Close-up of a newborn baby's tiny feet cradled gently in loving parent's hands on a soft beige blanket.

 

Your Session Guide

 

 

Motherhood/Newborn


A little guidance for a very meaningful season.


Motherhood is full of moments you wish you could hold onto a little longer. Whether we're documenting the anticipation of meeting your baby, those first days together, or the beautiful, ordinary connection between a mother and her children, this guide is here to help you feel prepared without adding another thing to your already-full list.

 

Black and white photo of mother kissing newborn baby's hand while toddler watches on bed.
Newborn baby girl in white onesie with bow headband lying in mother's arms, gazing upward in cozy home setting.
Black and white portrait of a smiling mother hugging her curly-haired toddler daughter indoors.
A newborn baby in a white onesie and bow headband rests peacefully in a parent's arms on a couch.
A peacefully sleeping newborn baby swaddled in a cream blanket with a tan bow headband.
Black and white photo of happy family with newborn baby and toddler sitting on bed with dog.
Close-up of a sleeping newborn baby's face and tiny hands wrapped in a soft white blanket.
Peaceful newborn baby sleeping in white onesie on soft cream bedding.
Young girl in blue dress looking up at framed photo on round wooden table by sunny window.
Peaceful newborn baby sleeping in parent's hands in black and white photo.
A mother reads a book to her toddler daughter while holding a newborn baby on a cozy chair.
Black and white family photo with mother holding newborn, young daughter, dog, and father on a cozy bed.
Black and white photo of parents smiling at newborn baby with toddler and fluffy dog on bed.
Smiling mother holding newborn baby while toddler girl in blue dress sits beside her on white sofa.
Black and white photo of family with newborn, toddler, and fluffy dog on living room sofa.
A toddler smiles while holding a newborn baby, as a mother cradles both children in a warm family portrait.
Happy family of four with toddler girl and newborn baby sitting together on bed.
Happy family of four with a toddler and newborn baby sitting on a bed with a golden dog.
Close-up of a newborn baby's tiny fist gently gripping a soft white knit blanket.
A toddler girl kisses a swaddled newborn baby while a golden doodle dog watches on a cozy sofa.
Black and white photo of a smiling toddler girl in a dress standing beside an adult in jeans near a bright window.
A couple shares a tender moment holding their newborn baby near a sunlit window at home.
Black and white family portrait with parents, newborn, toddler girl, and fluffy dog on couch.
Black and white photo of new parents lovingly gazing at their newborn baby by a sheer curtained window.
A father tenderly holds his newborn baby near a bright window, sharing a precious bonding moment.
Newborn baby sleeping peacefully in parent's supportive hands, wearing a white onesie.
Family of four sits on couch as dad reads a picture book to newborn baby and toddler daughter.
Smiling mother and excited toddler girl looking at newborn baby lying in white crib.
New parents tenderly admire their sleeping newborn baby by a bright window.
Happy family with two children and a golden doodle dog posing together on a bed with floral bedding.
Smiling mother in gray sweater holding newborn baby while seated in white armchair.
Happy family of four poses outdoors, mom holding newborn, toddler sitting with smiling dad.
Mother tenderly holding newborn baby's tiny hands while leaning over infant in white onesie.
A smiling mother and toddler lean over a white crib to look at their swaddled newborn baby.
Newborn baby in white outfit and tan bow headband lying on patterned blanket.
A fluffy golden doodle rests on a floral bed while a woman and toddler sit against a wooden headboard.
Toddler girl with curly hair kissing newborn baby sibling held by mother in cozy family photo.
Joyful mother in gray sweater smiling at sleeping newborn baby held in her arms.
Toddler girl in blue dress sitting on bed next to sleeping newborn baby sibling.
A happy family with a toddler girl, parents, and a dog relaxing together on a sofa at home.
Mother kissing newborn baby's hand while toddler plays in background on bed.
Black and white family photo with parents, toddler girl, and fluffy dog sitting together on a bed.
Newborn baby girl in white outfit and beige bow headband lying in adult's arms looking at camera.
Parents tenderly holding their newborn baby close in a soft black and white portrait photo.
Mother reads picture book with toddler girl and newborn baby in nursery chair.
Black and white photo of a happy family with a toddler and fluffy dog relaxing together on a bed.
Family reads a colorful picture book together in a cozy nursery bedroom setting.
Swaddled newborn baby girl sleeps peacefully wearing a tan bow headband on white background.
Black and white family portrait of parents with toddler and newborn baby sitting on bed.
A swaddled newborn lies in a white crib while a smiling toddler peeks through the crib rails.

