Hey mama! Having a baby? Soon that newborn will be here so keep reading. Did you know that the best time frame to have a session done when you're pregnant is between 30-32 weeks? It's not this way for every woman, but most. Your beautiful baby bump is most noticeable during that time. If you have them taken too early, you might not have as full of a bump, and if you have them taken later you might look uncomfortable. While carrying that beautiful life around is a wonderful thing we all know that it's not a breeze for every pregnant mama. Some say they could be pregnant for the rest of their life, and others never want to carry a baby again because of complications. All I know is that you are amazing for creating life so document it, mama!

Now, with all of that said, don't wait to book your session. Contacting me right when you get to your second trimester is likely the best so we can get you on the calendar. I'm a sucker for sunsets (golden hour) so if you want outdoor then you really need to contact me as these spots fill up fast. If you want your session in the studio I have some room to move there. Either way, contact me soon.

AND, I have a huge client closet that goes from small up to 3x. Gowns, dresses, body suits, etc. Once you book with me you have access to use anything in the client closet for your session. Everything can be used in the studio and outdoors. You deserve to look and feel beautiful!

Bonus is that I know this amazing lady right here in Blooming Prairie that can hook you up with hair and makeup for $100.

Click here to see my studio --> https://www.photobiz.com/controlpanel/blog/#/blog-post/post-7783

Hugs and love!

Michelle

Hey mama! This beautiful baby girl came in with her mama, grandma, and big sister. She's a lucky little girl having so many people to love her, with more people at home. And, she lives on a hobby farm! Gahh! I'm not gonna lie and say that I'm not jealous. Haha. Anyway, this girl was so good! Barely a peep. I also think her big sister thought it was great to have her little sister around. She would run up to check out what we were doing and runn away to play. So cute! 

However far along you are in life, pregnancy, or parenting, be sure to enjoy the small stuff. When they're this little you blink and they've grown a ton. You can't stop blinking so remember that cleaning and other things can wait. Embrace their littleness, capture the milestones. 

Hugs and love!

Michelle

Hey, welcome to the studio!!

I'm so happy you've stopped by. Here you'll see my obsession with props for every baby in the land. haha! But seriously, take a look around and notice that I have 1.2 million buckets, baskets, tiny beds, itty bitty pillows, backdrops, wraps, headbands, bonnets, crates, chairs, a lifestyle area, a client closet, and more. What does all of this mean to you? Well, it means that you have a lot to select from or I have a lot to select from for your session. Your session can be posed or lifestyle like, or even both if you want the mix. I will help you decide, or I can decide for you if you don't know what you want. I love my job and I keep up on the latest styles.

Now, Come in and be ready to hang out! I have comfy seats, fresh coffee, sparkling water, and snacks waiting for you. The studio is full of props, backdrops, lovies, bonnets, headbands, and more. Rest assured I have books and toys for the littles, and several soothing tools for the even littler. There is a changing table and a bathroom for all. My lifestyle area has even caught a nap or two. Have questions? I'm just a phone call away. Hope to see you soon!

Hey-ya southern MN! Yeah, you down here in Rochester, Albert Lea, Austin, Hayfield, Owatonna, Northfield, Faribault, Mankato, and more! Now that my Blooming Prairie studio is 98% ready, I'm excited to get more clients in the door! It's been a big couple of months for me with selling a house, moving hours away to another house, moving studios, continuing sessions at the old studio while having the new studio, etc, but I'm finally settled. Tell your friends and family all about me because I want to take photos of every baby out there!

Now, let me dive right in to selecting the perfect for you newborn photographer. Here's a list that might help you out.

