Motherhood
My journal about
Tender moments, real emotions, and the beautiful journey of motherhood captured in timeless photographs.
You just had a baby. You’re short on sleep, your arms are full (literally), and the idea of “being prepared” might feel… a little ambitious. Take a deep breath—you don’t have to do it alone.
My Spring Hill studio is designed to be a soft, welcoming space where you can show up just as you are. But if you love a good checklist (or just want the day to run a little smoother), here’s my go-to guide for what to bring to your newborn session.
Your Studio Newborn Checklist
1. A Pacifier (Even if They Don’t Normally Use One)
Sometimes babies get fussy or need a little extra comfort between poses. Even if your baby doesn’t usually take a paci, having one nearby can help me calm and settle them quickly.
It’s not required—but it can be a total game-changer.
2. A Sentimental Item (Optional, but Beautiful)
If you have something meaningful—like a baby blanket from your own childhood, a special teddy bear, or a gift from a grandparent—bring it! I love finding ways to incorporate sentimental pieces that tell your family’s story.
3. Whatever You Need for Feeding
Whether you’re nursing, pumping, or bottle-feeding, I’ll pause the session anytime your baby needs to eat. A full belly makes for a much sleepier baby—and that means more of those soft, snuggly images.
- If you’re using formula, bring an extra bottle or two
- If you’re nursing, feel free to bring your favorite pillow or cover
- 💡 Pro tip: Feeding your baby right before we start helps them settle in quickly
4. An Extra Outfit—for Baby and You
Babies spit up. It happens. Bring a backup onesie or gown for your little one just in case, and I recommend a neutral shirt for you or your partner too—just in case baby leaves a little love on your shoulder during snuggles.
I’ll provide all the wraps and accessories, so no need to pack much!
5. (Side Note) If Your Baby Was Recently Circumcised…
If your baby has been circumcised, I recommend waiting 5–7 days before your session. This gives their body time to heal and helps keep them comfortable during posing. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to walk you through it.
What I Have Ready at the Studio
I’ve stocked the studio with everything you might need, so you don’t have to stress about packing it all:
- Soft wraps, swaddles, and posing pillows
- A client closet with flattering, flowy dresses you can borrow
- Wipes, blankets, and cozy comforts for baby
- A private, quiet space for feeding or snuggling between setups
A Quick Note from Me
The best sessions aren’t about perfection. They’re about presence.
I’ve had parents show up feeling a little frazzled and leave with full hearts and a gallery of images they love. Bring what you can, and I’ll take care of the rest. We’ll follow your baby’s lead, take breaks when needed, and move at a pace that feels calm and easy.
You don’t need to do anything fancy—you just need to show up. I’ve got you.
Thank you so much for being here. I love sharing stories and tips that help you feel more prepared—and more seen. If you’re ready to plan a session that feels true to you, click here to get in touch.
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Every newborn session tells a story—but some stories begin long before the baby ever arrives.
For some families, the journey to holding a newborn in their arms includes chapters of loss. A miscarriage. A stillbirth. A child gone too soon. And when a new baby is born after loss, they’re often called a rainbow baby—a symbol of hope after the storm.
Newborn sessions for rainbow babies hold a different kind of energy. There’s joy, yes—but also remembrance, reflection, and reverence. I approach these sessions with our whole hearts, knowing that behind every image is a story of strength, love, and healing.
What Is a Rainbow Baby?
A rainbow baby is a term used to describe a child born after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Just like a rainbow doesn’t erase the storm, a rainbow baby doesn’t replace the child who came before—but they are a symbol of renewal, of life continuing, and of hope returning.
These sessions are often filled with deep emotion—joy and sorrow sharing the same space.
The Power of Symbolism in Your Session
Many families choose to include a symbol of the baby they lost. This could be:
- A small teddy bear
- A birthstone charm
- A handwritten note or ultrasound photo
- A rainbow-colored wrap or blanket
These quiet additions become powerful. In images, they gently say: you are still part of this family.
I photograph them intentionally—never to overshadow the new baby, but to honor the one who came before. It’s a way to hold space for all of your children in one frame.
Loss-Aware Photography with Sensitivity
I know that grief doesn’t end just because a new baby is here. That’s why I take a trauma-informed, heart-led approach during these sessions:
- I move slowly. There’s no pressure to smile or “perform.”
- I check in often. Your emotions are welcome here.
- I hold space. For tears, for silence, for remembrance.
You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to be okay.
I see you. I honor your story. I are with you. You are fully welcome here.