What Your Session Looks Like

 

01 — We Settle In

 

Upon arrival, we'll take a few minutes to get comfortable and go over anything we need to know. There is no need to rush straight into photographs. For newborn sessions especially, we'll make sure baby is settled and everyone knows what to expect before we begin.

 

 

02 — We Start With Connection

 

We'll begin with the photographs that are most important to you—whether that's your maternity portraits, parents with their new baby, siblings meeting baby, or those quiet mother-and-child moments. I'll guide you when you need direction, but I'll also leave room for the little interactions that happen naturally.

 

 

03 — We Follow the Rhythm of Your Family

 

This is where patience matters. We may change positions, take a feeding or comfort break, fix a little one's clothing, pause for a diaper change, or simply wait for a shy child to warm up. You don't need to make your children perform for the camera. We'll give them space to be themselves while I look for the genuine moments in between.

 

 

04 — After Your Session

 

Once we're finished, the editing begins. Every viable image from your session will be thoughtfully hand-edited to create a cohesive gallery that feels true to the Rooted Vision style.


Your full gallery will be delivered within 2–3 weeks of your session, giving you plenty of beautiful memories to choose from and enjoy.

And when your gallery arrives, the experience doesn't have to end there. These photographs were created to be more than files on a screen—they can become the printed photographs, albums, and heirlooms your family will continue to hold onto for years to come.

 

A few things to remember:


You don't need to know how to pose.

Your baby doesn't need to sleep the entire time.

Your children don't need to behave perfectly.

The Art of Motherhood

Preparing for Your Session
A happy family with two parents, a toddler girl, and a newborn baby sit on a bed with a golden retriever dog nearby.

The best sessions begin with a little preparation—but they don't require perfection. For maternity and motherhood sessions, choose clothing that makes you feel beautiful and comfortable in the season of life you're in right now. Try everything on ahead of time, especially if your body is changing quickly, and give yourself plenty of time to get ready and arrive without rushing. You never need to practice posing; I'll guide you gently throughout the session and help you find natural, comfortable ways to move and connect.

For newborn sessions, the goal is simply to have a comfortable, well-fed baby and a relaxed family. If possible, feed your baby shortly before we begin or plan to feed when you arrive, and dress baby in something loose and easy to remove, such as a zip-up or button-front sleeper. Bring anything your baby may need throughout the session—extra milk or formula, diapers, wipes, a pacifier if you use one, and a burp cloth or two. If you have a sentimental item you'd like photographed, you're welcome to bring it along.

If siblings are joining us, don't worry about keeping them perfectly entertained or perfectly behaved. Young children often have short attention spans, so we'll make their portion of the session purposeful and fun, and then give them opportunities to take a break. If another trusted adult is available to help with younger siblings between their photographs, that can make the experience even more relaxed for everyone.

Most importantly, please don't stress if your baby doesn't follow the plan. Babies may need to eat, be held, have a diaper changed, or simply take their time settling in. That's completely normal. My sessions are intentionally built with room for those moments, and we'll work with your baby rather than against them.

Maternity + Motherhood


Bring an additional outfit if you'd like.

One beautiful outfit is more than enough, but if you'd like variety in your gallery, you're welcome to bring a second look. A simple change of dress, a cozy sweater, or something more casual can give your gallery a completely different feeling without adding much extra time.

A backup outfit for little ones can be helpful.

Especially with babies and young children, accidents happen. Having an extra outfit nearby means we can keep moving without worrying about a little spill, sticky fingers, or an unexpected mess.


