Your baby’s first year is filled with more change, growth, and magic than any other time in their life. From tiny newborn stretches to first smiles, first rolls, first teeth, and first steps — it’s a year you can never get back.

Many parents start the year saying,
“I’ll remember this,”
but the truth is… it all goes by so quickly.

The Finch & Mae Baby Plan was created to preserve this incredibly fleeting season in a meaningful, beautiful, and effortless way — with warm, emotional, neutral imagery that grows with your baby.

If you’re looking for the best way to document your baby’s first year in Madison, Sun Prairie, Rio, Columbus, DeForest, or anywhere in south-central Wisconsin, this guide will walk you through:

✨ what the Baby Plan is
✨ what sessions are included
✨ why families LOVE it
✨ how payment plans work
✨ why it’s a better value than individual sessions
✨ and why it’s my #1 most booked offering

Let’s begin.

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⭐️ Section 1: What Is the Baby Plan?

The Baby Plan is a year-long photography membership designed to document your baby’s biggest milestones — slow, sweet, intentional sessions throughout year one.

Families choose between:

2, 3, or 4 full sessions

such as:

✔ Maternity
✔ Newborn
✔ 3–4 month milestone
✔ 6–7 month sitter session
✔ 9–10 month personality session
✔ One Year / Cake Smash

You choose the sessions that matter most to your family.

The Baby Plan ensures nothing gets missed — and gives you a warm, seamless experience the entire year.

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⭐️ Section 2: Why Year One Matters Most

Your baby will grow faster in Year One than at any other time in their entire childhood.

Here’s how quickly they change:

0–3 months:

Sleepy newborn expressions turn into early smiles and bright curiosity.

4–6 months:

Rolling, grabbing, interacting with you — the sweetest mini-stage.

6–7 months (Sitter Stage):

THE most beloved milestone.
Your baby is sitting, smiling, clapping, and full of personality.

9–10 months:

Wiggly, curious, playful — a magical transitional phase.

12 months:

Standing, crawling, sometimes walking… and so full of joy.

Each stage is unique, fleeting, and absolutely worth documenting.

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⭐️ Section 3: What’s Included in the Finch & Mae Baby Plan

Every Baby Plan includes:

✨ Priority booking
✨ Flexible monthly payment plans
✨ Member access to Mini Sessions
✨ Full-service planning
✨ A calm, baby-led approach
✨ A soft, neutral, timeless aesthetic
✨ A special pricing structure not available outside the Plan

It’s designed to make your year both beautiful and stress-free.

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⭐️ Section 4: Why Families LOVE the Baby Plan

1. It saves money

Booking each session individually costs significantly more.
Baby Plan families receive:

✔ bundled pricing
✔ session fee savings
✔ digital collection discounts
✔ exclusive member perks

Over the span of a year, it adds up to hundreds in value.

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2. It guarantees availability

I photograph only a limited number of babies per month to ensure quality and flexibility.

Baby Plan members get priority scheduling — especially for newborn and sitter sessions, which book far in advance.

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3. It keeps everything cohesive and timeless

Same photographer.
Same studio.
Same soft editing.
Same warm experience.

Your baby’s entire story flows together beautifully in one consistent, emotional collection.

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4. It removes stress from your life

No more scrambling to book sessions last-minute.

Your year is planned and cared for from day one.
Parents tell me all the time,
“This made year one feel so much easier.”

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5. It includes member mini session benefits

Baby Plan members receive:

✔ first access to Minis
✔ priority booking for holiday sessions

Minis book up FAST in Wisconsin — especially Christmas Minis — and Baby Plan families always get first pick.

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6. It captures the moments you forget to remember

You think you’ll remember every detail…
but babies grow so quickly, those little things fade:

• their tiny toes
• the way they curl into you
• their gummy smile
• their soft baby rolls
• the way they laugh at 6 months
• the excitement at 1 year

The Baby Plan preserves every stage in a soft, emotional way.

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⭐️ Section 5: What Each Milestone Session Looks Like

Newborn Session

Warm, slow, baby-led, filled with connection.
Neutral tones, family snuggles, swaddles, tiny details.

3–4 Month Milestone

Smiles, tummy time, early giggles, curiosity.
A beautiful stage most parents forget to document — but they LOVE the images.

Sitter Session (6–7 Months)

My personal favorite milestone.
Your baby is sitting unassisted, joyful, expressive, and so incredibly photogenic.

9–10 Month Session

More mobility, more expressions, more personality.
Perfect for capturing a transition between babyhood and toddlerhood.

One Year Session

Standing, clapping, exploring, laughing — plus the option for a cake smash or a timeless neutral setup without props.

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⭐️ Section 6: Payment Plans Make It Easy

One of the biggest reasons parents join the Baby Plan:
monthly payment plans.

Instead of paying large session fees all at once, your Baby Plan can be paid:

✔ monthly
✔ automatically
✔ interest-free

This makes documenting year one accessible for every family — without sacrificing quality or memories.

You simply sign up once, and your year is taken care of.

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⭐️ Section 7: The Value vs Booking Sessions Individually

If you book each session separately, you’ll pay:

• full session fees
• full digital collection prices
• full heirloom pricing
• individual scheduling
• no guaranteed availability

With the Baby Plan, you receive:

✔ discounted rates
✔ bundled sessions
✔ exclusive perks
✔ priority booking
✔ consistent styling
✔ full galleries
✔ a full-year experience

The Baby Plan is the best value I offer — and the most sentimental.

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⭐️ Section 8: A Year You’ll Never Regret Documenting

Parents tell me all the time:

“I can’t believe how much they changed in a year.”
“This was the best decision we made.”
“I’m so glad we have every stage.”

You will never regret having these memories — only not having them.

