What is a bonding session?
A bonding session is an hour-long session in my home studio in the Hilltop neighborhood in Denver. The purpose of these sessions is to be stripped-down, simple, just you and your child, with nothing to distract, nothing but time to be together, playing, snuggling, bonding.
I am looking to photograph the deep and true connection between child and mom, and the complexities of motherhood. I am not about posing you or your baby. I'm looking to cut through to the depth of true feelings.
In 2016, I had a traumatic birth, and it took me a few months to realize that the thing I really needed most was to process my birth experience with other women. The best way I could think to do that was to talk with and photograph women right after birth. It was incredibly therapeutic for me to work through my experience by being present and documenting other mothers. I still feel "postpartum" all these years later, whatever that means.... And so I use these sessions as a way to connect with women about birth, bonding, and motherhood. It's incredibly moving for me to get to shape this space in my life, and to help other women capture and remember their own early motherhood.
I offer bonding sessions starting with newborns. I've broken them up into these three categories to give you a sense of what it might look and feel like to be in the studio with your child:
I am looking to photograph the deep and true connection between child and mom, and the complexities of motherhood. I am not about posing you or your baby. I'm looking to cut through to the depth of true feelings.
In 2016, I had a traumatic birth, and it took me a few months to realize that the thing I really needed most was to process my birth experience with other women. The best way I could think to do that was to talk with and photograph women right after birth. It was incredibly therapeutic for me to work through my experience by being present and documenting other mothers. I still feel "postpartum" all these years later, whatever that means.... And so I use these sessions as a way to connect with women about birth, bonding, and motherhood. It's incredibly moving for me to get to shape this space in my life, and to help other women capture and remember their own early motherhood.
I offer bonding sessions starting with newborns. I've broken them up into these three categories to give you a sense of what it might look and feel like to be in the studio with your child:
Bonding sessions won't necessarily to look how you imagine they might. Maybe your child will run and play and dance around you and protest when you try to catch or hold her. Maybe he won't snuggle the way you imagine. Maybe your child will cry or panic at the thought of being in a new place with a stranger. Maybe your child is shy, or anxious, or tired from a long night. These are all things we do our best to work through during a session. And, gratefully, the energy in a session like this often changes dramatically from the beginning to the end. With lots of love and reassurance and play and comfort with the mama, I find that the time in the studio almost always ends in great joy. The power of a bonding session is that it is really all about your love. Your connection. No matter what that looks like.
And I find that, even if it feels to you like there were no moments of great beauty, that your family just isn't suited to this work of deep, beautiful bonding, they were there. I saw them. They existed for seconds, moments. They were there.
Below are photographs from a session that started out really slowly. The babe was incredibly shy and seemed anxious. Her mama just kept giving her love until the babe finally started to come out of her shell and play. It was a really beautiful shift.
And I find that, even if it feels to you like there were no moments of great beauty, that your family just isn't suited to this work of deep, beautiful bonding, they were there. I saw them. They existed for seconds, moments. They were there.
Below are photographs from a session that started out really slowly. The babe was incredibly shy and seemed anxious. Her mama just kept giving her love until the babe finally started to come out of her shell and play. It was a really beautiful shift.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BONDING SESSIONS
WHAT WILL I WEAR?
WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR A BONDING SESSION?
SHOULD I BRING MORE THAN ONE OF MY CHILDREN WITH ME TO THE BONDING SESSION?
WHAT IF MY KID IS "TOO WILD"?
MY BABY DOESN'T BEHAVE LIKE THE BABIES IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS. WHAT IF I DON'T GET ANY BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS?
WHAT IF MY CHILD PEES OR POOPS DURING THE SESSION?
HOW LONG DO YOU TAKE TO EDIT PHOTOGRAPHS?
WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR A BONDING SESSION?
SHOULD I BRING MORE THAN ONE OF MY CHILDREN WITH ME TO THE BONDING SESSION?
WHAT IF MY KID IS "TOO WILD"?
MY BABY DOESN'T BEHAVE LIKE THE BABIES IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS. WHAT IF I DON'T GET ANY BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS?
