Mommy & Me Mini Sessions!
STUDIO MOMMY & ME MINI SESSIONS-
When: SATURDAY, MAY 4TH from 10:30am-3:30pm
Digital Gift Cards Available- Perfect for Mother's Day!
15 Minutes/ 3 images/ $150
UPDATED- Can You Photograph an Older Newborn? Yes!
It has been a difficult few weeks dealing with the impact and implications of the COVID-19 virus. Everyone’s health and safety is the number one priority, which in turn has lead to the postponement of many actives including photography sessions with our most vulnerable little people. I have talked to several mamas the past few days who were heart broken thinking they would not being able to capture these important photos.
Please be reassured that while we may have to postpone your session at this time, we CAN take newborn photos outside the “ideal” 5-14 day window.
Is it easier when newborn babies are only a few days old? Yes. However with patience and appropriate expectations (and a lot of milk!), I have successfully photographed newborns up to 8 weeks. We wrap them up, we can take family and sibling photos, we can capture the little details. And more often than not, we can get those sleepy bean bag poses. Don’t worry, we got this!
The following photos are all examples of some of my babies between 4-8 weeks just to give you a little peek of what can be done!
Lots of love and light and healthy vibes!
The Importance of Photographs
Your pregnancy and those precious early newborn weeks go by in a whirlwind. It is a time like no other- exhausting, beautiful, messy, daunting, exciting, and full of dreams and hopes of what lies ahead.
Moments may seem to drag on, but this fleeting time will be a murmur of seamless days jumbled together- punctuated by sharp and clear moments of overwhelming love and overwhelming tiredness.
And as your babies grow, your heart will ache with the bittersweet pain only a mother or father knows- the pain being so proud of your child's growth and confidence and new independence- but so sad they will no longer snuggle in your arms as you rock them to sleep as you whisper softly how much you love them.
You will want to look back.
You will want to sit down with a cup of tea (or a glass of good red wine if you are like me) and look back at those sweet early days that went by too fast and too soon.
You will want to look back through your maternity photos and smile at how you cradled your growing belly as your partner tenderly kisses your cheek. To a time when you knew was safe….
You will want to look back through your baby’s newborn photographs You will want to see their tiny fingers and toes and their perfect little pout. Going through your photos you will remember the warmth of their sleepy body as they snuggled on your chest, the smell of their wispy baby hair and the way their little fingers grasped yours. You will remember the feelings of
You will want to look back and you will want to remember.
My own little squishy newborn. He is a energetic, kind heated and brilliant seven year old today.
5 Reasons Why I Love Being a Newborn Photographer
1) It is meaningful. Ok prepare for some major cheese on this one but I promise I mean this with my whole heart. Babies grow and change so quickly and I get to be the one to take those early sweet, squishy, newborn days and turn those memories into beautiful pictures that last forever. And I admit I may still get a little teary-eyed at times . There is something so inherently beautiful about the creation of a family and it is still amazing to be me that I get to be the first person to document it. I love the ‘He is here!” texts from the hospital and often I am one of the first people to hold their new little one outside of immediate family (with a good hand washing first of course). It is a privilege and an honor I do not take lightly.
2) I am very much a “people” person. I love meeting and talking with new people. It is so fun to learn everyone’s unique stories and share in such a joyous time. It is a happy job for sure!
3) ) Baby Snuggles. I don’t think I need to elaborate on this one lol. I live for baby snuggles.
4) Bonnets and wraps and props oh my! I love to shop. I love to shop online. And shopping for cute little baby things to add to my extensive collection is a necessity so parents can have a wide variety to choose from. Do I really need another headband or bonnet? Why yes I do. About 85% of my props are handmade and I love to support other small businesses. I am doing my part to help the economy. This is what I explain to my (very supportive) husband as yet another package (or two or three) arrive in the mail.
