Non-traditional baby shower gift suggestions from a crunchy mom
It’s no secret that I’m a crunchy mama, I try to align what I do as a parent and photographer with a natural or primitive mindset. I like to let natural biology lead the way. While this isn’t the mainstream way to parent or run photography business, it is on the rise in our world and I love to support other moms in their journey to crunchiness. So maybe you’re here for non-traditional ideas for gifts for another mom in your life or ideas on what to ask for at your own baby shower, either way I’m here to help. There is a quite large crunchy (formerly known as “granola”) community in Spokane, Wa and I love to connect anyone who asks with the crunchy pros in our area. So here are my top picks for non-traditional baby shower gifts, because let’s be honest, who needs another pair of baby socks?
Funds for midwifery/doula care
Many don’t know this, but most midwives do not accept insurance and are cash pay only. Some look at this as a downside, BUT privately hired midwives and their services are significantly cheaper than OB’s and hospital births and usually offer financing options, because they care deeply about the mothers they serve. So funds for a midwife are invaluable. Doulas typically don’t accept insurance either, and they can be great for the moms in your life that are planning a hospital birth, for whatever the reason may be, doulas can be critical in the advocating process for the mother and her family while in the hospital.
Postpartum doula package
Postpartum doula services are a little different than birth doulas in that they are support for the mother and baby AFTER birth. A postpartum doula can step in and help for mothers that may not have family near by or whose husbands must return to work quickly. Postpartum doulas can help with housework, baby care, cooking, supporting a nervous first time mom, all sorts of things, which makes funds for one a fantastic gift to a new mom.
Funds for lactation consultant visit or potential revision cost
Most moms go into birth with the plan to breastfeed. While breastfeeding is natural, it doesn’t always come naturally with your first baby or even your third, every baby is different and so is every breastfeeding experience. Failed breastfeeding attempts can be traumatic for a mother, so funds for a lactation consultant can be highly beneficial to a mother and baby. A private lactation consultant is better than a hospital provided consultant, because they have much more time to work with and support the new mom and baby within their home and are not as quick to push formula. Some babies need tongue-tie revisions to be able to nurse properly, so funds to help with that can also be a great gift.
Postpartum body work-
Postpartum body work can be chiropractic, massage, pelvic floor therapy and many others. Pregnancy and birth are hard on the body and many moms find that their bodies need more support in the months following birth. These are a great way to care for the new mom.
House work, meal trains, grocery gift cards
In the first month postpartum, mom should be horizontal in bed nursing and cuddling her new baby. So a great way to support mom and baby is by providing housework or a house cleaning service, delivered meals without extra visitors, premade freezer meals that can be thrown in a crockpot, or grocery gift cards for delivery or curbside pick up.
Newborn photography
This is often overlooked a gift option. Having a photographer come to the home of the family with the new baby is a total gift. Moms want quality pictures of their new baby to last a lifetime, but often don’t pay to have it done because of all of the other expenses that come with being a new mom. Cell phone pictures are great, but mom may not be as flattered in them and the photos may not ever be printed and when they are- the quality will not be good. So definitely consider buying the new mom in your life an in-home newborn photoshoot.
Funds for counseling
Sometimes birth, breastfeeding, or early parenthood do not go as planned and it can leave mom in a tough place emotionally. So consider providing funds for counseling to the new mom as another gift option. She may not need it right away, but at some point it could be very valuable to her and her family.
Hopefully this list is helpful to you in your quest to pick the best non-traditional baby gift. This list of items is not spoken of often, but most moms will tell you that any one of these would be more valuable than any crib mattress or set of bottles on a registry.
If you’d like information on postpartum pros in the Spokane, area, I’d love to suggest a few so feel free to reach out!
If you’d like to purchase an in-home newborn session for a mom in your life, reach out to me below!
Spokane Lifestyle Photographer: What to do if dad is grumpy about photo shoot?
Spokane Dad caresses his wife’s pregnant belly at maternity photo shoot.
Thankfully, I don’t encounter grumpy dads too often at my photoshoots. I believe this is because I work hard to attract clients with very strong family bonds. My families are usually lovey, cuddly and affectionate. I do on occasion get asked how I would handle dads who are not so thrilled to have their photos taken, and this is how I handle it.
