There’s something truly magical about photographing families at golden hour—the warm sunlight, glowing skies, and the way everything feels a little softer and slower. This sweet family’s evening session in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, was the perfect mix of playful energy and heartfelt connection.

Their little one kept us on our toes—running through the tall grass, giggling as mom and dad tossed him in the air, and snuggling in for hugs when he needed a moment of comfort. These in-between moments are exactly what makes family photography so meaningful: the laughter, the cuddles, and the real emotions that tell your family’s story.

I love outdoor family sessions like this because they give kids the freedom to move, explore, and just be themselves. Instead of stiff poses, you get genuine smiles, natural interactions, and memories you’ll look back on and feel.

For this session, we kept things simple: light summer outfits, a blanket in the grass, and the most gorgeous sunset backdrop. The photos are timeless yet full of personality—capturing everything from big belly laughs to quiet, tender moments between mom, dad, and their little boy.

Why Book a Sunset Family Session?

If you’re looking for family photos in Sun Prairie or Madison, WI, golden hour is the dreamiest time of day. The soft, glowing light adds warmth and magic to your images while keeping things relaxed and fun. Whether you have toddlers full of energy or teens who prefer more candid moments, evening sessions allow everyone to slow down and simply enjoy being together.

Ready to Capture Your Family’s Story?

Family photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about creating art from your love, your laughter, and the fleeting seasons of childhood. If you’re ready to book your own outdoor family session in Sun Prairie or Madison, Wisconsin, I’d love to help you preserve these moments.

There is something incredibly special about capturing maternity moments in the comfort of your home. This lifestyle maternity session in rural Wisconsin was the perfect reflection of love, connection and everyday life. Dogs, lounging on the couch, playing with dinosaurs and being barefoot was the perfect touch.

As a maternity photographer serving the Madison, and Sun Prairie, WI area- I love to offer families the option to stay home, where everyone feels comfortable and where the real story lives. This beautiful session was filled with all the good stuff. Joy, anticipation, freedom to play and a quiet kind of magic that only a home can bring.

From backyard swings and walks to visit the cows, watering flowers on the porch and finding ants- their gallery tells such a story. The kids laughed and ran, the dogs happily tagged along, and mama glowed in a soft floral dress that moved with ease as she played and snuggled.

What makes lifestyle maternity sessions so perfect and meaningful is how they reflect who you and your family are RIGHT NOW. This isn’t just the beauty of the bump but truly the entire dynamic of life before baby makes their arrival.

If you are expecting and want a maternity session that feels natural and deeply personal, consider an in-home lifestyle maternity session in the Madison or Sun Prairie area. These sessions aren’t about posing, it is about preserving the beauty of your everyday life.

Interested in booking your own lifestyle maternity session?

Let’s chat. I would love to help you document this beautiful chapter.

I first met Walker when he came to my Rio, WI studio for a milestone session. This sweet boy has been a superhero for his entire first year of life. Walker was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect and has faced challenges from the very beginning of life.

When Walker’s mama had reached out about wanting to do his One Year Portraits + Cake Smash, I was absolutely thrilled. His mama had provided his wardrobe for his session and they were the perfect pieces to not only showcase his personality but his scar from heart surgery.

My brave little friend is the definition of courageous!

Interested in learning more about CHD? Check out this informational web page from the Children’s Heart Foundation.

One Year Portraits + Cake Smash is one of my most favorite sessions that I host in the studio. Not every kid loves their cake and others cannot get enough.

One Year Portraits can be done with or without a cake smash added onto. Majority of parents that book sessions choose to do the One Year Portraits with Cake Smash however some parents do choose 12 Month Milestone Portraits instead.

Finch & Mae Studio does offer a full Mini Client Wardrobe that can be used with your baby’s portrait session. The pieces in the Mini Client Wardrobe have been hand selected by me to ensure that they flow well, are not distracting and are timeless for your portraits.

One Year Portraits + Cake Smash sessions are without balloons and themes to help keep your gallery, portraits and wall art timeless and classic.

Ready to book your cake smash? Head over to the contact form.

Interested in learning more about our One Year collections? View more information here.

Many families such as Walker’s family travel around an hour to come to the studio and it is truly such an honor.

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.

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