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There is something pretty incredible about photographing a mom while she's pregnant and then seeing her again a few weeks later. Except this time she's carrying the little person who was inside that belly. That's why I love when families plan their maternity and newborn photography together. They're two separate sessions, but when you look at the photographs later, they become two halves of one story. First, We Photograph the Waiting Your maternity session captures your famil

“I'll just wait until the baby gets here.” I understand why moms say it. You're tired. Your body doesn't quite feel like your own anymore. Nothing in your closet fits the way it used to. Maybe your feet are swollen. Maybe you're uncomfortable. Maybe pregnancy hasn't looked or felt anything like the glowing version you imagined. And now somebody wants to photograph you? It can be tempting to skip maternity pictures completely. But there's a reason I think they're worth having.

One of the best parts about planning maternity photos in Arizona is that we have some seriously beautiful scenery to work with. We may not have green forests everywhere you turn, but we have something completely different: open desert, mountains, warm earth tones, huge skies and some pretty incredible sunsets. If you're planning maternity photos in Buckeye, Arizona, the location we choose can completely change the feeling of your photographs. Desert Locations There's somethin

If the thought of standing in front of a camera while you're pregnant makes you a little nervous, you are definitely not alone. Pregnancy changes your body quickly. Some days you may feel absolutely beautiful, and other days you may wonder when exactly putting on shoes became an Olympic event. And then someone suggests taking pictures. I get it. But here's the most important thing I want you to know before your maternity session: You don't have to know how to pose, and you do

When people hear “maternity photography,” they often picture one thing: Mom. Beautiful dress. Beautiful belly. Beautiful light. And yes, we absolutely want those photographs. But your pregnancy may also be part of a much bigger family story. There's a partner waiting to meet this baby. There may be a little boy who's about to become a big brother. Or a little girl who already kisses Mom's belly every night and tells everyone who will listen that her baby is coming. Those rela

You've decided to have maternity photos taken. You've figured out approximately when you're going to do them. Now comes another decision: Studio or outdoor maternity photos? The answer really depends on what you want your photographs to feel like. Neither one is automatically better. They simply create two very different maternity experiences. Why Choose an Outdoor Maternity Session? Outdoor maternity photography gives us something Arizona does incredibly well: beautiful natu

Arizona gives us some absolutely gorgeous light for maternity photography—but it also gives us heat, bright sun and approximately three months where walking outside feels a little like opening the oven door. So when you're planning an outdoor maternity session in Buckeye or the West Valley, the time of day matters. A lot. Why I Love Golden Hour for Maternity Photos For outdoor maternity sessions, one of my favorite times to photograph is during golden hour, the period leading

You've scheduled your maternity session. You're excited. And then you open your closet. Suddenly you hate everything you own. Welcome to one of the most common maternity-photo problems. 😂 Choosing what to wear can feel especially difficult during pregnancy because your body is changing so quickly. Something that fit beautifully three weeks ago may suddenly have completely different plans. The good news is that maternity photography actually gives us some wonderful wardrobe o

You've booked your maternity photos. Now comes the part where your brain starts asking questions. What am I supposed to do with my hands? Will you tell me how to pose? What if I feel awkward? What if my toddler decides this is the exact moment to completely lose it? First: you're normal. Most of the women I photograph are not professional models, and I don't expect you to arrive knowing how to pose. That's my job. Before Your Maternity Session We'll talk about the look you're

Pregnancy has a funny way of feeling incredibly long and unbelievably fast at the exact same time. One minute you're staring at a positive pregnancy test, and the next you're wondering how you're already shopping for tiny clothes and trying to remember whether you actually packed everything in the hospital bag. Somewhere in the middle of all of that is one of my favorite stages to photograph: the baby bump. One of the questions expecting moms ask me most often is, “When shoul

