congratulations
on your pregnancy!
welcome
GET TO KNOW THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Hello, gorgeous! First of all I want to wish you a huge congratulations on your soon-to-arrive baby. Whether you're a first-time mom, mom of multiples, adopting mom, or expecting your rainbow baby, I want nothing more than to celebrate this moment with you! Babies are truly a gift from God and are to be cherished.
I'm a natural minded, homeschooling mom of two, loving wife, and Arizona native. Snuggling babies is most certainly my love language.
I have been photographing mamas and babies since 2013, and I would love to share my experience and knowledge with you to help you plan the maternity and newborn sessions of your dreams!
xoxo, BRENNA
You're pregnant!
If you've just recently learned of your exciting news, I want to be one of the first to wish you congratulations! The first trimester is the perfect time to start researching photographers and saving up for your maternity and newborn sessions. A new baby also often comes with a lot of expenses, so budgeting in advance will help to keep your stress levels low and bank account happy.
Click through the next slides to help you plan the perfect timeline for planning your sessions!
First trimester
Try to enjoy the first trimester as much as you can. I know these changes can often bring sickness, tiredness, anxiety, and more. I've totally been there!
Take care of yourself, get lots of rest, and don't be afraid to ask your loved ones for grace (or dry crackers to munch on).
second trimester
Once you're closer to 16-20 weeks pregnant, now is the time to contact your dream photographer and book your gender reveal, maternity, and newborn sessions. Booking early will guarantee you get your number one choice of photographer, lock in the photographer's current rates before they increase, save you from stress if you wait until the last minute, and give you plenty of time to plan and budget.
third trimester
The beginning of your third trimester is the ideal time to have your maternity photos taken. I prefer my clients be about 28 weeks along, but anywhere from 26-30 weeks should be fine. If this is your first baby, you may find that 30 weeks is best. On the other hand, if this is not your first pregnancy, you may be showing earlier and would prefer to have your photos taken at 26 weeks.
Having your photos done around this time also ensures that you're likely to get your images back in time to have them printed and displayed at your baby shower!
fourth trimester
The three months after your baby is born is often known as the fourth trimester. However, we know that those "newborn" days go by faster than ever.
I prefer my clients' babies be 7-10 days old for their newborn sessions. This gives mom's milk time to come in, she starts to feel better after childbirth, and the baby's tummy is about nine times larger than it was at birth, so it can hold more milk and allow Baby to sleep longer stretches without waking to eat.
Lifestyle sessions may be accommodated for babies up to 4-6 weeks of age, but it's much harder to achieve the sleepy baby posed photos at that age.
location ideas
planning your sessions
No matter where you live, there are sure to be stunning locations within reach. One of my favorite tools for location inspiration is to search Instagram tags for #(city)maternityphotographer. For example, if you live in Denver, you'd search #DenverMaternityPhotographer.
This not only helps you view beautiful locations in your area, but may also help you find a photographer whose style you love!
what to wear
planning your sessions
Different photographers have different styles and will often make suggestions on your clothing based on what complements their particular styles. I send my clients the link to my Portrait Style Guide to help them put together beautiful, magazine-worthy looks on their own.
I always recommend that my mamas wear long, flowing dresses for their maternity and newborn sessions. Some of my favorite places to shop for dresses are Free People, Lulu's, Vici Collection, and Filly Boo.
QUESTIONS TO ASK A PHOTOGRAPHER
BEFORE YOU HIRE HIM/HER
"ARE YOU LICENSED AND INSURED?"
Would you hire an unlicensed and uninsured pediatrician? I hope not! Having a licensed and insured photographer handle your most precious little one is the first step in making sure that you're hiring a true professional who is not only running a legitimate business, but also cares about protecting you even if something goes wrong.
"do you have a contract?"
Like insurance, a valid contract not only outlines the terms of your agreement with the photographer, but also protects you, as the client, if the photographer doesn't hold up his/her end of the deal.
"Are you trained in newborn safety?"
Handling newborns requires hours of safety training and practice. Please protect yourself, and your most precious little one, and hire a photographer who has completed courses in newborn safety. This is a sign of a true professional and your baby deserves the best!
I hope these tips have helped you as you start planning for your maternity and newborn sessions.
If you have any other questions, or would like to learn more about how you can book me as your Maternity + Newborn photographer, I would love to hear from you! I wish you all the best throughout the remainder of your pregnancy and beyond.
© 2022 BRENNA HEATER PHOTOGRAPHY
TEMPE, ARIZONA
contact brenna
HOW MANY IMAGES DO WE RECEIVE?
You will receive a minimum of 30 hand-edited, digital images per session.
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
Luckily, we rarely see rain in Phoenix! But if severe rain is in the forecast we can absolutely reschedule for another day.