Maternity Focused Studio Sessions

A studio photo session has several advantages over an outdoor photo shoot for your maternity photoshoot.

One of the main advantages of a studio photo session is that it allows for complete control over the lighting and environment. In a studio, I have the ability to create the exact lighting conditions that we want, which can be crucial for achieving the desired look and feel of the photos.

Another advantage of a studio photo session is that it allows for greater flexibility when it comes to props and backdrops. In a studio, I have access to a wide range of backgrounds and props, which can be used to create a variety of different looks and moods. This is especially useful for styled sessions with a theme or specific outcome in mind.

Additionally, a studio photo session can be more comfortable and convenient for the mother-to-be. In a studio, the temperature and lighting can be easily adjusted to suit the preferences of each client, making for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. In Colorado, a studio session is a wonderful option during summer and winter months. In summer while you are pregnant, warmer temperatures may be difficult for you. Also in winter months, Colorado may offer beautiful snowy views but there can also be nothing but brown, a studio session offers a gorgeous set with various options, as well as keeping you out of the wind and cold.

And one of the best reasons for a studio session is the ability to create a cohesive look between a newborn and maternity session. Similar colors can be used, as well as having the same background and furniture available. Indoor newborn sessions are the best option to keep baby safe and comfortable as well as have the time to be flexible to attend to baby’s needs.

A studio session is a wonderful option for your maternity photoshoot for a wide variety of reasons. And don’t worry, you will still receive a wide variety of images to choose from! You can also have the best of both worlds in my Epic Package, where you will receive 2 sessions to create your full gallery - one studio and one outdoors.

Why a studio maternity session?

Congratulations on your pregnancy and how exciting that you are looking to document your pregnancy with a maternity session! Maternity sessions easily fall into two main categories - outdoor and studio. Let’s dive into a studio session!

First of all, a studio session just means that your photoshoot will be happening indoors. A studio can be defined in many ways and not all studios are the same. Some photo studios are “natural light” studios which means that the majority of the light available for a session is provided by sunlight coming in from large windows. Natural light studios may also use reflectors and v-flats to direct light towards a subject. A photography studio may also use strobes, flashes, and other constant lighting to create light for a photoshoot. All options create beautiful results. If you are curious what kind of light a studio/ photographer offers, just ask!

This image was taken with studio lighting on a black paper backdrop.

This image was taken in a natural light studio on a fully styled set.

A studio session for maternity is a great option. Some benefits to consider are:

• Privacy! A studio session offers much more privacy than a typical outdoor session. A photographer and client can control who else is in the space. This is beneficial for reasons like modesty and comfort. Shooting a boudoir style maternity session is a wonderful option, so choosing nude, or implied nude, styling is usually a better fit in a studio setting. Also wardrobe options such as sheer mesh or lace gowns may be more comfortably worn indoors.

• Weather! Shooting indoors means you won’t need to reschedule because it decided to rain, or the clouds blocked the golden hour light you were hoping for. The temperature is easily adjustable, which in Colorado can be a huge bonus for women who are due in the winter months.

• Set Design! While Mother Nature has some spectacular options, it sometimes isn’t feasible to design the perfect set outdoors. Studio maternity can include chairs, couches, or beds. Photographers can also design more elaborate sets that include florals, chandeliers, or glitter.

• Simplicity! Shooting your photos in a studio is perfect for simple, classic, and clean photos. Backdrops can be a solid color, or at the very least, less busy than even the most basic outdoor option. A clean paper or muslin backdrop in white or black is a timeless and classic choice for photos. And simple doesn’t mean boring. Posing and wardrobe can bring a lot to a simple backdrop, your gallery of images will still have a lot of variety.

So as you can see, studio sessions still provide a wide variety of options and all of them are beautiful! If a studio session is something you are interested in for your own maternity or motherhood portrait session, my Signature or Epic Sessions would be a perfect fit. Please reach out via my contact page with any questions or to start booking your date.

Sarah

3 reasons why cheaper isn't always better... when hiring a photographer

Hear me out! Cheaper doesn't always mean it's a deal! I have been seeing so many inexpensive sessions and sites like Snappr in my feed lately. Don't get me wrong, I price compare and look for deals all the time. But you may think that you are getting a deal for $150 session with all the digitals... but be sure to look, double check, and consider some things before snagging that "great buy". This post isn’t about photographers making a living wage or making more money. Photographers are available in every budget, as they should be. People shouldn’t be priced out of photo sessions but please be a smart consumer!

