Maternity Focused Studio Sessions

A studio photo session has several advantages over an outdoor photo shoot for your maternity photoshoot.

One of the main advantages of a studio photo session is that it allows for complete control over the lighting and environment. In a studio, I have the ability to create the exact lighting conditions that we want, which can be crucial for achieving the desired look and feel of the photos.

Another advantage of a studio photo session is that it allows for greater flexibility when it comes to props and backdrops. In a studio, I have access to a wide range of backgrounds and props, which can be used to create a variety of different looks and moods. This is especially useful for styled sessions with a theme or specific outcome in mind.

Additionally, a studio photo session can be more comfortable and convenient for the mother-to-be. In a studio, the temperature and lighting can be easily adjusted to suit the preferences of each client, making for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. In Colorado, a studio session is a wonderful option during summer and winter months. In summer while you are pregnant, warmer temperatures may be difficult for you. Also in winter months, Colorado may offer beautiful snowy views but there can also be nothing but brown, a studio session offers a gorgeous set with various options, as well as keeping you out of the wind and cold.

And one of the best reasons for a studio session is the ability to create a cohesive look between a newborn and maternity session. Similar colors can be used, as well as having the same background and furniture available. Indoor newborn sessions are the best option to keep baby safe and comfortable as well as have the time to be flexible to attend to baby’s needs.

A studio session is a wonderful option for your maternity photoshoot for a wide variety of reasons. And don’t worry, you will still receive a wide variety of images to choose from! You can also have the best of both worlds in my Epic Package, where you will receive 2 sessions to create your full gallery - one studio and one outdoors.

Moments of Motherhood: Generations

Moments make memories, isn’t that the understanding? I am going to reframe and say that intentional moments make memories. And sometimes we have to make some time to do that. I remember my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. It was a big celebration. My family flew to Minnesota that October and celebrated with the whole family. Someone had the idea of a large family photo session. We chose one of their favorite places, set a dress code, and made the plans. I still remember it was a cold, overcast day and we we struggling a bit as such a large group. But once we got started we walked around, reminisced and shared stories, and enjoyed the time together. Childhood pictures were recreated with my mom and her siblings and laughter was present. It has been 21 years since those photos were taken and I treasure the intentional time we made to make those memories. And the best part, we captured the essence of that day in photographs. Those prints have been shared over the years and I am so glad we have them. As time has passed and the generations have shifted, I continue to be reminded over the years how important it is to capture these moments. The generational torch has been passed, so to speak, and now my mom is the grandmother and I am a mother.

It is memories and experiences like that example that remind me that in these busy lives we lead, we do need to be intentional sometimes about making memories. And if that intentionality means hiring a photographer and setting up a photo session, I am here for it! And if it just happens that a photo session provides that, please take advantage of the time.

I had an opportunity recently with one of my lovely clients. I had a blast with her during her maternity session and her newborn session was so touching. I reached out to her when I had a custom gown made to see if she would be interested in a mommy & me session. As our date approached she asked if her mom could be included in some of the sets. Yes please! All 3 generations arrived and it was such a pleasure seeing them all together. My client as mom and daughter, her mom as mother and grandmother, and baby as daughter and granddaughter. Each bond so special.

Both women were styled using elements from the SHP Client Closet. Mom is wearing an Eternity gown in Mocha from Chicaboo with a coordinating sweater from ThredUp to add some texture. Grandmother is wearing a custom gown from Picture Perfect Bowtique with a belt.

Did they all take pictures during her visit? I am sure they did. Did they capture memories and moments? I am sure they did. But there is something about the intentionality of a professional photo session that adds that special element. And everyone got to be in the moment, no one was running around trying to capture and be included. I hope they look back on these images and remember the moments, the connection, and the time they spent together. And that over the years they recreate some of these and make new memories. I know each generation will value these images in their own special way.

And that is why I include “generations” as a moment of motherhood. Women fill so many roles within their lifetime and each role holds unique and powerful elements. To create memories in those roles is so special. I know I look back at the photos of my grandparents wedding anniversary and am able to connect with my role as granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, and cousin.

