing the tot. Little ones can't regulate their body temperature, so keeping them warm during the session is top priority.  I have a small heater I'll bring with me to help out as well.  If this is a family session, keep this in mind while picking out your outfits.

DAIRY IS SCARY

Okay, perhaps an exaggeration.  But, dairy does cause some littles issues.  And, it doesn't show up immediately.  It often starts around or after a week and a half of life or, oh hey, the morning of your newborn session.  So, even if your little one hasn't shown issues, if you’re breast feeding, please avoid eating dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, protein powders (whey), ice cream, etc) 24 hours before your session. 

WHAT IF MY BABY CRIES, A LOT?

While crying babies break all of our hearts, they still make great photos.  If your baby needs a little TLC, I'll be snapping away while you sing and rock and soothe your little one.  The tenderness will make a beautiful photo.  And, by all means, if you'd like to take a break and feed your baby (or yourself!), please do.

WHAT should i have on hand?

Pacifiers.  Sometimes babies will refuse pacifiers from parents, but will happily take them from a photographer.   Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water is also a favorite for a lot of moms.  It helps babes calm in minutes.  And, a food source.  Babies and moms often need a snack during a session. Of course, these are just suggestions.  Whatever you decide is perfect! 

WHAT MATTERS (AND WHAT REALLY, REALLY DOESN’T)

Let’s get one thing straight: I care deeply about you, your baby, and your sanity.

Getting your hair and makeup done so you feel human? Important. Baby fed, cozy, and warm? Absolute top priority. Clearing a space in the nursery, living room, or primary bedroom? That’s plenty. Outside of those three things, give yourself permission to let everything else go. Truly.

I do not care about a spotless house, the pile of dishes currently mocking you from the sink, or older siblings’ bedrooms looking like a small tornado blew through. I don't care about half-finished home projects, dust bunnies, or that eccentric vintage armchair you inherited from Great Aunt Mildred.

If it’s causing you stress, take a breath—I promise I won't even notice. I walk through your front door with one single mission: to create gorgeous, soulful pictures of your new world. The rest is just background noise. Leave the mess right where it is, snuggle your sweet baby, and let me handle the magic.