Maternity and newborn sessions give you a chance to slow down and photograph this season before it changes again. Whether we’re documenting your pregnancy or those first weeks at home with your baby, the focus is on natural moments, connection, and photographs that feel like your family.
Lifestyle Sessions
Louisville Maternity, Newborn & Lifestyle Photographer
PHOTOGRAPHS OF BEFORE & AFTER
Remember Yourself Too
DOCUMENT THIS SEASON
Why Have a Maternity or Newborn Session?
Pregnancy and the newborn stage both have a way of feeling long while you’re in them and incredibly short once they’re over. Maternity and newborn sessions give you photographs of what this part of your life actually looked like, from the anticipation before your baby arrives to those early days together at home.
So much of pregnancy and those first weeks with a newborn naturally revolves around the baby, but you’re part of this story too. Maternity and newborn photographs give you a chance to be in the frame instead of always being the person taking the picture. They preserve how you looked, how you held them, and the connection between you during a time when so much is changing.
There’s something special about having photographs from both sides of such a big change. The way you looked carrying your baby, the excitement of waiting for them, and then just weeks later, how tiny they were in your arms. Whether you choose a maternity session, newborn session, or both, these photographs preserve a part of your family’s story that won’t look quite the same again.
An engagement session is about more than just pretty photos.It's a chance for you to get comfortable in front of the camera well before your wedding day. Most couples feel a little nervous at first, and that’s completely normal! Spending this time together helps you get familiar with how I guide and pose, so portraits on the wedding day feel relaxed and easy.
Because the session isn’t tied to a wedding timeline, we can choose a location and pace that feels natural to you, whether that means incorporating a meaningful place or simply having space to slow down and enjoy the experience.
As a local Louisville engagement photographer, I can help you choose a location that fits your style, whether that’s a favorite spot, a meaningful place, or somewhere new you might not have considered.
Engagement photos also tend to show up in more places than couples expect. Many use them for save the date cards, wedding websites, guest books, and custom signage on the wedding day. They’re also perfect for framed prints in your home, albums, or gifts for family
Hi, I’m Lauren!
As a Louisville photographer, I've been photographing since 2010 and have shot over 300 weddings. I'm an unashamed cat lady and lover of gardening. When I'm not photographing weddings you can finding me trying to make something grow, watching my cats slap each other or planning my next trip.
Meet Lauren
Specializing Colorful, candid & timeless photography
Louisville Maternity, Newborn & Lifestyle Photographer
Lifestyle sessions are less about creating the perfect pose and more about photographing the way your family naturally interacts. There’s still direction when you need it, but there’s also room to move, laugh, cuddle, and simply be together.
For newborn sessions, that means letting your baby set the pace instead of trying to fit them into a specific pose or schedule. For maternity sessions, it means creating space for natural moments between you and the people you love. The result is a more relaxed experience and photographs that feel like your family, not a version of it created for the camera.
REAL LIFE MAKES
THE BEST PHOTOS
My Philosophy
- Kate
She has captured some of our most important
and special moments in our lives.
Looking for photo inspiration? Explore a few of my favorite lifestyle sessions from Louisville and beyond. You’ll find ideas for locations, outfits, and see how each family made their session uniquely their own.
Featured
Louisville Maternity & Newborn Packages
THE COLLECTIONS
Click to see what's included
$400
30- 45 Minute Session
This collection is a great fit if you’re looking for a shorter maternity or newborn session and don’t need a large gallery of images. It gives us enough time to capture the important combinations and details without making the session feel drawn out.
It’s also a good option for families with small children who may do better with a shorter session, or if you simply want a handful of photographs to document this season.
Collection I
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Before your session, I’ll help with location, timing, what to wear, and anything else that will help everything come together.
For maternity sessions, we’ll choose a setting and time of day that works well for the look you want. For newborn sessions, I’ll help you prepare your home and know what to expect so you don’t feel like you need to have everything perfectly put together before I arrive.
Planning Support & Guidance
Some photographs simply work differently in black and white, especially the quiet expressions and little details that are so much a part of maternity and newborn sessions.
Every photograph in your gallery is delivered in both color and black and white, so you don’t have to choose between the two.
Black & White Versions of All Images
Your photos are delivered in a private online gallery with your choice of up to 15 professionally edited images. From there, you can download your favorites, share them with family and friends, and order professional prints.
You’ll also receive a personal print release, giving you the freedom to print your photographs wherever you’d like.
Online Gallery & Print Release
Your photographs don’t have to live only in your gallery. Maternity and newborn images are perfect for pregnancy announcements, birth announcements, thank you cards, and other personalized stationery you can share with family and friends.
As part of your session, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code for Basic Invite, making it easy to turn your favorite photographs into something you can send, share, or keep.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS & MORE
Click to see what's included
$500
45-60 Minute Session
Choose this collection if you’d like more time and variety from your maternity or newborn session. The full hour gives us more room for different combinations, locations or areas of your home, and plenty of natural moments in between.
It’s especially well suited for newborn sessions when you’d like to include parents and siblings, or maternity sessions when you want a larger variety of photographs without feeling rushed.