If you are interested in a generational session, let’s chat! Feel free to contact me via website or social media. I would love to help you set aside some intentional time to make some memories with your family.

Yours behind the lens,

Sarah w/ Seen & Hurd Photography

Sweet & Simple Session - Explained!

What is a Sweet & Simple Session? I am so glad you asked! In these sessions, I set out to capture a set of meaningful images of family. The beautiful connections between mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, siblings, spouses. At the end of the day, that connection is just sweet & simple - no fluff, fanfare, or crazy props. It is the love that we carry with us throughout each day, that keeps us going during the tough times and what we rejoice in during the happy times.

Whether you are choosing a Sweet & Simple Session to highlight your family, your children, or your journey into motherhood, the outcome is the same. You will have a series of beautiful, cohesive images to select from. These images can then be shared in a beautiful heirloom album, a keepsake box to highlight your favorite memories, or a stunning piece of statement wall art to highlight the awesome memories made during your session. Remember that with Seen & Hurd Photography, you only purchase the images that you want, you aren’t stuck picking 10 because that it what you pre-paid for. Our full service studio doesn’t end with an email link to a gallery. Each session experience ends will hand-delivered, custom art that will be cherished for years to come.

“I had no idea what I was doing when I met with Sarah to order prints. She had amazing suggestions on what prints to do, and how to format them. After ordering them I was beyond thrilled with the results. The images were stunning and on a good quality paper but the metal prints and ornaments are complimented on every time we have a guest in our home. Worth every penny!”

— Brittany (client)

Some details to consider. These sessions are usually a bit shorter than an average session, about 35-45 minutes, but if we need to shoot longer that is fine as well. Since we are trying to capture the connections and love in your family, the session is spent laughing, playing, and snuggling with those you hold dear. My client closet is also available during these sessions. This option can help to reduce stress about finding that perfect outfit or provide an opportunity to wear something unique and out of the ordinary. Usually clients will choose 1 gown or outfit but change the look with a variety of accessories.

“It was so wonderful to have her bring us dresses and outfits so that we didn’t have to try and find/coordinate outfits. I felt like a queen wearing my gown, while my daughter felt like a princess. ”

— Megan (client)

A Sweet & Simple Session fee is $250 and includes a $50 keepsake credit to apply to your art/ print order. And remember if you book your session before the end of May 2019, you will receive a complimentary gift with your print order.

I am so excited to see what we create together! Click the button below to get started with your session!

Partner Spotlight: Miss Madison Photo Props

Hello friends!  As I mentioned in a previous post, I am excited to highlight some of the fabulous people I have met along this photography journey.  This week I am thrilled to introduce you to Sunny Wells of Miss Madison Photo Props.

I honestly can’t remember where I originally came across Miss Madison Photo Props other than it was on Facebook.  I was able to join her preferred photographers group and just stalked at the beginning. I loved her beautiful gowns and was in awe of the talented photographers who were sharing just stunning images of their maternity sessions using her gowns.  I knew I wanted to offer that experience to my clients. I do remember the first gown I ordered however! Sunny sometimes does fun games in her groups where the winner gets an additional percentage off their purchase. As many of you know, I am a competitor so I was determined to win!  My persistence paid off and I was able to snag a discount code which was awesome for a photographer who was just starting out and didn’t have a huge client base yet! I decided to use my code to purchase a gown for a fundraising opportunity I was planning. My husband’s cousin had recently invited us to be a part of the Denver Walk to End Alzheimer’s event.  We had agreed to be photographers the day of the walk but I also wanted to raise awareness for the event, disease, and caregivers in honor of my grandmother who battled dementia at the end of her life. I was offering photo sessions where a portion of the session proceeds would be donated as long as anyone in the photos wore the color purple to honor those fighting the disease.  So I ordered my first Miss Madison gown - her Anna design in lilac so I could offer a beautiful purple option to my clients and honor my grandmother (Violet Weller) at the same time.

Anna gown in Lilac

I was thrilled with the gown and the outcome.  My client asked at the session where it was from as she had a black tie event coming up and the gown was so comfortable and it made her feel so pretty.  Combined with the high quality and wonderful customer service, that was enough for me to continue ordering from Sunny.

