Craving Connection

I crave connection with my clients and that’s nearly impossible to do in 15 minutes. This short time period moves so fast. I know mini sessions are purposely designed that way, but it isn’t what I want anymore for my clients or my sessions. In 15 minutes there is no time to chat or learn more about the family aside from surface level information. Children can’t warm up to me and there isn’t enough time for them to settle and allow their personalities to emerge. I want to build connections with my families, have real conversations with them, and create a long-term relationship. 

15 minutes also isn’t enough time to capture a genuine connection between them. I love capturing family moments that are candid and unforced. When families can just be together and enjoy each other, the most beautiful moments unfold. Mini sessions eliminate that natural connection, because we have to move on quickly to get the most important shots. However, I no longer want to force these rushed sessions. 

The family’s in-home lifestyle family session changed everything and made my decision to move away from mini sessions abundantly clear. This was the first time I have spent more than 15 min with the family in over three years. 

I realized I knew their names, but not much else. Their full family session changed that relationship and we were able to have a true conversation. Even the mom wasn’t used to the slower more relaxed pace. As a former mini session client, she was used to the faster-pace and asked at one point, “Shouldn’t we move to the next thing?” I loved being able to say, “no, we aren’t on a time limit today.” 

Full Family Sessions Create More Meaningful Photos

The value in the photos is undeniable. With full sessions, children able to play in their backyard and enjoy time together without being rushed. There isn’t any looming stress of we’ve got to get to the next little pose or get to the next little spot because we only have 15 minutes and the next family’s coming right after you.

What I loved most during the full family session was that I could connect with the mom and encourage her. I was able to fully see her and she could be fully seen in her role as mother. She’s going to be able to look back on her photos and see herself, how strong she is, and how her boys look up to her. Most importantly, she’s going to be able to remember what it actually felt like in these ordinary, beautiful moments playing and enjoying time with her family.

She’ll be able to relive precious moments and remember this season of life in a way you can’t with a mini session. In the same way, her boys will be able to remember their joyful childhood in their family home and all the love shared. This is always my goal for family sessions. I want them to look back on their photographs with fondness, remembering the love that surrounded them, as opposed to memories of them rushing out the door, fixing shirts, brushing hair, and stressing over time. Mini sessions are a very different vibe compared to the relaxed feel of full family sessions. 

Why I’m No Longer Offering Mini Sessions

Moving forward, there will be less mini sessions and more full family sessions. I want the connection and vulnerability that isn’t possible in 15 minutes. After experiencing a full session for herself, the mom agreed that the experience was much more enjoyable. Her encouraging words were exactly what I needed as she told me that whatever I choose to do, they are going to stay with me, which meant so much to me.

The heart behind what I do is to create photographs that transport you back to a feeling or moment. I also want moms to be seen and acknowledged and children to have images where you can literally feel the love and connection. While mini sessions served a purpose for a season, I’m choosing to make space for something deeper and more meaningful, because ultimately, I need more than 15 minutes to create the art I was called to create.

Reach out today to book your full family session! 

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Can Dogs Be in My Family Photos? | Family Photos with Dogs in Austin, TX

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The post Why I’m No Longer Offering Mini Sessions | Full Family Sessions Create More Meaningful Photos appeared first on Teressa Jane Photography.

When it comes to family photos, many people ask, “can dogs be in my family photos?” The answer is always YES! 100% family photos with dogs are always encouraged. I am a dog lover myself and fully believe that your pets are members of your family. Therefore, they should absolutely be featured alongside you. This sweet family’s lifestyle newborn session in Austin, Texas was the perfect example of why I love photographing families with their pets.

Family Photos with Dogs in Austin, TX

From the moment I arrived, it was obvious how loved these two Dachshunds were. Like many loyal pups, they wanted to stay close to their people. Throughout the session, they snuggled up beside mom and baby on the couch and rarely strayed far from the family. It was incredibly sweet to watch how protective and affectionate they were throughout the session.