A Studio That Feels Safe
My Tampa studio is a quiet, neutral space designed to feel peaceful and private—especially for families walking through tender experiences. Natural light, soft textures, and gentle tones allow the focus to stay on connection, not distractions.
No loud props. No forced posing. Just a calm, baby-led session where you can breathe, be present, and feel whatever comes up.
Your Grief Is Not Forgotten
If you’ve experienced pregnancy or infant loss, you are not alone.
If your arms are full now, but your heart still aches for the baby who isn’t here—your story still matters.
You are allowed to celebrate and grieve at the same time. You’re allowed to hold both joy and sadness in the same session. I create space for all of it.
Whether you bring a symbol of remembrance, speak their name aloud, or simply carry that memory silently—I will hold it with care.
Thank you for reading my blog! I love sharing real stories and beautiful moments from my clients. If you’re interested in booking a session, click here to get in touch!
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What to Expect From a Maternity, Newborn, or Family Photography Session
If you’re considering a maternity, newborn, or family photography session, you might be wondering what it will actually feel like. Not just how the photos will look, but what it will feel like to be there.
Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or raising busy little ones, you deserve a photography experience that gives you room to be yourself. Here’s what to expect when the focus is on connection rather than performance.
Before the Session: Simple, Clear, and Unrushed
Before your session, you’ll receive helpful guidance without a long list of rules. You don’t need to worry about how the kids will behave or practice smiling and posing.
For maternity, newborn, and family photography, simple preparation can leave more room to enjoy the experience. Choose outfits that feel comfortable, and focus on connection rather than trying to coordinate every detail.
If you’re booking a newborn session, we’ll leave time for feeding, soothing, and breaks. Maternity and family sessions are also planned with a comfortable pace in mind.
When You Arrive: We Find a Comfortable Pace
Maternity, newborn, and family sessions don’t need to feel like performances. Babies may need a cuddle, children may wander, and parents may need a moment to breathe. All of that is welcome.
Kids don’t have to behave perfectly. In fact, I love a little chaos, happy kids, and letting them have fun. When children have room to move, play, and be themselves, we can capture the real expressions and connections that make family portraits feel personal.
Whether your session takes place in the studio, at home, or outdoors, I’ll gently guide you while staying attentive to what’s happening. If you’re pregnant or newly postpartum, you’re never expected to push through discomfort. We can pause, sit, or adjust as needed.
During the Session: Gently Guided, With Room to Be Yourselves
You won’t be expected to know what to do in front of the camera. I’ll gently guide you into comfortable positions and help with details such as where to stand or how to hold your baby. There’s also room for natural expressions and interactions as you connect with your partner, children, or growing baby.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating photographs that feel meaningful and true to your family. Some of the most memorable images happen when you’re focused on each other rather than the camera. A little movement, laughter, or silliness can make portraits feel even more like you.
If Things Feel Messy, Nothing Has Gone Wrong
If a baby cries, a child needs a break, or you need a moment to regroup, that’s okay. The session can adapt. Nothing needs to be fixed before your family can be photographed.
Maternity, newborn, and family photography isn’t about capturing a perfect version of life. It’s about preserving this chapter as it is. A quiet pause, a comforting cuddle, or a moment of laughter can become one of the images you treasure most.
After the Session: Photographs That Feel Like You
When you receive your gallery, you’ll see more than what everyone looked like. You’ll remember the closeness, the anticipation, and the small details of this season.
My editing is natural and timeless, keeping skin tones, light, and emotion true to the moment. Whether you’re looking back on your pregnancy, welcoming a newborn, or celebrating your family as it is today, these photographs are made to feel like you.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to wait until everyone is sleeping better, your home feels calmer, or life feels easier. This season is already worthy of being remembered.
If you’re considering maternity photography in Spring Hill, a newborn session near Tampa, or family photos in the Tampa Bay area, you’re always welcome to reach out with questions. I’m here to help you plan a session that feels comfortable and meaningful.
Thank you for reading my blog. I love sharing real stories from sessions that celebrate love, legacy, and everything in between. If you’re ready to plan a maternity, newborn, or family photography session, get in touch to start planning your session.
Christmas mini session season is in full swing, and this year’s St. Pete beach Christmas minis with Vinty Sol, formerly known as Betsy Blue Bus, were such a fun way to kick off the holiday season. We held the sessions near Fort De Soto Park, where the vintage bus decorated for Christmas made a festive backdrop for family photos by the water.
We photographed eight families back to back during a busy evening at the end of September. There were so many familiar faces, along with some new clients I was excited to meet. It was lovely to welcome everyone, share a little holiday cheer, and capture each family together.
