Why have both a Maternity and a Newborn Portrait Session? | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Oct 19, 2017 | Sterling VA Newborn photography

Why have both a Maternity and a Newborn Portrait Session? | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

As a newborn photographer in the Waterford, VA area, we can make a terrific case for shooting your maternity portraits followed a few weeks later by newborn portraits when the baby arrives. Clients Helenka and Mya are the perfect example of why this makes so much sense.

Although we already knew Helenka from shooting her wedding portraits, we also had the opportunity to do her maternity photography. We thought she made a beautiful bride. However, she was equally beautiful as a pregnant woman! Helenka’s maternity portraits reflected a certain ease with her pregnant body and a timeless feminine spirit. We’re pretty confident she will treasure her maternity portraits for her lifetime. Beyond that, her baby will one day appreciate seeing professional pictures of herself inside her mommy’s belly!

From pregnancy to newborn:
Not long after Helenka’s maternity pictures, little Mya entered the world! She is as beautiful as her mother and as charming as her parents, including her father Rami. We met baby Mya a few days after she was born to do her newborn portraits.

Shooting newborn portraits after a woman’s maternity portraits is an extraordinary, almost natural, sequence of events for a maternity photographer. Capturing the beauty of a woman’s swollen belly and natural curves to then photographing the tiny body of a new life just weeks later is a wonderful experience. It’s not lost on us both as professionals and as a mother and daughter team. It is indeed an honor as well as a pleasure to capture these exquisite moments!

Maternity and Newborn Photographer

As a Waterford, VA area newborn photographer also specializing in maternity and family portraits, we suggest you consider doing both a maternity and a newborn session. It’s an extraordinary visual timeline captured forever through our fine art photography. You’ll treasure it for a lifetime; your child will cherish it for theirs!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near the Waterford, VA area in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Essential Checklist for Your Hospital Bag | Northern VA Maternity Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Oct 16, 2017 | Helpful Hints

Essential Checklist for Your Hospital Bag | Northern VA Maternity Photographer

Working in the maternity photography field in the Waterford, VA area, it means we have the pleasure of meeting a lot of women in their final trimester. Recently, we had an interesting chat about what should go in a hospital bag. Today’s post stems from Mindy’s experience as a mom – as well as our need to be highly organized!

You might say that heading to the hospital to have a baby is like heading off on a life-changing trip! Careful planning and packing will make things so much easier. We know that when it comes to maternity pictures – or any portraits, for that matter – planning is critical! It’s no different when you’re planning for your delivery and hospital stay.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you begin to think about packing your hospital bag:

Toiletries:
You’ll want to bring toiletries. Plan for the toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, body wash or soap, and body lotion. We also suggest you bring along nipple cream, your favorite shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush and hair bands. You might even need a blow-dryer depending on the hospital. Don’t forget makeup if you like to wear it!

Shower Slippers:
Flip-flops or shower slippers of some kind are advisable because you will want to shower at some point during your stay.

Socks & Slippers:
Pack a couple of pairs of your favorite warm socks and slippers. Most hospitals tend to be chilly, and your feet could get cold even while in bed. And, slippers are an obvious one – you never want to walk around in a hospital barefoot!

Pajamas & Robe:
A little coverage is a good thing when you’re wearing a hospital gown, so bring a robe. A hospital stay is a perfect opportunity to indulge in a new, comfortable robe you’ll use even after you’ve left the hospital. Sometimes changing out of a hospital gown into regular pajamas goes a long way toward making you feel better. If that could be you, plan for comfortable, loose-fitting pajamas.

Bras:
Women know that a good quality, comfortable bra is invaluable. If you’re going to be nursing, pack a nursing bra; otherwise, bring a good bra. Don’t forget to bring quality nursing pads whether they are disposable or washable.

Underwear:
There will inevitably be some bleeding, so plan to bring underwear to accommodate the largest pads you’ll ever see! Buying one size up from your pre-pregnancy regular size is advisable.

Electronics:
A cellphone and phone charger are must-haves. Some women also pack electronic readers or a book.

Maternity Photography

As an experienced maternity photography specialist in the Waterford, VA area, we’d love to work with you! Contact our studio to schedule an appointment or with any questions.

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Maternity Photography

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near the Waterford, VA area in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

The Ideal Third Trimester Checklist | Northern VA Maternity Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Oct 12, 2017 | Helpful Hints

The Ideal Third Trimester Checklist | Northern VA Maternity Photographer

We recently came across an interesting checklist, and it got us thinking as a Waterford, VA newborn photographer. Given that we work with so many women in their third trimester of pregnancy for their maternity portraits, we thought a Third Trimester Checklist could be quite handy!

Nursery:
• Wash and organize baby clothes.
• Stock up on frequently used items such as diapers and wipes.
• Organize nursery, keeping frequently used items like diapers and wipes close at hand.
• Make any purchases you’ll need when baby arrives if you haven’t received them from your registry.
• Make sure you know how to use a breast pump.

Around the house:
• Baby-proof the house – even if a walking toddler is still a long way off.
• Prepare and freeze meals for those early days home from the hospital.
• A good cleaning of your home is always a good idea to get ahead of what’s to come.
• Consider purchasing non-toxic cleaning products and gentle laundry detergent.

Pregnancy-Related:
• Do you know various routes to the hospital in case of traffic?
• Have you signed up for maternity and parenting classes?
• Have you spoken with your health insurance about the covering of your delivery and hospital stay?
• Have you tried on and purchased nursing bras?
• Pack a hospital bag and include any necessities such as toiletries and nursing bras and pads.
• Download helpful apps such as for breastfeeding, timing contractions. Don’t forget a GPS map!

Practical Matters:
• Select a pediatrician after asking around for recommendations.
• Write and send your thank-you notes for baby gifts.
• Pick out birth announcements. (Your maternity and newborn photographer can help you with this!)
• Practice installing a baby car seat. (This could take a few tries!)
• Practice opening and closing a stroller if you’re unfamiliar with it. (This, too, can take a few tries.)
• As a baby photographer, (of course) we suggest doing your maternity portraits in your last trimester, between 32 weeks and 36 weeks!
• Schedule your newborn portraits.
• Speak to your attorney about a will and selecting guardians.
• Consider child care options and begin visiting sites or interviewing caregivers.
• Do you know good baby sitters experienced with newborns for date nights in the first months?

As a Waterford, VA newborn photographer working with both maternity and newborn photography clients, we always encourage our clients to plan for tomorrow but enjoy today. Motherhood will be one of the most glorious times of your life!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near the Waterford, VA area in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

A Family Affair! Wedding, Maternity and Newborn! | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Oct 9, 2017 | Sterling VA Newborn photography

A Family Affair! Wedding, Maternity and Newborn! | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

When Rami and Helenka contacted us to share their happy news and ask us to be their maternity and baby photographer, we were thrilled! After all, they had previously chosen us to do their wedding portraits. We were excited to do little Mya’s newborn portraits at our photography studio near the Waterford, VA and South Riding, VA area.

Magical number three!
Family means everything to us as a mother and daughter photography team. We loved the opportunity to capture three significant milestones for one family.

Baby Mya’s arrival transformed this charming and fun-loving couple into a family of three. As a newborn photographer, it would be our third portrait session for Rami and Helenka following their wedding and maternity portraits. We were excited that they once again chose us! Of course, you could say that we had already sort-of “met” Mya. Having done her beautiful mother’s last trimester maternity portraits, we met Mya while she was still in-utero!

Photographing Mya:
This sweet child was a doll for her newborn portraits as you can see by her portraits. She was just days old, still quite sleepy and curled up. She was easy to pose and work with at our warm studio, specially prepared for newborn pictures. No sign of a prima donna in her!

We prefer to take newborn portraits during the first seven days of a baby’s life. They are still at their most “newborn” selves, sleepy and curled up, so they’re easy to pose and photograph.

As a baby photographer with both indoor and outdoor studios near Waterford, VA and South Riding, VA, we’d love to hear from you for any of your family’s milestones. We specialize in family fine art photography. More than that, we specialize in our clients and capturing their memories and moments!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team near the Waterford, VA and South Riding, VA areas in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Expectant Moms, Exercises during pregnancy can help prepare for childbirth! | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

by Mindy Belcher | Oct 5, 2017 | Helpful Hints

Expectant Moms, Exercises during pregnancy can help prepare for childbirth! | Northern VA Newborn Photographer

For mothers-to-be, here are a few exercise tips to help you prepare for childbirth! As a Waterford, VA area newborn photographer, we enjoy connecting with our clients on topics we know matter to them. Our tips are excerpts from an article on Parent.com with information from The Mayo Clinic. As always, check with your obstetrician before you begin any exercise program during pregnancy!

Squats:
Squatting during labor can open the pelvic outlet by as much as one-half-inch, so doing squats in the months leading to labor can help you strengthen the pelvic floor. There are several versions of squatting including standing with your back up against a wall with feet shoulder width apart and about six inches away from the wall. Slide slowly down the wall into a squatting position. Your goal is to have your thighs parallel to the floor then hold the position for up to 10 seconds before sliding back up to standing. Repeat five to ten times. Here’s an article specifically about squats during pregnancy.

Pelvic tilts:
Pelvic tilts (also known as Cat-Cow) can help strength abdominal muscles and help relieve lower back pain during pregnancy and labor. Overall, it helps improve lower back flexibility which can be helpful during labor. Drop onto your hands and knees (on all fours) keeping your head aligned with your back. Arch your back upward (like a camel toward the ceiling) while tilting your pelvis in toward the pubic bone and stomach. Hold for several seconds, then relax your back in a flat, aligned position before repeating. Then arch your back in the opposite direction – dropping/sagging your back/torso toward the floor like a U-shape while tilting pelvis up and out before returning to neutral. Repeat up to five times, adding reps as you get stronger. Check it out here.

Kegel exercises:
Pelvic floor muscles can weaken with time or stress, including pregnancy. These muscles are important because they tend to support our internal organs including bladder, uterus, and bowels. Toning them during (or even better, before) pregnancy can help you avoid leakage or hemorrhoids. The best way to describe Kegels is if you were to stop the flow of urine without engaging your abdominal, buttocks, or thigh muscles. When you do this, you’re doing a Kegel exercise! You can do your Kegels either by holding or quickly contracting those pelvic floor muscles (without engaging other muscles). You can also slowly contract those muscles and hold for up to 10 seconds and repeat up to 10 times. If you do them quickly, contract 25 to 50 times; relax for a few seconds and repeat sets up to four times.

With our extensive baby photography experience, we would be happy to serve as your newborn photographer in the Waterford, VA area. We work with clients throughout the Northern Virginia area. Contact our studios to schedule your baby’s portrait session!

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Newborn Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located near the Waterford, VA area in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits