Maternity Session with E. | Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photography | Jacki G. Photography

I just cannot say enough about this couple. ! I first met them when I photographed E. first maternity session at Midlothian Mines park. They booked the Grow with me package which includes a minimum of three sessions. I photographed their little boys newborn session at their home which is an option and his One year milestone session. The grow with me package includes 20 digital per session, a mobile app. a 16x 20 canvas and an 8x8 album of their three or more sessions.

This was taken at midlothian mines for her first pregnancy.

this image was taken during her first maternity session.

This maternity session took place at the beautiful Sunday Park with it’s beautiful water ways, boats, and dock this made for an excellent location for photograph her maternity session The backdrop was just beautiful But that’s just the background. How beautiful does Mom look in her gown? She looks so at one with nature. I cannot get over how elegant she looks . So lovely! 

It was so fun getting to take pictures of the whole family too. Little P. who is only 16 months old gave us a few smiles for the camera!

I’m looking forward to photographing their new little one. I travel to their home. This is an option for many who would prefer not to leave their house and travel with a newborn. I do have all the props and studio lights for their session. I sanitize everything after each session. Stay tuned to see their new addition. having him in the studio! Our time together during the shoot was yet another great experience with them. I’m so happy for this family, and I can’t wait to meet their new addition.

Welcome to the world M. 6wks new| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photographer| Jacki G. Photography

I usually encourage parents to bring baby to me when they are still under two weeks, or at least in the first month, if they want newborn style images of their sweet babies. But I know that cannot always happen. I would never turn away a client just because baby is “older”. I do, however, have to set expectations with the family. At 6+ wks old, I usually cannot get sleep curly newborn style images.

Sweet baby M. didn't fit the mold for a two month old baby girl. She slept for a little bit of her session and we were able to get some darling awake AND asleep shots of her. At this age if they do sleep I can usually only get them in one prop, asleep. Moving them usually wakes them. But she let us move her! It was definitely challenging, but SO worth the patience. I mean, how you can you resist these sweet images!

Oh and please take a moment to appreciate the best baby eyelashes I think I've ever seen! <3

Congrats to this beautiful family!

Welcome to the world T| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photography| Jacki G. Photography

I got to meet this boy's wonderful parents before he was born for Mom's maternity shoot. He did great for his newborn shoot! He's the CUTEST little guy and I can't wait to see him grow over the next year! Welcome baby T This session was taken in the comfort of their home. I bring all the props and studio lights for his session. Little T. was the sleepiest little model. He loved to be wrapped up and didn’t mind being on his belly for some poses.

Welcome to the world | Jacki G. Photography| Richmond, VA | Family & Newborn Photography

I loved getting to see this sweet family again and do an in-home newborn session for them. Baby girl was such a good newborn for her newborn pictures. After being awake for a while she slept for the remainder of her session and even gave us some amazing newborn eye contact at the very end of his session.

National Rainbow Baby Day| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photographer| Jacki G. Photography

Happy National Rainbow Baby Day! If you're not familiar with the term, a "rainbow baby" is a child born after a miscarriage, stillbirth or the passing away of an infant. These babies signify hope and healing after a loss and for many parents, these babies are "the rainbow after the storm"

I haven't shared the story of my stillbirth publicly but it was a devastating and deeply profound loss. When I found out I was pregnant again I was absolutely terrified but my little Noah arrived safe and sound and has changed my life in the most incredible ways. I will never forget ^Gavin^ my baby that came before him but for me Noah is definitely a beautiful , beaming rainbow of light.

There is still a lot of stigma around miscarriage and stillbirth so I believe it's important that we share our stories in hopes of showing other parents who are grieving that they are not alone and that there is hope. Sending love and light to all of you Mamas and Daddies out there still waiting for their own rainbow baby to arrive. but for me Noah is definitely a beautiful beaming rainbow of light.

I have attached a few examples of the rainbow babies I have photographed.

"Where The Wild Things are" ONE yr Theme| Richmond, VA | Jacki G. Photography| Family & Newborn Photography

Such a fun Where the Wild Things Are Themed ONE year old session. Little S. was such a great model for his session. I did manage to get him to smile a few times. This backdrop is available for newborns as well as sitters.

Newborn Baby Boy| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photographer| Jacki G. Photography

I’m happy to introduce little Will!  I had a great time with his family during his session.. I’m still laughing.  Plus, Will was the perfect model.  Below are some favorites from his in-home newborn session in Richmond, VA . Enjoy! <3

Welcome baby Jack| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photographer| Jacki G. Photography

Welcome to the world Baby Jack !  Sending lots of love and big congratulations to these proud parents and newly promoted big sister.  Thank you for having me document this special time in your lives!

Valentine Mini Sessions| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photographer| Jacki G. Photography

These Valentine mini sessions are perfect for babies & children as a fun way to document their current age as well as celebrate the holiday!  I will have an adorable Valentine’s themed set with a backdrop & several props to choose from.   I’m excited for these minis and I hope you are too!

You choose the day in Feb that works for you.

Price: $140
Includes:
15 minute session
5 + artistically edited digital images
Print Release

*Price includes up to 2 children. $15 each additional child
*Location will be at my home studio, Short Pump, VA

Book your families Fall Mini session| Jacki G. Photography| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn photography

I'm opening up a few morning spots for Nov. 5 th. The afternoon is completely booked. Thank you everyone. If you would like to book an early morning mini session please inbox me. I'm also opening up Oct. 15th & Oct 28th for Fall mini's Please share with family and friends. 

Richmond, VA Fall MINI Sessions Now Booking| Family & Newborn Photographer| Jacki G. Photography| Richmond, VA

Fall is fast approaching, This is my favorite season watching my kids play soccer,  watching my daughter cheer for her high school football games, pumpkin spice, and cozy weather! And what’s a better time to get some updated family portraits and beautiful artwork for your walls!

Mini sessions are great for:

• Families wanting a few posed and candid images for wall art in the home, Christmas cards, and to give as gifts to family and friends
• Wanting a quick session
• Children who are able to take direction or be bribed

Mini sessions are not good for:

• Families with children who generally need a warm up period
• Families desiring a lot more candid portraits during the session with activities
• Families desiring a large number of images in their gallery to choose from
• Families desiring a variety of poses/groupings within the family

Mini session are condensed sessions. This allows time for 2-3 variations of a family pose, a group pose of children, and one of the parents. If time permits, other variations can be included but are not guaranteed.

THE DETAILS FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28th

• Session will take place at a park close by Richmond, VA  exact location TBD by Wednesday evening to ensure the perfect spot!
• Session times are 3:00, 3:20, 3:45, 4:00, 4:20, 4:45, 5:00, and  5:30 
• Sessions are TWENTY minutes in duration
• Session fee is $140 and includes 5 digital downloads.  
• You will receive a print release up to 8″x10″ and you may freely share these on social media
• Session fee covers up to 4 people, each additional person is available for $15

Dates and times are are first come, first serve and filling quickly so don’t wait!

Welcome baby boy 9 days new| Jacki G. Photography| Richmond, VA | Family & Newborn Photographer

i photographed this sweet little boy,  he was a dream to photography.  This was my first time using the Posing Pod by Little Prop.  It was very easy to use and i will use it more.  

Pick a prop|Jacki G. Photography| Richmond, VA | Newborn & Family Photography

Preparing for your session: 

When planning a session, it helps to pick one main color that will be present in all the shots- then add complementary colors to the images to add a bit of interest and to compliment ( yes, i said complement...not over power) the images (or baby!) as a whole. 

The images below are a few of the props i have available for you to choose from.  I always try and to incorporate a prop into each session.  Take a look below to see the types of buckets, baskets and wreathes available to you during your session.  

Choosing  the color scheme and props involves a little planning and thinking about what the end goal will be.  Did you want a wall display? custom framed prints,  gallery wrapped canvases or an Heirloom album. Whatever your goal may be,  my goal as your photographer is to take the color scheme you would like and make beautiful images for you to display in your home.  

The wreath can be plane or decorated with flowers to suit your specific session.  The antique suitcase is very nice when posing newborns or older babies.  The curved bench is one of my favorite props to use.  If you wanted a nautical theme i have the boat for you. :) 

I have several baskets,  a curved wicker basket, a flatter longer basket and a brown crate all make for adorable props.  I also have a white birch tree truck for the winter months and a sling for a simple clean fresh in the womb feel. 

.  I have a few cream buckets to choose from one taller then the other,  an antique silver bucket as well as an antique wood bucket. 

For the all around little boy pose i have a dump truck to place baby in.  

Sweet M. 7 days new| Jacki G. Photography| Newborn & Family Photographer| Richmond, VA

This sweet little bundle of lovin was sooooo super squishy and super sleepy!  
I'm not sure she even opened her eyes once now that I think back on it.  
...and can we just talk about those rolls!  
I'm in love

Welcome to the world S.|Jacki G. Photography|Family & Newborn Photographer| Richmond, VA

This sweet little boy was a dreamboat for his newborn session!  I think that his family images might be some of my most favorite ever!  He already has Mommy wrapped around his finger.  
I am so blessed to be able to share in these special moments with so many families!

