Getting family photos isn’t even easy for me. I hire my sweet friend Gina every year for a session and even after years of doing this, my family still doesn’t always love it!
Some ways we have learned over the years to make it more fun and easy for our teens…. 1) Promise dinner after the session 2) Organize a shopping trip where they get to pick out the outfit they love and feel comfortable in. (I typically pick a color scheme and tell them they get to pick out an outfit within that scheme!) 3) Make it a short (we love mini sessions) 4) Bring in all the dad jokes and use them 5) Help them understand that they will appreciate and even be able to use the photos for their social pages and that it is a gift to mom. My husband always preps our kids by telling them that this is a gift to me. For some reason that seems to help!
What about you? Any tips you can share with me for the future? We are always looking to add to our list!
I love photographing families, and especially am loving lifestyle newborn sessions. If you have had a new baby, or are prepping for one, I would love to document this incredible stage for you.
These are just a few tips I have laid out to past clients as they get ready to open their homes to their new bundles of joy. Hope it will help if you are preparing this season for a new little one in your home. Below are some tips on helping our session to go smoothly with your new little one!!
1) Schedule your session for the first 14 days of life, if you are able to. Typically newborns are still in that tiny scrunched up stage and are easy to move from one area o another. They are also sleeping a LOT, so it makes the session go quickly! Typically with my Newborn clients, we put 2 dates on the calendar, one a week before baby is due (in case he/she comes early) and one a week after the due date. I will be in touch with you as to when baby comes so we know the correct date of the session!
2) A Hot Home or Room! A hot home is best for getting baby to sleep as well as keeping baby comfortable. I would suggest putting the thermostat up to about 80 and I will typically bring an electric heater to make one well-lit room really hot so baby can go to sleep easily and quickly! Remember, your baby just came from a 98 degree “home”, so getting him or her nice and cozy will make sleeping for the session much easier!
3) Working around Baby’s schedule. Newborns sleep a lot. Typically in these first few weeks of life they are just getting their schedules straight, so don’t feel bad if you have to feed baby, or rock baby, etc. Don’t feel rushed in any way. Newborns are on their own schedule!
4) Props. I am not a huge prop girl. But I do have a few neutral colored rugs and blankets that I will bring and you are free to use. Feel free to pull out any headbands, outfits, blankets, baskets or items you wish to include in your session. Getting some cute diaper covers are great, but if you don’t have one (or one that fits!) no worries.
5) Siblings. If you have other siblings that you would like to be a part of the session, make sure they are fed when the session starts and that if you have toddlers, we are working around their nap schedule. I find a really great time for sessions is between 9 and 10am. For some reason that seems to be a sweet spot in the morning hours!
6) Lighting. We will probably work out most of the session nearest to windows, so clearing out an area even in your living room, baby’s nursery or your bedroom is helpful, but not necessary. Congratulations on your new baby! I hope to see you soon and get my baby fix as you know I will be asking to hold your sweet one!! Contact me for direct pricing and availability!
I love seeing Cody and Mollie! And their kiddos are such fun and as you can see, incredibly adorable. We played and danced in Minneapolis and made such fun memories in the process!
Before the shelter in place action went up in Minnesota, I was able to get a few sessions in. One of them being the sweet Grasse family. I had the joy their maternity session in the same exact spot on a beautiful summer day. Unfortunately we had a pretty chilly spring day, but some smiles were had despite all the conditions.
I can not wait to get back to shooting again as well as the warmer weather! I know they are both coming, and seeing faces again will be so wonderful!
I always love seeing the Ulstad family. What a joy and blessing to watch them grow over the years and these three sweet kiddos are full of joy and love for one another.
They came out to the studio in November and we had a great time playing on the bed and capturing the sweetness of these fleeting moments!
Katie Nick’s June wedding at Seven Vines Vineyard was the perfect blend of timeless elegance and joyful celebration. From the classic black-and-white wedding party attire to the dreamy golden hour portraits among the vines, every detail felt effortlessly sophisticated.
Surrounded by their favorite people and endless love, these two kicked off married life in the most beautiful way.
Baby Mary has arrived and is already so deeply loved by Nicole and Aaron.
I’ve had the true honor of photographing this family since their oldest was born over 16 years ago, and watching their story grow through each new season has been something really special. From newborn snuggles to busy, full family life being invited back again and again is something I never take for granted.
This family is deeply rooted in the world of forage, county fairs, and raising and showing lambs and sheep, so it only felt fitting to include a little lamb hat for baby Mary’s first photos. A small nod to a big part of their life and traditions.
Rob and Sarah’s wedding day was a beautiful blend of faith, family, and thoughtful design. Inspired by Monet’s garden paintings, their celebration was filled with soft spring colors, meaningful heirlooms, and intentional details at every turn.
After a joyful ceremony at Eagle Brook Church, surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated the night away at Silverwood Park with beautiful florals, heartfelt speeches, lakeside portraits, and dancing.
One of my favorite details? Sarah changed into her mother’s wedding dress for the reception, while flowers made from that same gown were sewn into her veil.
Welcome, to the world sweet Julia! It was such a blessing to see Travis, Marisa, and Jalen again! What joy Julia has brought to this family! Congratulations!!
