Creating Meaningful Pregnancy Portraits | Houston Maternity Photographer

Serving the Houston area, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a maternity photographer offering connected, meaningful and romantic pregnancy portraits for expecting couples and mothers to be.

Preserving your pregnancy with authentic and meaningful maternity portraiture

Greetings, friends! Howdy to you! Today's blog post talks about how to create meaningful maternity portraits for your expecting clients. If this is your first time visiting my blog, welcome! Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sarah Borchgrevink and I'm a Houston Photographer offering gorgeous, dynamic and lovely natural light pregnancy portraits. I adore working with couples, especially first time parents, because as a mother, I know how special this time is in your life. You're preparing to meet the greatest love: the unconditional bond you have with your child. From the moment you hear their heartbeat, or even see the positive pregnancy test, you're in love and cannot wait to meet baby! You envision their face, imagine who they'll look like, and cannot wait to hold them in your arms!

Before we begin, you may be interested in reading about the newborn collections I offer, too! These are a wonderful option once baby is here and most of my maternity clients choose to move forward with one of these collections. 

Sarah offers the following newborn collections consisting of high resolution, retouched digital files + a print release. These take place in the first 14 days of life. Click each link to see a sample gallery + more information on the newborn collection. The flat rate listed pays for time, talent, and your  high resolution digital gallery + released printing rights you may treasure forever.

• Full Newborn Collection | $850
• Petite Newborn Collection | $650
• Wrapped Mini Newborn Collection | $450

This couple, for instance, ended up choosing the "petite" package, so you'll be seeing their baby boy on the blog in just a few short weeks. :-) 

The Importance of Pregnancy Portraits

Pregnancy portraits are a lovely option for new parents because this time is sacred! An outdoor and natural light maternity session is a beautiful way to honor and preserve your pregnancy while also celebrating your gorgeous baby bump! Through the use of radiant, natural light and breathtaking locations, I create dynamic yet meaningful photographs you're sure to treasure forever. You will never regret commissioning your portrait artist for these images. You'll fondly look back at the time in which you're expecting and remember feeling baby kicking and looking down at your belly, knowing you're carrying precious life. 

How to create meaningful portraits

In order to create meaningful pregnancy portraits, it's important for the photos to be timeless, classic and natural. These create a sense of validity, purpose, and significance. It's a time to connect with your spouse or partner and shows the love, commitment and bond you share. My favorite way to create dynamic images is to use an amazing location! When booking a maternity session, I have several options you may select from, all of which are located in the Greater Houston Area. They typically feature naturalistic elements, as this lends a softness to your images, but there are more urban options if you prefer the skyline or perhaps a trendy and hip location such as brick walls, busy streets, ect. 

Naturally Pose & Encourage Connections

Taking beautiful maternity images has much more to do with how you interact with your clients than simply pushing a button on your camera. Part of connecting with your clients is creating stunning portraiture and I do this by naturally posing the parents to be and encouraging them to interact together. Sometimes they're a little unsure of the camera and that's okay! It's my job, as a Houston Maternity Photographer, to ensure they feel at ease. I do this by complimenting the client, showing them specifically what to do, and speaking to them throughout the entire session. I will reference exactly what I'd like them to do, but I will also take a step back and tell them to maybe think of their wedding day or how it will feel to meet baby for the first time. By being patient, you will create lovely images through authentic connections and natural poses in which no one looks stilted or awkward. 

Let there be light

Lighting is another important aspect when creating dynamic or meaningful maternity images because this sets the tone. All of my sessions exclusively take place at either sunrise or sunset, in a natural light setting, to ensure the photos are softly lit and exude a sense of warmth and peace. During the session, I place you where the light is typically lighting your from behind, or back-lit, and this makes sure your eyes are open. I don't like couples facing the sun because it's harsh and not very flattering. After all, these photos will be an important reminder of your motherhood journey so you should feel beautiful when you look back on them. :-) 

Here are some of my favorite images from the rest of my time with this sweet couple! I hope you enjoy viewing more of their session. If you perhaps are expecting your own baby, I am currently booking for 2018 and onward; most maternity sessions take place when you are around 30-35 weeks along. This is when you have a cute baby bump, but are also comfortable enough to still walk and be posed. As a Houston mama, I can tell you I completely understand that pregnancy can seem daunting, but these photos will beautifully preserve this time for you. I have my own pregnancy portraits scheduled for just a few weeks from today so I am also looking forward to sharing these on my blog. :-) 

If you'd like to connect and schedule your own maternity session, feel free to get in touch. I'd love to work with you and chat about the maternity collection I offer, with digital files beginning at $550 + tax.

