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Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer 

I'm Becky

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Capturing the First Hours You Never Want to Forget

There is nothing quite like those first hours after your baby arrives — the tiny yawns, the curled toes, the soft hospital blankets, and the quiet moments where everything feels brand new. A Fresh 48 session captures all of it while your baby is still fresh, wrinkly, and brand new.

If you want something emotional, raw, and truly meaningful, this session is for you.

What Is a Fresh 48 Session?

A Fresh 48 is a newborn session that takes place within the first 24–48 hours after birth at your hospital or birthing center. Unlike a traditional newborn session, this one focuses on the real, tender moments right after delivery:

• Baby’s first stretches
• Meeting siblings
• Dad holding baby for the first time
• Tiny details (hospital bracelets, little feet, swaddles)
• Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding moments
• Cuddles with mom in the hospital bed

No posing. No props. Just your baby’s first story.

Where Fresh 48 Sessions Happen

Finch & Mae Photography travels to:
Madison WI hospitals
Sun Prairie & surrounding area hospitals
St. Mary’s Hospital
Meriter Hospital
Columbus Community Hospital
Fond du Lac & Beaver Dam hospitals
Home births throughout Wisconsin

If your hospital isn’t listed, just ask — I’m happy to travel.

Why Families Love Fresh 48 Sessions

✔ Emotional, documentary-style storytelling
✔ Captures the tiny details before they change
✔ Perfect for remembering the early hours you barely recall
✔ Siblings meeting for the first time
✔ Doesn’t require your home or nursery to be photo-ready
✔ A beautiful complement to your newborn session

What to Expect During Your Session

I quietly enter the room, move slowly, and allow space for bonding. The session lasts around 30–45 minutes and is completely baby-led. I document things naturally without pressure or stress.

Ready to Capture Your Baby’s First Hours?

If you’re expecting in Madison, Sun Prairie, or surrounding Wisconsin areas, I would love to document your Fresh 48 story.
🤍 Inquire here

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Milestone 

Newborn

Maternity

categories

Book a session

Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer 

I'm Becky

welcome to the journal

One of the most beautiful things about living in Wisconsin is the way each season looks completely different — and each season offers something magical for maternity photos. Whether you love warm sunshine, blooming fields, cozy sweaters, or snowy winter light, there’s a perfect time and location to document your motherhood journey.

If you’re planning maternity photography in Madison WI or Sun Prairie, this guide will help you choose the right season, location, wardrobe, and overall aesthetic. As a light-and-airy maternity photographer, I’ll walk you through how each season photographs, the vibes they create, and how to choose the best backdrop for your session.

Let’s explore your options — season by season.


⭐️ Spring Maternity Sessions (April–June)

Spring in Wisconsin is soft, fresh, hopeful, and filled with pastel tones — perfect for mothers who love feminine, airy, romantic images.

What makes spring perfect for maternity photos:

✔ blooming trees
✔ soft green fields
✔ mild temperatures
✔ golden evening light
✔ neutral, romantic tones

Best locations around Madison & Sun Prairie:

• McCarthy Youth + Conservation
• Pope Farm Conservancy
• Token Creek
• Local fields
• Soft, neutral meadows

What to wear in spring:

• light dresses
• soft pinks, creams, champagne, ivory
• linen textures
• flowy silhouettes

Why clients love spring:

It’s dreamy, romantic, and perfect for neutral-toned images.


⭐️ Summer Maternity Sessions (June–August)

Summer is warm, bright, lush, and golden — filled with long sunsets and gorgeous outdoor scenery.

Why summer is stunning:

✔ glowing golden hour
✔ neutral green fields
✔ warm, sunkissed skin tones
✔ versatile location options
✔ comfortable sunset sessions

Best locations:

• Governor Nelson State Park
• Finch & Mae’s Property
• McCarthy Youth + Conservation in Sun Prairie
• Indian Lake in Cross Plains
• Soft neutral meadows

What to wear in summer:

• flowy maxi dresses
• soft blush, beige, sand, ivory
• light linen or chiffon
• simple sandals or barefoot

Vibe:

Warm, romantic, airy, glowy.


⭐️ Fall Maternity Sessions (September–November)

Wisconsin fall is absolutely breathtaking — soft oranges, muted golds, warm neutrals, and cozy textures.

✔ perfect temperature
✔ textured leaves
✔ warm tones
✔ cozy sweaters
✔ dramatic sunsets

Best locations:

• Cherokee Marsh
• Local trails near Sun Prairie
• Token Creek
• Small-town roads with foliage
• Nature conservancies

What to wear:

• oatmeal sweaters
• neutral dresses
• taupe + ivory outfits
• layered textures
• boots or bare feet

Vibe:

Cozy, warm, neutral, intimate.

(Tip: avoid bright orange or patterns — stick to soft neutrals for timeless images.)


⭐️ Winter Maternity Sessions (December–March)

Even though winter is cold, it’s one of the most magical seasons for maternity photos — especially for families who love clean, minimal, bright imagery.

Why winter is stunning:

✔ soft snow reflectors light
✔ clean, bright backgrounds
✔ cozy wardrobe choices
✔ timeless & simple

Best locations:

• snowy fields
• evergreen areas
• lakeshore paths
• your home for indoor candid sessions
my Rio WI studio (ideal for winter!)

What to wear:

• chunky neutral sweaters
• ribbed dresses
• long coats
• soft blush or ivory knits
• tall socks for cozy studio looks

Vibe:

Minimal, clean, elegant, peaceful.


⭐️ Studio Maternity Sessions (Year-Round)

Studio maternity sessions offer consistent lighting, warmth, and a calm environment — no matter the weather.

Why studio is a favorite:


✔ neutral backgrounds
✔ feminine, minimal styling
✔ flattering, warm tones
✔ private + intimate environment
✔ easy outfit changes

Perfect for:

• winter sessions
• expecting moms who prefer privacy
• emotional, personal portraits
• simple and timeless imagery

What to wear:

• ribbed dresses
• bodysuits
• off-shoulder silhouettes
• neutral gowns
• texture-based outfits


⭐️ How to Choose the Right Season

Ask yourself:

✔ Do you prefer warm tones or cool tones?

→ Fall/spring for warmth
→ Winter/studio for cool-modern

✔ Do you want lush green or soft minimalism?

→ Green: summer
→ Minimal: winter/studio

✔ Do you want floral or foliage?

→ Spring: blooms
→ Fall: warm leaves

✔ Do you want cozy or romantic?

→ Cozy: fall + winter
→ Romantic: spring + summer

There is no wrong choice — just the season that feels like you.


⭐️ Why Choose Finch & Mae for Your Maternity Session

My maternity photography style is soft, feminine, neutral, and deeply emotional.

Expect:

✨Access to the client wardrobe

✨ soft guidance
✨ mother-led posing
✨ calm experience
✨ timeless tones
✨ flattering angles
✨ styling support

✨ a warm, welcoming studio

Your session will feel like a slow, intimate moment where you get to fully embrace your motherhood story.


Ready to book your maternity session?
I would love to help you plan something beautiful.
➡️ Book Your Maternity Session
➡️ Explore The Baby Plan

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Milestone 

Newborn

Maternity

categories

Book a session

Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer 

I'm Becky

welcome to the journal

When to Book a Newborn Photographer in Madison, WI

Welcoming a new baby is one of the most emotional, fleeting seasons of life. The days leading up to your due date are filled with excitement, nerves, and a long list of things to prepare—but booking your newborn photographer should be near the top.

If you’re in the Madison, Sun Prairie, Rio, or surrounding Wisconsin areas, here’s exactly when to reserve your newborn session and why timing matters for the soft, dreamy images you envision.

The Best Time to Book

Most families reserve their newborn session during the second trimester—typically between 12–24 weeks.

This gives you:

• Priority scheduling around your due date

• Time to plan maternity photos

• Peace of mind knowing your session is secured

• Access to Baby Plan memberships with guaranteed spots

Because newborns photograph best between 5–21 days old, booking early ensures your photographer can fit you in during that ideal window.

Why Earlier Is Better

Newborn calendars fill quickly—especially for studios like Finch & Mae that offer:

• Customized, baby-led posing

• Soft, neutral styling

• Studio wardrobe access

• Baby Plan membership spots

• Fresh 48 + in-home options

Booking early also gives you time to plan maternity, milestone, and one-year sessions so your baby’s journey is beautifully documented from bump to beyond.

If Baby Arrives Early or Late

No worries—your due date simply holds your spot. Once baby arrives, we choose a session date during the newborn window. Flexibility is always built in.

Ready to Secure Your Newborn Session?

You deserve a calm, comforting newborn experience and timeless photos that will mean even more as the years go by.

→ Inquire about newborn sessions or Baby Plan memberships today.

Learn about our Baby Plan

Learn about our newborn sessions.

Book a session

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Milestone 

Newborn

Maternity

categories

Book a session

Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer 

I'm Becky

welcome to the journal

Preparing for your newborn session shouldn’t feel stressful — it should feel calm, simple, and supported. Whether you choose a studio session or an in-home lifestyle session, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know so you feel confident and relaxed on the day of your photoshoot.

As a Wisconsin newborn photographer specializing in soft, neutral, baby-led imagery, I’ve crafted a workflow that keeps babies happy, parents comfortable, and sessions peaceful.

This guide covers:
• what to bring
• how to prep baby
• what parents should wear
• studio vs. in-home setup
• feeding tips
• how long sessions take
• and how I keep everything baby-led and safe

Let’s make your newborn session a beautiful experience from start to finish.


⭐️ Section 1: Before the Session — What You Can Do

1. Keep Baby Awake Before the Session

A little awake time (30–60 minutes) helps baby sleep more peacefully during the session.

2. Give Baby a Full Feeding Right Before Arrival

A full belly = a sleepy, content baby.
If baby arrives hungry, we’ll simply pause for a full feed.

3. Loosen Their Diaper

20–30 minutes before the session helps avoid diaper lines on skin.

4. Dress Baby in a Zip Sleeper

Make undressing easy without waking baby.

5. Bring Only the Essentials

• extra milk
• pacifier (even if baby doesn’t typically use one)
• burp cloth
• diaper + wipes


⭐️ Section 2: What Parents Should Wear

Choose soft neutrals:
✔ cream
✔ beige
✔ ivory
✔ champagne
✔ oatmeal
✔ light brown

These tones complement newborn skin and keep your images warm and timeless.

Avoid:
✘ bright colors
✘ logos
✘ busy patterns
✘ harsh blacks


⭐️ Section 3: Studio Newborn Sessions (Rio, WI)

What to Expect

My studio is warm, quiet, and designed for newborn comfort.
You’ll find:

✔ soft wraps
✔ textured blankets
✔ white noise
✔ warm temperatures
✔ cozy seating for parents
✔ neutral, minimal setups

Studio Benefits

• perfect lighting
• clean and simple backdrops
• controlled temperature
• curated newborn styling
• calming environment

Studio sessions are ideal if you want soft, minimal, timeless newborn portraits.


⭐️ Section 4: In-Home Newborn Sessions

What to Expect

I travel to your home for cozy lifestyle images that capture your family naturally in your environment.

In-Home Tips:

• open blinds for natural light
• tidy just the rooms we’ll use
• turn off overhead lights
• keep baby warm
• keep outfits neutral

In-Home Benefits

• relaxed, personal environment
• perfect for parents who want candid and documentary-style images
• easier for families with siblings


⭐️ Section 5: During the Session — Baby-Led Always

Newborn sessions are never rushed.
If baby needs:
• feeding
• changing
• soothing
• breaks

We pause.
We comfort.
We follow their lead.

This is why sessions take 1.5–2.5 hours — babies set the pace, not us.


⭐️ Section 6: Safety First

Your baby’s safety is always my top priority.

You’ll never see your baby placed in unsafe positions.
Everything is done with gentleness and intention.


⭐️ Section 7: What Happens After the Session

You’ll receive:
✔ a proofing gallery
✔ the option to select your images
✔ an option to upgrade to the full gallery
✔ access to prints + heirlooms

Most parents choose the full gallery — newborn photos are too precious to choose between.


Your baby’s first days are fleeting — but I’d love to help you preserve them beautifully.
➡️ Book a Newborn Session
➡️ Join the Baby Plan

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