WHAT IF MY CHILD PEES OR POOPS DURING THE SESSION?
HOW LONG DO YOU TAKE TO EDIT PHOTOGRAPHS?
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What will I wear?
I love skin to skin, but that doesn't mean that you and your babe have to be naked. The black walls and black clothing are kind of a magic combination, and they really highlight your skin, your bond, your faces. You'll wear all black (yoga pants or leggings and a shirt, no insignias or patterns on either).
The black is, honestly, just kind of a mask. Because the walls are black and the carpet is so dark, the black clothing is meant to blend in, not stand out. So I ask clients to come with clothing that has no pattern or detailing. Simple is best when it comes to the clothing. Because any kind of color or pattern will distract from the real subject of the photograph: you and your sweet ones.
If you want to wear less, I can always work with you to cover your nipples, or be more discrete. We'll work out little tricks to cover you if you want to do breastfeeding images (topless or not). I absolutely love all of it, so let's find a way to do it how you feel comfortable!
My favorite look is having a baby nude, but I never show photographs with genitalia, so I'll ask you to cover them if they're facing me. I also think that a black diaper cover is adorable for young kids and babies, and is especially helpful if you'll be juggling more than one kid. That way we don't have to worry about accidentally showing their genitals.
For older kids (toddler and up), please bring them in/with solid black as well. Feel free to dress them in their black before they arrive at the studio so that if they won't undress when they arrive, and they're already ready to go. They can wear a dress or shorts, whatever, but no ruffles. Everything should be as simple as possible.
The mama in the photographs below wanted some with her child wearing a black cloth diaper, and some with him nude. I think these looks are both really beautiful.
The black is, honestly, just kind of a mask. Because the walls are black and the carpet is so dark, the black clothing is meant to blend in, not stand out. So I ask clients to come with clothing that has no pattern or detailing. Simple is best when it comes to the clothing. Because any kind of color or pattern will distract from the real subject of the photograph: you and your sweet ones.
If you want to wear less, I can always work with you to cover your nipples, or be more discrete. We'll work out little tricks to cover you if you want to do breastfeeding images (topless or not). I absolutely love all of it, so let's find a way to do it how you feel comfortable!
My favorite look is having a baby nude, but I never show photographs with genitalia, so I'll ask you to cover them if they're facing me. I also think that a black diaper cover is adorable for young kids and babies, and is especially helpful if you'll be juggling more than one kid. That way we don't have to worry about accidentally showing their genitals.
For older kids (toddler and up), please bring them in/with solid black as well. Feel free to dress them in their black before they arrive at the studio so that if they won't undress when they arrive, and they're already ready to go. They can wear a dress or shorts, whatever, but no ruffles. Everything should be as simple as possible.
The mama in the photographs below wanted some with her child wearing a black cloth diaper, and some with him nude. I think these looks are both really beautiful.
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You're invited to wear jewelry if you want, but I'd say only if it's something that's meaningful to you, or that says something about you that you think is important. I want as few things as possible in the photographs that are distracting. I would discourage you from putting anything on your child, like headbands. I think the fewer extra items in the photographs the better. I'll ask you to take watches or hair bands off your wrist before we start.
Make sure to remove any chipped nail polish. I think makeup is just fine for the session, if that's something that gives you confidence. I encourage you to come to the studio feeling your best. If you feel beautiful, that will come through in the photos. But if you're not a makeup person, don't give it a second thought.
The mama below wanted to wear her jewelry for the session, and I thought it brought something meaningful. Being indigenous is deeply important to who she is, and who her child is.
Make sure to remove any chipped nail polish. I think makeup is just fine for the session, if that's something that gives you confidence. I encourage you to come to the studio feeling your best. If you feel beautiful, that will come through in the photos. But if you're not a makeup person, don't give it a second thought.
The mama below wanted to wear her jewelry for the session, and I thought it brought something meaningful. Being indigenous is deeply important to who she is, and who her child is.
What's the best age for a bonding session?
I do sessions from newborn to about age 9 or 10. It really depends on your child, and how much they want to snuggle and be close to you. I don't have a preference for age, because I find that babies and children grow and change so much all the time -- it's going to be rich and meaningful and beautiful no matter what.