Having a budget is key when looking for any service, however a low price doesn't always equate to value. Consider what you get for your price point. Look beyond "digitals" when comparing photographers and their rates and packages. Be sure you really look at a photographer's portfolio. Is it consistent? Ask to see a full session... all the digitals can include 15 of the same pose with not much changing between shots. Is their editing consistent? Are they giving each image in both color and black & white? This might be an unpopular opinion, but getting 100 images from a portrait session is just overkill.

Do you want prints of any kind? Yes, mpix and Walmart offer prints for pennies. But how long is your to-do list? Have someone else do the ordering! Your time is valuable too! You are a busy woman, let your photographer handle some of those little details. Those include ordering the prints, designing the photo album and announcements, and selecting wardrobe. A full-service photographer takes items off of your plate so that you have more time to tackle your own to-do list. What are you going to wear? Dropping money on new clothes is fun but just added to the price tag of that inexpensive session. Finding a photographer that offers things like a wardrobe may save you money in the long run.

Modern photography isn't just about the digitals. Taking photos has become easy and an everyday occurrence. Cell phones and entry level digital cameras have made photography easy, fun, and accessible. But professional photography is about an experience, creating those treasured family heirlooms and memories. Those experiences run a wide range. Creating keepsakes and capturing memories should be available to everyone. I encourage you to be an educated consumer… know what your photographer offers, and by extension what they don’t.

But at the end of the day, make those memories. Life is short and seems to go by quickly. I blinked and my daughter is 7, I am no longer the new employee, my parents are in their 70s - when did all of these things happen? So whether you choose to take out your phone and snap a couple of quick pics or choose to find a professional photographer and create an heirloom album - make those memories last a little bit longer in a photograph.

Sarah

Why Maternity?

I have been thinking about this question a lot over the last several weeks and continue to find more questions then answers honestly.

I truly didn’t understand pregnancy until I was in that phase of my life. When my twin sister was pregnant, I was completely creeped out by it. I don’t know if it was because it was kinda like watching myself be pregnant, because you know - identical twins. It was weird. But my poor sister had to endure me calling my nephew a parasite for most of her pregnancy. I watched several friends and colleagues experience that part of their lives as well and just didn’t get it. I loved babies but the belly was just plain ol’ strange to me.

Then fast forward to my husband and I making the decision to start a family. We thought this was going to be easy as pie… how wrong we were. After a couple months of trying we got a positive result on a pregnancy test and were over the moon. However within a couple of days, our hopes were dashed. I had a miscarriage and it was devastating. And scary. And worrisome. I decided to become much more proactive because I had just felt so helpless the month before. We sought out a fertility acupuncturist and started treatments. Things still didn't progress quickly and it was 8 months before we got another positive result. We found out in Vegas no less! But it was such a process to conceive. And thankfully I had an easy pregnancy but the whole time I was just on this roller coaster of emotions. Was she ok, was I going to be a good mom, what would she look like, was I still pretty, I was a mess!!! Towards the end of my pregnancy I was fortunate to connect with an amazing photographer and had my own maternity session. That experience was amazing, I got to wear pretty dresses, talk about my daughter arriving, feel pampered. It was great. And started something that I wanted to duplicate for other moms.

Image by Aubrey Lynn Photography

Other events have also impacted my why. In this country of ours, with all of our progress and technology, infant mortality is still not zero. Pregnancy is still a vey dangerous time of life. This year alone I have experienced the unexpected death of a colleague who experienced complications in her pregnancy. I am also familiar with others who have not been able to come home with a beautiful miracle but instead have had to plan a funeral.

A baby is a miracle and moms are miracle creators. I want to honor and celebrate motherhood and all of the joys and trials that come with it. That has translated to creating my own vision and experience for my clients. I have invested in gowns, accessories, and props to make mama’s feel beautiful, adored, stunning, and important. I partner with several hair and make-up artists to allow for some pampering and quiet time in the crazy and busy world we live in. And I strive to create images that when you look back on them, you will remember what it was like to be just you and baby - those swirls, hiccups, and private conversations that no one else will get to experience. I want your pregnancy to be truly and deeply seen and honored.

Gown by Miss Madison Couture (click here for their partner spotlight); Piper in Moss. This gown, and several others are available in my client closet, which can be seen here.