Five Things I Couldn't Live Without During Newborn Sessions | Arlington VA Baby Photographer

March 02, 2020 in kate juliet photography, newborns

The most important thing to me during newborn sessions is baby’s safety and comfort. Everything about newborn sessions is structured to keep your baby happy and comfortable. Not only is it important for baby’s well-being, but a happy baby also means happy parents and a more successful session. Being patient and taking my time is ultimately the best tool I have available (you can never rush a baby), but here are a few things that help me along the way:

1- White Noise

Babies are used to it being noisy and loud. Before he was born, your baby heard noise all day everyday - noises that you weren't even aware of. Not only did he hear everyone you talked to (he learned how to recognize your voice and likely dad's voice too before he was even born!), he also heard the beating of your heart, when you ate, your breathing, the sounds of your movement as you went along your day. Not a moment went by when he was surrounded by noise. Now that he's in the big world, too much quiet can actually make it harder to settle. Adding a little noise helps him feel comfortable and at home. There are great white noise machines and apps, but even soothing music can provide great white noise.

2- Swaddle wraps

I have so many wraps and swaddles in the studio, there's at least one (or five!) for every baby that I see. The wraps used for sessions are soft and stretchy, ensuring a perfect swaddle. I also have plenty of traditional blanket swaddles to use to keep baby warm, and even clean up messes if the situation arises. No matter what type of swaddle wrap I use though, swaddling is comforting for all babies. Only a few short days ago he was cocooned inside of you, swaddling brings back those comforting feelings.

3- Plain white diapers

I keep a stash of organic, chemical-free plain white diapers for newborns in the studio. Why? Because as cute as they are, you probably don't want those Elmo diapers in your images. I know that special diapers are the last thing on your mind, so I offer them as needed during newborn sessions.

4- Heat

Babies are generally undressed for newborn sessions so it's important that they aren't cold. After all you wouldn’t be comfortable sleeping in a cool room if you didn't have on any clothes on either. Keeping the space warm (without making it too hot) provides a relaxing space for babies to drift off to sleep.

5- Parents

Involving parents in newborn sessions is so important. Not only do I want you to have images with you and your baby, but baby’s are most relaxed when they are being held by the people who love him most. Newborns are new to the world and need extra cuddles. If baby just wants to be held for a bit during the session, we'll do just that. It's a great opportunity to capture the family together and make baby feel good too.

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.

5 Things I Wish Clients Knew Before Their Session

February 17, 2020 in kate juliet photography, baby, family, maternity, newborns

Photographs are a big event for families. And there are a lot of expectations. You spent so much time finding the right photographer, scheduling your session, figuring out what to wear, where to go, and then the big day comes and things don’t always seem to go the way you thought they would. It’s a universal truth that the more you plan for something, the more things seem to go sideways. But here’s the truth: while photographs are something you may only do once a year, it’s something I do all the time. There a few key things to making sure your experience is a memorable one and you get the images you’ve always wanted. Here are a few things I wish clients knew before their session:

1 - Your kids are behaving just like any other kid.

If there's one single universal truth, it's that kids are unpredictable. Some kids love being photographed. Some don’t. Some explore. Some cuddle. Some, don’t. It’s all up to them. And it’s never my goal to force them into doing something they don’t want to do. Instead, the goal is to capture them as they are. As they want to be; as you remember them. Interacting with you and loving on you the way only they can do.

2 - Let me do the work, I want you to enjoy the time with your family.

Don’t worry about your hair or saying “cheese!” In fact, you don’t need to worry about anything at all. When your session starts, let me do the work. I’ll direct you and your family, I’ll double check your hair, I’ll make your kids laugh. Spend your time focusing on your kids and I’ll take care of the rest. The best images happen when you’re enjoying the experience.

3 - What you wear matters (but also, it doesn't really matter at all)

For many clients, wardrobe is the most daunting part of the photography experience. After all, it’s one thing you can plan and prepare for at home before you ever see me. And what you wear matters. I am picky about a lot of things, and, because it can effect the aesthetic outcome of your images, wardrobe is certainly one of them. But here’s the secret: what you wear pales in comparison to the emotion that comes through with genuine connections. Breath into the moment and let the rest fade away. Ultimately, the most important thing is connection.