If you're thinking newborn: Some photographers require newborn sessions to be done in the first ten days. I consider newborn sessions to be anything in the first three months, often called the Fourth Trimester. The reason I don't rush to do newborn sessions is two-fold. One: because some mamas aren't ready for photographs so quickly. I know I wasn't. I was in a lot of pain after my birth, and certainly didn't feel like being photographed. I struggled to leave the house for weeks after my birth. I couldn't have made it to a studio, even if I wasn't the one being photographed. I want mothers who come in with their babies to feel confident when they walk into the space. I want them to feel good in their bodies, and ready for pictures. The mama wearing black clothes in front of a black wall does a lot to eliminate the focus on our postpartum bodies, but the goal for the session is for the mama to feel ready inside and out. It often takes a few weeks (or months) for women to feel ready to put themselves back into the world, back into the public eye.
The second reason not to rush for me is that I'm not trying to pose you. Not trying to get your babe to fall asleep. A lot of posed newborn sessions require that the babe be sleeping for photographs. I'm not against a sleeping babe at all, but it's not necessary for my sessions. What I'm looking to capture is just the relationship between you and your little one. Whatever that looks like, whatever happens during that hour. Your bond, your feelings, your love.
I'd say, if you want smiling, book a session for 6-8 months old or older. But be aware: your child may or may not smile. They may be distracted by the flash, or the new space. They might feel overwhelmed by me being close, and holding my unfamiliar camera up to them. Babes this age can sometimes be sensitive to newness, and they may be surprised to be in a new building with a stranger. This is definitely something we can (and will) work through, but I like to remind parents that many different things can happen during a session, and to keep expectations low that a child will immediately be bubbly and open when I pull out my camera. I often find that babies from about 6-9 months spend a lot of the session mesmerized, unable to look away from the camera. But that's ok too. Because they will look at you. I promise. It might just take a while for the novelty to wear off. And photographs of a baby looking dead at the camera are gorgeous too.
Toddlers can be really challenging because they don't really want to stand still, don't want to do what they're asked to do. But I LOVE toddler sessions. They are some of the most hilarious, genuine, amazing sessions. They are filled with so much joy and energy and love. But prepare yourself: it just might be a bit of a workout. I try to play games with toddlers, get them to engage, even for moments at a time. We don't need them to sit still the entire time. We want them to be themselves. We want them to play.
Little kids are much less of a wildcard in terms of doing what you ask, and the key for them is to help them relax and feel at ease, so the photos won't look stiff and unnatural. As kids grow, they become more and more aware of what we "want" in photos, and they're often stuck in trying to give us what they think is best. A canned smile. A rigid pose. But the more you play, the more you're present with them, and help them redirect to just being with you, to just snuggling you and loving you, the more relaxed they'll be, and the more the photographs will be an artifact of a fun experience, instead of the reason you were together.
If you're thinking newborn: Some photographers require newborn sessions to be done in the first ten days. I consider newborn sessions to be anything in the first three months, often called the Fourth Trimester. The reason I don't rush to do newborn sessions is two-fold. One: because some mamas aren't ready for photographs so quickly. I know I wasn't. I was in a lot of pain after my birth, and certainly didn't feel like being photographed. I struggled to leave the house for weeks after my birth. I couldn't have made it to a studio, even if I wasn't the one being photographed. I want mothers who come in with their babies to feel confident when they walk into the space. I want them to feel good in their bodies, and ready for pictures. The mama wearing black clothes in front of a black wall does a lot to eliminate the focus on our postpartum bodies, but the goal for the session is for the mama to feel ready inside and out. It often takes a few weeks (or months) for women to feel ready to put themselves back into the world, back into the public eye.
The second reason not to rush for me is that I'm not trying to pose you. Not trying to get your babe to fall asleep. A lot of posed newborn sessions require that the babe be sleeping for photographs. I'm not against a sleeping babe at all, but it's not necessary for my sessions. What I'm looking to capture is just the relationship between you and your little one. Whatever that looks like, whatever happens during that hour. Your bond, your feelings, your love.
