What to wear for your session | Raleigh Film Photographer

I totally get it. Deciding what to wear for your family or newborn session can be a nightmare and headache. I can help my clients ALL day long figure out what to wear, but as soon as it's my turn to be in front of the camera, I freeze up and basically just shut down mentally, lol.

My biggest suggestion for selecting a wardrobe for your session is to start with YOU, MAMA - and then go from there. I know, I know...these photos aren't all about the mama, but you better bet mama will ALWAYS be the main focus in the majority of the images. I always strive to make mama look amazing, because let's face it.....if everyone else looks outstanding, but mama doesn't love the way she looks, well...that photo isn't going to make it very far.

So step 1 is to find something beautiful and special for mama. Long flowing dresses are THE BEST OPTION when it comes to family and newborn photos. You may be rolling your eyes at me right now saying "but Stephanie, I NEVER wear dresses"; and you know what?? Me either! BUT - when it comes time for family pictures, I am searching Free People, Anthropologie and Piper + Scoot looking for the perfect flowing dress like it's my job because there is nothing more beautiful than a mama with her babies in a long, flowing dress. 

And I also know you are saying "but Stephanie, we are having photos taken in our home - do I really need to wear a dress?". Um and the answer is - UM, DEFINITELY! Inside or outside, long flowing dresses are beautiful, timeless and perfect!

I always suggest looking for a dress that has flow and movement, as well as a little bit of texture - maybe the sleeves have lace, or the bottom part of the dress/skirt is tulle. Textures add so much depth and dimension to photos. You can't ever go wrong with texture.

For spring and summer sessions, opt for lighter or pastel colors to really make your photos pop! For fall and winter sessions, warmer colors and floral patterns are the perfect combination!

So since you've already picked out your dress (right, mama???), styling the rest of the family is easy peasy! All you have left to do now is to select colors and patterns that COMPLIMENT, but not match your dress! Long gone are the days of family sessions where everyone is dressed in a classic white button down shirt and khaki pants! You want your wardrobe to have variety and some style!

Style your wardrobe around your dress and opt for items that bring out your dress! I always suggest having ONE pattern in your wardrobe, so if you are wearing a solid colored dress, have your daughter in a small-patterned top and solid skirt! OR - if your dress is patterned, dress the rest of your family in solid colors (or maybe add in a small complimentary pattern, such as stripes to go with your floral dress).

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My typical suggestions for wardrobes: 

Mom: long, flowing dress or skirt with some texture!

Dad: Neutral colored button down, polo skirt or v-neck shirt and solid pants (no jeans!).

Little boys: solid colored or striped polo shirt or button down with khaki or neutral colored shorts/pants.

Little girls: solid colored or small patterned dress that has a little bit of flow and movement.

Remember textures and accessories can work great with everyone!! Throw a fluffy vest over your daughter's dress, or add a scarf to your son! Little extras can add a ton of interest to a photo!

And with that, I know that you want to book a session immediately, right??. : ) Here's the low-down for ya. Family sessions are typically done in your home + fave places...we usually always venture outside around your home to play  (weather permitting). Some folks like to do just their house and yard, some folks like to do just one room of their house and their favorite park up the road. We're not meeting in some random park or place you've never been before. These are the places that matter most to you. This stage/house/moment you're at right now will be totally different and changed and just "where in the world did time go?" a year from now. Take the time to capture your here and now. I promise you will NEVER regret preserving those in-between moments. Call or email me for session deets (or just click this link riiiiiiight here).

Baby Nora | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

"On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder, that the stars peeked in to see you, and the night wind whispered, life will never be the same again."

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Those first few moments at home as a new family....there is truly nothing quite like it....  

So many memories in those first few days at home with your new baby. It's a mix of just about every emotion imaginable, but so full of love at the same time. I promise you will never look back on these moments captured and regret this point of time that you preserved forever. The tiny little hands, the teeny little toes, that button nose and the way the skin starts to flake off....the pin prick on the heel from the hospital, the baby hair. All these things grow, change and heal and soon your teeny tiny baby will be toddling around the house calling out for "mama and dada". I hope you savor these moments and remember just how important they truly are. Being invited into the homes of my clients and allowed to record these priceless moments will always fill my heart. The bond of this brand new family is unbreakable and being able to witness the love and joy amongst this new family is simply amazing. 

Newborn sessions are always held in your own home because that's where the love is (not to mention, it's SO much easier to just stay in the comfort of your home instead of packing up your baby and everything you MIGHT need to take to a studio). Home gives everyone a chance to relax and settle into the love of one another. Being at home gives us a chance to take feeding break, cuddling breaks of any break you might need (this includes you too, Dad.... ;) ). Home is love.

