Mommy and Me Photos in Silver Spring, MD: What These Sessions Are Really Like

We did Mommy + Me minis in the studio this past weekend and…
yeah. It was a little bit of everything.

Loud.
Busy.
Kids running around.
Toys everywhere.

Basically, motherhood.

And in the middle of all of that, we got the photos.

Not because everything was calm or perfectly timed.
But because it wasn’t.

What These Sessions Actually Feel Like

If you’re picturing a quiet, slow, super controlled experience… this isn’t that.

These sessions move. Kids wander. Someone needs a snack. Someone else decides they’re done. Then five minutes later they’re back and all in.

It’s a little unpredictable.

But that’s also where the good stuff lives.

A quick hug that turns into a real laugh.
A kid climbing into your lap like it’s the most natural place in the world.
That split second where everything settles without anyone trying.

Those are the moments I’m watching for the whole time.

Why We Built It This Way

One of the biggest barriers for moms is not whether they want photos.

It’s everything that comes with it.

Getting ready.
Getting the kids ready.
Trying to show up feeling like yourself while also managing everyone else.

So we tried to take some of that off your plate.

Mini makeup with Valerie Hammer so you can sit for a minute and feel taken care of.
An onsite babysitter so you’re not juggling a toddler while someone is doing your mascara. (if you can keep them off your lap…not always possible!)

It’s a small shift, but it changes how you walk into the session.

The Part That Stood Out Most

Even with all the movement and noise, the connection still came through.

That’s the part that never fails.

Nothing is really posed. Really because there’s no time annnnd because none of it needs to be.

Are Mommy and Me Sessions Right for You?

These are a great fit if:

• You want photos with your kids, not just of them (although we get that too)

• You’re okay with a little unpredictability

• You don’t want to overthink the process

• You like the idea of something quick and simple

They might not be the best fit if:

• You’re looking for a slower, more relaxed experience

• You want more time to warm up and settle in

• You prefer something with a little more structure

And that’s completely okay. There are different ways to do this.

A Note on Location

These sessions took place in my studio in Silver Spring, MD. I photograph families from all over Montgomery County, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia, both in the studio and on location.

Do You Offer These Year-Round?

These are offered as limited mini session events- this one just in time for Mother’s Day.

If you’re looking for something a little calmer or more flexible, full family sessions are always an option. Those give us more time, more space, and a pace that feels a little easier, especially with younger kids.

The Takeaway

These sessions are not quiet.
They are not perfectly polished from start to finish.

But they are real.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want to remember.

It’s My Birthday… So Here’s What I’m Really Excited About Right Now

Here is my latest email in case you missed it! For clickable links, please view it here.

Spring Family Photos in Maryland: What to Expect (A Real Session)

Spring sessions always feel like a bit of a reset.

Everything is starting to wake up again, the light softens, and there’s just this sense that things are finally slowing down enough to enjoy being outside.

This past weekend was one of those days.
Warm, easy, and just really pretty in that simple, not-overdone way.

I had a couple of spring sessions scheduled, and I wanted to share a look at what one of them actually felt like; because I think there’s often a gap between what people expect a session to be and what it really looks like in the moment.

It Doesn’t Start “Perfect”

Most families show up a little unsure.

Kids need a minute.
Parents are wondering how it’s going to go.
Everyone’s just getting their bearings.

And that’s completely normal.

This session started the same way—just easing into it, letting everyone settle in, not forcing anything right away.

That first few minutes is less about photos and more about getting comfortable.

Then It Starts to Shift

Once everyone relaxes, things change pretty quickly.

Kids start moving the way they normally do.
Parents stop thinking about the camera.
And the whole session starts to feel less like “taking photos” and more like just being together for a bit.

That’s when I’m really paying attention.

Not to perfect poses—but to:

• how your kids come back to you

• the way you naturally interact

• the little in-between moments that happen without trying

The Location Matters… But Not in the Way You Think

This session was in a simple, open spring setting—nothing overly styled or complicated.

And that’s usually intentional.

A location doesn’t need to be dramatic to work well.
It just needs to give us:

• space to move

• good light

• a little flexibility

Because once those pieces are there, everything else comes from you.

If you’re trying to figure out where to go, I shared more about that here:
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Family Photos

Kids Don’t Have to “Behave”

This is probably the biggest misconception I see.

Kids don’t need to stand still.
They don’t need to smile on command.
They don’t need to get everything “right.”

Some of the best moments from this session came from:

• movement

• quick reactions

• things that weren’t planned

That’s where the personality shows up.

I love playing “whisper a funny word to your mom or dad”. And yes, potty language is 100% involved and that is okay. It gets the best giggles!

It’s Usually Easier Than You Expect

By the middle of the session, most families realize:

“Oh… this isn’t as stressful as I thought it would be.”

And that shift matters.

Because once you’re not worrying about how everything looks, you’re just in it; and that’s what makes the photos feel real.

What You Walk Away With

At the end, it’s never really about:

• the exact location

• whether everything went perfectly

• or whether your kids followed directions

It’s about having a set of images that feel like your family right now.

A mix of:

• connection

• personality

• and the stage you’re in (even if it’s a little chaotic)

If You’re Thinking About Spring Photos

There’s still a window where everything is green, light is soft, and sessions feel really easy.

If you’ve been on the fence or waiting for the “right time,” this is usually it.

You don’t need a perfect plan—we can figure out the location and details together.