If it is prior to the session and a wife is concerned that her husband may not be so excited, I recommend having a heart to heart conversation with her husband. Sit down after the kids have gone to bed and look your husband in his eyes, and tell him how important the photos are to you and why. We’re not just out taking cheesy pictures to put on our Christmas cards. We’re documenting a fleeting moment in time where out kids are only this age once. Capturing the family dynamic and making a memory. Talk to him about our why.
Photos are an investment, an expensive one. I know some dads aren’t thrilled about the investment, but quality photos are important. I usually recommend that families save up for their once a year family photo session to get updated photos of everyone in the family and document the season of life. Saving up and ear marking the money for the photos ahead of time, over a period of time makes the expense seem less burdensome. Those dollars have been given a name, and this often makes dads feel better about the investment.
The next step is on me, and that is during the photoshoot. I work hard to make sure every family member feels welcomed. I am intentional about starting a conversation with dad to make him feel more at ease with me. Cameras make people nervous and I think that’s natural. It is very vulnerable allowing another person to take your photo, and I’m sensitive to that. Many men do not like to feel vulnerable in that way. One of the best remedies for that is to have dad play with the kids, this is the beauty of lifestyle photography.
I think another reason dads don’t love having photos done is that they may be self conscious. I’m always careful with my posing to make dad look broad and strong in all the right ways. I keep posing loose so that there is a level of freedom of movement, which usually makes dad less nervous.
A grumpy dad can really mess up a photoshoot, honestly it’s one of the biggest things that can go wrong. I highly recommend having a conversation with dad prior to if he isn’t a fan of photos. I think most dads think of traditional family photography which is stiff and uncomfortable when they are approached about family photos. I keep my photoshoots light and fun to help combat that. My poses look and feel natural, which helps dad to relax. Usually at the end of my sessions dads are commenting on how it wasn’t as bad as they thought and they actually really had fun doing the pictures.
The dad in this photo was not a grumpy dad, he enjoys having photos taken with his family and is a huge part of why this family has successful photoshoots.
I’m always happy to discuss concerns dad may have about photos. Even if it’s something he’s self conscious about. Please just reach out, I want everyone to feel comfortable and welcome, because I believe family photos matter so much. Everyone deserves to have their family documented.
What is all-inclusive photography?
Here’s a question I get asked often! What do you mean when you say you are an all-inclusive photographer?
My definition of All-Inclusive
For me, all-inclusive means that I charge a session fee which covers the one hour photo session with me at a location where we take your photos. I go home from the session and select the best photos to edit and then return them to you fully edited in high-resolution format in an online digital gallery. I typically deliver a robust gallery of at least 75 images. You receive the entire gallery that you are able to download, share and archive.
Why I don’t like upselling
Some photographers show you a gallery of photos and then allow you to select only a few that you are able to keep, they then upsell or make you pay per photo to keep more from your gallery.
I don’t like this model of business, because it feels unfair to my clients. I put the work into taking and editing the photos and I never want to make my clients choose between their favorite photos. Many of my clients are going through big life changes- like a new baby! I like a more hassle free experience for my clients, just keep everything simple and non-exhausting. This is why I deliver the entire digital gallery and it is included in the cost of my session fee.
You may notice, my pricing up front is a little more expensive for this reason, but just know that a “cheaper” photographer may hit you with unexpected upsells on your digital photos, so just read the fine print when choosing a photographer to make sure you are getting great value for your money.
What is not included
What is not included in my pricing is prints of the photos and the reason for this is that everyone has different print needs and different print types have different production costs.
I offer each client the ability to purchase prints through me from a high quality professional print shop that non photographers are not able to have access to. Let me tell you, the quality difference in these prints is amazing and the pricing is reasonable. I’ve tried all the cheaper print shop options that anyone can access and I’m disappointed every time. So if you’re looking to hang these photos on your walls, I highly recommend purchasing through me. I sell paper prints in all kinds of finishes, metal prints and studio canvas wraps.
If you have no desire to print and only want your digital images for social media sharing, that’s great too and is totally covered in my all-inclusive pricing.
It’s time to update those photos on your living room walls! Are you ready to take the leap and schedule your family photos? Click the button below.