Thank you, MacMaster family, for allowing me capture you all together during these fleeting moments. Baby Nora is beyond precious and I know she is so very loved. 

Are you expecting soon and looking to record these first few moments together as a new family! I'm currently booking lifestyle newborn sessions through September 2018. I'd love to chat with you about your story and how very important it is to have this time captured and recorded! Email me for more info or click here to be taken to the "contact page".

Baby Love | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

My absolute favorite thing about my sessions is that I get to relive bits and pieces of my life as I view my clients lives. This picture above could have been me almost 7 years ago as I brought Drew home from the hospital (to a sister who barely blinked an eye in his direction at first). It's a bittersweet perspective because I remember fumbling through those first days full of emotions. There was happiness, joy, elation, but also worry, anxiety and stress about how in the world we were going to manage two kiddos under two. Now, as I sit with my clients and see their lives unfold in front of my camera, I remember all those moments, but I also see the other little things that I probably overlooked the first time. The curl of hair, the gentle touch from big sister, time standing still. When you're IN the mix of the craziness, it's often hard to truly see how beautiful everything is.

Even with my personal photos, being on the other side of the camera allows me to slow down and savor the moment. It gives me a fresh perspective on an otherwise crazy moment. Little kids don't necessarily WANT to be a part of my session....especially the younger ones. My sessions are sometimes crazy and chaotic. If you've ever tried to make a two-year old do something EVER, you know what I'm talking about. They don't WANT to hold the new baby at all. They want to run and play and BE A KID. All that is totally fine. I want them to be themselves and be kids. I know it may make it hard for you, mama, during these crazy times, but I promise I have tricks up my sleeve....and I promise we are making magic even though it seems like chaos. 

Soooo...the point of all my rambling is that these moments change so quickly and I wish I would have had someone come and capture us during this precious time. I wish I had more of ME in our photos. You need these photos, mamas and dadas. Your babies need these photos.

Are you expecting soon and looking to record these first few moments together as a new family! I'm currently booking lifestyle newborn sessions through September 2018! I'd love to chat with ya about how very important it is to have this time preserved! Email me or click right here and I'll send ya more info lickety-split! 

Blessed beyond belief | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

A baby is the greatest gift ever and this sweet family brought tears to my eyes. I am always so incredibly thankful to everyone who opens their doors to me and allows me into their home during this intimate time. 

This sweet mama had the most heartbreaking and inspiring story ever and being a witness to her strength was truly amazing. I've learned that everyone has some type of story to tell. Some are love stories, some are heart wrenching stories, some are a mix of both. Being there with them, listening to the intimate details of bringing this new baby into the world, and then using my camera to tell the story will always be where my heart is. I want to tell your story. I want to show you the magic that lies within.

Congratulations Fallone family. You are blessed beyond belief. xo

Are you expecting soon and looking to record these first few moments together as a new family! I'm currently booking lifestyle newborn sessions through June 2018. I'd love to chat with you about your story and how very important it is to have this time captured and recorded! Email me for more info.

Brand New | Raleigh Newborn Photographer

It's amazing how just one sound, one sight or one smell can take you back to a certain time and place. Every single time I walk into a home with a sweet newborn baby, the emotions come rushing back and I remember all those teeny-tiny details about my sweet babies. My babies keep growing and growing, but I remember these moments like they were yesterday. I'm pretty sure I wasn't as cool, calm and collected as I am during my newborn sessions, but that makes it even that much sweeter. I get to relive my days while showing others just how precious their life truly is. My ultimate goal at every single newborn session is to capture those details and memories that fade so very quickly with time. It's to preserve the here and now and document all the bits and pieces, no matter how small or how trivial at that moment. The snuggles, the curly toes, the flaky skin....it's the in-between moments that count the most. 

Sweet baby Anna was as darling as she looks and it was a dream to capture her and her parents during these first few magical days together. This new life is amazingly precious and words just don't do it justice. You have to BE there to see it, feel it, experience it. If you're a mama, either with tiny babies or big grown babies, you know exactly what I'm talking about, right?? The coos, the noises, the smells and even those sweet baby cries are what these sessions are all about. I am forever grateful to all my clients who invite me into their home to document this time together. Here's a little peek at sweet baby Anna.

Are you expecting soon and looking to record these first few moments together as a new family! I'm currently booking lifestyle newborn sessions through June 2018! I'd love to chat with ya about how very important it is to have this time preserved! Email me and I'll send ya more info lickety-split!