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⭐️ Section 9: How to Join the Baby Plan

Joining is simple:

1. Fill out the inquiry form
2. Choose your membership tier
3. Sign your contract
4. Start your payment plan
5. Your sessions are secured

Your baby’s story begins now.

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Ready to document your baby’s entire first year?
The Finch & Mae Baby Plan is the most beautiful, sentimental way to do it.

➡️ Explore the Baby Plan
➡️ Inquire for Availability

Your due date is approaching, the nursery is coming together, and you’re getting ready to meet your sweet baby. Somewhere on that long to-do list is this question:

“When should I book my newborn photographer?”

If you’re in Madison, Sun Prairie, or anywhere in south-central Wisconsin, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know — ideal timing, how newborn scheduling works, what to expect, and why booking early matters.

As a maternity + newborn photographer serving families from Madison to Fond du Lac, I’ve documented newborns in their first days of life. My goal is to make this process easy, warm, and stress-free for you.

Let’s dive in.

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⭐️ Why Booking Early Matters

Newborn photography is unique — your photographer isn’t just holding a date. They’re holding a due window.

Because babies rarely arrive “on time,” I build flexibility into every newborn booking. That means your due date secures a general timeframe, and your session is scheduled once baby arrives.

This is why photographers book up months ahead:

• Due dates overlap
• Sessions happen after birth
• Photographers can only take a limited number each month

Booking early helps ensure you have a photographer ready when your baby makes their debut.

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⭐️ Best Time to Book Your Newborn Session

1. The Ideal Time: Second Trimester (Weeks 13–28)

This is when most parents book. You know your due date, you still have availability to choose from, and you’re not yet in the sleepless “everything is urgent” third trimester.

2. Still okay: Early Third Trimester

About half of my bookings come in around 28–34 weeks.

3. Last Minute? It Happens!

If your baby is already here — reach out!
I will always try to fit in last-minute newborns if my calendar allows.

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⭐️ When the Newborn Session Actually Happens

Most parents assume the session happens right after birth — that’s not always true. At Finch & Mae, newborn sessions typically take place:

Days 5–21 after birth

This is when:

• Babies are still sleepy
• They curl naturally into womb-like poses
• Feeding transitions are stabilizing
• Peeling skin is minimal
• They tolerate swaddling beautifully

But don’t stress — beautiful newborn images can happen any time in the first 8 weeks, especially with my soft, connection-forward style.

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⭐️ In-Studio vs. In-Home Newborn Sessions

Studio Sessions (Rio, WI)

✔ The Studio has everything you need for your newborn session
✔ Neutral, timeless setups
✔ Cozy, warm environment
✔ All wraps, blankets, and textures included
✔ Perfect for families who want a clean, minimal look

In-Home Lifestyle Sessions

✔ Candid, cozy, emotional
✔ Perfect for families with siblings
✔ Beautiful for bright, light-filled homes
✔ Captures your natural environment

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⭐️ Booking Timeline Breakdown Based on Due Date

Due: January–March

Book by: September–November
Winter fills fast because of weather delays and reschedules.

Due: April–June

Book by: January–March
Spring brings a large number of newborn inquiries.

Due: July–September

Book by: March–May
Summer is when families book maternity + newborn together.

Due: October–December

Book by: June–August
Holiday minis + busy family season = fewer newborn slots.

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⭐️ Why Families Choose Finch & Mae for Newborn Photography

My newborn sessions are:

• Baby-led
• Calm and quiet
• Soft, neutral, and timeless
• Designed for emotional storytelling
• Safe, warm, and comfortable

Parents describe their session as “relaxing,” “peaceful,” and “easier than expected.”

This season is special — I treat it with the gentleness it deserves.

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⭐️ How to Reserve Your Newborn Session

1. Inquire with your due date
2. Complete your client form + choose your session type
3. Sign your contract
4. Your due-month window is reserved
5. After birth, we schedule your exact date

Baby-led, simple, stress-free.

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Ready to reserve your newborn session?
I would love to document your baby’s first days.
➡️ Inquire here
➡️ Explore The Baby Plan

I was invited into this sweet family’s home to photograph them now as a family of three. During their in home newborn session, Millie was loved on the entire time. Millie’s parents were up for anything during the session and it gave me the creative freedom to truly capture their family as they are.

Many families have a nursery for their newborn and I absolutely love to see what they have come up with. In this case, Millie’s room was STUNNING. I truly loved the deep colors with gold accents throughout. The round mirror gave such a different vibe for a portion of their newborn gallery as I used it strictly for some wonderful candid moments.

When parents book an in home newborn session, I always ask them where in their homes they are thinking to have the session. Most families choose the nursery, the master bedroom and the living room. Occasionally families have beautiful kitchens that really bring a cozy and homely feeling to their gallery.

Millie was photographed in her crib- it is honestly one of my most favorite shots that I get. A crib is such a large space and when you add in a tiny baby, it truly helps you to remember years later just how small they once were.

Cozy living rooms are always such a huge part of in home newborn sessions. Many families find themselves spending lots of their time in the newborn stage on the couch or in their bedrooms. To be honest, there is no wrong place to do a part of your in home session. The session is not about aesthetics or fitting the same vibe as everyone else’s session. This is truly unique to your family.

These sessions are completely customizable to your family.

Of course many families ask if these sessions are posed and my answer is always that it is guided posing. So what does that mean? I will give guidance on where to sit, change how you are standing to allow more light or remove an odd shadow but for the most part- I just want you to be natural.

These moments with a newborn fly by so incredibly fast. I want you to feel the rawness and emotions when you look back one day. I am essentially just a fly on the wall capturing your family as they are.

Are you considering an in home newborn session? Let’s chat about it.

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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