Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
A Minimal, Timeless Way to Celebrate Turning One
Your baby’s first birthday is such a magical milestone — that sweet mix of “How did time go so fast?” and “Look how much they’ve grown.” A cake smash session at Finch & Mae Photography is the perfect way to slow down, celebrate this chapter, and create heirloom images that feel clean, classic, and baby-focused.
I keep every cake smash session simple, neutral, and timeless. No loud themes, no distracting props — just your little one, soft studio lighting, and a beautifully minimal setup that feels perfectly Finch & Mae.
What Makes Finch & Mae Cake Smash Sessions Special
✔ Clean + minimal styling so your baby is the focus ✔ Coordinated neutrals from the studio wardrobe ✔ Access to my Rio, WI studio (a quick drive from Madison & Sun Prairie) ✔ Optional milestone add-on portraits before the cake ✔ Light, airy, and cohesive editing that matches your baby’s first-year gallery ✔ A seamless, stress-free experience for busy parents
When to Schedule Your First Birthday Session
Most families book at:
11 months (to have photos back for birthday invitations or a party)
12–13 months for a true first-birthday celebration Booking 6–8 weeks in advance ensures preferred dates, especially weekends and evenings.
What to Wear for a Cake Smash
Clients love using my studio wardrobe — soft creams, simple rompers, and organic textures that photograph beautifully. Barefoot, timeless, and sweet.
What You Get After Your Session
You’ll receive a curated proofing gallery with a minimum of 10+ images, with the option to choose your favorites or upgrade to the full gallery.
Ready to Celebrate Your Baby’s First Birthday?
Let’s create something beautiful together. 📸 Book your Madison cake smash session here ✨ Serving Madison, Sun Prairie, Rio, McFarland, Columbus & surrounding Wisconsin areas.
Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
Make Your First Photos Simple, Stress-Free, and Beautiful
Your Fresh 48 session should feel calm, emotional, and effortless — not stressful or rushed. Packing a few intentional items will help your hospital photos feel clean, timeless, and cohesive.
Here’s your easy Finch & Mae–approved packing list.
What to Pack for Your Fresh 48 Photos
1. A Neutral Swaddle
Soft creams, whites, oat, or warm neutrals photograph best. Hospitals often provide colorful blankets, but neutral swaddles help keep the focus on your baby.
2. A Simple Onesie or Gown
Avoid patterns or bright colors. A plain white or cream onesie creates a soft, classic look that matches your newborn gallery.
3. A Knot Hat or Bonnet (Optional)
These add a sweet, timeless touch and are perfect for those tiny detail photos.
4. A Backup Swaddle or Blanket
Babies spit up — having a second option ensures you stay calm and prepared.
5. A Neutral Outfit for Mom
Choose: • A soft robe • A light sweater with leggings • A neutral nursing tank Stick with creams, taupe, beige, or soft tones that blend beautifully with baby.
6. Comfortable Clothes for Dad
Simple solids work best — white, gray, or tan.
7. Anything Meaningful
Some parents bring: • A special handmade blanket • Memorial items • A letterboard with baby’s name • A family heirloom
Only if it fits your style — minimal is always best for Finch & Mae.
What You Don’t Need to Bring
❌ Props ❌ Outfits with text ❌ Hospital clutter (I’ll help clear the space) ❌ Anything elaborate — Fresh 48 is about emotion, not styling
Make Your First Hours Unforgettable
Your Fresh 48 session will be full of soft light, tiny details, and raw emotion — everything you’ll want to remember years from now.
Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
Choosing the right location is one of the most important parts of planning your maternity session. In Wisconsin, we’re lucky to have so many beautiful natural areas — rolling fields, lakeshores, tall grass, forests, and soft meadows.
If you’re planning outdoor maternity photos in Madison or Sun Prairie, this guide will show you the most beautiful locations with soft light, neutral backdrops, and settings that complement Finch & Mae’s romantic, feminine aesthetic.
Let’s explore my favorite maternity session locations.
Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
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.
⭐️ 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.
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.
⭐️ 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.
⭐️ 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.
⭐️ 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
⭐️ 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.
⭐️ 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.
⭐️ 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
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