My Niece's Senior Photos | Northern VA Family Photographer

January 06, 2026 in personal

First, it has to be said that I am not a senior photographer, but I am so excited I just have to share. This year my niece is a senior in high school (!!) and about to go off to college next year. It’s unreal how quickly time flies. I’m so excited for her and all that the future has in store. She’s going to do amazing things. We took some time this fall to take her senior photos and had such a good time. Here are some of my favorites - enjoy!

Kate Juliet Photography specializes in natural maternity, newborn, baby, and family portraiture in the Washington DC and Northern VA area.
All studio sessions include access to the studio wardrobe for mothers and babies to borrow clothing for your session.
Contact me to begin planning your custom portrait experience.

One Question I'm Not Asked Often Enough | Northern VA and Washington DC Newborn Baby Photographer

April 30, 2024 in personal, on photography, newborns, about kate, for photographers, kate juliet photography

I get asked a lot of questions by my clients, and I'm always happy to answer whatever questions or concerns might be on their mind. After all, the process of finding a photographer can be a tricky one and there are a lot of things to consider.

But there is one question that I'm not asked often enough:

Are you vaccinated?

In all of my time photographing expecting mothers and their babies, I have can count on one finger how many times I've been asked.
One.

I understand the hesitation. It's a personal question, and a medical related one at that.
It opens up a potential can of worms that many people may rightly not want to get into.

So here's the answer: Yes, I absolutely am.

And my husband is.
And my son.
And my son's grandparents are too.

The one time I was asked, it was by a new dad, while I was already holding his new baby son, and he hesitantly spoke up a concern that was clearly on his mind. I did not mind in the least that he brought it up. I quickly assured him that yes I was and that it was smart that he asked.

But in my mind I thought: I wish you had asked me sooner.

Because in that moment, I was already holding his baby.
He was already swaddled in one of my wraps.
We were already in close contact.

For me, there is no controversy regarding this issue.
As a newborn photographer, my first and primary concern is, and always will be, the safety of the babies I work with.

So my answer is yes. I am.

My Best Tip for Your Next Family Session | Washington DC Photographer

October 01, 2015 in family, personal, on photography, kate juliet photography

I have to share something really exciting that I did recently: I hired a photographer to take our family photos for the first time.

Yep, the first time ever. Crazy, right?

Over the years I've been the one documenting our family's daily life (after all, I'm the one wielding the camera), but I decided it was past time for me to get in the photos too.

And I'll be honest, it was an eye opening experience to be on the client side of a photography session for once. Leading up to our session I was a bundle of nerves.

All I could think was:
Would my son like our photographer?
Would my hair cooperate?
Was I wearing the right thing?

And the worst: Why didn't I get serious about losing 20 pounds earlier?!!?

Crazy nervous, I tell you.

But you know what happened in the end? I loved it. Every single second of it. Even when my son was being a cranky-pants, even when my hair was out of control, and even though I didn't lose a single pound first.

And even more, I love the images I have now that captured it all. Even better: I'm in the photos too. Because not only do I have these images to look back on, but now my son will have images with me in them look back on too.

And you know my biggest family photo tip? Relax and have fun. I know, I know. Easier said than done, but as soon as you let go and embrace your beautiful family imperfections (crazy hair) and all, the better your photos will be.

I hope that was helpful and makes your next family session much more FUN - because that is what it should be. If you have any suggestions for how you like to prepare for your sessions, or any other questions you would like answered, contact me and let me know.

What Would You Save in a Zombie Apocalypse? | Washington DC Baby Photographer

July 30, 2015 in about kate, personal, products, kate juliet photography

Not my usual subject line, right? But I promise, it has a point.

Sometime last year I did something pretty unexpected: I got completed addicted to The Walking Dead. Now, I totally understand if it isn't for you - it wasn't really for me either - but stick with me, I have a non-Zombie related point to make.

In the beginning of the series, way way back in season one, the main character, Rick, is trying desperately to find his wife and son. The city has been abandoned, zombies are everywhere. It's treacherous to travel and things are bleak.

The good news is, he did find them eventually (it was a very heartwarming moment in a show filled with zombies). But when he finds her, his wife asks him,
How did you know we were alive?

You know how he answered?
All of the photos in the house were gone.

In the middle of the zombie apocalypse, when she was rushing to escape with her son, to find safety, when she knew she would never be back again, she took her family photographs with her. Albums, portraits from the wall, they were all gone because they were that important to her.

When I saw that it struck a chord with me. Sometimes we forget how powerful images are. How much of a person is left behind in the photographs we have of them. It's how we remember the little details of how they were. It's how we see how they aged over the years. It's how we get a glimpse into their relationships and see how they smiled and looked at the people they loved the most.

With any luck (knock on wood) we won't be facing a zombie apocalypse anytime soon, but what if there was a fire? Or what if you had to suddenly move to a smaller place? My guess is you would save those photos at any cost.

I don't take these photos just for you | Washington DC Newborn Baby Photographer

June 19, 2015 in about kate, personal, products

It's been a whirlwind around here lately. I love photographing mothers and babies, so many gorgeous families, but I think it's time I confess something that might change the way you view what I do:

I don't take these photos just for you.

I love showing moms how beautiful and gorgeous they are. They, you, are my client and I will always take the opportunity to show you how amazing and wonderful you are with your children. But the honest truth is, I don't do it just for that.

I take these images for your children and grandchildren to have one day.

I take them so one day you can share stories with your children of how they were when they were small. So they know how you were with them. So they can see how from the very beginning they were loved so very much.

I do it so your grandchildren know what their parents looked like. To show how all of you have the same color hair, that dimple in your right cheek, or the same eyes. These images are proof that you were young once, just like them, and that you too were a parent who had no idea what you were doing, but you loved them so hard that you tried everyday to do better than you did yesterday.

I do it because photographs aren't just images to be looked at. They are stories that you share. They are memories and shared histories.

They are how we remember and are remembered.

And I think that's worth capturing.