The Nursery Reflected Their Love for Their Dogs

One of my favorite details from this session was discovering how thoughtfully the nursery incorporated subtle nods to the family’s beloved pets.

There was a framed print featuring a dog that looked similar to one of their dogs, and a wicker basket shaped like a Dachshund that held books for the baby. These little touches spoke volumes. It was clear that their dogs weren’t simply pets, but treasured members of the family. Years from now, these photos of baby boy’s nursery and their growing family will tell such a beautiful story about this season of life.

In-Home Lifestyle Family Sessions Work Well for Pets

Lifestyle sessions at home are one of my favorite ways to include dogs because they allow pets to remain in the environment where they feel safest and most comfortable. For many dogs, visiting a new location can introduce a whole new level of stimulation and stress. At home, they know where everything is, and they can participate as much or as little as they’d like.

They can wander in and out, curl up on the couch, or simply observe from a distance until they’re ready to join in. That comfort often translates into more natural and authentic photographs.

Including Dogs in Family Photos Takes Patience 

Photographing dogs can be a lot like photographing toddlers, as sometimes they need a little time to warm up. They might get excited, or have their own ideas about how the session should go. Whether your family has one dog or several, I approach each session with patience and flexibility. As long as your dogs are friendly and comfortable around new people, I’m more than happy to work with them. I also have a few tips and tricks up my sleeve, too.

Tips for Including Dogs in Your Family Photos

Let Them Burn Off Some Energy

If your dog is particularly energetic, spending a few minutes playing fetch in the backyard or taking a quick walk before the session can make a huge difference. A little exercise beforehand often helps everyone relax and allows dogs to burn off some energy.

Give Them Time to Warm Up

When I first arrive, I don’t expect your dog to immediately become my best friend. Just like children, some dogs need a few minutes to investigate and get comfortable. I allow them to approach me on their own terms and ease into the session naturally. I also try to focus on including pets in family photos early in the session in case their attention starts to wane.  

Keep Treats and Favorite Toys Nearby

Treats and toys can be wonderful tools for keeping your dog’s attention and rewarding them throughout the session. Having fresh water available is also helpful, especially if we’re photographing outdoors.

Arrive Early for Outdoor Sessions

If your session is taking place somewhere other than your home, arriving a few minutes early gives your dog time to sniff around and adjust to the new surroundings. A little extra time can go a long way toward helping everyone feel relaxed.   

Your Whole Family Deserves to Be Remembered

At the end of the day, family photos are about preserving your family in its entirety and that includes your pets. When it comes to our family photos with dogs, years from now you will cherish the photos of your puppy curled up beside your newborn, your loyal best friend following your toddler around the house, and that sweet snout peeking into family photos.

Reach out today to book your family session!

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When Is the Best Time to Take Newborn Photos?

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How to Prepare for a Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session in Your Home

Check out my latest work on Instagram and follow me at tjane_photo!

The post Can Dogs Be in My Family Photos? | Family Photos with Dogs in Austin, TX appeared first on Teressa Jane Photography.

There Is No Perfect Newborn Photography Timeline

Many do schedule newborn photos within the first two weeks of birth, but that isn’t the only option. The truth is that every family adjusts differently after welcoming a new baby. Some parents feel ready right away. Others need a little more time to recover, settle into feeding routines, catch their breath, and simply adjust to life with a newborn – even more so if you have other littles. There is so much new that is happening for your family, and if it reduces stress to delay scheduling, then that is what we will do.  

Your baby’s tiny fingers and toes, squishy cheeks, and the way they fit perfectly in your arms can be documented whether they are two weeks old or several weeks old. What matters most is capturing this beautiful season of life in a way that feels most comfortable for you. 

Taking Time To Adjust

 If your family needs more time to adjust, we will wait instead of stressing about an exact date. This is a life changing experience and it’s completely fine if we delay photos until things feel more settled. Older newborn photos are just as beautiful than the early newborn photos. I personally love the wide awake expressions and bright eyes that you get with older newborns. 

