Frequently Asked Questions

The Maternity Experience

Maternity photography is more than just a photo shoot—it’s a chance to celebrate your journey into motherhood, capture the love that surrounds your growing family, and honor the strength and beauty of your body. I strive to create a calm, welcoming space where expecting parents can feel celebrated, confident, and truly seen. My sessions are designed to capture genuine connections — between mom and baby, between partners, and with the whole growing family.

Whether in the studio with soft, timeless styling or outdoors in golden light, your images will reflect the love, anticipation, and your unique spirit for generations to come. I’d love to capture this moment for you.

When is the Best Time to Take Maternity Photos?

The ideal time for maternity photos is between 28 and 34 weeks into your pregnancy. At this stage, your belly is beautifully round and prominent, but you’re still likely to feel comfortable enough to pose and move around easily. Expecting multiples or have a unique situation? No worries—I’ll tailor the timing to your needs.

What to Wear for Your Maternity Session

Clothing plays a big role in how you feel and how your photos turn out! Here are a few tips for clothing options:

• Dress for the bump: Flowy gowns, body-hugging dresses, or anything that highlights your belly looks amazing on camera. Explore my client closet! I’m sure I have something that you’ll love!

• Stick to solids or soft textures: Avoid loud prints. Neutral tones, soft pastels, or earth tones photograph beautifully.

• Coordinate with your family: Not matchy-matchy, but complementary. Think in terms of tones and styles.

• Bring options: If your session is in-studio, having 2-3 outfit changes gives us more variety.

Choosing the Right Location

Maternity photo sessions can take place in a variety of beautiful and meaningful locations, depending on the vibe you’re going for! Think about your vision!

In-Studio

• Controlled lighting and temperature (especially nice in extreme weather).

• Access to studio wardrobe, outfit changes, props, and backdrops. Not to mention an available bathroom!

• Elegant, fine-art feel, cozy lifestyle looks or sexy boudoir maternity.

Outdoor

• Golden hour light (sunrise or sunset) creates stunning, glowing images, especially in California.

• Scenic spots like beaches, fields, gardens, forests, or even urban areas.

• More natural and candid vibe. Not sure what suits you best? I’ll help you decide based on your style and comfort.

Including Older Children & Pets (even if they’re a little out of control!)

I love when the whole family is part of the maternity experience! Here’s how we make it fun:

• For kids: I’m a little goofy, so we play games, keep it relaxed, and follow their energy. Candid, joyful moments are the goal! Some of the most beautiful photos come from in-between moments—snuggles, giggles, or just sitting together quietly.

• For pets: Bring their favorite toy or treats. We start or end with them to keep things easy.

If someone gets a little wild (it happens!), don’t stress—I have lots of patience and tricks up my sleeve to keep things moving. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s capturing your real, beautiful life. These moments are part of your family’s story, and I promise to make the experience enjoyable, no matter what!

Getting Ready for Your Maternity Photo Session

This may be one of the last opportunities to pamper yourself before your life is dedicated to feeding and changing diapers for a while.

• Pamper Yourself: Treat yourself to a manicure. Take a nice, relaxing bubble bath the night before your session.  Lotion up the night before and the morning of your session. Consider professional hair and makeup for an extra boost of confidence.

• Get Plenty of Rest: A good night’s sleep goes a long way in helping you feel fresh and glowing.

• Bring Meaningful Items: Ultrasound photos, baby shoes, a favorite book, or name blocks can add a personal touch.

• Stay Hydrated & Bring Snacks: Especially important if we’re shooting outdoors.

• Relax—I’ll Guide You: You don’t need to worry about posing. I’ll help you every step of the way.

How Long Does a Maternity Photo Session Last?

Most maternity sessions take 1 to 1.5 hours. This gives us plenty of time for outfit changes, breaks, and a variety of poses and settings. If we’re including siblings or pets, we build in flexibility to keep everyone happy and comfortable.

What’s included in my Maternity Session?

• Pre-session consultation to plan your ideal session

• In-Studio session or travel to a location within 30 miles of the studio

• Up to 5 additional family members (or pets)

• Outfit changes (2-3)

• Posing guidance

• Location transitions (if applicable)

• Breaks for water, snacks, or kids

• Access to my client closet

• Studio lighting setups

• Backdrop changes (2-3)

• Light editing of final images

• Online Gallery (watermarked)

• Print credit for purchasing digitals, prints and products

What to Expect During Your Session

• Guided posing that flatters while still feeling natural.

• A focus on emotional storytelling, celebrating the beauty of motherhood.

• Fun and authentic moments that bring out natural smiles and personalities.

• Breaks for water, snacks and rest.

• An experience that feels like red carpet treatment, with attention to detail, comfort, and care from beginning to end.

  What to Expect After Your Session

After your session, we’ll schedule a special Reveal & Ordering Appointment at the studio—this is the moment you’ve been waiting for! You’ll get to relax and enjoy a beautiful, cinematic slideshow of your final images, thoughtfully curated and fully retouched.

Following the reveal, I’ll walk you through the product options, including heirloom albums, wall art, and digital collections. You’ll have the chance to see, touch, and compare everything, so you can choose the pieces that speak to you most. There’s no rush and no pressure—just guidance and support as you select what you love.

What’s the Investment for a Maternity Session?

Your portrait session is all about you—from the planning to the final reveal. The session fee covers my time, expertise, and personalized attention to make your experience stress-free and unforgettable.

• One-hour session: $300 (includes a $50 print credit towards the purchase of digitals, prints, or products)

• Two-hour session: $600 (includes a $100 print credit towards the purchase of digitals, prints, or products)

By separating the session fee from product costs, you only invest in the images and artwork you truly love—after you've seen them. No pressure, no guessing—just meaningful choices that fit you perfectly.

• Packages start at $900 and include an album, prints, and digital images

• Individual prints start at $25

• Custom-Designed Albums start $650 (and includes corresponding digital images)

• Wall Art starts at $350 (and includes a corresponding digital image)

• Gallery Canvas Wrap prints start at $425 (and includes a corresponding digital image)

• Reveal Boxes starting at $1080 (and includes a corresponding digital image)

• Digital Images starting at $50

• Military and First Responders receive a 10% discount on all prints and products

Do you offer Payment Plans?

Of course! I'm happy to offer flexible payment options for your prints and products. Many of my clients choose to break their purchase into 2, 3, or 4 payments, allowing them to invest in the pieces they truly love without feeling rushed.

There’s no pressure at all—we’ll take the time to design something beautiful together, and you can move forward at a pace that feels right for you. The best part is, we can begin ordering pieces as payments are made. That way, you can start enjoying some of your artwork right away, or if you prefer, we can wait until the final payment is complete to receive everything at once.

My priority is to create a refined, stress-free experience while delivering timeless and beautifully crafted artwork that will be cherished for generations.

When Can I Expect to Receive Products from my Maternity Session?

Your finished digital images will be delivered via a private online gallery within 48–72 hours after your payment is made at the Reveal Appointment, so you can start enjoying and sharing them right away!

Printed products and custom artwork take a bit more time to perfect and will be ready for pickup at the studio within 2–3 weeks.

Every piece is carefully crafted to ensure the highest quality—something you’ll be proud to display and treasure for years to come.

Serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles County