I first met Jess when she had come to my very first studio in Pardeeville for birthday portraits of her son. SInce then, I have had such the best time photographing their family during so many wonderful milestones. Birthdays, maternity, in home newborn, cake smash and more birthdays. It really is the biggest honor to be chosen so many times.

Summer maternity sessions are truly just a gem. Can the mosquitoes be difficult? Sure. Can the weather be super hot and humid in mid July? Absolutely? Should that stop you from documenting this beautiful time in your life? NO!

As a mama myself, I know that maternity sessions are truly so important. Out of my three children, I had only done one newborn session and that was with my last. As the years go by, all I have for pictures of me expecting my first two are cell phone pictures and to be honest… they aren’t very glamorous.

Are maternity sessions just for mom? Definitely not. Include your partner or children. Have a dog? Cows or horses? They can be included too. This time in your life is monumental. A woman’s body changes so much from conception to giving birth- you deserve to celebrate.

Many mamas that are expecting ask me, what do we wear? I always tell every mama to start with herself. Find an outfit that makes you feel beautiful. I do offer a Client Wardrobe for clients that has a variety of pieces. However, I have had clients wear overalls, long sweater dresses, bralettes with jeans, dresses, skirts and more. Dress how you feel beautiful and confident. Once you have it figured out on what you will wear is when you start planning everyone else’s wardrobe. I of course always recommend to stay away from words, logos, characters, pictures and so on as it can be visually over stimulating.

A common question is, can I book my newborn and maternity pictures together. Of course and many do that by booking The Baby Plan. The Baby Plan is a plan specially curated for those that want to document the entire first year of life for their baby. It doesn’t matter if this is your first baby or your fifth, this plan is just as special.

The Baby Plan offers so many perks on top of having the following sessions done:

-Maternity

-Newborn

-6 Month

-One Year Portraits + Cake Smash

Interested in learning about the perks of The Baby Plan? Check it out.

Through my experience with maternity sessions, I have found that between 28 and 32 weeks is typically best for the time to do your maternity session. Why?

-Mamas are usually with a round belly.

-Tend to be less swollen.

-Lesser chance of missing the window due to premature birth.

-Mamas are the most comfortable.

Locations. This is asked by so many and honestly the answer is so simple!

You can have your maternity session at your home, on your farm, at a location that I offer and in my Rio or Pardeeville studios. I have

Please do keep in mind thought that outdoor maternity sessions are held within the last two hours of golden hour to ensure that you get the most beautiful lighting possible.

What do I do with my gallery when I get it? There are so many options. Majority of my clients choose to place orders for wall art, heirloom boxes and albums. I really encourage families to consider what they want from their session when they receive their gallery. Do you want your pictures printed with less than ideal quality? Stored on your phone or computer to never be displayed in your home? Or do you want your beautiful family displayed on the walls of your home.

I promise you, you will want them on your walls. Children and adults all love to reminisce about the past, their memories and talk about the ones that they love.

Those that choose to book The Baby Plan receive 20% off of wall art, prints and products. This can be HUGE savings to help you decorate your walls with the best faces you know- your family!

Ready to book a maternity session or have questions? Fill out the contact form so we can get started.

Finch & Mae proudly serves clients all over the beautiful state of Wisconsin but not limited to Madison, Sun Prairie, Beaver Dam, Waunakee, Stoughton, Verona, Cross Plains, Columbus, Fond du Lac and more.

I have had lots of inquiries lately for In Home newborn sessions in the Madison, WI area and I am not disappointed. In Home sessions offer such a candid, personal and heartfelt approach. In Home sessions are meant to capture the family moments with your sweet new baby.

Many families have been choosing In Home sessions in the greater Madison area due to the unique storytelling. Don’t get me wrong, I love studio sessions and I always will but there is something so incredibly special about photographing a family in the comfort of their own home.

What are some reasons why parents have told me that they prefer In Home sessions?

-Comfort and Convenience | You don’t have to go anywhere. Your newborn and your family remain in the comfort of their own home. This makes the session feel relaxed and quite frankly- kids thrive with familiarity.

-Authentic | There is honestly not much posed about these sessions. I do give guidance, help with posing if needed but really I am just there to document this beautiful and exciting time in your life. In Home sessions focus on feeding, snuggling, bonding, and so much more.

-Accommodating | So many families choose these sessions because they can include their pets. Many families find that their pets are just as much of a part of their family as everyone else so it seems fitting to include them.

-No Props | These are real and honest moments in your life. In Home sessions are natural and beautiful. These sessions don’t include anything extra but the items that make your house a home.

As a newborn and baby photographer in the Madison area, I use natural light and a more documentary style approach to create images that are timeless, candid and truly personal.

What should you expect to happen during an In Home newborn session?

-These sessions are all real and authentic. Nothing is perfectly posed and that truly makes sense as life isn’t perfect.

-You may need to feed your baby during the session. This can be photographed or not.

-Sometimes older siblings- toddler mainly, don’t always want to participate so we work around it.

How should you prepare for your newborns session?

-Go simple | Soft and neutral tones are wonderful for clothing. Honestly, there is no need for any elaborate outfits for your newborn either. Many choose to swaddle or keep baby in a sleeper or onesie.

-Tidy up | Your home does not need to be spotless. Please don’t feel the need to scrub your entire house down because I am coming. I have kids, I remember the newborn stage all too well. I promise I am not going to judge. A lightly decluttered nursery, master bedroom or living room is all you need to do to prepare. My biggest tip is look at the rooms that you want to be photographed in and ask yourself is there anything you don’t want to be seen?

