Kirkland Maternity Photographer: Pricing, What to Expect & FAQ

Great question! Here is an overview of the entire process and what you can expect from working with me:

1. Pre-Booking: You begin by learning about my services and picking the best one for your needs. I am a big believer in transparency and helpfulness. That’s why I explain my services in great detail on my website. I display my prices, add-ons, deliverables, and timeframes online so you know them beforehand, and there are no surprises. I have published thousands of photos in my portfolio and blog sections so that you can get a good feel for my style. And if you still have any questions before booking, I’m only a quick message away.
2. Booking: I’ve designed my scheduling process to be fast and hassle-free, ensuring your ease. You start by heading to my booking page and selecting your desired session. Next, you will pick the date and time from my calendar, fill out a short form, and pay your $100 deposit.
3. Session Prep: After I receive your booking, I will review it and send you a detailed prep guide within 1-2 business days. It will also include access to an online styling service. I am also available to answer any questions via email or text.
4. A Few Days Before the Session: I will monitor the weather a day or so before your session. If we need to reschedule due to rain, I will communicate all the details. I will also email you all the details of where we will meet. Finally, you will receive an invoice for the remaining balance of your session.
5. The Day of the Session: We meet at the designated location and have an easy and relaxed session. I will guide and queue you so you always know what to do.
6. After the Session: You will receive your proof gallery within four days after your session to pick the photos that you want for hand-edit. After you see your proof gallery, you may decide on any upgrades. Please reply with your picks within seven days of receiving your gallery. After I receive your picks, I will deliver the final edited photos within seven days.
7. Beyond the Session: I am grateful and honored that you’ve picked me to help document and celebrate your maternity. My mission is to help you create a collection of meaningful family photos through the years. I hope you will find my online resources and updates useful. You will also get priority access to all of my seasonal offerings.

The ideal time for your maternity shoot is when you are between 28 and 32 weeks pregnant, but I am happy to work around your schedule.

I recommend booking at least a month in advance to ensure availability and give you time to prepare.

You’ll start by choosing a date for your maternity session from my calendar. I’ll also ask for your due date so I can reserve a spot for your newborn session ahead of time. Once your baby arrives, we’ll schedule the actual shoot date — usually when your little one is between five days and three weeks old.

You can learn more about the Maternity + Newborn package here.

If it rains, don’t worry—I’m very flexible and will work with you to reschedule your session. If we can’t find a new date that works, I’ll refund your deposit (or you can choose to apply it as credit toward a future session).

For families with flexible schedules, we can often wait until the morning of your session to make the call. Forecasts aren’t always reliable, so if you’re open to it, we can plan to show up and see how it goes. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll simply reschedule, and you won’t lose your deposit. This approach often works out beautifully, since many sessions are still possible even with light rain in the forecast.

And one more note—cloudy skies are not a bad thing! They often create gorgeous, soft light and give us more freedom with posing and movement. Sessions are not rescheduled due to cloudy weather.

I only reschedule sessions due to rain. We will proceed with the session on a cloudy day.

At this time, I do not offer a client wardrobe. However, once you book your session, I will send you a prep guide with recommendations on where you can rent or purchase high-quality gowns.

After you book your session, I will email you detailed prep information, including the outfit inspiration guide and online styling service, to help you look your best for the session.

You can also email or text me with any styling questions.

Sure, as long as you don’t mind using some of your session time for that.

An outfit change is typically requested when you want a few fancy shots in a maternity gown that are a bit more “posed” and the rest in more casual clothes with natural posing.

Of course! Pets make photos extra fun. Just let me know at booking if you’ll be bringing one (and what kind), so I can plan ahead. We’ll start with a few shots that include your pet, then continue with photos without them—so please have a plan for keeping them safe during that time. And don’t forget a leash and plenty of treats to keep tails wagging.

If your kiddo is not cooperating – don’t worry (because they will feel that). I will follow their lead and do my best to capture happy moments.

There will never be any pressure to look into the camera to smile. I have plenty of tricks to help get your kiddos engaged and interested, so 99% of the time, I can get you plenty of shots. (And for that 1% – we will work together to do our best.)

I will guide, prompt, and direct your family the entire time, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. I aim for natural-looking poses while also capturing candids along the way.

Here’s how one of my clients, Yuliana, describes her experience: “We chose Lana for our maternity outdoor mini session and newborn studio deluxe session. We had a great experience both times! Lana is great at giving directions for poses and makes you feel comfortable the whole session. During our newborn shoot, she was patient while we had to feed and change our baby. Lana really is the baby whisperer and swaddler. We got some adorable wrap photos and family photos.”

A Mini-Session includes 10 hand-edited images (that you pick from a gallery of 40–60 photos), while a Deluxe Session includes 20 (that you pick from a gallery of 80–100 photos).

After you see your proof gallery, you can purchase additional hand-edited photos for $20 each. Information on purchasing additional images will be included with your online proof gallery.

In addition, a full-gallery upgrade is available for $200. It includes all the images in your proof gallery with a standard color edit (as they appear in your proof gallery, no hand-edit). Photos will be in full print resolution with print rights.

(See the next question for more information about the difference between hand editing and color editing.)

Color edit includes an overall color adjustment to make the photos appear brighter, more colorful, and properly exposed.

In addition to the color edit, hand edit includes basic skin smoothing, removal of blemishes, bruises, and a few fly-aways, as well as more detailed color adjustments. It gives your photos a more “polished” look.

You’ll receive your proof gallery within four days of your session. Select your favorites within seven days, and your final hand-edited images will be delivered within one week of your selections.

A $100 deposit is required to book your session. The remaining balance is due the day before your photoshoot. (An invoice will be emailed to you.)

All payments are made by credit card, and your proof gallery is delivered once your session is paid in full.