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

Here's Where Sarah's Studio Is Located

 

How to Incorporate Client Props into your Houston Newborn Session

Houston Newborn Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, specializes in the custom art of posed baby portraits and serves the entire Houston area. Here are some fun ways to incorporate clients props into your studio sessions.

Seamlessly Add Client Props into your session flow

Greetings, friends! Happy Sunday to you! Today in Houston the weather is absolutely beautiful and we have temperatures in the 60's, wow! That's essentially winter for us, ha! However, this morning I am at my desk catching up on print orders, contracts, e-mails and blog posts. I have an adorable little boy coming to my studio in a few hours for a family + newborn session so I am looking forward to that part of my day. Today's blog post is going to chat about what's included in a newborn session and how you can add parent props into your workflow seamlessly while being on task with your time.

Parent props are a common request. Oftentimes, there is an heirloom item, such as quilt or wedding ring, that mom and dad would like added into to their session. They also may have had a cute knitted hat a co-worker made them or maybe even a blanket grandma crocheted just for their little darling. While I do provide everything for your session and style the images so they're classic and timeless, I allow a few outside props in to add a bit of spunk to your sessions. I ask parents to please limit the number of props to about 3 since we must hit all your other set ups in the time allotted for our time together. 

Introducing Ava 

Sweet baby girl Ava visited my Houston Newborn Photography Studio when she was just over a month old. She arrived earth side early and with Hurricane Harvey, scheduling was a little bit hectic. However, her sweet parents booked a wrapped mini session with me, which is what I recommend for newborns who are a little older. While full time babies have their session at 14 days or newer, for babies who make their entrance into the world earlier than expected and perhaps spend some time in the NICU, I will go a little further in age to accommodate NICU stays. 

The wrapped mini includes the following:

WRAPPED MINI NEWBORN COLLECTION | $450 + TAX

One hour studio session featuring cozy, beautifully wrapped newborn images with full styling provided by Sarah. Please note this session does not include naked bean bag posing. Includes (2) family poses, (1) pose of Mom with Baby, (1) pose of Dad with baby, (3) unique styles of gorgeous wrapping, (2) floor props such as bucket/bowl/crate, flokati rug set up, and macro images up close details such as lips, eyelashes, toes, hands, etc. 20 retouched high resolution digital files are delivered to you via digital download + released printing rights, as well as (3) 5x7" deep matte professional prints of your choice. Black & white conversions of each image are also included. See the three styles of cozy newborn wrapping I always implement in these sessions. See a full gallery of a wrapped newborn mini session. Please note these do include family photos for parents who choose to do so but there is no obligation or discount if you choose to not utilize the family images. This is simply a perk I offer to clients and it has no monetary value.

Darling Fox Hat during Potato Pose

The potato pose is one of my favorite parts of the session because baby is wrapped to perfection in an organic textured wrap, often one of the softest quality. I love the way their little hands are tucked delicately beneath their chins and they sleep so sweetly! This is a great spot to incorporate a prop the parents brought from home because you can easily swap items out such as hats, wraps, flokati rugs, etc. This allows you to stay within your time limits, but also incorporate the parents items. I truly believe each parent should have the newborn images of their dreams! By being flexible and kind to your clients, you exhibit great customer service skills and still maintain the authenticity of your brand. It costs nothing to be kind. Always go the extra mile. :-) 

All tucked in with grandma's blanket

If grandma has created a knit or crochet blanket for little one, a great set up to add these items into your posed newborn session is during a tucked in shot. For Ava, I used an adorable rustic crate and added the soft baby pink hat and matching blanket in here. Like potato pose, listed above, this is a wonderful way to make your client happy and ensure they love their gallery.

