6 Reasons To Hold Your Newborn Session In A Studio | DC Baby Photographer

August 19, 2019 in newborns, kate juliet photography

Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider holding your session in a studio:

1 - You don't have to clean.

Those first few weeks home are a whirlwind: filled with feedings, loving on your new baby, and creating new routines. What’s the thing that happens less often that used to? Cleaning. You have better things to do with your time than making your space is "photo worthy" for your session (you could spend that time sleeping). Holding your session in a studio means that you don't have to worry about cramming your things into a closet last minute or worrying about having a new person (me) in your space.

2 - The studio has everything you need for your session.

How many times have you put something down and promptly forgotten where you left it? If you're anything like me, it happens all the time. I keep the studio stocked with everything you need for your session, even things you never considered like a white noise machine, extra pacifiers, diapers, and more. I even maintain a complete wardrobe for mothers to borrow clothing for the session. You just need to bring yourself and your baby, I'll take care of the rest.

3 - Your session actually goes more quickly.

It may not seem intuitive, but sessions actually go more quickly in the studio - even when you consider the time it takes to drive there. In-home sessions mean you'll be cleaning before the session even starts, and once the session begins it takes extra time to figure out where to capture your images and move furniture around if necessary. And of course, after the session everything needs to get cleaned up and moved back to the right place again.

4 - The studio is made to make your baby comfortable, and your images beautiful.

Everything about the studio was carefully selected to create the most beautiful images possible. From the color on the walls, the flooring, curtains, and all of the available wraps and clothing options - it's all there to make the process as easy for you as possible.

5 - Great light, guaranteed.

Every photographer knows that the secret to amazing images is great light. Without amazing light, images just aren't the same. The light in my studio is always perfect for portraits, so you never have to worry about if light too harsh, too dark, or too anything-else-that-ins't-quite-perfect.

6 - It's a calm space.

My studio was designed to be calm environment for parents, babies, and siblings. Just entering the space can make you breath a sigh of relief. Parents have an opportunity to sit and enjoy the time with their family, and you can feel confident knowing that all the details are taken care of for you.

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.

Why Printed Artwork Is So Important | Northern VA Newborn and Maternity Photographer

August 05, 2019 in family, maternity, newborns, kate juliet photography

Anyone who has ever worked with me knows the value that I place on printed artwork. I want every client who works with me to walk away with something tangible from their session - something they can hold and touch and feel. Something they can hold in their hands.

I know sometimes when the images and experience are fresh and brand new, it’s hard to understand why this is. Photography is a unique art form in that it often can’t be fully appreciated until years after the image is captured and the moment has passed.

Because years down the line is when our memories fade, our children have grown, our faces have more wrinkles. It’s not until years from now that you’ll be able to look back on an album or framed print and think

“wow, my baby was so small”
”I can’t believe how young mom and dad were when I was born”
”I barely remember that happening, but I’m so glad I can look back on it now”

It takes the distance of those years to realize how much things change and how quickly it goes by. It’s only by having something you can hold that those reminders come to us. When we look up on the wall and see the portrait that’s been hanging for years, or when we pull out the album that’s been on the shelf for what feels like a lifetime. Because when we flip through those images and pages, we get to look back into the past and what life was like for us. And our children get to see what life was like for us and them too.

Make These Moments Last a Lifetime | Northern VA Maternity and Newborn Photographer

July 01, 2019 in family, baby, maternity, newborns, kate juliet photography

I have never found inspiration in simply taking a pretty picture. Instead, my true source of inspiration is knowing that these are the images you will look on again for years to come. When your baby graduates high school. At their wedding. When they have children of their own. When we are all old and gray and our faces are full of wrinkles, I know that you will have these images to help you tell stories from when you were young. My goal is never to create something for your friends and family on social media. It’s to create something for you. To help you remember a collection of moments over the years, that you can look back on over and over again.

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.

The Best Age To Photograph A Baby | Northern VA Photographer

June 03, 2019 in baby, family, kate juliet photography

First, it has to be said: it's never "too late" to photograph your baby. I recommend holding newborn sessions within the first 2 weeks after delivery, but don't feel like you've missed out if that window has passed you by. If you want images of your baby at her smallest, schedule your session as soon as possible. If you're open to holding your session when your baby is a little bigger (or want to capture milestones as your baby grows), this post is for you.

So when is the best age to photograph a baby? Between 7-8 months. Here's why...

1 - Your baby can sit up on her own now.

Many baby babies are still in the "sit, lean, fall over" phase when they're six months old. By 7 or 8 months, she can probably sit up all by herself, and is happy to keep herself there for awhile. But she's not too big to lay down, do tummy time, or be held. It's a great way to capture a lot of variety about what she's up to in a single session.

2 - She's expressive!

By this age babies are full giggles, smiles, and all the big personality you want to remember.

3 - She isn't quite mobile yet.

She might be moving around a bit on her own, but isn't walking or running around on her own. She still depends on you to get around, so it's a great time to capture images of you together. Which leads us to the next reason...

4 - Moms are usually feeling more comfortable in their post-baby body by the time baby is 7-8 months old.

Now that you're feeling like you have your body back again, it's a great to capture images of the two of you together.

5 - You can capture all the sweet baby rolls, chunky thighs, and cottage cheese tushies you want.

It's a great opportunity to celebrate your growing baby by highlighting how much she's grown since her newborn session.

There is never a wrong time to photograph your baby (usually the best time is right now!), but when possible I recommend scheduling a session for when she is 7-8 months old. Another perfect time after that is around a year so you can see how much she’s grown so quickly.

Northern VA Baby Photographer | Scheduling a Newborn Session

May 06, 2019 in newborns, kate juliet photography

Most clients find me through a Google search, but more and more often people are finding me through instagram. If you haven't already, make sure to give Kate Juliet Photography a follow (you'll see images from sessions and lots of peeks behind the scenes in my stories). You can follow me on instagram here.

One of the things I'm asked most often is how to schedule a newborn session when we don't know exactly when baby will arrive. I recommend holding newborn sessions within 14 days of delivery when babies are their sleepiest and most curled up. When you secure your session I reserve time on my calendar around your due date and ask that you let me know when baby comes. Once baby is born, we’ll confirm the exact time and date for your session from there. Sessions are typically held in the morning, when babies are the happiest and the light is best (and you’ll have had a chance to sleep as much as possible). And of course if you and your doctor schedule a planned induction or c-section we can always arrange a time for your session in advance.

Kate Juliet Photography specializes in natural maternity, newborn, and family portraiture in the Washington DC and Northern VA area.
Contact me to begin planning your custom portrait experience.