I'd say, if you want smiling, book a session for 6-8 months old or older. But be aware: your child may or may not smile. They may be distracted by the flash, or the new space. They might feel overwhelmed by me being close, and holding my unfamiliar camera up to them. Babes this age can sometimes be sensitive to newness, and they may be surprised to be in a new building with a stranger. This is definitely something we can (and will) work through, but I like to remind parents that many different things can happen during a session, and to keep expectations low that a child will immediately be bubbly and open when I pull out my camera. I often find that babies from about 6-9 months spend a lot of the session mesmerized, unable to look away from the camera. But that's ok too. Because they will look at you. I promise. It might just take a while for the novelty to wear off. And photographs of a baby looking dead at the camera are gorgeous too.
Toddlers can be really challenging because they don't really want to stand still, don't want to do what they're asked to do. But I LOVE toddler sessions. They are some of the most hilarious, genuine, amazing sessions. They are filled with so much joy and energy and love. But prepare yourself: it just might be a bit of a workout. I try to play games with toddlers, get them to engage, even for moments at a time. We don't need them to sit still the entire time. We want them to be themselves. We want them to play.
Little kids are much less of a wildcard in terms of doing what you ask, and the key for them is to help them relax and feel at ease, so the photos won't look stiff and unnatural. As kids grow, they become more and more aware of what we "want" in photos, and they're often stuck in trying to give us what they think is best. A canned smile. A rigid pose. But the more you play, the more you're present with them, and help them redirect to just being with you, to just snuggling you and loving you, the more relaxed they'll be, and the more the photographs will be an artifact of a fun experience, instead of the reason you were together.
The twin toddlers in this photograph (above) barely stopped to take a breath during their session. They were so delightful and energetic. Play is their constant state, and you can tell from the session. I absolutely love the photographs, though, because they tell a story unique to this family. What it really feels like for them to be connected, to be together.
The photographs below are with a seven year old. I loved working with them to get to a place where this sweet girl wasn't performing or trying to get the "right" photo, but was just playing and being in the moment with her mom. Once they got into it, they really did a beautiful job of just being in their love with each other.
The photographs below are with a seven year old. I loved working with them to get to a place where this sweet girl wasn't performing or trying to get the "right" photo, but was just playing and being in the moment with her mom. Once they got into it, they really did a beautiful job of just being in their love with each other.
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Should I bring more than one of my children with me to the bonding session?
I say: yes.
These sessions are FUN. They can be exhausting (and you'll likely feel like you just ran 3 marathons at the end), but the dynamic between the older and younger, the dynamic of you parenting all of your children together, is not only beautiful and deep, but it can be surprising and hilarious. It's honest. Because you don't have time to "arrange" a look for energetic children. The best we can do is try to get them to pile in, be close, and show their love. Whether that's through play or snuggles. These photographs are silly, honest, and truly stunning. I absolutely love when a mom tells me she wants to bring more than kid.
I often do sessions with more than one child by having everyone in the photographs for pieces of the session, and mama alone with each child, too. So think of a thing (book, snack, tablet, music) that can help your child feel engaged when they're not on camera. We don't want them doing something that could keep them from coming back into the frame for more photos, if they're wanted, but we also want them to feel good while they're taking a break.
The most I've done in the studio is 4 children. It was definitely a bit of a squish (my studio is tiny!), but it was SO MUCH FUN. I'm up for it if you are!
These sessions are FUN. They can be exhausting (and you'll likely feel like you just ran 3 marathons at the end), but the dynamic between the older and younger, the dynamic of you parenting all of your children together, is not only beautiful and deep, but it can be surprising and hilarious. It's honest. Because you don't have time to "arrange" a look for energetic children. The best we can do is try to get them to pile in, be close, and show their love. Whether that's through play or snuggles. These photographs are silly, honest, and truly stunning. I absolutely love when a mom tells me she wants to bring more than kid.