How to choose a dress for pictures.
Choosing the right dress for your photos can be challenging. There is much to consider when deciding on a dress. The type of session you are booking may play a role in your decision. If you’re booking maternity photos, you will likely choose a very different dress than if you’re booking family photos. Here are some of my no fail tips for selecting the perfect dress for your pictures. These suggestions are for dresses that will flatter any body.
Dress Length.
The first thing I recommend considering is dress length. I typically recommend full length dresses for all sessions. My reasoning is that you will have the most freedom of movement. A full length dress allows for more standing, sitting, and dancing around type of poses. Full length works really well for maternity photos, because it covers the feet and allows you to have more freedom to select comfortable shoes. A full length dress is also great for family photos, this allows mom the freedom to pick up her kiddos without worrying about flashing someone. A full length dress is flattering on all body types which makes it an ideal choice. If you really had your heart set on a short dress, don’t let me stop you. You should wear something you are comfortable in. I’m speaking to the masses on this one, because I want everyone to feel good in their photos and full length dresses are universally flattering.
Dress Waist.
I always recommend selecting a dress that has a defined waist. I know, I know the box-y shaped dresses are in style right now, but they are more flattering in real life than in photos. Choosing a dress that has a waistband will ensure that you have a nice hourglass shape no matter what the pose is. Umpire waists are great for maternity photos, this style of dress allows you to show off your bump in the most flattering way. A waistband will show off your bump without creating a widening effect. Dresses can resemble potato sacks on a pregnant frame when there is no defined waist. I want you to feel beautiful and sexy in your pictures, because you deserve it. So let’s define and show off those curves!
Dress Neckline.
Now this probably seems a little strange but necklines are important to consider. If you are well gifted up top, you may want to consider a higher neckline if you are having pictures done with your children. A plunging neckline needs more adjusting and may fall down lower than you’d like when you pick up your kiddos.
Dress Sleeves.
I recommend selecting dresses with sleeves, because it is flattering for everyone. You can decide, long, short, or 3/4 length sleeves. I suggest avoiding spaghetti strap dresses, because concealing bra straps is difficult. Spaghetti straps are not always as flattering in photos as they are in real life, especially for those of us who may be self-conscious about our breast tissue areas. Now, this is not a hard rules, so if you love spaghetti straps and want to wear one, by all means, please do! Again, I am speaking to the masses in this post on styles that are flattering on every body.
Want more on how to dress for your photos? Check out: 4 No Fail Tips for Styling Photos.
Ready to book your family or maternity photos? Click the button below to get started!
Why Should I Book a Maternity Session?
I spent the first 26 weeks of my pregnancy with my head in a toilet bowl. I was so weak and exhausted from all the puking that I couldn’t even shower or wash my hair most days. I was not a happy pregnant lady to say the least, and really those days of pregnancy should be the least miserable. My body did not handle pregnancy well at all, I had many issues during that season and it was a very tough transition into motherhood for me.
Many of us don’t feel well or like ourselves while pregnant. For some of us, the only glow we get is a sweaty, sick green face. So, understandably many mamas want to avoid being photographed while pregnant, me included! And you know what? I regret it so much. I did my own maternity photos and very few of them turned out because I was too sick to function.
Pregnancy is such a short period of time full of so much excitement and anticipation. There really is no experience that compares. Pregnancy is life-changing. For me, I would give anything to have more pictures from my pregnancy, just to document what my life was like before parenthood, through my journey into motherhood and what I looked like while pregnant so that some day I can show my daughter.
Maternity photos are a great way to celebrate and honor our growing and changing body. A way to document this incredible little miracle. A way to document your family before you add your new little member. This can give your other children an opportunity to connect with you prior to your new little one’s arrival and have photos to go back to on the days when things may be tough while adjusting in the newborn days.
Photos honor and celebrate the new little life you are creating and can be a confidence boost for you when you’re not feeling well. You’ll have photos to look at on your rougher days of how beautiful your body looked through the transition into motherhood. These photos can also be healing for you as you move through postpartum. Many women miss the feeling of being pregnant after it’s over, and having the photos can help ease that little bit of longing to feel those baby kicks just one more time.