A Festive Vintage Bus by the Water
Vinty Sol’s vintage style paired beautifully with the St. Pete beach setting. The Christmas decorations added a playful seasonal touch, while the sand and evening light kept the photos feeling relaxed and natural.
Beach mini sessions are a fun way to update your family photos, create holiday cards, or remember this season of life. Even in a shorter session, we make time for family portraits and genuine moments together.
Holiday Mini Sessions in St. Pete and Tampa Bay
These Christmas minis helped kick off a busy season, and mini session season is now in full swing. I still have a few spots available for upcoming sessions at different studio locations, but they’re almost sold out.
If you’re looking for Christmas mini sessions, holiday family photos, or beach family photography in St. Pete, Fort De Soto, or the Tampa Bay area, now is a good time to check availability. Get in touch and I’ll be happy to share the remaining options.
This Clearwater Beach family session was so much fun to photograph. With three kids and a fourth baby on the way, the evening was full of movement, personality, and genuine connection.
The kids’ energy set the tone, and the love this family shares showed in every frame. There was laughter, motion, and an easy closeness—the kind that doesn’t need prompting or perfection to shine. Mom wore a dress from my client closet, which photographed beautifully in the warm sunset light.
When families feel free to show up just as they are, the images hold more than memories. They hold feeling.
Before we started, there were a few quiet warnings:
“The kids don’t stop moving.”
“They won’t smile on command.”
“They’re a lot.”
Honestly, that’s exactly what I expect, and I love it. As a mom of five, I know kids bring their own energy and ideas to a session, and I’m comfortable working with that. If there’s anything specific that would be helpful for me to know ahead of time, please let me know. Otherwise, if it’s simply kids being kids, we’ll embrace the chaos and make room for everyone to have fun.
Let the Kids Have Fun
If your kids aren’t listening or strike a silly pose, try not to get frustrated. I know that can be easier said than done! I’ll often let them have their moment—yes, even the Spider-Man pose—and then use that playfulness to guide them into a more classic portrait. When kids feel like they’re having fun and helping shape the session, it’s often easier to bring them into the next pose while keeping the experience relaxed.
A beach maternity family session is a beautiful way to celebrate the season before a new baby arrives. Clearwater’s open shoreline and sunset light gave this family room to play, connect, and enjoy being together while we created portraits of this special chapter.
Want to Get in the Water?
I love ending beach sessions with a few photos in the water. If you’d like to splash with the kids or get in yourself, bring a towel and a change of clothes so you can enjoy the water and feel comfortable afterward.
I photograph maternity and family sessions at beaches throughout the Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Fort De Soto Park, and Treasure Island. Each location offers its own coastal scenery for sunset family photos.
If you’re planning maternity or family photos in Clearwater, St. Pete, or elsewhere in the Tampa Bay area, my client closet includes dresses to help you feel comfortable and photo ready. Get in touch to plan your own beach maternity or family photography session.
Beach mini sessions with Vintysol, formerly Betsy Blue Bus, are always a favorite—and this year was no exception. This vintage VW bus makes a charming backdrop, adding a playful, timeless touch while still letting each family’s personality shine.
The soft beach tones and classic blue bus create images that feel both joyful and nostalgic. It’s a fun setting that adds character to your photos without taking the focus away from the people in them.
How Beach Mini Sessions Work
Mini sessions are scheduled back to back, often at a beach in St. Pete or elsewhere in the Tampa Bay area. They’re a convenient way to enjoy a short, guided photo session and create beautiful images without booking a full family session.
Even with a shorter time together, there’s room for genuine connection, movement, and sweet moments with your family.
Why Kids Love Vintysol
Kids are often drawn to Vintysol. They can peek through the windows, climb inside, pretend to drive, and make the experience their own. Those little moments bring natural smiles and playful energy to the photos.
More Time, More Variety
If you’d like more time and a wider range of photos, Vintysol can also be rented for a standalone full family session. It’s a lovely option for a session planned entirely around your family.
This Year’s Beach Minis
This year’s mini sessions were a wonderful chance to welcome families back and meet new faces. Every session brought its own personality and special moments, and it was a joy to photograph families with Vintysol as the backdrop.
Beach mini sessions with Vintysol are fun, relaxed, and timeless—the kind of experience that turns into memories you’ll want to revisit.
Thank you for reading my blog! I love sharing real stories and helpful tips for planning your own session. If you’re dreaming of relaxed beach photos with a fun, timeless backdrop, I’d love to photograph your family at a future Vintysol mini session. Click here to get in touch!