Check out more highlights from Ava's wrapped newborn session

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

Here's where sarah is located

 

Payment Plans | Professional Newborn Photography Can Be Affordable

Affordable Payment Plan Options with Houston Newborn Photographer Sarah Borchgrevink

When photographing a new baby in my studio, I often spend around an hour setting up for your sessions. I pull many beautiful items that are typically handcrafted and are from other local businesses such as wraps, tiebacks, textiles, and antique shops such as buckets, bowls, and all the props.

I also spend 1-2 hours photographing your sweet cherub and then around 3 hours retouching the images before sending you the gallery. Afterward, the images are yours for a lifetime. They'll be loved, treasured, and displayed for years to come. You'll see them throughout their childhood, at their wedding, and passed down as a family heirloom. You're not taking these images just for yourself: but for your children. 

What You're Investing In: Art & Talent

As a full-time small business owner, there are expenses professional photographers have to upkeep. For instance, just a few of monthly expenses your photographer is responsible for is a 30 percent income tax, the rent or mortgage for our business space, health insurance, utilities, business insurance, vehicle usage, supplies, professional website maintenance, subscriptions to editing software, meals, training and mentoring, our bookkeeping or CPA services, attorney on retainer, gas and mileage, etc. The list is never-ending. This why professional portrait artists charge the rates we charge: because in order to run a successful business we have to be responsible owners. It's all part of our cost of doing business. I say this in complete transparency so clients see there is a reason behind the rates you see listed on a pricing or investment guide.

Also, as a Houston Newborn Photographer, I've invested in my own newborn photography education through safety workshops, newborn mentoring, and classes on lighting, equipment, the styling of your sessions and post-processing of images. I use top of the line camera equipment as well as a custom-built super PC so your sessions are edited efficiently. I am still mentoring and will continue to do so because being stagnant is not an option.

Why Flexible Payment Plans Are An Option To All my Clients

A few days ago, on Facebook, a close friend told me the following, " I really wish I had budgeted and planned ahead so I could do newborn sessions for my daughter! Worth every penny but sometimes pennies are hard to come by." Another friend also relayed, " I am so sad that we couldn't afford newborn photos." Hearing this made me feel like I had done my friends a disservice. While they did not inquire into my professional newborn photography sessions, they also did not know that payment plans are always an option with my studio. Professional newborn photography is an investment, one of which you'll never regret making, however, I also understand sometimes parents have many other expenses during their pregnancy. Photography is a luxury. 

With my friends explaining this to me, I feel compelled to write a post explaining that I offer payment plans year around to everyone. Don't be afraid to ask. You should not miss out on these precious, fleeting images. Newborn sessions take place in the first 14 days of life so this allows you to capture this brand new milestone with affordable options.

How My Payment Plans Work

If a payment plan is a way you'd like to book, let's get this process started! I have a few options for you to select from. You may select 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. There is a $100 non-refundable retainer to secure the payment plan. The rest of your balance is broken up into your selected time length. Many parents are excited to still be able to have the session with smaller upfront investment. Then, you have the time needed to pay for your session.

How Are Payment Plans Setup

Clients have two options for setting up a payment plan. They may pay through credit or debit cards of their choice. You may also use personal checks. You are invoiced according to your payment plan preference (1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months). There is no interest so you will not incur any additional charges other than your flat rate listed on the pricing guide.

When you receive your images or products

Ten business days after your final payment has been made, you will receive an online digital gallery filled with your perfected and retouched high-resolution digital files. There will also be instructions on how to order the heirloom prints that come in your collection. The digital files are yours to download, share, print, enjoy, etc. You may treasure them forever! While I do not release any final copies without payment in full, your photos are backed up onto two different hard drives as well as a cloud subscription so they stay safe while they wait to be retouched.

Option to pay off your payment plan earlier 

Many times, the clients I have done payment plans to have chosen to pay their session off earlier than expected. While there is no rush to do so, this is an option if you choose to complete your final installment at an earlier date. Parents are excited to receive the images and often cannot wait to have the gallery.

Classic, timeless and simple newborn & family photography