The Ultimate MOTHERHOOD
Photoshoot Prep Guide
Because the love between you and your kids deserves to be documented properly!
17 min read
Hi mama, I'm so happy you're here. Thank you for trusting me with this season of your life. I take this work very seriously, and my goal is to give you photos you'll want to hold onto forever. The kind your kids will look at one day and see you. Really see you. ✨
If you've made it to this page, it probably means something has been quietly tugging at you. Maybe you scrolled through your camera roll last week and realized you're barely in any of the photos. Maybe your baby just hit a milestone and you can already feel them growing out of this stage. Maybe you're just tired of always being the one behind the camera.
Whatever brought you here, I want you to know: you made the right call.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to feel ready, from what to wear to what to expect. But before we get into the practical stuff, I want you to read the next part slowly. Because the most important prep for a motherhood session isn't logistical. It's letting yourself believe you deserve to be in the frame.
Why Motherhood Sessions Matter (the part nobody talks about)
I want to be honest with you. Most prep guides skip this part and jump straight into outfits. But you and I both know that's not why you're here.
You're here because somewhere along the way, you stopped seeing yourself in the photo albums.
Your partner is in them. Your kids are in them. Beautiful moments at the park, at the kitchen table, on random Thursdays that somehow became memories. But you? You're the one taking the picture. You're the one cropped out. You're the one who said "I'll get in the next one" and then never did.
This session is the next one.
And here's the part I really want you to hear: your kids will not remember what you looked like at this exact stage of your life unless you give them something to look at. They won't remember the way you held them when they were small enough to fit on your hip. They won't remember how your hair smelled or how your hand felt on the back of their head when they were scared.
You will remember it for them. And these photos will remember it for both of you.
I started photographing my own motherhood after I looked through our family albums and realized I had almost disappeared. Now I have images I'll keep forever. Not because they're perfect. Because every time I look at them, I remember the weight of those hugs. How long they lasted. The little caresses you think you'll never forget and then one day almost do.
That's what I want to give you.
What a Motherhood Session With Me Actually Looks Like
Motherhood sessions are different from family sessions. They're slower. Quieter. More intimate. And they're entirely about you and your kids.
Here's what to expect:
Length: Anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. I never put a timer on it. I want you to feel like you have all the space in the world, no rushing, no stress about "getting all the photos." We finish when the moment feels finished.
Who's in the photos: You and your kids. No partners, no extended family. (More on why below.)
Three location options: In-home, outdoor, or studio. We'll talk through which one fits your vibe.
How it starts: We talk. About how you're really doing, what motherhood has been like for you lately, the hard parts and the beautiful parts. Not as small talk. Because I genuinely want to know, and something happens when a mom gets to actually answer that question honestly. You relax. You remember who you are outside of the to-do list. And that's when the real session begins.
What I'll ask you to do: Simple things that will wreck you in the best way. Smell your baby's head. Hold your kid like you're trying to memorize the weight of them. Look at their hands, their feet, those impossibly small details that are already changing.
This isn't a posed portrait session. It's a love letter to the season you're in right now.
Why No Partners?
I get this question a lot, so let me answer it head on. Dads are usually the ones with all the nice photos with their kids. Because moms are the ones documenting everything. The milestones, the random Thursdays, the bath time chaos. Moms are almost never in the photos, and when they are, they're hiding behind a kid or wearing whatever shirt they had on that day. Motherhood sessions are a safe space just for you. A protected slot of time where your job isn't to direct anyone, manage anyone, or make sure everyone looks nice. Your only job is to be with your kids and let me capture it. If you want photos with your partner too, that's what family sessions are for, and I'd love to do one of those with you too. But this? This one is for you.
Who Are Motherhood Sessions Best For?