Since older newborns often spend more time awake during their session, we get to see more of their emerging personalities. I love witnessing their sweet and curious expressions, how they look up at their parents, and interact with those around them. 

Delaying photos even by a couple weeks gives families time to get into a new rhythm after the initial whirlwind of bringing a new baby home. For many mothers, postpartum swelling has gone down, making them feel more comfortable in front of the camera. If there are older siblings involved, they’ve often had a little more time to process and adjust to the huge changes happening in their world. Allowing extra time can make a big difference in how relaxed and connected everyone feels during the session.

My Process

One of the reasons I don’t pressure families into choosing an exact session date before their baby arrives is because birth rarely follows a schedule! Instead, I will save your due date into my calendar as a place holder. Then, once baby arrives, we will reconnect and choose a date based on how everyone is adjusting to the new addition to the family. Once mom is recovered, siblings are comfortable, and everyone can enjoy the session, then we will schedule.  

Welcoming a baby is one of the most life-changing transitions a family can experience. You’re learning your baby’s cues, adjusting to less sleep, navigating new routines and family dynamics. Adding pressure to schedule an exact photography date can sometimes create unnecessary stress during an already emotional season. I’d much rather give families time to adjust.

The Best Time To Take Newborn Photos Is When Your Family Feels Ready

At the end of the day, the best time to schedule newborn photos isn’t determined by an exact timeline; it’s determined by your family.

Whether your baby is ten days old or four weeks old, these photographs are about preserving a season of life that passes far too quickly. Take the time you need to adjust and give yourself grace as you navigate this beautiful new chapter.

When the time feels right, we’ll schedule your session and capture meaningful memories, no matter how old your newborn is.

Reach out to me today to book your lifestyle newborn session!

If you liked this post we think you’ll love:

How to Prepare for a Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session in Your Home
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Check out my latest work on Instagram and follow me at tjane_photo!

The post When Is the Best Time to Take Newborn Photos? appeared first on Teressa Jane Photography.

Comfort and Ease

One of the biggest advantages of an in-home family session is how comfortable young children feel in their own space. Toddlers and young children thrive on familiarity. New locations can sometimes feel overwhelming for little ones. In contrast, at home, they’re surrounded by the people, toys, routines, and spaces they know best, which creates a level of comfort and ease that can’t be replicated. 

It’s always amazing to watch children slowly open up when I arrive. Instead of entering an unfamiliar environment, I’m stepping into their world. I let them get comfortable with me by having them show me their favorite toys, or give me a tour of their house. This is important, because when children feel safe and comfortable, their personalities shine through naturally, which results in genuine smiles and interactions creating memorable photos.

Less Stress  

Let’s be honest, sometimes trying to get everyone out the door on time, fully dressed and fed, can feel like an impossible task that leaves you feeling worn out before pictures have even started. When you have young children there is so much to consider between outfits, packing snacks, calculating naptime, and countless other details to consider. 

When you schedule an at-home family session so many of those stressors disappear. There’s no rushing to arrive at a location at a specific time, or realizing you forgot the snacks. Instead, everyone can ease into the session naturally and focus on connecting. This is also important because when parents feel relaxed, children feel relaxed too, and that shows in the photos.

I want all my families to enjoy a stress-free session, whether it is in-home or at a specific location. While in-home sessions do take many common pressures away, I will always do everything I can to ensure a session is as stress-free and seamless as possible.

Meaningful Memories  

Years from now, when your children look back on your family photos they will remember their home and how it felt. They’ll remember the spaces where their most treasured memories were made. At-home photos become so much more than beautiful portraits. They become precious memories in a special place where life unfolds everyday. These images preserve your family in this season of life, allowing you to re-live these moments whenever you look back on the photos.  

