A Baby Gator Maternity Photo Session

You guys...I am in love with doing maternity sessions. With each one I do, I fall even harder, and this session from June just had me swooning.

Both mom and dad are huge Gator fans, and they wanted their photo session to show their love for their favorite team and their new baby, so we chose a few locations around the UF campus to shoot.

We started at the iconic Baughman Center, and despite the heat and humidity, we got off to a magical start. I pointed them toward a cluster of rocks on the lawn beside the chapel, and before I could lift my camera to my eye, they were posed and ready! I honestly didn't have to direct them much at all - they were absolute naturals.

The unique architecture of the chapel made the perfect backdrop for this session, and her blue (ahem...Gator blue) dress just popped, making her the star of the session (which she should be!). And, if you know me at all, you won't be surprised to learn that I actually squealed when I caught the first shot of this gorgeous mama-to-be framed within the shadows and stunning lines of the entrance. It could not have been more perfect.

https://performingarts.ufl.edu/venues/baughman-center/

From there, we found a cute little bridge, where the dappled light landed perfectly, so we grabbed a few shots there before moving to the hill to get some more intimate moments with the lake in the background.

And honestly, is this baby Gator uniform NOT the cutest thing ever??

Afterward, we shuttled down the road a bit to a boardwalk that led to a lookout over the lake, by which time the sunlight was getting more golden, and the way it glowed and glittered around them was nothing short of romantic. The white dress she changed into fit the mood perfectly, too, but I swear we didn't even plan it!

Also... just look at the way they look at each other! Could it be any more precious??

I can't express enough how grateful I am to have been a part of their maternity journey. Recording these precious memories was an absolute privilege, and I truly had a blast capturing their unique love story. It's sessions like these that remind me why I fell in love with photography in the first place - the ability to freeze fleeing moments and allow them to be cherished for a lifetime.

So, friends, if you or someone you know is expecting and looking for a lighthearted and fun maternity photography experience, I would be absolutely thrilled to be a part of it. Because let's be honest - there's nothing quite as awe-inspiring than the journey to parenthood, and I would be honored to help capture those irreplaceable moments.

Until next time, keep embracing the laughter, cherishing the love, and always looking for the magic in every day.

Going Glam For Your Maternity Photos

You’ve seen the pictures – a gorgeous pregnant woman in a stunning dress with a skirt that billows wildly in the breeze – and you think “why can’t I look like that in my maternity pictures?” Guess what? You can!

I’ve got a growing collection of stunning dresses that are both dramatic and romantic — and they’re available to you when you book your session with me. Here’s a little extra information on each dress and where you can find them online.

First up – this stunning turquoise gown. I mean, helloooooo drama! But in the best possible way, right? The color pops in any setting, and the fabric clings in all the right places. You honestly can’t go wrong!

Teal Beauty

https://www.missmadisonphotoprops.com

While we’re on the topic of turquoise…this one dials down the drama but is soooo stretchy and soft you won’t even realize you’re wearing a gown! It’s got just enough train to add some elegance, and the fluttery, off-the-shoulder sleeves add a bit of romance.

Mama To Be

https://www.sewtrendyaccessories.com/collections/maternitygowns/products/arianna-gown?variant=39536474685613

If you’re looking for something with a little more coverage – but just as much romance – this white lace dress is perfect. It’s got lots of flow, with a nice long skirt and a flattering criss-cross bodice.

Lace and Love

https://www.sewtrendyaccessories.com/collections/lace-maternity-gowns

You know those photos where the mama is standing there looking all gorgeous in her dress and the skirt just seems to be floating in mid-air? These next two dresses are perfect for that! It doesn’t take much (other than an assistant with quick feet) to create this kind of magic, and the results are sure to be epic.

Blue Beauties

https://www.sewtrendyaccessories.com/collections/chiffon-maternity-gowns?page=2

You may be sensing a theme, here…I have a thing for blue. But, hear me out – it looks good on EVERYONE. That said, I have dresses in other equally as gorgeous colors in my closet as well.

Another color hat absolutely pops out in nature? Red. And with fabric that goes on for days, the drama factor is off the charts.

Spotlight on Red

If you’re more of an earth-tone kinda gal, I’ve got you! This olive green dress is both stunning and comfortable. Soft & stretchy, off-the-shoulder, and major earth-goddess vibes.

Sunset Glow

https://www.sewtrendyaccessories.com/collections/maternitygowns/products/bree-gown

If you’re looking for a dress that’s romantic, feminine, and sweet, I’ve got two for you! They’re super flowy with a long chiffon overskirt and a stretchy knit (with a few sexy slits) underneath.

Roses

Field of Dreams

http://bit.ly/447MvSQ

I know, you may be thinking, “I don’t need a glamorous dress for my shoot – I’d rather wear jeans and a tank top”. And that’s absolutely cool with me! The objective is for you to feel your best, because that’s what makes gorgeous photos. So if a fitted gown with a flowy train isn’t your vibe, and you’d rather keep it casual because that’s where you’re comfortable, then that’s what you should wear! Boho, country, glam, or grunge – it’s all about you and your style.

Feeling inspired? Click the button below and let's chat about your dream maternity photo session!

Let's Chat

Nancy

How To Prepare For Your Newborn Photo Session

Congratulations, you're having a baby! You've got your birth plan, you've got the nursery set up, you even have baby's first clothes folded up in the drawers of the changing table. But there's something else...what was it again? Oh! Right! BABY PICTURES!

Whether it's your first baby or your third, that period of time when they're brand new and so stinkin' tiny you can't stand it goes by in a flash, and you want to freeze those moments before they're gone. And that's where I come in.

Tiny Fingers

You might think the pictures are the easy part - and in a way, they are. But there's a little work to be done beforehand - things to ensure the smoothest session possible, and to prepare for the unexpected.

To make it even easier for you, I've got your To Do List right here!

1) First things first: Don't fret over scheduling. Ideally, you want to get these photos done within the first seven days, but it ends up being closer to ten, that's cool, too. Life happens, and when it comes to this, we're on baby's schedule, and that's okay!

That said, you want to get your session on the books as soon as possible to secure the date, but what if baby comes early? What if baby comes late? Don't worry! When you schedule your session we can always put down some backup dates just in case.

2) Style: For baby, select up to 3 outfits (or no outfit at all) and if you plan to be in the photos with baby, choose colors that go well together. If you'd prefer to have baby unclothed, make sure the diaper is fresh (but loose if you plan to have any pictures of baby completely bare - this way we avoid red lines from the diaper).

For you, wear something that makes you feel comfortable & confident! Just remember that patterns don't photograph well, and you want to consider the overall color scheme. If you're unsure of how to dress everyone, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations. I love getting to help with outfit inspiration!

3) Sleep: As hard as it is to keep a newborn baby from sleeping, it's recommended that you keep them awake for at least an hour before the session. This helps to ensure that baby sleeps during the session - which helps everything go smoother. However, if baby insists on being awake, that's okay too! Some are just naturally alert, and there is no hard and fast rule that says baby must be asleep for the entire session.

Wide Awake

4) Feeding: Try to time it so baby gets fed right before the session. Full tummy equals sleepy equals easy breezy photos!

5) Keep it warm: Turn up the temperature. Babies can't regulate their body temps the way we can, and will wake up if they're tired.

6) Nurseries and Natural Light: Any photographer will tell you there's nothing more beautiful than natural light, and we like to take advantage of that in the lifestyle shots as much as possible, so if you have an area in your home with a nice big window that gets a lot of light, make sure you can get to it because I promise you want some window light pictures! Nurseries are a great spot for pictures, too, so try to have it as ready as possible. And if the nursery has nice window light? WOWZA. You're in for some truly amazing pictures.

7) Soothers: Bring a couple of pacifiers. It may be the best way to call a fussy baby between shots.

8) Prop it up: If you have any plush toys, bonnets, or blankets you want included, have those ready.

9) Pets: For the most part, we don't want pets in the same room during the session - at least for the posed pictures. Pets are naturally curious and may want to check everything out, which at best could slow things down and at worst upset baby. Of course, if we're aiming for a Lifestyle vibe, or gathering everyone for a family picture, we can absolutely include the family dog or cat.

Pets Are Family Too

10) Give yourself time: Don't schedule anything prior to your photo session - no appointments, no visits, or anything that will excite baby (or you!). We want this to be a calm, enjoyable experience for everyone.

There is no way to be completely prepared for anything, and as I've said, baby runs the show now, so the best we can do is go with the flow. Diaper incidents, crying fits (that goes for baby and parents alike), wardrobe malfunctions - it's all part of the experience, so don't worry about being perfect. There's no such thing.