Even though I prefer warmer weather, gorgeous snowy maternity photography sessions are my JAM! Want to know a fun fact about me? A HUGE reason why my family and I decided to relocate to North Carolina is because we wanted to be in a warmer climate. We were getting cabin fever staying indoors a good portion of the year living in Wisconsin, so we packed up and moved the gang SOUTH! BYEEEE WINTER!
We moved to Gastonia, NC in October. We LOVED the weather we were experiencing. Then along came December… and the Charlotte area called for snow. Um…I guess the joke was on us–HA! Maybe we brought the weather with us?! But guess what…I LOVE snow. LOVE IT. The “once in awhile” snow where everything shuts down and you can get warm and cozy and feel safe and comfy with your family while watching the Hallmark channel. So I WELCOMED the snow. So there. Can’t get me down!
I had a maternity photo shoot scheduled for that exact day. The day of the storm. And luck would have it…she is my neighbor (hallelujah!!) We went back and forth if we should reschedule, but the snow stopped for just the right amount of time that we were able to capture these stunning images on the trail in between our yards (can we say PERFECTION?!). Here is beautiful mommy-to-be. Isn’t she GORGEOUS?
The snow was absolutely beautiful. We even had a chance to sneak in a few photos with her toddler and hubby as well. Everyone LOVED the snow and the warm snuggles!
One of my favorite things when I was pregnant was setting my other littles on my built-in “shelf” of a belly. I love that we were able to capture this for mommy:
New baby photos…sigh…Do you know how incredibly blessed I feel to be able to capture these HUGE milestones in my clients’ lives? This momma of FIVE reached out to me to book Madison’s newborn session and I was SO excited to be able to work with her. Having moved to the Charlotte area from Milwaukee, WI, where I had a pretty successful clientele, and then moving to Charlotte had me starting from scratch, building up my business. So have ALL. THE. FEELS. When my new clients trust me with their little loves. This mommy wanted a session where the focus was one her baby only–no sibling or parent poses–so she chose the Classic Newborn Session. Just look at her sweet face in these images:
She had the SWEETEST little rolls and the PERFECT skin (which doesn’t happen all the time with newborns, so I was doing the happy dance editing! HA!). We were able to get many different looks so mom had many options to choose from for her final gallery. I just love how her tiny details are complimented (not overpowered) by the dainty headbands and wraps–and lucky for my clients, the studio is STOCKED with a huge variety of handmade headbands, bonnets, hats, wraps, texture layers and props that were made specifically for newborn photography (cue the hallelujah choir!). That means all you have to do is show up for your session. No need to bring a thing except the baby.
Baby Madison had the sweetest little features–her lips, those cheeks–a newborn photographer’s DREAM. Near the end of her session, she was starting to wake up and I was so pumped to get a few photos of her interacting with the camera. Look at her little personality shining through! What an amazing session to have in the new studio in a new state with a new baby. Thanks for allowing me to capture your precious addition!
Do you know how amazing my job is?! I get to preserve each tiny detail through gorgeous newborn photos. I mean, how amazing is that?! Every session is that exciting for me, and Baby Willa’s session was no different. I knew about this sweet little nugget (when she was in the womb) way back in March, and I was ECSTATIC to start planning mommy’s maternity and newborn sessions. Mommy and I have known each other for years (like way back into the single digits!), so I was so honored to be a huge part of this little family’s life. Just look at how gorgeous her mommy and daddy are! I KNEW she was going to be a stunning baby.
Welcome Baby Girl!
At the beginning of the newborn session, mom had a great time looking through all my props, headbands, layers and wraps. I keep the studio completely stocked with goodies galore! My style is organic, clean, and soft, which compliments the baby’s features. Look at how incredibly precious Baby Willa looked during her session!
She stayed so curly and cuddly during her poses, and being wrapped was her absolute favorite! During sessions I have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep newborns calm and sleepy. I share some of those secrets when I send out the Studio Guide right before your session. Then during the photo shoot, parents are able to sit back, relax and enjoy their time. I love chatting with new parents about the labor and any struggles they might be experiencing. I had three under three so I had/have my share of struggles as well! We almost become like family, sharing a huge milestone and all that goes with it.
Book your session with KatieRie Photography and I promise you will leave feeling like we have been friends forever! I will take care of your sweet little baby like she was my own and you will have beautiful photographs that will be cherished for years to come.