Bring a small touch-up kit.

A brush or comb, lipstick or gloss, powder, hairbrush, and any other small essentials you may want throughout the session can be helpful. You don't need a full makeup bag—just the things you would normally use for a quick refresh.


Bring something meaningful.

If there is something special you'd like incorporated into your photographs, bring it along. Ultrasound photographs, a favorite baby blanket, a family heirloom, a special book, a rattle, or another small keepsake can add a beautiful personal element to your session.


A few little details make a difference.

Before we begin, remove hair ties from your wrists and empty your pockets. These are easy things to forget and surprisingly easy to spot once we're photographing close-up.


Bring snacks and water.

Sessions can involve a little more movement than you might expect, and staying hydrated and comfortable is especially important during pregnancy. Having a snack and water available can help you feel your best throughout the session.

Studio Newborn


Newborn sessions are intentionally relaxed. Your baby may need to eat, be changed, be held, or simply take a little time to settle—and that's completely okay. We're not racing the clock.


Bring enough diapers, wipes, and bottles for 2–3 hours.

Even if your baby has recently eaten, it's helpful to have everything you would normally need for a few hours away from home. Bringing enough supplies means you can settle into the session without feeling rushed to pack up and leave.


Pacifiers are welcome.

If your baby uses one, bring it along. Even if you don't typically use a pacifier, having one available can sometimes be helpful during transitions between photographs.


Bring any special outfits or accessories you'd love to use.

If there is a particular newborn outfit, hat, headband, bonnet, or other accessory that has special meaning to you, bring it along. We can decide together what fits naturally into the session.


Bring meaningful keepsakes.

A favorite children's book, family blanket, heirloom, stuffed animal, or another sentimental item can make a beautiful addition to your newborn photographs. These details don't need to be elaborate—the things that already have meaning to your family are often the most special.



And remember: your baby doesn't need to sleep the entire time.

Newborns are unpredictable. Your baby may sleep beautifully, wake up halfway through, need a feeding, or decide they would much rather be held. All of those things are normal, and we'll work around your baby's needs.

In-Home Newborn + family


In-home sessions have a beautiful advantage: your baby gets to stay in their own environment. There's no need to pack everyone up and travel with a newborn, and the photographs can incorporate the spaces and details that are already part of your family's story.


Keep the home comfortably warm.

Newborns are often photographed with fewer layers than adults, so the home should be comfortably warm for your baby. You don't need to make the entire house hot—just aim for a comfortable temperature, particularly in the rooms where we'll be photographing.


Please have at least two rooms prepared.

If possible, choose two rooms with plenty of natural window light. Bedrooms, nurseries, living rooms, and other larger spaces can all work beautifully.


Large windows are ideal.

The more natural light we have, the more flexibility I'll have when choosing where to photograph. Sheer curtains are wonderful for softening bright sunlight, but they are absolutely not required.


Don't worry about having a picture-perfect home.

I don't expect your home to look like a magazine. We'll choose the spaces that work best for light and photographs, and I'll help you decide what needs to be moved or tucked away. Your home is part of your family's story, and I want these photographs to feel like they belong to you.


One last thing

You don't need to remember every detail on this list. The goal isn't perfection—it's simply to arrive prepared enough that you can relax and enjoy your family.

I'll take care of the rest.

Pregnant woman in green floral off-shoulder dress standing in golden hour field near wooden fence.
Mother gently cradling newborn baby's head in her hands, close-up of infant with dark hair lying on soft surface.
My Newborn + Milestone Portfolio

 

"You will teach them to fly,

but they will not fly your flight.

You will teach them to dream,

but they will not dream your dream.

You will teach them to live,

but they will not live your life.

Nevertheless, in every flight,

in every life, in every dream,

the print of the way you taught

will always remain."

 

Mother Teresa

 

The RVP Studio

Serving Southeast Michigan & Metro Detroit

Canton · Plymouth · Livonia · Northville

Novi · Farmington Hills · Ann Arbor · Belleville

50755 Cherry Hill Road | Suite 11
Canton, Michigan 48188