Your baby turned ONE. You celebrated with the cake, the frosting-covered cheeks, the adorable portraits, and maybe even a bathtub splash. And now somehow… They're TWO. Wait. How did that happen?! If you loved your baby's first cake smash, you may be wondering: “Can we do another one for their second birthday?” Absolutely! But here's the fun part: A 2-year cake smash isn't just a repeat of the first birthday session. Your little one has changed so much in just one year, and th

You blinked. And somehow, that tiny baby you brought home is turning ONE. How did that happen? It feels like yesterday you were holding them for the first time. Now they're sitting up, crawling, pulling themselves up, making you laugh, and developing a personality that's completely their own. And suddenly, you're planning a first birthday. That's exactly why a cake smash session is about so much more than a cake. Your Baby Is Changing Every Day The first year goes by incredib

Let's talk about the part nobody really warns you about. What happens AFTER your baby destroys the cake? 🎂😂 You've got frosting on their face. Frosting on their hands. Probably frosting in their hair. And somehow… there may be frosting in places that don't even seem physically possible. Don't worry. We've got a plan. At TAQ Photography, the mess isn't the end of your cake smash session. It's actually the beginning of one of the cutest parts. Enter: The Bathtub Splash 🛁 Onc

When should you schedule your baby's cake smash? Morning? Afternoon? Right after a nap? Right before lunch? If you're hoping there's one magical time of day when every baby is guaranteed to be happy and cooperative, I have some bad news… Babies did not get the memo. 😂 The best time for a cake smash session isn't necessarily the same time for every baby. Instead, I recommend choosing a time that works well with your baby's normal routine. Your Baby's Schedule Comes First At a

Your baby's cake smash session is coming up, and you're probably wondering… “What do I actually need to bring?” Don't worry—you don't need to pack the entire nursery. 😂 A few simple things will help your session run smoothly and keep your little one comfortable from the first portrait to the final bathtub splash. Here's your easy cake smash packing list! 🎂 1. The Cake Let's start with the obvious one! TAQ Photography does not provide the cake, so you'll need to bring your b

Your baby's cake smash session is coming up! You've chosen your theme, you've got the cake plans in motion, and now you're wondering… “What am I actually supposed to do to get my baby ready?” The good news? Not much. You don't need to rehearse the cake smash, practice smiling, or teach your baby how to pose. They're one. They have enough going on. 😂 My goal at TAQ Photography is to make your cake smash session fun and relaxed, so here are a few simple things you can do befor

You've picked the perfect theme. You've ordered the cake. You've planned the outfit. You've imagined your baby sitting in front of the cake, grabbing a giant handful of frosting and absolutely destroying it. And then the big moment arrives… Your baby looks at the cake. Touches it. Maybe pokes it once. And then looks at you like: “What exactly am I supposed to do with this?” 😂 If that happens, don't panic! Your baby does not have to smash the cake for your cake smash session

Your baby is turning ONE, and now comes the fun part—choosing the cake smash theme! 🎂 If you're scrolling through Pinterest wondering how you're ever going to choose just one idea, take a breath. These themes aren't a list of options you have to choose from. They're simply idea generators to help you start imagining what your baby's cake smash could look like. Maybe you love one exactly as it is. Maybe you want to mix a few ideas together. Or maybe one of these sparks a comp

The cake is ordered, the theme is picked, and your baby's first birthday cake smash is officially on the calendar. Now comes the big question: What kind of cake should you get? 🎂 Don't worry—you don't need to be a professional baker or spend a fortune creating a Pinterest-worthy masterpiece. The perfect cake smash cake is one that looks great with your theme, is easy for your baby to dig into, and—most importantly—is safe and enjoyable for your little one. Here are a few thi

Your baby's first birthday is coming up, you've picked the cake smash theme, and now you're wondering… “What should my baby wear?” Don't worry—you don't need to find the perfect Pinterest-worthy outfit. I want your baby's clothing to complement their theme while still letting their personality be the star of the show. Start With Your Cake Smash Theme The first thing to consider is your cake smash theme and backdrop. Your baby's outfit doesn't have to match every color in the