Honestly? They're best for moms with young kids. Not because older kids aren't beautiful (they are), but because young children are still in that mommy phase. They're still open to being cuddled, kissed, smelled, carried. They still run to you like you're their whole world (because you are). They still climb into your lap without thinking about it. This is a season that ends. And it ends faster than anyone tells you it will. A motherhood session captures the bond at its most physical and tender. And when your kids are older and don't need you in the same way anymore, you'll look at these photos and remember exactly how it felt to be their soft place to land.
Choosing Your Location: In-Home, Outdoor, or Studio
Each one creates a completely different feel. Here's how to think about it.
In-Home Sessions (my favourite)
This is the option I recommend most often, and here's why: when you're at home, you and your kids are fully comfortable. There's no logistics, no transit, no "okay get in the car." We're just there, in your space, capturing the details that make your home yours. The morning light through your windows. Your unmade bed. The corner where you nurse. Your kid's favourite spot on the couch.
In-home is also the only setting where we can do bathtub and shower photos, which are some of the most stunning, intimate images I make. Soft natural light, skin-to-skin, the world quiet around you. If this feels like you, we'll talk about it ahead of time so you can prep the space.
Outdoor Sessions
If you want to be in nature, somewhere a little dreamy, this is for you. My favourite outdoor spots for motherhood sessions are Boucherville Islands and Cap-Saint-Jacques beach. Cap-Saint-Jacques in particular feels like a little escape, you almost forget you're in Montreal. Plus you and the kids can stay after the session and enjoy the beach. Wins all around.
Studio Sessions
I do have a couple of beautiful studios I've worked in before, and we can rent one if that's the look you want. Just a heads up: studio rental is an additional cost on top of the session, and because the space is neutral, the photos can feel a little more generic than an in-home or outdoor session. I usually recommend in-home or outdoor first, but if a studio is calling your name, we'll make it happen.
What to Wear
Okay mama, this part matters. A lot. You are the star of every single frame. So we're going to dress you accordingly.
For You
The vibe is soft, flowy, feminine, a little sexy, very comfortable. Think:
Linen or silk dresses that move
A robe over nice underwear
Flowy pants with a sports bra and an open shirt
A nightgown or slip dress
For beach sessions: a bathing suit with a lace dress or flowy cover-up you don't mind getting wet
For shower/bathtub sessions: nude-toned underwear, plain bathing suit bottoms, or a soft panty
Stick to light, neutral colours. Creams, soft whites, dusty pinks, sand, sage, soft taupe. They photograph beautifully and they don't compete with your face or your kids.
The goal: pick something that makes you feel sexy, beautiful, and like yourself. Not a costume version of a mom. You.
For the Kids
Less is more here. I love minimal clothing on babies, like a diaper cover or just a diaper, a simple little t-shirt, soft cotton onesie. Skin to skin is gorgeous in these sessions and I'll encourage it whenever you're comfortable. For toddlers and older kids, soft neutrals in linen, cotton, or knit. Nothing too formal. Nothing with logos or busy patterns.
Help Choosing? I've Got You.
I love helping clients style their sessions. You can text or email me photos of your outfit options and I'll tell you what works best on camera. I've also curated a full list of outfits I recommend for every type of session 👉 SHOP MY EDIT HERE. You can shop directly through these links and I get a tiny commission (the price stays exactly the same for you whether you go through my link or directly to the store). Win win.
A Note on Bathtub and Shower Sessions
If you're doing an in-home session and the idea of a bathtub or shower moment is calling you, I want to talk you into it. Just a little.
These photos are some of the most beautiful, intimate, and tender images I create. Mom with baby in the warm water, soft light coming through the bathroom window, the world hushed. Sometimes mom is breastfeeding. Sometimes baby is naked and we focus on the little details (I always frame carefully so private parts are never in the photos, promise).
These don’t have to be photos for Instagram. They're photos for you. For your bedside table when your kids are grown. For your own private collection of I was here, I loved them like this, I'll never forget.
If you're nervous about it, that's normal. We talk through everything beforehand, you stay in full control of what we capture and what you share, and you can always say "actually let's skip this part" the day of. No pressure ever.