5) I get to be creative. I can not paint. I draw in stick figures (there is a reason I stuck with teaching kindergarten for so many years). But I love to work with different colors and textures and props, etc to create gorgeous photos of your baby. I love when inspiration hits!
50 and Fabulous!
Are you ever too old for a cake smash? The answer is a most enthusiastic no- especially when you have the sense of humor and playfulness that Laura has! Laura just turned 50 and fabulous- to celebrate involved champagne, bubbles, a tutu, crown, balloons and of course cake. What resulted was a lot of laughter (seriously I had to up my shutter speed because my laughter was shaking the camera), a whole lot of fun and epic photos to celebrate her milestone. Happy happy birthday Laura!
Newborn Mini Sessions
It is no secret that newborn sessions are quite long and labor intensive. We are working with tiny humans and these tiny humans have their own schedule and own agenda. A good chunk of the session is feeding and soothing and snuggling and making sure each baby is sleepy, comfortable and happy.
And what these tiny humans love the most (more often then not) is to be wrapped up all snug and warm. I've learned to begin my sessions this way as I am able to get the session off to a good start without transitioning the baby. I am also able to get through a few set ups quickly and the idea of a wrapped newborn mini-sessions was born!
Wrapped mini-sessions are about an hour in length and is a great option for parents who want a handful of beautiful portraits of their new baby without the full newborn session.
Little Ms. Mikayla did amazing in her mini session a few weeks ago and even showed us her pretty eyes for a few shots.
Interested in a newborn session? Fill out the form below!
Becca & Todd- Joshua Tree Maternity Session
While I appreciate beautiful scenery (especially when it is related to photography), I would not describe myself as an outdoorsy person. However, there is something about Joshua Tree National Park that brings so much peace to my soul as soon as I enter the park. Perhaps it is the stillness of the landscape, the soft pastel colors, or maybe even the fact that there is no cell phone service. It just feels good to be there. Like I could see myself sitting happily sitting all day in a beach chair next to a Joshua tree with a good book and thermos of coffee and leaving feeling refreshed, balanced and alive.
When Becca suggested a maternity session in the desert, I was beyond excited. And the session did not disappoint. Between the quiet beauty of the desert, the delicious golden light and the gorgeous couple- it all went as planned and more.
Interested in booking a maternity session? Fill out the contact form below!
Baby Emma- Newborn Photography Session
Baby Emma looked gorgeous in her cream and blush newborn session! She is such a little love bug- full of snuggles and little smiles. Her session was an amazing way to spend the morning.
Baby Andre- First Newborn of the New Year
Oh Andre! You were the perfect baby to start off the New Year. Sleepy and snuggly with such an adorable little face.....he rocked his bean bag poses in some dreamy neutral colors. So excited for all the 2018 babies!
Happy 2018
Happy New Year! As we wrapped up 2017, I took the time to reflect as most people do.
For me it was a year of stress, success, little sleep and little time which cumulated into a decision to let go of the security of two jobs and pursue my photography full time. And I have been blessed with a steady stream of work and clients ever since, as well as the happiness and peace that comes with a more balanced life.
What I have worked so hard for the past few years has finally come into reality and I am so incredibly thankful to all my people who have helped make this happen. I have been surrounded by nothing but love, support and encouragement from my incredible husband, family and friends. Words can simply not express my gratitude so I am just going to say that I have been blessed way beyond more then I deserve.
I am also so grateful for my amazing clients who have entrusted me with their memories, their moments and their babies. Because of you I have turned this passion of mine into a business. Thank you so much for sharing your time, your stories and of course, for all the baby snuggles.
I wish everyone a New Year full of love, wellness, balance, creativity and of course, sparkle.
Can You Photograph An "Older" Newborn? Yes!
“Baby Mason- 6 weeks ”
Common knowledge within the newborn photography community is that newborn photo sessions need to be done within the first 14 (or even first 10) days. There are many reasons for this. Having come from a quite a small environment recently, they are able to curl up into those adorable curly and squishy poses with ease . Also newborns at this age tend to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to a smoother and faster session.
That being said, sometimes parents do not come into the studio within the first two weeks. Perhaps they didn't know newborn photos needed to be done so soon. Mom may have had a rough birth and is just trying to recover. Maybe the thought of packing up their baby and heading out of the house so soon is just too overwhelming (I know it was for me!). Whatever the case may be, does it mean they missed their opportunity? Absolutely not!
With patience and appropriate expectations (and a lot of milk!), I have successfully photographed newborns up to 7 weeks. We wrap them up, we can take family and sibling photos, we can capture the little details and more often then not, we can get those sleepy bean bag poses.
Yes, it is easier when newborn babies are only a few days old. However I could never deny a family beautiful newborn photographs because their baby is outside of the ideal window.
The following photos are all examples of some of my babies 4 weeks or over.
Baby Keller- Newborn Photography Session
Sweet Baby Keller. This little guy has a special place in my heart.....his mama and I have been best friends for over 23 years. Back in the Jr. High days of frizzy hair, braces and hearts drawn around boys names, I never thought some day I would be photographing her baby boy. And it made my heart so happy to do so!
Keller is a mellow little dude which is a good trait to have considering he is the youngest of three! Even though he slept through most of his newborn photography session, I was able to sneak in a few more baby snuggles then needed :)
His mama chose to keep a simple white back drop, which has been my color of choice my past few sessions. I love it draws focus on just the baby. Isn't he simply gorgeous!
Happy Mother's Day From Kristen Marie Imagery
Happy Mother's Day to all the strong and beautiful mamas I know and that I have had the privilege to photograph throughout these years.
Several years ago I read this story/article below and I thought it summed up perfectly how motherhood changes you. I wanted to share it with you in honor of this day.......
"We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her.
That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.
I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike.
I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends who may someday be Moms. May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart."
Newborn Photography Session- What to Expect from Kristen Marie Imagery-San Diego
The little fingers that wrap around yours. The soft little sighs and of course the baby snuggles. Newborn photography sessions are by far my favorite. Being able to use my talent to create beautiful images of these cherished babies is what makes my soul happy and is incredibly fulfilling on a creative, personal and professional level.
Before the session….
Newborn photography sessions are best booked when you are still pregnant, however I am happy to accommodate mamas who have already had their babies. When you reserve a session (if your baby is not already born), we will plan the session within the first two weeks of your due date. Of course, this date is just an estimate as babies birthdays are often unpredictable! We will keep in touch and as soon as your baby arrives let me know so we can confirm a time and date.
Newborn portraits are best done within the first two to three weeks. However, while older newborns may not be as curly or sleepy, ,we can still capture gorgeous photographs of your baby. I have successfully photographed a traditional newborn session up to six weeks!
Newborn photography sessions are done in my in-home studio in Carlsbad. I will send you a guide with instructions on how to prepare your baby for a smooth session. I will also send you a questionnaire so I can know your preference colors, etc so I can customize your session.
The process….
The room is heated to about 85 degrees to keep the baby warm and happy. I have a fan that the parents can use to stay comfortable since the room can become quite toasty. Be prepared to make yourself at home...sessions last between 2-4 hours. I provide water and snacks. You are welcome to bring your own food or drink and we can always order in lunch as well.
While I have a general plan, each session is unique as each baby has their own personality, temperament and needs. We go with the flow and it is important to stay flexible. During the session baby's safety and comfort in the number one priority. I make sure to listen to each baby and honor their individual needs. They are the boss!
Parent comfort is very important to me too. You are never more then an arms length away from your baby at all times. I have studied newborn safety and will only do poses I have complete confidence in working. That being said, I encourage parents to say anything if they are even feeling the slightest bit of discomfort. This is YOUR baby and you have the final say in everything.