This newborn photography session took place at my studio in Spring Hill, Florida, with mom, dad, their toddler boy, and their newborn baby boy celebrating a special new chapter as a family.
Over the years, I’ve developed a newborn photography style that blends posed and natural images. It gives families the best of both worlds: polished portraits and genuine moments that capture the warmth and connection of being together.
My sessions are baby-led (and toddler-led!) and gently guided. The final gallery includes a thoughtful variety of portraits and natural-looking images, all created with your baby’s needs and your family’s comfort in mind.
A Mix of Posed and Natural Newborn Photos
Posed portraits include classic images of the whole family together and parents holding their newborn. I gently guide the composition and refine details such as angles and hand placement so everyone looks comfortable and the images feel polished.
Natural images have a more relaxed, connected feel. They capture the closeness between parents and their children, a toddler with his new baby brother, and the expressions and interactions that make each family unique.
Together, these styles create a gallery that feels both complete and personal, with a range of newborn and family photos to enjoy.
A Diverse Gallery for Your Family
Because my approach doesn’t depend on waiting for the baby to settle or fall asleep, we can create a broad variety of images throughout the session. Your newborn can be awake or asleep, and we can still capture beautiful portraits and meaningful family connections.
With a newborn and a toddler, that flexibility helps us make the most of the session. The final collection can include individual portraits, family images, sibling moments, and close details, all with a mix of posed and natural-looking results.
Gently Guided and Baby-Led
Baby-led means your newborn’s needs are part of the session. The experience is gently guided, with attention to your baby and your family’s comfort. The result is a relaxed collection that balances thoughtful posing with the natural feel of your family together.
I’ve shaped this approach over years of photographing families. It allows me to create a large, diverse gallery without relying on one particular mood or moment from your baby.
Spring Hill Newborn Photography Studio Serving Tampa Bay
My newborn photography studio is in Spring Hill, right next to Brooksville. I welcome families from across Tampa Bay and surrounding areas who are looking for newborn and family photos in a comfortable studio setting.
Thank you for reading my blog! I love sharing real stories and beautiful moments from my clients. If you’re interested in booking a newborn photography session, click here to get in touch!
Some newborn sessions are full of sibling energy and family cuddles. This one gave us something different: a little extra time for mom and her new baby boy.
He was a dream for his session, sleeping through almost the entire visit. With the rest of the family unable to make it that day, we were able to slow down and focus on portraits of him and the connection he shares with his mom.
A Chance for Mom to Be in the Photos, Too
Moms are often the ones taking the pictures, which means they can end up missing from the memories they’re helping create. Newborn photos with mom and baby preserve the way your little one fit in your arms, the closeness of those early days, and a moment in your story together.
As a mom of five, I know how quickly the newborn stage changes. Motherhood has taught me that the small details we think we’ll remember forever can become surprisingly easy to forget: how tiny their fingers were, how they curled into your chest, and how it felt to hold them close. That’s one reason I love making space for moms to be photographed with their babies.
A Relaxed Session, Led by Baby
Since he was sleeping so peacefully, we had extra time for his individual newborn portraits. We could capture his sweet features and tiny details without rushing, while keeping the session calm and comfortable.
Every baby has their own rhythm. Some need more breaks, feeding, or soothing, while others snooze through most of their session. We follow the baby’s cues and make the most of the moments as they come.
Breastfeeding Portraits
We also made space for breastfeeding portraits, capturing a quiet part of their time together. These images are always guided by what feels comfortable for each mom.
As someone who breastfed all five of my children, I know how personal and meaningful this part of motherhood can be. I also know every feeding journey is different, so there’s never any expectation to include breastfeeding photos. If it feels right for you, I’m happy to make space for them during your session.
The Next Chapter
This session focused on mom and baby, but it’s just the beginning of his story in front of my camera. I’m looking forward to photographing him with his dad and sibling next time and creating portraits of the whole family together.
My newborn photography studio is in Spring Hill, near Brooksville, and I welcome families from across Hernando, Pasco, Citrus, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties, including Brooksville, Trinity, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Tampa, and Clearwater.
A special thank you to all the families who make the drive to my Spring Hill studio. I’m grateful you choose to spend this meaningful time with me, whether you’re coming from nearby or traveling from across Tampa Bay.
You don’t need to wait until everyone can attend to capture this stage. A few quiet portraits with you and your baby can become some of the most meaningful images in your gallery. If you’d like to plan newborn photos for your family, get in touch. I’d love to help you preserve this season.