Authentic Moments Happen Naturally

One of my favorite things about in-home sessions is that they create space for genuine connection. I love focusing on experiences, interaction, and connection. We might spend part of the session being silly together in the living room, chasing each other around the backyard, swinging outside, or reading books on the couch. 

These activities allow everyone to relax and simply enjoy being together. The laughter, hugs, tickles, and spontaneous moments that happen during these interactions often become the images families treasure most, because they remind you exactly how it felt to be together.

This sweet in-home family session illustrates this so well. The images are so genuine as the kids were truly having fun, due to the comfort and freedom of being in their own home. Whether they were dancing and playing in their living room, or going down the slide in their yard, they were creating memories together that resulted in a collection of photos that represent them and this stage of life beautifully.

Morning Sessions Often Mean Happier Kids

Another benefit many parents love is that at-home sessions can often take place in the morning, but also doesn’t need to be right at sunrise like it would if you were doing outside portraits. For families with young children this can be a game changer, as mid-mornings are frequently the sweet spot of the day. Kids are well-rested, routines haven’t been disrupted, and energy levels are generally much higher.

Instead of pushing through altered sleeping and eating routines to make an evening session work, we can photograph your family during a time when everyone is naturally feeling their best. At-home sessions allow us more schedule flexibility so that a session can really fit into your life easier, leading to a more relaxed experience and happier little ones throughout the session.

Your Family Story Deserves to Be Remembered

The beauty of an at-home family session isn’t found in elaborate locations or perfectly curated moments. It’s found in the ordinary moments that make up your family’s everyday life. The way your toddler dances around the room or your children giggle as they go down the slide – these are the moments that become memories.

If you’re looking for family photographs that feel authentic and meaningful and truly represent your family and this sweet season of life you’re in, an in-home family session may be the perfect fit. 

Reach out to me today to book your at-home family session! 

If you liked this post we think you’ll love:

How to Prepare for a Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session in Your Home
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Check out my latest work on Instagram and follow me at tjane_photo!

The post The Benefits of At-Home Family Sessions appeared first on Teressa Jane Photography.

Still, I recognize that inviting a photographer into your home can be a bit intimidating, and so I’m sharing a few tips today to dropkick the overwhelm and dial up the ease when it comes to capturing memorable moments at home.

Cleaning for your Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session

My camera won’t worry about the dust on your baseboards, so neither should you!

Many clients share with me their anxiety about cleaning every square inch of their home before I arrive on the day of their lifestyle newborn photo session. As a mama of four children myself, I’ve truly seen it all, so there’s no need to worry about inviting me to capture your family within the walls of a lived-in home, especially in this season of life!

I always recommend that clients conduct a quick tidy-up of the nursery (if you have one) as well as the spaces (like the primary bedroom or a living/family room) that have the best natural light in the home. Stow away those diaper boxes from your baby shower, relocate the laundry to another room, and plan your time before the session intentionally so that you can be present and truly connect with your partner or your little one during the photography session.

Connections & Interactions in your Newborn Photos

My job is to capture natural connections and interactions, and there’s no better place for your family to feel at ease and comfortable than at home!

In our pre-session consultation call, I’ve fielded many questions from nervous parents about how I can help their older children to feel comfortable or to share genuine smiles during a lifestyle newborn photography session. One of my best tricks? Capturing children in the space in which they’re most apt to act like themselves: their home!

Whether we bake cookies together in your beautiful kitchen or we capture snuggles and jumps on the bed in the primary bedroom, it’s my job to capture your family’s natural connections, and this job is much, much easier when I’m simply documenting the love that is present inside your home.

Tips & Tricks for At Home Sessions

My camera bag and my trunk are full of tools and tricks to help your family – and your home – shine!

I wouldn’t liken myself to Mary Poppins on an average day, but when I’m headed to a family’s home for a lifestyle newborn photography session, I do tend to bring along a variety of items to elevate the look and feel of your photos! From Moses baskets and swaddles for baby to textured throws and a neutral bedspread for the primary bedroom, I’m not afraid to bring in new elements (or to move or remove existing items, like that bright orange artwork your toddler made for you!) to help your home shine in photos.

It’s no secret that lighting is important to a photographer when capturing images, so while I look carefully for the best sources of natural light inside your home, I always bring along artificial lighting equipment to ensure high-quality photographs in the spaces that mean the most to you and your family. After all, my goal is to capture beautiful moments with Mama IN the frame and help you print these images to hang on your walls and to share with those you love.

It’s my joy to capture your motherhood moments! I can’t wait to see you shine at your in-home photography session, and I know that you and your children will treasure these memories for years to come. If you are looking for an Austin Newborn Photographer for your lifestyle newborn photo session I would love to connect and chat more. Head over to my Contact page or click the button below!

How to Prepare for a Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session in Your Home

If you liked this post we think you’ll love:
In-Home Newborn Session in San Antonio | Moeller Family

Check out my latest work on Instagram and follow me at tjane_photo!

The post How to Prepare for a Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session in Your Home appeared first on Teressa Jane Photography.

Here’s the step-by-step process to access your photo gallery and order your holiday cards:

1. Login to your online gallery.
2. Hover your mouse over a favorite image that you’d like to add to your card, and click “Custom Cards.”
3. Then, you’ll be directed to the card builder tool to help you create a beautiful holiday card in a few easy clicks. You’ll also see a full preview of the card, so that you can make sure everything is perfect before submitting your order.

Make your memories into holiday joy to share with your friends and family through ShootProof! I’d love to see what you create.

The post Order Holiday Cards Right From Your Photo Gallery with ShootProof appeared first on Teressa Jane Photography.

When Should You Book a Lifestyle Newborn Session?

The best time to book an in-home newborn session is when your baby is anywhere from one to eight weeks old. If you’ve thought about booking a newborn session, but you feel like you’ve missed an important window of opportunity, have no fear! A lifestyle newborn session just might be the right fit for you and your sweet babe.

The Moeller’s baby girl was six weeks old during her newborn session. I loved seeing her awake and more alert! It’s amazing to see how fast they start soaking everything in.

A Stress-Free Approach to Newborn Photography

As a newborn photographer, it’s my mission to ensure that both your baby and family are as comfortable and prepared for your session as possible. Opting for an in-home session takes all the pressure out of rushing out the door to arrive on time for your pictures. Your baby is also more relaxed for their photos when they’re used to all of the sights, sounds and smells in your own home.

As an extra step to help mama prepare, clients can opt to use my client closet to find pieces to wear during their session. This glowing mama chose a dress from my client closet that flattered her beautifully. She didn’t have to worry about leaving the house to shop. She didn’t have to buy something new to only wear once for her session. My client closet is a tool I highly encourage you to take full advantage of!

An Elegant Nursery for a Baby Girl

In-home sessions also allow you to capture all of the precious details of this stage of life. You spent so much time designing and putting a nursery together for your little babe. During an in-home newborn session, we’ll photograph your beautiful nursery and all of its adorable details. We’ll capture you and your baby in the space you share together every single day.

The Moeller’s nursery for their baby girl was so elegant! It was pink, romantic and everything fit for a little princess. The wallpaper they picked out was pure perfection! Marley, their sweet pup and protective older sibling was the cutest addition to their newborn session and a natural in front of the camera.

A Lifestyle Newborn Session in San Antonio

I had so much fun with this family capturing their newborn session in San Antonio, TX! They are glowing with pride for their new baby girl. She is absolutely beautiful! I’m so grateful to have been invited into this special season of their life. I can’t encourage families enough to take the plunge and opt for a lifestyle session. This stage of life happens so quickly, and you don’t want to miss a moment of it!

Want to book a lifestyle newborn session with me? Contact me here to get started!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with all the latest at Teressa Jane Photography!

The post In-Home Newborn Session in San Antonio | Moeller Family appeared first on Teressa Jane Photography.