• Style - When searching for that perfect baby photographer, look for someone that fits the style that you like. Look through all of their photos on their website and social media accounts. If you fall in love, great! If not, time to move on and keep looking. Helpful hint, if you don't like their style but you want to book them based on something else you love about them be careful. Meaning, don't expect that photographer to have a light and airy look at your request when their entire portfolio is moody.
• Safety - This is huge! Don't over look it. Everyone was new at one point or another, right? Whether you're a new or seasoned photographer, safety should be your top priority. I personally think newborn photographers should be BLS (basic life support) certified for that just in case moment. Going through the course to become certified helps you become aware of what to watch for should an emergency arise. Being a nurse, I know more than the average person but even if I wasn't a nurse I would require myself to be certified. I also think it's important to know how to pose a baby safely. Moving their little parts around is no easy task because they are so delicate and must be handled safely. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions about this. I have taken various classes on newborn safety. Also, I have years of experience in handling everything from a newborn baby to an adult. haha!
• Prop & table posing - When you're looking at newborn photography photos, are you drawn to prop poses? Or possibly table poses? Props are things such as a basket, bowl, bucket, or a little bed. I love props and table posing so I do both for every session. Getting down to what type of prop is used comes later once you've booked with me, as I ask you in a newborn questionnaire what you would like. A bonus for anyone that books with me is that I'm a prop hoarder so I have lots to select from.
• Colors - Although this could be up there with style, I wanted to toss it in the ring. Color could be simple, right? Well, not so much. There are so many different colors and patterns that I feel as if I'm constantly buying more items to keep up. Rest assured if you're my client, I have several different whites, creams, greens, reds, blues, pinks, etc. Some people just say what the main color they want and then I go from there. Not only do I have an amazing amount of posing fabric with matching wraps, I have coordinating headbands, bonnets, layers, etc. I also have a bunch of little stuffed toys for tiny baby hands.
• Final products (digital image files and prints) - What do you want to do with your photos from your session? Is the nursery begging for a large canvas over the crib or do you want an album for everyone to enjoy the highlights of the newborn session? Either way, find out what you're getting with the photographer you select. With me, you get to select from a variety of products or you can select digital image files alone.

There ya have it, some of the main things to look for when finding the perfect for you newborn photographer. Good luck on your search and congrats on your baby!!

Hugs and love, Michelle

Heyya Minnesota mama! You're pregnant, yay!! Congratulations to you and your family! If you didn't know this already, you're amazing! Having that growing baby inside of you is a huge milestone in your life. Your body is changing every day, your belly is growing as much as that baby is, and before you know it baby will be here. Mama, you should embrace your baby bump and have a professional photography session. Celebrate this beautiful thing your body can do and document it professionally.

Since some mamas don't know when to schedule their maternity session, I thought I would try to help by writing this blog post. In my experience, it's best to have your session between 30-32 weeks. Now, with that said, every mama is different. This time frame is the sweet spot for a few different reasons; you still feel good, your bump is obvious, and you're not at the "I'm over it, I can't wait to have this baby" stage. Don't let me scare you by that last statement, it's literally what I've heard many moms say because they are ready to pop, so to speak.

The session itself can be outdoor or at the studio. We're lucking that Minnesota is a state with distinct seasons; 4 different backdrops throughout the year. One of the best things with having your session with me is that I will freeze or sweat outside with you, because you pick where your session will be. I've had some brave mamas embrace the cold winter with a session outdoors, and I love how beautiful snow is in photos. If you decide to have your session at the studio, I have many beautiful items to use; backdrops, faux flowers, chairs, couches, a bed, dresses, gowns, body suits, boy shorts, crowns, etc. Some of these items can tag along for an outdoor session if you'd like. Oh, almost forgot to mention that I have a pop up tent for changing outside.

Before you contact me to schedule your session, think about having your newborn session with me too! Booking a maternity and newborn session with me ensures you are on my calendar. I only take on so many mamas so that I can ensure I have spots on my calendar. Babies have a way of coming early or late. Plus, bonus is that I gift you a mini album when you book both with me.

Now that you've read about scheduling your maternity session, contact me before I don't have spots left. I book fast so don't wait.

Hugs and Love!

Michelle