I often do sessions with more than one child by having everyone in the photographs for pieces of the session, and mama alone with each child, too. So think of a thing (book, snack, tablet, music) that can help your child feel engaged when they're not on camera. We don't want them doing something that could keep them from coming back into the frame for more photos, if they're wanted, but we also want them to feel good while they're taking a break.
The most I've done in the studio is 4 children. It was definitely a bit of a squish (my studio is tiny!), but it was SO MUCH FUN. I'm up for it if you are!
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What if my kid is "too wild"?
So far I haven't felt a kid was too wild for the studio. Honestly. It can feel high energy, and even chaotic sometimes, but there are always these beautiful moments of reprieve. No matter what. Things are very fast-moving, especially with toddlers. This amazing shoot (below) was with twin two year olds, and the girls did not stop moving the entire hour. It was fun and crazy and hilarious, and I was honestly unsure what was going to come through from the session. The girls were having a great time, but they weren't particularly interested in snuggling. They weren't interested in doing what we wanted them to do. They had their own plans. Their own fun.
It's almost more important to me that moms stay in the moment than children do. Because kids live so much in the present. When they're with us, they are fully and completely with us. It's not so simple for adults to do the same. It can be hard if our children aren't doing what we think they should be doing, but I really encourage mamas to try to just go with it. Be open hearted and flexible with our children during these sessions, and enjoy the moments when the child does come back to sit, even for a moment.
Part of the joy of this sort of session for me is that moments of deep connection and love always happen amidst that feeling of chaos. Always. Without fail. Because it’s just a fact of mothering. The children leave and come back, over and over and over. It feels like chaos, but there are always these moments of connection. However brief. And that’s always what I’m aiming to capture.
It's almost more important to me that moms stay in the moment than children do. Because kids live so much in the present. When they're with us, they are fully and completely with us. It's not so simple for adults to do the same. It can be hard if our children aren't doing what we think they should be doing, but I really encourage mamas to try to just go with it. Be open hearted and flexible with our children during these sessions, and enjoy the moments when the child does come back to sit, even for a moment.
Part of the joy of this sort of session for me is that moments of deep connection and love always happen amidst that feeling of chaos. Always. Without fail. Because it’s just a fact of mothering. The children leave and come back, over and over and over. It feels like chaos, but there are always these moments of connection. However brief. And that’s always what I’m aiming to capture.
My baby doesn't behave like the babies in your photographs. What if I don't get any beautiful ones?
I have had a fair number of mothers tell me, somewhat worriedly, that their child isn't "snuggly". Their child doesn't like being held much; wants to be out playing, free, exploring. I find that the best place to start with this worry is to remind mothers that this session is all about you and your child. It's about being in the moment with your babe. It's about connecting and bonding and seeing them deeply. In every single one of these sessions, we come away with gorgeous, deep, goofy and sweet, love-filled images. Because all it takes is the few seconds when your child looks right at you. Or the reaction when you give her raspberries on her belly. Or when you sing his favorite song. This session isn't about your kid "behaving" a certain way. It's not about conforming to an ideal. It's just about you and your child being yourselves. The way I design the session is to try to start at the heart of your bond with your little one. Before our session, you'll fill out a questionnaire about mothering. I want to show who your child really is, what your love for that child looks like, and how your relationship feels at this point in your lives, and I find that a little digging beforehand is really helpful. When you arrive, we'll talk about your answers, your experience of motherhood, and your babe.
Your photos won't look like anyone else's. They'll look like your real, honest bond with your little one.
Your photos won't look like anyone else's. They'll look like your real, honest bond with your little one.
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What if my child pees or poops during the session?
This is something that most moms coming into the studio worry about. Your baby (toddlers and older kids will wear black, like you!) will likely be naked for their session, so it's totally possible that they'll pee or poop. And it's completely fine if they do. Most children don't, for some reason, which always surprises and delights me. But even if yours does, it isn't a problem. We'll clean it up and keep going. I do recommend you bringing clean clothes for yourself and your kid, just in case anything happens....
How long do you take to edit photographs?
I typically deliver private session galleries within 7-10 days of our time together in the studio. You'll get a link to see the edited digital images from our session together, and you'll get to choose digital images and purchase paper prints.
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