Collection II
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Before your session, I’ll help with location, timing, what to wear, and anything else that will help everything come together.
For maternity sessions, we’ll choose a setting and time of day that works well for the look you want. For newborn sessions, I’ll help you prepare your home and know what to expect so you don’t feel like you need to have everything perfectly put together before I arrive.
Planning Support & Guidance
Some photographs simply work differently in black and white, especially the quiet expressions and little details that are so much a part of maternity and newborn sessions.
Every photograph in your gallery is delivered in both color and black and white, so you don’t have to choose between the two.
Black & White Versions of All Images
Your photos are delivered in a private online gallery with your choice of up to 30 professionally edited images. From there, you can download your favorites, share them with family and friends, and order professional prints.
You’ll also receive a personal print release, giving you the freedom to print your photographs wherever you’d like.
Online Gallery & Print Release
Your photographs don’t have to live only in your gallery. Maternity and newborn images are perfect for pregnancy announcements, birth announcements, thank you cards, and other personalized stationery you can share with family and friends.
As part of your session, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code for Basic Invite, making it easy to turn your favorite photographs into something you can send, share, or keep.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS & MORE
Click to see what's included
$675
Two 45 Minute Sessions
Designed for those who want to document both sides of welcoming a new baby. Your first session takes place during pregnancy, followed by a second session after your baby arrives.
You’ll have photographs from your maternity session and those first weeks with your newborn, giving you a fuller record of this season from before your baby arrives to your first days together.
Collection III
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Before your session, I’ll help with location, timing, what to wear, and anything else that will help everything come together.
For maternity sessions, we’ll choose a setting and time of day that works well for the look you want. For newborn sessions, I’ll help you prepare your home and know what to expect so you don’t feel like you need to have everything perfectly put together before I arrive.
Planning Support & Guidance
Some photographs simply work differently in black and white, especially the quiet expressions and little details that are so much a part of maternity and newborn sessions.
Every photograph in your gallery is delivered in both color and black and white, so you don’t have to choose between the two.
Black & White Versions of All Images
Your photos are delivered in a private online gallery with your choice of up to 15 professionally edited images. From there, you can download your favorites, share them with family and friends, and order professional prints.
You’ll also receive a personal print release, giving you the freedom to print your photographs wherever you’d like.
Online Gallery & Print Release
Your photographs don’t have to live only in your gallery. Maternity and newborn images are perfect for pregnancy announcements, birth announcements, thank you cards, and other personalized stationery you can share with family and friends.
As part of your session, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code for Basic Invite, making it easy to turn your favorite photographs into something you can send, share, or keep.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS & MORE
Click to see what's included
$900
Two 60 minute Sessions
For those who want a full maternity and newborn experience, with more time to document both sides of welcoming a new baby. You’ll have a one-hour session during pregnancy and another after your baby arrives.
The extra time gives us more room for variety, different settings and details, and a slower pace throughout both sessions. It’s a good fit if you want a bigger gallery from your pregnancy through those first weeks with your baby.
Collection vI
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Before your session, I’ll help with location, timing, what to wear, and anything else that will help everything come together.
For maternity sessions, we’ll choose a setting and time of day that works well for the look you want. For newborn sessions, I’ll help you prepare your home and know what to expect so you don’t feel like you need to have everything perfectly put together before I arrive.
Planning Support & Guidance
Some photographs simply work differently in black and white, especially the quiet expressions and little details that are so much a part of maternity and newborn sessions.
Every photograph in your gallery is delivered in both color and black and white, so you don’t have to choose between the two.
Black & White Versions of All Images
Your photos are delivered in a private online gallery with your choice of up to 30 professionally edited images. From there, you can download your favorites, share them with family and friends, and order professional prints.
You’ll also receive a personal print release, giving you the freedom to print your photographs wherever you’d like.
Online Gallery & Print Release
Your photographs don’t have to live only in your gallery. Maternity and newborn images are perfect for pregnancy announcements, birth announcements, thank you cards, and other personalized stationery you can share with family and friends.
As part of your session, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code for Basic Invite, making it easy to turn your favorite photographs into something you can send, share, or keep.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS & MORE
8x8 Custom Photo Book
Your maternity and newborn photographs deserve a life beyond your phone or computer. A photo book brings your favorite images together in one place, creating a physical record of this season that you can easily pick up and look through for years to come.
Choose photographs from your maternity session, newborn session, or combine both to tell the story from pregnancy through your baby’s first weeks at home.
YOUR STORY, IN PRINT
Click to see what's included
$350
20-30 Minute Session
A short and simple session designed specifically for announcing your pregnancy. We’ll focus on creating a small collection of photographs you can use to share the news with family and friends, whether you want to keep things simple or incorporate an ultrasound, sign, or another personal detail.
It’s a great option if you want professional photographs to mark the beginning of this chapter but aren’t quite ready for a full maternity session later in your pregnancy.
Announcements
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Before your session, I’ll help with location, timing, what to wear, and anything else that will help everything come together.