When I first started out in my photography career about ten years ago, I was drawn to capturing moments that grasped the feeling one felt in that exact time-period. I LOVED that challenge! And I still do! It’s why I love photographing families and babies! However–when I started Newborn Photography about five years ago–this was a whole new ball of wax. Oh my GOODNESS. I had NO IDEA the time, the commitment, the patience, the money that was behind this craft…and I was intrigued…
Though I still LOVE capturing these treasured family moments, I find a sense of great pride when I orchestrate a newborn photo session that I nail on the head. To me, this form of photography is the most challenging…and rewarding. Why?! I’m so glad you asked…
Newborn Photography 101:
It takes a lot of TIME & PATIENCE
Newborn photo sessions take a lot of time. From the consultations, to the session, to the editing, to the final product–these sessions take many, many hours to perfect so that you, the client have gorgeous works of art. Sessions last anywhere from 1-4 hours (depending on which package), however, this is only the beginning of the experience. Editing takes a great deal of time because newborn skin can be worse than a teenager’s! Flaky skin, jaundice, baby acne are just some of many things that are fixed during editing. Editing can take up to five weeks because each image is a work of art. I absolutely LOVE the focus that goes into having a successful session. It’s what DRIVES me to be best I can be.
It takes a lot of TRAINING (and MONEY)
Guys…I realize…EVERYONE is searching for the BEST deal out there. For EVERYTHING. For toilet paper, for school supplies, for mortgages, for wine (ah-hem). Can I just tell you that with newborn photography, this is the ONE place you should not skimp?! This person is being trusted with your most prized possession. This tiny miracle grew inside of you for ten long months!! This is NOT the time to bargain shop. At. All. Look for someone who is trained. Who continually invests in his/her education on a regular basis. Someone who is not desperate to gain clientele. This is the person who will treat you like you are family and who will value your sweet little nugget like their own.
When I decided to truly invest in my newborn photo career, I realized I needed to take the plunge (deep monetary plunge) and learn from the best in the business. To me, this was Amy McDaniel of Dewdrops Photography. I loved her style, her colors, the props and layers that she used; to me, she was/is the whole package. I searched to see if she offered workshops–and BOOM! She did. I was living in Milwaukee at the time and was itching to go some place warm, and there I saw it. She was going to be in Charlotte (my future CITY!). So I invested a small fortune in my business and myself. I learned SO MUCH from this amazingly selfless woman.
During this initial workshop, I learned how to safely pose these precious babies and how to edit to perfection. I soaked in how to soothe and comfort babies so much that nearly every parent has named me the “Baby Whisperer” (haha!). I also learned how to market my business so that I attract clients that are the right fit for what I offer. This was the best decision I ever made for my business. And now every year, about 20 newborn photographers from across the country meet in Panama City Beach to learn and network from each other. Each of these ladies continue to push me to be the best version of myself in this business. I also continue to learn and grow from many other talented photographers from around the world. What an amazing job I have! *sigh*
It’s more than just “Taking Pictures;” It’s the experience
When you book with KatieRie Photography, you get VIP treatment from the very start. We talk about your vision and style as well as mine, and if we are a good fit for each other. The photography studio is all-inclusive and well stocked with state-of-the-art equipment which includes my cameras, lenses, lighting and thousands of props, wraps, layers, backdrops, headbands and hats to suit my clients’ desires and needs. All my clients need to do is show up for their session and I will take care of the rest. Sometimes parents even pop in a quick cat-nap since the studio is so warm and cozy!
I also include a variety of unique products that are exclusively sold to photographers. These are fine-art pieces that won’t be found at Hobby Lobby or Michaels! The products are hand-made and will help showcase the gorgeous images from your session in a unique fashion!
Investing is WORTH it
Taking the time for find the right fit for you is worth it. Just take a look at my before and after: The top photo is my daughter five years ago, before I truly invested in my training…The bottom picture is from a current gallery. The photos speak volumes!
When you invest in KatieRie Photography, you are investing in the experience we share together. Many clients come away from sessions feeling like we are family. You can’t put a price tag on that!
One of my favorite things about being a newborn photographer is featuring my sweet clients and being able to re-live the session in a blog post. This little guy came to the studio in September and I just about DIED when I saw his beautiful head of RED HAIR! I mean, just LOOK at his strawberry fluff!
Baby Max came to the studio and slept the entire time–guys, this DOES NOT always happen! But he was an absolute DREAM! When newborn clients book a session with KatieRie Photography, I send a Newborn Studio Guide to help parents prepare for their session. These are my list of secrets as a (somewhat self-) proclaimed baby whisperer! I tell them that I know sometimes babies won’t comply 100 percent, but to try to follow the guide so that our session can go extremely smooth. Nine times out of ten–it works! Can you tell that baby Max’s parents read the guide?!
We were able to get many different looks during Max’s session–a great mixture of “beanbag” poses (the first set of photos in this post) as well as prop poses. The colors that were chosen were soft neutrals that were perfect for the beginning of fall. Plus Max looked absolutely adorable in every single set-up! I love using a variety of textures and layers to add depth and character to each “look.” But I also like the set-ups to compliment each other so everything will look gorgeous hanging in clients’ homes!
Overall, Max’s session was a HUGE success. I think Max thought so too.