On Breastfeeding During the Session
If you're nursing, bring it into the session. Feeding your baby is not an interruption to the photos. It is part of the story. Whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, combination feeding, pumping, or wrapping up a long feeding journey, this is part of motherhood and it deserves to be honoured. Breastfeeding photos can be soft and partially covered, focused on hands and connection, shot from behind, wrapped in fabric, or completely private. You are always in control of what we capture and what gets shared. I wrote a whole blog on this if you want to read more 👉 How to Feel Confident Breastfeeding During Photos.
How to Prep the Week Before
This is the part nobody talks about, so I'm going to say it plainly: prep for this session emotionally, not just logistically.
Here's what I'd love for you to do in the days leading up:
Pamper yourself. Get the nails, the hair, the wax, the facial, whatever makes you feel like you. Not because you need to look different. Because feeling good in your skin shows up in the photos.
Buy yourself something beautiful to wear. I mean it. This is one of the few times in your life where you should spend the money on yourself without guilt. You deserve to walk into this session feeling like a goddess.
Read my motherhood blog posts. They'll help you settle into the emotional headspace of the session 👉 What Actually Happens During a Motherhood Session and 👉 How to Feel Confident Breastfeeding During Photos.
Trust me. I'm a mom. I know exactly how important these photos are. I've got you.
Day-of Practical Tips
Eat something before the session. No hangry mamas allowed.
Have snacks ready for the kids (apple slices, grapes, marshmallows, nothing sticky).
If we're doing in-home, do a quick tidy of the rooms we'll be in. We don't need spotless, just enough that the camera can breathe.
For bathtub/shower sessions, fill the tub with warm (not hot) water about 15 minutes before I arrive.
Bring a comfort item or pacifier for baby if needed.
On the Things You're Probably Worried About
I hear the same worries from almost every mom who books a motherhood session. So I want to address them directly before you spiral.
"I feel guilty spending money on myself." This isn't an indulgence. It's a record of who you were to your children during one of the most important seasons of both of your lives. You spend money on swimming lessons and the right shoes and grocery runs without thinking twice. You are allowed to invest in this too.
"My body isn't the same since having kids." No, it isn't. And it shouldn't be. You grew a human. You kept them alive. The pressure to "bounce back" is a story we've all been sold and it's a lie. Your kids are not going to look at these photos and notice your stretch marks or your softer middle. They're going to see their mom, the one whose body kept them safe.
"What if my kids don't cooperate?" They will be exactly who they are that day, and that's what I'm here to capture. We don't force smiles or stage anything. If a kid has a meltdown, we take a break. If a kid wants to climb on you, even better. The "imperfect" moments are usually the best photos.
"I don't know what to do in front of the camera." Most moms don't. That's my job. I'll guide you through everything. Prompts, little games, things to whisper to your kid, where to put your hands. You don't have to know anything going in.
What Happens After the Session?
Once the magic is captured, I'll work on professionally editing your images with care and a whole lot of love. Within a few weeks, you'll receive an online gallery where you can:
Download your favourite images
Order fine art prints or wall art directly from your gallery (please print them, mama. These belong on a wall, not buried on a hard drive.)
Share them with the people you love
The Most Important Thing I Can Tell You
You have been thinking about everyone else for so long that doing something just for yourself might feel strange. Maybe even uncomfortable.
Do it anyway.
Your kids are going to grow up. One day they will look at these photos and see their mom, really see her. Present. Warm. Real. There. Not perfect. Better than perfect. Theirs.
You deserve to be in the memories. Not someday, when you feel ready, when you lose the weight, when your hair grows out, when life calms down.
Now. As you are. In the middle of all of it.
Let me capture that for you.
The fun part begins now, mama!
All of these are recommendations, not rules. At the end of the day I want you to feel comfortable, beautiful, and fully present with your kids. If you have any questions, please reach out. ♥️
Jen!