Planning Support & Guidance
Your photos are delivered in a private online gallery with your choice of up to 5 professionally edited images. From there, you can download your favorites, share them with family and friends, and order professional prints.
You’ll also receive a personal print release, giving you the freedom to print your photographs wherever you’d like.
Online Gallery & Print Release
Your pregnancy announcement photographs are made for sharing. Use your favorite images to create announcement cards, postcards, or personalized stationery to send to family and friends.
You’ll also receive an exclusive discount code for Basic Invite, so once your photographs are ready, you can easily turn them into a printed announcement and make the news officially official.
SHARE THE NEWS
When session day arrives, you don’t need to worry about knowing what to do in front of the camera. I’ll guide you when needed while keeping things relaxed and giving the natural moments plenty of room to happen.
ENJOY YOUR SESSION!
We’ll choose a location and talk through what to wear, timing, and anything you’d like to include. You’ll also receive information to help you know what to expect and prepare ahead of time.
PLAN YOUR SESSION
Once you’re ready to book, I’ll send over your contract and invoice. Your signed contract and retainer officially reserve your session.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Fill out the contact form and tell me what kind of session you’re interested in, when you’re hoping to schedule, and a little about what you have in mind. I’ll send over availability and help you choose the collection that fits what you’re looking for.
Get in Touch
Ready to Get Started?
Here’s What Happens Next
The number of photographs included depends on the collection you choose. Each collection lists what’s included, and you’ll have the option to choose the one that gives you the session length and number of images you’re looking for.
HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL I RECEIVE?
Start by filling out the contact form and letting me know whether you’re interested in maternity, newborn, or both. I’ll send over availability and help you choose the collection that makes the most sense. Once your contract is signed and retainer is paid, your session is officially booked.
WE’RE READY TO BOOK. WHAT’S NEXT?
I take a lifestyle approach to newborn photography, so I don’t do the highly posed or wrapped setups you might see in a studio. I’ll give you direction and help position everyone in ways that photograph well, but the focus is on natural interactions, your baby’s little details, and what this stage actually looks like.
DO YOU POSE NEWBORNS?
Yes. You’ll have the option to order professional-quality prints, and photo books are also available if you’d like your maternity photographs, newborn photographs, or both together in a physical book.
CAN I ORDER PRINTS AND PHOTO BOOKS?
Absolutely. Maternity and newborn sessions aren’t limited to photographs of just you or your baby. Your partner is welcome to be part of the session, and we’ll also make sure to get photographs focused specifically on you during maternity sessions and your baby during newborn sessions.
CAN MY PARTNER BE INCLUDED?
If we’re planning an outdoor maternity session and the weather doesn’t cooperate, we can adjust the timing, choose another location, or reschedule. I’ll keep an eye on the forecast as your session gets closer so we can decide what makes the most sense.
WHAT IF IT RAINS FOR MY MATERNITY SESSION?
That’s completely fine. Newborn sessions are intentionally relaxed and follow your baby’s pace. There’s time to feed, change, soothe, or take a break as needed. Your baby doesn’t need to sleep through the session or behave a certain way for us to get good photographs.
WHAT IF MY BABY IS FUSSY?
You don’t need to buy an entirely new wardrobe for your session. I’ll send guidance ahead of time to help you choose clothing that photographs well and feels like you. For maternity sessions, we can also talk about outfits that work well for showing off your bump.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
Maternity sessions can take place outdoors or at another location that fits what you have in mind. Newborn sessions are typically photographed in your home, where we can document your baby in the space you’re actually spending those first weeks together.
WHERE DO SESSIONS TAKE PLACE?
Newborn sessions don’t have to happen within the first few days after birth. Because my approach is lifestyle rather than heavily posed, there’s more flexibility with timing. We’ll choose a date that gives you time to get home, settle in, and photograph those early days without feeling like you have to rush into a session immediately.Fees vary depending on location so ask us for more details.
WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE A NEWBORN SESSION?
I typically recommend scheduling maternity photos between 28 and 34 weeks. At that point, your bump is usually well defined, but you’re still early enough that the session is comfortable. Every pregnancy is different, though, so we can adjust that timing if needed.
WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE A MATERNITY SESSION?
Questions
Frequently asked
- Olivia
We love Lauren! She has captured so many special moments for us.
Our engagement photos were perfect, our wedding photos were more than we could have asked for, and our family session captured or little man’s personality beautifully. We will continue to hire Lauren to capture all of life’s most precious moments. I simply would not trust anyone else."
Ready to make it official? I’d love to help you capture this exciting season of your lives! The next step is filling out the contact form below. I’ll send over availability, answer any questions you have, and help you choose the perfect location for your session.
your session
Let's Plan
contact@padbl.com
I can't wait to meet you!
Photographing weddings, engagements, and life’s biggest milestones throughout Louisville, Kentucky and beyond.
I’d love to hear what you have in mind for your engagement session. Whether you already have the perfect location picked out or you’re looking for ideas, tell me a little about yourselves and what you’re envisioning. I’ll be in touch soon with availability and the next steps.