-Embrace the chaos | If baby is crying, roll with it. Toddler doesn’t want to admire their new sibling? That is perfectly okay and quite normal. Dogs are barking? It is fine. Just embrace the chaos as you go.

My personal favorite thing about In Home newborn sessions?

-No session will ever look the same as yours. Your session will be one of a kind. Complete with a story to tell and that story is yours.

A few little tips:

When booking your newborn session, I always recommend to do it as soon as you are able. My calendar fills up quick and I cannot always guarantee that I will have availability.

Siblings and pets are always welcome, after all it is your story!

Fussy baby? No worries, that is all part of the newborn stage.

Ready to book an In Home session? Fill out the inquiry form.

Proudly Serving Madison | Columbus | Waunakee | Verona | Sun Prairie | Portage | Cross Plains | Beaver Dam | Fond du Lac | Stoughton | Lodi | Poynette | Sauk

The Baby Plan: The Ultimate Photography Experience for Your Little One

Your baby’s first year is filled with precious moments, and our Baby Plan ensures you never miss a milestone! This exclusive photography package is designed to document your baby’s journey—from those tiny newborn toes to their first birthday cake smash. Plus, with discounted sessions, VIP perks, and personalized styling, this is the perfect way to preserve your family’s memories.

📸 Bundled, Discounted Sessions

Choose from two Baby Plan options:

✔️ Full Baby Plan – Includes Maternity, Newborn, 6-Month, and One-Year sessions
✔️ Classic Baby Plan – Includes Newborn, 6-Month, and One-Year sessions

Each session is thoughtfully designed to capture your baby’s growth at the most precious milestones.

What’s Included in the Baby Plan?

💌 Custom Birth Announcement Cards – INCLUDED!

As part of the Baby Plan, you’ll receive beautifully designed custom birth announcement cards featuring your favorite newborn photos. These are perfect for sharing your baby’s arrival with friends and family in a unique and memorable way!

📸 Bundled, Discounted Sessions

Our Baby Plan offers bundled milestone sessions at a discounted rate, so you can capture your baby’s growth without worrying about scheduling last-minute sessions or paying full price for each one.

🎉 Gallery Upgrade – Only $199 (Originally $399!)

Get an upgraded digital gallery at a huge discount, allowing you to keep even more of your favorite images from each session.

🖼️ 20% Off Prints & Products

From heirloom albums to wall art, you’ll enjoy exclusive savings on professional prints and products—perfect for creating keepsakes that last a lifetime.

🎄 20% Off Mini Sessions (Motherhood, Christmas & More!)

As a Baby Plan member, you’ll receive 20% off all mini sessions, including popular seasonal sessions like Motherhood & Christmas minis.

🎟 VIP Program Access

Once your Baby Plan sessions are complete, you’ll be entered into our VIP Program, where you’ll receive continuous discounts on future mini sessions—so you can continue capturing your child’s growth at a reduced price.

👗 Personalized Styling & Access to Client Wardrobe

Not sure what to wear? We offer personalized styling advice and access to our exclusive client wardrobe, ensuring your family looks stunning for every session.

✨ Professional Editing

Every image is hand-edited and professionally retouched to perfection, giving your baby’s photos a timeless, high-end finish.

🖼 Design & Ordering Appointment

We offer a personalized design and ordering session to help you choose the best prints, albums, and artwork to display in your home.

🎟 First Access to Mini Session Booking

Baby Plan members get priority booking for our highly sought-after mini sessions, ensuring you never miss out on these limited spots.

Why Join the Baby Plan?

• 📆 Stress-Free Planning – No last-minute booking stress! Everything is planned for you.
• 💰 Huge Savings – Save hundreds with exclusive discounts.
• 🎨 Custom Artwork – Turn your images into stunning heirloom pieces.
• 💕 Ongoing VIP Perks – Keep saving even after your Baby Plan sessions are complete!

Don’t miss out on this all-inclusive baby photography experience! Contact us today to book your Baby Plan and start capturing the moments that matter most.

Ready to book The Baby Plan? Fill out the inquiry form to get booked.

Madison, WI | Sun Prairie, WI | Portage, WI | Fond du Lac, WI | Verona, WI | Stoughton, WI | Watertown, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Lodi, WI | Appleton, WI | Oshkosh, WI

Why You Should Order Birth Announcement Cards from Your Photographer

1. Professional Quality

Photographers use high-quality printing services, ensuring your birth announcement cards look polished and professional. The images will be printed in true color and sharp detail, perfect for creating keepsakes and sharing with family and friends.

2. Customization Options

Photographers often offer a variety of customizable templates or design options.

3. Seamless Integration

Ordering directly from your photographer ensures they use high-resolution photos from your session. This eliminates the risk of blurry or distorted images often associated with third-party photo card services.

4. Time-Saving Convenience

With a newborn to care for, ordering personalized announcement cards from your photographer saves you time. They handle the design and printing process, making it easier to get your baby announcement cards ready without added stress.

5. Expert Presentation

Photographers are experienced in showcasing their work. They know how to arrange newborn photos and text to create balanced, visually appealing designs that stand out.

6. Cohesive Style

When you order your cards through your photographer, the birth announcements can match the theme and style of your newborn photo session, creating a cohesive look across all your keepsakes and prints.

7. Support for Local Business

By choosing your photographer for your custom birth announcements, you support their small business, helping them continue to provide exceptional photography services and products.

8. Stress-Free Process

The first weeks with a newborn can be overwhelming. Letting your photographer handle your baby photo announcements reduces stress, giving you peace of mind while still delivering beautiful cards to your loved ones.

Proudly serving families in Sun Prairie, Madison, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Poynette, Portage