4 - Your session means as much to me as it does to you.

I know that these images are meant to last you a lifetime, and I take that responsibility seriously. I want these images to live on in your home and get passed down from mother to daughter to granddaughter. I want you look back on them fondly and think of the silly story that it took to get the image. I want you to smile when you look at your children’s gap-toothed smiles and chuckle about how wonderful they are.

5 - You are beautiful and I think you are amazing.

Moms, I’m talking to you now. You are beautiful. I know it’s not always easy to think of ourselves that way (I include myself in that group), but we are. When our families look at us, they see a mom, wife, friend. They don’t see the little things about ourselves that we’re always nit-picking. Don’t left self-consciousness get in the way. Get in the frame. Get portraits of you with your children. Then make sure you tell them how happy you are that you have them.

Maternity Sessions Frequently Asked Questions | Northern VA Pregnancy Photographer

February 03, 2020 in kate juliet photography, maternity

Planning for a new baby can be overwhelming, but planning your maternity session shouldn't be something to worry about. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I hear about maternity sessions and some of my favorite tips for enjoying the process.

When should I hold my session?

I recommend scheduling sessions for when you are between 30-36 weeks pregnant. If you are pregnant with twins or triplets it's best to hold your session a bit earlier while you're feeling comfortable. If you're nearing the end of your pregnancy though it's never too late! We can hold your session right up until the end if necessary.

Where should I hold my session?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. I offer the option to hold your maternity session either in my studio or outdoors, and I think both locations are beautiful for their own reasons. I recommend looking over images from maternity sessions and saving the images that speak to you the most (pinterest is great for this). Once you've saved them in one place, take a look and see if you've saved more from indoor or outdoors sessions, and make your final decision from there.

What should I wear?

For sessions held in the studio, I offer a complete line of curated wardrobe pieces for mothers available to borrow for sessions. Most clients select something from the studio wardrobe as every piece is chosen to flatter moms and photograph beautifully. If you prefer to make your own selection I recommend figuring out the style you'd like to go for (boho, traditional, or intimate) and selecting pieces to match.

How should I do my hair and makeup?

I recommend keeping hair and makeup simple and neutral. Hair is generally best left down, with loose curls. I recommend soft, neutral makeup (avoiding bright lipsticks and dark eyeliners). Some clients choose to work with a professional hair and makeup artist, while many clients do their own hair and makeup. Some clients even choose to eschew makeup altogether and go for a completely natural and casual look. Do what makes you feel best and most beautiful.

Can my partner and older kids join in the session?

Yes, absolutely. I encourage partners and siblings to take part in sessions (after all, the new baby is part of their story too!) and we will always capture some images of you on your own as well.

What should I do with my maternity photos?

I recommend displaying your images in a way that will make the images most accessible to you. My personal favorites for maternity sessions are boutique glass boxes and albums. Both allow you to store many images from your session together - so they remain safe and accessible for years to come. One of the best parts of having a maternity session is being able to pull out the images from your session with your child years from now - they’ll love to see what it was like when they were growing in your tummy.

Washington DC Maternity and Pregnancy Photographer

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 Right Type of Maternity Session For You | DC Area Pregnancy Photographer

January 20, 2020 in maternity, kate juliet photography

Maternity sessions should be a fun experience, filled with the love and anticipation of meeting your new baby. Even though you might be looking forward to your session, it’s easy to get bogged down in the details of planning and deciding what kind of images you really want. My goal is to make the process of getting the images you want as easy as possible; simplifying it and identifying what means the most to you and your family. There are three basic options for sessions, deciding between them is the first step in planning your session:

1- On location outdoors.