Look who turned ONE!| Jacki G. Photography| Richmond, VA| Family & Newborn Photographer

I’ve just loved watching Zoey grow over the last year. I’ve had the joy of seeing her in the studio/location every few months to capture all of her milestones! Her cake smash session was just the icing on the cake to top off the wonderful year we have had together.   Z. was not a fan of the cake but soon warmed up and had fun.  

The "Froggy" posed explained| Jacki G. Photography| Newborn & Family Photographer| Richmond, VA

So in the ever growing world of newborn photography there are zillion poses and positions we photographers persuade our gorgeous models to wriggle into to achieve the cute images that are so popular, but there is one that seems to be the holy grail of many photographers...the frog pose.

lts a divisive pose, with some loving it, and some hating it. But whatever your opinion of it, there is one thing that is vital to remember. No baby can hold that pose on his own. Fact. So, great care must be taken to ensure no baby is harmed or upset when doing it. Personally, l refuse to accept the stance that in the right hands a baby will balance. l don't care.....no, l REALLY don't care! l don't care if you can get a baby to balance in the pose.....letting go is dangerous!

So how do l get the images l do without ever letting go? Well, firstly l needed to know l could be skilled enough in Photoshop to allow me to merge the necessary images together. Then l had to know l could persuade the baby to settle happily in the necessary position. l didn't even attempt the frog pose until l was over two years into my career. l was not prepared to ever try it until l could be sure l could do so safely.

Not every baby will do the frog pose. Part of doing it well and safely is developing the skills needed to know which will, and not trying it with those who wont. That all comes from reading each baby. They are all different, and a huge part of what l do involves getting to know them a little bit, and if l'm honest, loving them a little too. 

Once l think a baby will do it, l ask the parents if they'd like me to try. As l said, not everyone even likes the resulting image. l wouldn't ever do it without asking. So each time its done, the parents are helping or an assistant is helping hold the baby.  You will see that each frog pose l have done is of a baby happy, relaxed, comfortable and sound asleep. No matter what pose l do with a baby l am gently moving arms and legs, hands and fingers, gently moving and using lot of gentle motions to get baby to leave them where l want for the images. This pose is no different. l gently move baby until l am happy baby is relaxed and settled. lf l try and baby doesn't want to do it, l don't push it. That's totally ok, and sometimes l try and then don't get the pose, even though l thought baby would. 

Once baby is in position, l have my assistant or parent gently support baby with one hand and take the images. then they hold baby wrists with the other, moving the position of their  hand in between. They NEVER let go.  hands are on baby at ALL times. You can see the two images l take below, and how l then use them to create the finished image.

You can see that even as hands are  moved, baby remained totally relaxed and asleep. 

So, if you love the frog pose, and would like your photographer to do it for your baby, please don't be afraid to ask them if they do it as a COMPOSITE. They'll know what you mean. Ask them to show you images like the ones above. lts your baby. PLEASE don't assume that just because they claim to be safe that they are. 

The industry isn't regulated, and probably never will be, so its important that you know how to keep your baby safe during the session, and especially when doing this very clever, but very skilled pose. 

Fresh 48 session| Jacki G. Photography| Richmond, VA | Newborn & Family Photographer

I'm a certified birth doula who transitioned into a full time newborn/ family photographer.  I love births and i love new babies.  I  have been wanting to photograph a newborn within the first few days of their arrival in the hospital setting for so long! I've now photographed over 20 births, but a Fresh 48 session is different because I arrive after baby is born, usually a day or two afterwards, and don't capture any of the labor or birth. The benefit of this is that new parents get to remember those early days through these images, without the sometimes scary idea of having a photographer actually attend your birth. I know that turns lots of dads - and moms - off, so this is a great compromise. Mom gets to ensure that she looks the way she wants for this session, the lighting is more predictable since it's not usually at night, and there's no bodily fluids involved in the final product!

I love birth photography so much, but I loved capturing this special time almost just as much! Here are some of my most favorite photos from meeting Y. for the first time.

Welcome to the world N. 7 days new| Jacki G. Photography| Newborn & Family Photographer| Richmond, VA

Introducing gorgeous baby N!   I dare you not to fall in love with this little man. He was such a snuggler! I hope you enjoy his sneak peek and feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the page.  

Welcome to the world I. 17 days new| Jacki G. Photography| Newborn & Family Photography| Richmond, VA

Beautiful Newborn baby girl!  She was an older newborn and slept like a champ during his session.  This little stunner was simply perfection during her newborn photography session.  She had a couple quick snack breaks but other than that she slept right through allowing for lots of great shots.   I hope you enjoy the sneak peek.