We will start with the baby wrapped and posed with young siblings. As soon as you arrive, you will feed the baby to get him or her milk drunk and sleepy. I use this time to get to know the siblings and start to build a level of trust so they are not apprehensive to be photographed. My background in early childhood education certainly helps this process!
While the baby is warm and sleepy and wrapped, we will move to a few props (crates and baskets, etc).
During this time I like to capture the little details….the fingers and toes, lips and eyelashes.
After this we then proceed to family poses....mom, dad, everyone together. Once we finish this set, it is a good idea for dad to take the siblings home or a near by park while we concentrate on individual baby portraits. This transition while I set up the bean bag is usually a good time to feed baby as usually they start to get a little hungry!
We wrap up with "bean bag" poses that concentrate on the beauty of your new baby.
After the session....
Once your session is complete, I will download your images and work on getting you a sneak peek within a few days. My turn around time is about 2 to 3 weeks. Once I am done editing, I will upload your images to an online gallery. You will receive an email with your download pin. Please make sure to download your images as a zip file and not to screen shot to preserve the quality. You may choose to print your photos as you wish and/or order prints and products through me.
Interested in a session? Fill out the form below!
Melissa & Andrew- Maternity Session at San Dieguito Park
Sometimes everything just comes together to create a session that you just can not wait to edit and deliver. Melissa and Andrew came to me about a month before their due date for a maternity session to help capture some beautiful images of this special time. Not only are they a gorgeous couple but they are incredibly sweet too and were a pleasure to photograph.
They chose San Dieguito Park from my list of suggestions. San Dieguito is one of my favorite locations- peaceful and green, rarely crowded and plenty of gorgeous light around sunset with a pretty little gazebo. It is a perfect backdrop for a maternity session.
Interested in booking a maternity session? Click on the button below!
Baby Georgia- Newborn Session
Sweet Baby Georgia. She came into this world earlier then expected, but thanks to the love and strength of her family and her own fighter spirit, she grew stronger and healthier everyday.
We had her newborn session a few days before her official due date. She is such a little beauty and was a sleepy girl for me too! We were able to get in several different set ups while she snoozed. Georgia looked to angelic in simple white wrap and dainty tieback. She wanted to keep her fingers nice and curly!
She definitely rocked her bucket pose and we were able to get in a few head pieces and angles. These are some of my favorite images to date!
After a bit of milk and snuggles we moved on to the bean bag to get those curly poses and little details.
Why I Love Maternity Photography
They say pregnancy is beautiful but beautiful was the last thing I felt as I lumbered through my last trimester almost 5 years ago. In the midst of the heartburn and hormones and the incessant, constant need to pee, I managed to schedule a maternity photo session. I knew it was important to me to document this special time but I hada lot of trepidation. I was a big as a house and was definitely not feeling my best. Did I really want evidence of my massive, achy body recorded for all time?
We booked a great photographer (thanks Pasagraphy Photography!) and the session was comfortable and a lot of fun. A few sneak peeks on the back of the camera helped to build my confidence and when I viewed my gallery for the first time I could not contain my smile. There it was. There was the beauty of my pregnancy. You could see our happiness and excitement and (as cheesy as it sounds) the love that we had for one another and the love we had for our baby.
me & my husband - image courtesy of Passagraphy Photography
This experience was something I kept in my mind as I dived into photography. In the beginning I dabbled into a bit of everything as most photographers do…events, family, maternity, newborns, boudoir, portraits, even real estate.
They say you know when it is time to specialize and it became clear to me when showing little peek from the back of my camera and having an expectant mama say “I look beautiful!”.
That is what my goal is. That is what I want you to see.
I want you to see the tenderness between you and your partner.
I want you to see the beautiful curve of your belly.
I want you to see the love you have for one another.
I want you to see the love and excitement you have for your baby as you hug your belly close.
I want you to see the laughter and joy that you and your partner share.
I want you leave your session feeling gorgeous and confident and excited.
Strong. Confident. Beautiful.