Pregnancy is such an exciting time in a woman's life. There are so many crazy changes happening in such a short period of time, it's honestly mind blowing! How can a body create an entire organ, grow a human life, bring forth that life, and then sustain that life for months afterward? And the way your body changes physically is just so hard to believe. 
For some women, pregnancy is this magical and glowing time. Some women have a really hard time with it. I am a firm believer that both journeys are worthy of being photographed and the whole process deserves to be honored. So for that reason, my maternity sessions look a little different than my normal family and newborn documentary style sessions. 

My Maternity Storytelling Sessions can be exactly what you want them to be.
It can be a celebration of your changing body and honoring all that it has been through. Yes, even stretch marks. It can be simple, with just you, your body, and light. It can be about the natural and organic beauty of pregnancy.  
I'd like to briefly speak to Mama's with high-risk pregnancies or those who are on bedrest: I mainly shoot in home and I am comfortable shooting in your space in whatever capacity you are able to. Please don't feel left out if this is your situation- I know how you feel, I've been there. 

Or. your Maternity Storytelling Session can be more artistic and abstract. It can be a celebration of the whimsy and the unknown (or the well-known journey). It can be more mindful or dreamlike. It can be creative.  It could even be saying goodbye to one chapter of your life and the beginning of another, very different chapter. 

Or, your Maternity Storytelling Session could be about your growing family and how it's a familial journey. It could be about family growth and the joys of being promoted to Big Brother or Big Sister. It could be about your day-to-day life and how this new baby is along for the ride. It could even be about preparing for the new baby. 

Whichever direction you choose to take your Maternity Storytelling Session, it will surely be infused with love, hope, and wonder. It's about the Mama who is changing and shifting... coming into a new part of herself.

Here's what you can expect for your Maternity Storytelling Session:

• A Google Meet to talk about your session, plan our what we will do and which direction we will go in. I need to stress here that these Google Meets are extremely informal. I will likely have on zero makeup, my hair will be in a messy bun, and there will likely be my dog sniffing around begging for attention...or possibly a kid or two. This is just 2 moms having a chat about pregnancy and how you're feeling, and what your vision is. 
• A low key, organic, and zero stress session. This session is what you want it to be. It doesn't have to be like everyone else's. This is about you. Not what society or anyone else says it has to be. 
• Up to 90 minutes of shooting time in your home or on location. 
• A sneak peek within 3 days of your session. 
• An online, private, password protected gallery of gorgeous, honest, and artful images delivered within the contracted time (usually 2-4 weeks). 

When should I book my Maternity Storytelling Session?
I recommend booking as early as possible to get the most flexibility with dates. But always feel free to reach out and see what my availability is. I'm happy to try to accommodate you. I've even shot one in home maternity session as the Mama was in active labor!

When should I schedule my Maternity Storytelling Session?
I like to schedule maternity sessions at about the 33-36 week range, although there are always exceptions. Please reach out and let's talk about what your needs are!

Is there a discount for booking a maternity session and newborn sessions at the same time? 
Absolutely! I offer a Belly + Baby Collection with an amazing incentive for booking both sessions at the same time. For more information, send me a message here or click here to view my Client Guide. 

Can I do my session with my family?
Yes! If you include your family in your session, I typically shoot it the way I would any other session, in my signature documentary style. 

Can I make payments?
YES. My payment plans are super flexible and I can work with anyone's budget. 

Do you edit out stretch marks and lumps/bumps?
No. I don't. In short, I will not edit out stretch marks or other body features because I believe wholeheartedly that our bodies are unique works of art and they are perfect the way they are. Stretch marks are a part of our body changing and growing a whole new life- I think that is a beautiful testament to the love and sacrifice of a mother. 

Got more questions? I'm all ears! 
Interested in telling the story of your journey? I want to hear it and I want to be a part of it. 
Click here or on the Contact tab above to send me a message. I can't wait to hear from you. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see your daily life through someone else's eyes? It can be a really amazing experience. I offer Day in the Life Sessions in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area (and beyond!). This allows me to spend 8 hours- or more- with a family and to artfully document their daily life.  This allows me the time to get to know you, figure out what's important to you, and to gain your trust. I'm not there to judge you or your house or your parenting style or lifestyle. I'm there to tell the story that is unfolding in front of me. 
Why would you want this type of session? Well, I'm glad you asked because...

Does this sound like something you would love to be a part of?  I am happy to talk to you about it and answer any questions you may have. Just send me a message here or you can reach me on any of my social medias- Instagram here and Facebook here. 
If I've learned anything in the past year, it's been this: life is too short and too precious to miss out on documenting these memories. Invest in them. 

