Maternity Sessions
Nine months goes by in the blink of an eye! Maternity sessions capture a precious moment in time. A moment right before life changes forever. These sessions work for mama alone, both parents, or the whole family with kids (with a whole variety of poses).
What Makes Me Different:
* I got my start as a landscape photographer and I firmly believe that the background in any photo is just as important as the subject. I take great care in finding magical backgrounds.
* If siblings are coming, we can capture every combination within your family (i.e. kids alone, Mom/daughter, individual headshots, Mom/Dad, Dad/kids). If you want mainly posed groupings, great! If you want mostly candids of the kids playing with your giant belly looking on, also great! Just let me know before the shoot. If you want a mixture, 60 minute sessions are ideal.
* I will have most shoots edited and back to you for download within 7 days (at the very longest, 9 days during peak season which is August-Dec).
* If it rains on our booked day, you can apply your deposit to another day at no additional cost.
* My sessions are super chill and laid back, and dare I say, FUN.
* I will take charge of posing and tell you want to do and how to look good. I'll show you the back of my camera so you can see how they are turning out. You will even learn tips and tricks to use for every day photos with your phone!
* Have body insecurity? No problem! I know all the tricks. Don't feel bad about letting me know before hand and I can work some posing magic! I will be showing you the photos on my camera as I take them.
* I pride myself on exceptional customer service, before during, and after our session. Want to text me photos of your outfits and ask my opinion? Worried about two of your kids bickering? Have a creative idea you want to spam me with? I'm here for it!
* I have two distinct edited styles (not filters; they are individually edited by hand), and clients get to choose: For 30 min sessions and 60 minute sessions, I will send a sneak peek album and ask clients which "look" they like best. Some people prefer my dark and moody look. Others prefer natural. (Promotional 20 minute mini sessions will receive my classic natural light and bright edit). More on my two styles here.
* I now offer edited video reels of your session! Details and example below.
How to book:
To see what dates I have available before contacting me, I first need to know which package you want (below) and which location you want to use, since that will determine the openings I have available. Don't hesitate to contact me for help!
Newborn bundle:
Save 15% on an in-home newborn session with me! This offer stands even after our maternity session is completed.
The Vibe:
Some expecting mamas want a Maternal Goddess vibe, and others cringe at the thought and simply want classic poses; I am here for either vision or both! After booking, just send me some shots you've seen online and we will aim for that aesthetic!
How to choose a location:
We can shoot anywhere you choose! Want classic Gig Harbor maritime looks? Skansie Park is amazing in the morning. Want rolling golden fields? Sehmel park 2.5 hours before sunset is my favorite. The woods of Sehmel park are the most mossy and lush, and The DeMolay Sandspit and Kopachuck Park have beach and driftwood. I created my blog just to help clients choose a spot. Each entry highlights a different location with examples taken there, and when it works best for light. Be sure to click on "older posts" to see them all.
20-minute Minis
I offer 20 minute promotional mini sessions on various dates from April-August only. The dates and signups area always posted 2 months ahead of the sessions on this page.
30 minute package:
Kids (or spouse) won't last a whole hour? No prob! Have a quick and easy 30 minute session, with a mix of posed and candid shots of every combination. I am famous for getting 60 minutes worth of photos done in half the time, but I swear it is relaxed, fun, and you won't feel rushed!
My 30 minute package includes 10 artfully edited images for download, chosen from a fully edited private gallery: $375 plus tax. Additional images can be purchased right from your gallery for $15 each, or the whole gallery of at least 40 photos can be purchased with one click at a discounted price (between $135-175, depending on how many turn out).
One outfit. Weekday evenings and weekend mornings only within Gig Harbor at these locations:
30 minute packages are available weekday afternoons and evenings and weekend mornings between 9am-12pm. Not valid for sunset sessions (see more in my Sunset Sessions below). Package valid for one family up to 5 people ($20 more for each additional direct family member; add $75 for grandparents).
I include the client in the editing process by sending sneak peeks with my two signature style. Some people prefer natural some my modern style that is more editorial and Boho (more info here). I then edit the rest of the album with the clients' choice. You will receive your final photos within 9 days of the shoot in an email with a gallery link and download instructions to print anywhere you like.
Because I know how to best utilize for a 30 min time frame and backgrounds at these locations, I only offer 30 minute sessions at these locations and times for best light:
Skansie Park: (9-10:30AM)
Donkey Creek/Austin Park: (9-10:30am)
Bella Bella Beach (DeMolay) Sandspit on Fox Island (10am-12pm and afternoon week days)
Kopachuck Park: (10am-noon weekends, and we would have time for the woods only)
Sehmel Homestead Park Woods: 9-12pm)
Sehmel Homestead Park: golden field and split rail fence area: weeknights only July-Oct, 2.5 hours before sunset).
60 minutes:
$600 (plus tax) for a full 60 minute shoot with 20 edited digital images, chosen from an edited gallery of at least 80 to choose from, and unlimited wardrobe changes. I include the client in the editing process by sending sneak peeks with my two signature styles. Some people prefer natural some my modern style that is more editorial and Boho (more info here). I then edit the rest of the album with the clients' choice. You will receive your photos within 9 days of the shoot in an email with a gallery link and download instructions to print anywhere you like.
Beach Sunset Sessions:
Sunsets are fickle things in the great NW! There is constant wind and cloud monitoring to start at the right time, and they usually get rescheduled at least once because of the weather. My record was 5 times, but they are amazing shoots and worth the effort! Sunset shoots usually take 45 minutes, starting 35 mins before the sun sets, and going 5-10 minutes into "blue hour." Best May-Sept. $650 for 15 edited images, with the option to purchase extra right form your gallery for $15 each, or the entire gallery of 70+ photos for a discounted rate.
Video Reel Add-on: I recently got a mount for my camera to hold my iPhone14 Pro, because if a photo is worth a thousand words, a video is priceless! I will have a video going the whole time of your session, and I will edit the video footage in a reel with music, capturing all the cuddles and smiles. Because when else will you have video footage of you all looking your best and loving on each other? My guess is never! If you have a favorite song, send me the youtube link and I can extract the music to use in the video, otherwise I will use my discretion. You choose vertical or horizontal. 1-minute edited video of your 30 minute session: $75. 2-minute edited video of a 60 minute session: $125. Example of a reel from a 30 minute family session here.
Maternity Style: Most couples want basic poses, some want to get more artistic, creative, and "goddess-y". Let me know your vision and I'll help make it a reality!
FAQs: Wondering what to wear? How to pose? What about weather? My FAQ page has it all!
How to Book:
I can’t wait to work with you! Please send me a message using the Contact tab above and include the following info:
1. The location you want to use. If you don't know, click on my Blog tab; I created it just to help clients choose a spot. Each entry spotlights a different location with pros and cons and examples if photos I have taken there. Be sure to click on "older posts" to see them all!
2. What package you would like. All my package prices are located under the "Sessions" tab above. Prices are at the bottom of each page.
3. How many family members and their ages. It helps me to start thinking up poses and groupings!
4. Optional: your session goals, if any.
Once we decide on a date and time, I will send you a booking page to fill out a questionnaire and sign a contract. A $50 retainer is due upon booking to reserve your date. You can pay both the retainer and the remainder (due the day of the session) from that page via Venmo or Paypal. And don't worry if you don't have either; you can use Paypal as a guest and use a credit or debit card.
