What to expect during your photography session in Washington, DC

A woman kisses a baby on the cheek while a girl sits on a man's lap hugging him, in a cozy indoor setting.

Nothing needs to be perfect

If this is your first maternity, newborn, or family photo session, it's completely normal to feel a little nervous about how it all works. Will the kids cooperate? Does your house need to be spotless? What if things don't go as planned? Here's the truth: nothing needs to be perfect. My documentary approach means I'm not directing a shoot, I'm quietly capturing the days you're already living — so there's nothing to get "right." Here's exactly what a session with me looks like, from start to finish.

A man and a young child standing in a kitchen. The man is reaching into the refrigerator while the child looks up at him, holding an electronic device. The scene features modern kitchen cabinetry, a refrigerator, and kitchen details in the background.

Before your session

Whether we're photographing your pregnancy, your baby's first days, or your family as it is right now, preparation looks the same: minimal. For maternity sessions, I'll usually recommend scheduling between 28-32 weeks, when you are really showing, but you're still comfortable moving around. For newborn sessions, I recommend holding the session in the first 1-14 days, while your baby is still sleepy and curled — but even outside that window, we can absolutely still create something beautiful. For family sessions, there's no ideal window at all — these work any time of year, indoors or out, and the only real prep is picking a time of day when your household is naturally most itself, whether that's a slow Saturday morning or the chaos right before bedtime.

Young boy laughing and playing with others in a group, sitting on the floor, touching hands with another person.

When I arrive

I keep the beginning low-key. There's no equipment setup that takes over your home, no big production. I'll spend the first few minutes just settling in — saying hello, letting kids or pets get curious about the camera, giving everyone a minute to forget I'm there. This matters just as much for a family session as it does for a newborn one: the best documentary images happen once people stop performing for the camera and go back to being themselves.

A crying baby being cradled by a woman, with two other people nearby, seen from beneath a wooden chair frame, at a living room table with coasters and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

During the session

Maternity sessions tend to be quieter and slower — I'm looking for the small, quiet moments of this chapter: a hand resting on your belly, the way your partner or your other kids interact you, the light in your favorite room.

Newborn sessions move at your baby's pace, not mine. There's no posing, no forcing a sleepy baby into position. I'm photographing feeding, swaddling, the first meeting between siblings, the exhausted, tender chaos of those early days, exactly as it happens.

Family sessions are usually the most active — I follow you through whatever you'd normally be doing together: making breakfast, playing in the yard, reading before bed. My job is to stay out of the way enough that it stops feeling like a photoshoot and starts feeling like your actual life.

Across all three, the same rule applies: I'm not directing you. I'm watching for what's already true and photographing it.

Other kids and pets are almost always part of the story, not a complication to manage around.

A woman and a man sitting on a bed holding a baby in a room with a yellow arched wall behind them. The room has decorative vases with dried plants on a dresser and a mirror reflecting part of the room.

After your session

Regardless of session type, you'll typically receive your full gallery within three weeks. I hand-select and edit every image myself, and you'll get a private online gallery to view, download, and order from.

A pregnant woman and a man standing close together in a kitchen by a large window, facing each other and holding hands, with natural light illuminating the scene.

Is this right for me?

"What if my house is a mess?"
A lived-in home is part of the story, not something to hide. I'm not photographing a styled space — I'm photographing your family in it.

"What if the baby won't stop crying?"
Crying, fussing, feeding, mid-diaper-change chaos — this is newborn life, and it's part of what I'm there to capture. Some of the images families love most aren't the calm ones.

"What if my kids won't cooperate / won't smile on cue?"
They don't have to. I'm not asking anyone to look at the camera or hold a pose. The goal is the opposite — I want your kids acting like themselves, not performing for a photo.

"I don't feel photogenic right now / I'm not used to being in front of a camera."
This comes up in almost every maternity and family session, and it fades fast once we get moving. Documentary sessions aren't about hitting a pose or an angle — they're about you doing the small, ordinary things you'd be doing anyway.

"What if it doesn't go as planned — bad weather, a meltdown, a rough day?"
That's still your story, and often it makes for the most honest images. I build flexibility into every session, and if something needs to be rescheduled, we simply find a new time.

What my clients say

Jen is an amazing photographer. We had a great experience during our newborn photo shoot and are in love with the pictures. Jen is professional, communicative, and great at capturing the sweetest little moments. Would highly recommend!
-Colleen, Washington, DC

Jen has been a wonderful family photographer. She gives detailed instructions and recommendations to prepare for the session. She is great with our two shy boys. By the end of the session they are always giggling and having a great time. Her photos are beautiful and really capture our family’s spirit and personalities. We highly recommend Jen!

-Michelle, Washington, DC

Jen's style and artistic eye are superb and unique. She has photographed our family for two fall sessions in previous years and I cherish the beautiful memories she has captured for our family. We have twin toddlers so it can be expectedly challenging to manage the bursting energy within a session but Jen has done so with such care, grace and authenticity. I loved working with her and know you will, also. If you are looking for a photographer that honors the sacredness and at times, messiness, of family sessions and can capture you in your essence effortlessly, Jen is your person!

-Mari, Maryland

Let’s Work Together

A child holding an adult's hand while walking up stairs, with both facing away from the camera.