If you happen to be pregnant when the weather is good an outdoor session might be the perfect fit for you, particularly if you love being outdoors with your partner or family. Surrounded by the great outdoors at one of my favorite locations in northern VA, your images will be filled with the lush greenery of nature. Outdoor sessions are great fit if you love landscapes as the backdrop for your portraits. It’s an opportunity to get outside and feel the wind and natural elements during your session.

2- Traditional studio.

A traditional studio session is perfect if you want classic, timeless images. Offering a beautiful simple background, it’s perfect for portraits with a classic feel that will never feel dated or like a trend has since passed. For traditional portraits I recommend classic gowns and dresses that will highlight your bump. If you like studio images without a formal look, casual pieces like a flowy top or tunic are a great way to get the same feeling in a casual way.

3- Intimate maternity.

Also called boudoir maternity, intimate portraits are perfect if you want to literally show off your baby bump. This is a beautiful option, and you can get a variety of images by combining traditional and intimate maternity portraits during your studio session.

All dresses pictured here were borrowed from the studio wardrobe, available to all clients for studio sessions.

Six Things I Do To Get Beautiful Images (That You'd Never Know About) | Washington DC Newborn Photographer

January 06, 2020 in about kate, family, kate juliet photography, maternity, newborns, baby

One of my favorite things in the world is to watch dance rehearsals. I have a great love for dance (I danced competitively for years) so I always enjoy a show, but a special treat is getting watch a rehearsal. It’s a completely different experience. Nothing is perfectly polished, they are rarely wearing costumes, and the set is haphazard. I love it though because you see the work. It’s a peek into how much effort it takes to be perfectly synchronized and land that leap.

I know I’m not the only one who likes to see what happens behind-the-scenes, so here’s a peek at some of the things I work on that you may never see:

1- Create the perfect environment

My studio has been designed from top to bottom to be the perfect space for sessions, both to capture the best images possible and to be a comfortable place for clients. Everything - from the color on the walls to the furniture to the way I display wraps and artwork - was carefully chosen to ensure that it works for me and my clients. For newborn sessions in particular, I need to make the space quite warm while also keeping it safe and comfortable for toddler siblings. I move things around before, after, and during sessions to make sure that it’s perfectly suited for each session.

2- Learn new poses (and general education)

This is a big one, because I pride myself on creating timeless images, but that doesn’t mean my work doesn’t evolve. I believe in being a student at all times, my craft is never mastered so completely that I can’t learn something new. I take multiple educational opportunities each year, mentoring with some of the best artists in the industry. I’ve traveled to work with internationally recognized names and continue to pursue new opportunities every chance I get.

3- Give intentional direction

It may not seem like much in the moment, but every piece of posing direction I give is delivered with a specific outcome in mind. It isn’t enough to aim a camera in your general direction and hope magic happens. I know most people aren’t immediately comfortable in front of a camera, so my aim is to relax parents and help you lean into the moments with your family. Sometimes I tell ridiculous jokes and overshare my own stories (I know I do it at least once every session), but I want you to feel as comfortable with me in an hour that you do with someone you’ve known for years.

4- Be a new friend and playmate

When a toddler becomes a sibling to a new baby I know it’s a big life change for them. Sometimes getting to the studio for the newborn session is the first time everyone has piled into the car as a family of four (or five). When they walk in the door I want to help them feel just as comfortable as anyone else. I make funny faces, tell silly jokes, play music and peekaboo. I have a treasure of stickers (and candy when mom and dad say it’s okay) to share with them. Toddlers are old enough to start associating having their photo taken with good things - and I want them to look forward to seeing me and having their photo taken every time.

5- Build relationships

I am an introvert at heart. I would happily stay home all day and never see another person all week. But I know that type of tendency isn’t going to build relationships with the clients who mean so much to me. I adore my clients, and I work to make sure that you know it. I chatter throughout sessions (again, too much maybe sometimes!) and want you to know me as well as I get to know you.

6- Retouch and edit

My work isn’t done when the session is over. I individually retouch every single image you see. Each gets my personal attention to ensure it looks its very best. And much like posting, I’m always learning new techniques to ensure that your images have the very final outcome, and that they’ll look beautiful on your walls and in an album.