What? You don't use props or put babies in cute poses? No baskets? No backdrops? No little hats?
Nope. 

I know, it's okay. I get that question sometimes. And the answer is no, I don't really do that. Yes it's cute and it's totally okay if that is something that you are interested in. But for me, I am more interested in documenting the relationship that is forming. The head-over-heels, breathtaking, all encompassing obsession with that mini-you. The way that daddy looks into that precious face with such wonder, pride, and amazement. The way the mother cradles that little head into the crook of her neck and inhales the sweetest, most intoxicating aroma that ever was- the newborn smell. Once they are finally here and you look into that perfect face, it's all over. You know that no matter what, you will never be the same. This love has fundamentally changed you. 
And THAT is what I'm after.

Your world has completely changed, completely spun off it's axis. You're tired, you're running on fumes and you may not even know what day it is. Your new postpartum body may be not exactly what you had expected and everything is sore. I get it. I truly do. I feel you mama. I've been there and I know exactly what it's like. But above and beyond all of that is the wonderful new adventure you are embarking on. Let's focus on the beauty, the magic that is happening right here, right now. A new story is unfolding and it's full of excitement, twists and turns, fear, hope, and at the root of it all- love. It's always been about love, hasn't it?

So, what can you expect for your Signature Newborn Session with me?

1. A stress free environment. Seriously. Think of me as an old family friend coming into your home and hanging out with you for a few hours. I am adorably awkward and easy to talk to  (I think). My number one goal besides amazing pictures documenting this sweet baby is for you to feel comfortable enough to show me the real you, for you to be a little vulnerable and let me interpret that into art. I also think it really helps that you don't have to leave your house days after giving birth to come to a studio. I come to you and meet you where you are.
   
2. Zero Judgement. Seriously. This falls in with #1- I don't want this to be a stressful experience for you. I'm a mama of 3 rowdy kids and a clumsy, goofy 95lb slobbering Boxer. I know all about dog hair, toys scattered everywhere, the "laundry chair" (yes, I know about it, we have one too), and dishes in the sink. Trust me, your house is just fine it won't ruin the pictures. I encourage you to just embrace yourself and this season in your life. There's plenty of time for perfect houses, but what is important right now is just being present in the moment and giving these babies the love they need. If it makes you feel any better, I'll even come in leggings and a mom bun! You don't need to prep your home or do a thorough deep cleaning. Remember, I'm all about zero stress and zero judgement.
   
3. Pre-Consultation about your session either by video chat, phone, or email. During our pre-consultation I will ask you about your daily routine, what time frame you think would work best for your family, things your specifically want photographed, things you specifically do not wish to be photographed, and characteristics of your family/what the dynamic is like.
4. Taking lots of pictures. I like to move around freely and capture things happening in and around the home. Sometimes I may get a chair or step stool in order to create the image I want- I've even been known to ask to stand on the couch (if that's okay with you! And I take my shoes off at the door!). I take pictures of "everyday" things because they are so beautiful now, but boy, do they get more beautiful with time. Cuddles, siblings and their happenings (even our furry friends!), napping on mommy/daddy's chest, and crying are all things I love to capture. I also will ask if we can lay baby down so that I can get detail shots of their sweet features. Some mothers wished to be photographed nursing their baby and that is certainly something I encourage. I've even take pictures of mothers pumping while Dad feeds baby. It's really up to you and your comfort level. I won't share any pictures you don't wish to be shared. The beautiful, real life moments are what make these sessions truly unique- evoking emotions and bringing your right back to that moment in time years from now. I do reserve about 10 minutes during the session for a few loosely posed pictures, if you wish.
5. A flexible time frame. I typically like to do newborn shoots within 2 weeks of delivery, but I don't really do any posing, so that's not super rigid. I say within 2 weeks because newborns change SO MUCH from day to day. Their hair changes (or they may even lose a lot of it!), they lose that scrunched up look as they adjust to life on the outside, they may have longer periods awake, their skin smooths out and loses the flakes, etc. Some babies are even out of newborn clothes by the time they are 2 weeks old!
6. Digital Gallery Delivery. About 2-3 weeks after your session, I will deliver a digital password-protected gallery of edited images with a download PIN number. They are yours to print for personal use. If you chose to add prints and/or products to your session, this is when you would tell me which images you wanted, what sizes, and what you would like them printed on. And when they come in from my professional lab, I'll hand deliver them to you!

For more information about scheduling your session with me, feel free to check out these blog posts or use the contact tab above to shoot me a message.
What to Wear for your session with Jess Nicole Photography
Why Choose Documentary Photography
What to Expect for my session with Jess Nicole Photography