Sunny Wells grew up with 9 siblings and learned to sew from her mother, much like her mother had done before her (I love a good generational connection!).  Her father purchased her mother a Bernina sewing machine after opening up his own dental practice and her mother began teaching her sew at just 5 years old.  She found it boring and often left the sewing room to bake or climb trees with her brothers. Her mother eventually suggested that Sunny design her own dress for her 8th grade graduation and after that experience she was hooked on designing and sewing her own creations - even the bridesmaids gowns for her own wedding.  Life happened and she didn’t get back into sewing for 20 years until her own husband presented her with her own Bernina sewing machine. Then one day her oldest daughter called and asked her to make a gown for an upcoming maternity client she would be photographing soon. The idea of Miss Madison was born when her daughter asked her for 5 more gowns a week later.  Now 5 years after that phone call she has sourced her own textile companies to find the perfect laces, threads, and fabric. Her main fabric doesn’t wrinkle, it retains its shape even when it’s stretched to capacity. It has amazing recovery! You can wash AND dry it! Stickers and burrs don’t cling to it... it resists stains, but most of all, it hugs a woman's curves like magic!  She says it hasn’t been all butterflies and rainbows but that she loves what she does and is looking forward to the next 30 years!

I have been able to add several other gowns from Miss Madison to my studio closet since that first Anna gown purchase.  I consistently go back to her shop for several reasons. One is the amazing customer service she and her employees provide.  When you order a Miss Madison gown they provide an estimated timeline for your purchase to arrive. I love getting updates from them when my order is assigned to a seamstress, and then when it is finished and ready to be shipped.  I also get tracking information with every order. I love that I am able to know these details. It makes it much more personal and easier to connect with the women who are helping me to make beautiful images and memories for my clients.

Piper Gown in Moss Green

Another reason I continue to order from Sunny is the quality of her gowns and the attention to detail she provides.  I fell in love with her Piper gown (yes, partly because it is the name of my daughter!) and ordered one in moss green.  Once I had it on a client, I was even more enamored with it. I feel asleep one evening thinking about a couple of ideas I had for my next gown.  I messaged Sunny and was able to express my ideas about using a mesh fabric on my next gown. She responded just as excited as I was and created a gown that far exceeded my expectations.  Not only did she replace the lace in her original design with mesh, she custom dyed the chiffon to be a match to the new color that was created when the two fabrics were layered over one another.  I was blown away by her attention to detail that she demonstrated when creating this gown. (Be sure to follow me on Instagram @seenandhurdphotography to see images of the gown!)

Her designs and colors are also varied and meet the needs of so many of my clients.  One way this is evident is in her line of girls gowns. The versatility that this option adds to my sessions is so appreciated.  I have had several young girls wear my Charlie gown and they love how it makes them feel like a princess. The colors she offers are also beautiful - deep, rich, and luxurious.  But her women’s gowns are just amazing. I have her Everly design in Denim Blue. I love this gown and the mix of fabrics it offers. I think the sleeves are my favorite. I also recently acquired one of her newer designs - the Scarlett gown.  I selected her Mauve color for this purchase. I was also able to customize my purchase by adjusting the length of the sleeves. One of my favorite aspects of this gown is the full skirt - it adds so much drama to images and yet the gown is still comfortable to wear.  As I have already mentioned, Sunny makes customizing her gowns so easy. I ordered her Mia gown and it was so quick and easy to add sleeves to my order. The options are endless! Each gown that arrives from Miss Madison is just as well made and gorgeous as the last. And a little bonus is how good the box smells when you open it!  She adds a little extra touch when she finishes your order and I love how good her gowns smell and look fresh out of the box!

From left to right: Charlie in Berry, Everly in Denim Blue, Scarlett in Mauve, Mia in Charcoal

I am so excited to see what new designs she has in the works and am so looking forward to continuing building my client closet with Miss Madison.  If you are in the market for a gown for a special occasion, look her up! I cannot recommend her enough. And I love that I am also supporting a strong #bossbabe to boot!

If these gowns shared here strike your fancy and you would like to add them to your session with Seen & Hurd Photography, add them to your preferences when you book your session with me.