If you're the kind of person who feels better when you know exactly what's coming -- hi, same -- this post is for you.

A lot of expecting parents find me somewhere around 20 to 24 weeks and immediately want to know: what happens next? How does this work? What do I actually need to do, and when?

Here's the whole thing, start to finish.

Step 1: You Book (And This Is the Most Important Step)

The most important thing I can tell you is this: book before your baby arrives.

I know that sounds early. You're still in your second trimester. The nursery isn't done. You haven't even decided on a name. And yet -- book now. Here's why.

Newborn sessions happen in the first one to three weeks of your baby's life. By the time the baby arrives and you're in the beautiful, disorienting fog of those first days, the last thing you want to be doing is hunting for a photographer and hoping there's still availability. When everything is already taken care of, you can just focus on your family. That's the whole point.

When you book, you'll fill out a quick intake form that includes your due date. That's not so I can lock you into a specific date -- babies come when they want, and I know that better than anyone. It's so I have you on my radar. I keep my newborn calendar intentionally flexible so I can be available for you whenever your baby decides to make their entrance, whether that's two weeks early or ten days late.

I'll be honest: I also just love having your due date on my calendar because it means I get to cheer for you. I will genuinely be rooting for you. Sending good vibes. Keeping an eye out. And if I haven't heard from you around your due date, I'll reach out -- just a quick "hey, any news? Rooting for you if not, congratulations if so" kind of message. No pressure. Just care.

If your baby has already arrived: Please reach out anyway. Don't assume you've missed your window. I may have availability that works, and I would love to meet your family. The earlier you contact me the better, but it's always worth asking.

Step 2 (Optional but Recommended): Your Maternity Session

If you've booked a maternity session with me -- or if you're considering it -- this happens around 32 to 34 weeks. It's flexible and low-pressure, and I think of it a little like an engagement session before a wedding. It's a chance for us to get to know each other before the baby arrives, which makes everything about your newborn session go more smoothly.

If you have older kids, this is especially valuable. By the time we show up for your newborn session, I'm not a stranger to them. I'm the fun photographer they already know. That matters more than you'd think.

After your maternity session, you'll get a sneak peek within a few days and your full gallery within about two to three weeks. (More on galleries and delivery below.)

I do want to say this plainly: booking your maternity and newborn sessions together is something I genuinely recommend. You'll work with the same photographer, build continuity across both galleries, and honestly it just simplifies your life during a season when simplifying anything is a gift. I'll have a full post on maternity and newborn bundles coming soon -- but for now, just know the option is there and it's a good one.

If you're newborn-only, no worries at all. Jump straight to step three.

Step 3: Baby Arrives

You did it. Baby is here.

When you're ready -- no rush, there's no "right" number of hours to wait -- send me a quick message to let me know the baby has arrived. This doesn't need to be your first email of the day. But once you have a free moment and the initial chaos has settled slightly, let me know.

From there, I'll send you my upcoming availability for the next couple of weeks. Newborn sessions take place on weekdays, generally between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. You pick the day that works for your family, and we get it on the calendar.

The ideal window for your newborn session is one to three weeks after birth. This is when babies are still in that beautiful, curled-up, sleepy newborn stage -- the one that changes faster than anyone warns you about. That said, this is flexible. If you had a difficult labor, a C-section, or you just need a few extra days to feel ready -- please take them. I had a C-section with my first and tore significantly with my second. I know what it feels like to have very limited mobility in those early days, and I will never rush you. If you need to sit on a specific pillow arrangement or you need me to come to you exactly where you're most comfortable, that is exactly what we will do. This is another reason I love in-home sessions: your recovery space is your session space.

Step 4: Your Session Day

I show up at your door.

That's it. That's the whole thing you have to do. I come to you.

We'll spend roughly an hour documenting your family -- sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more, depending on what the baby needs. I follow the baby's lead. We feed when we need to feed, pause when we need to pause, let the toddler have a snack when the toddler needs a snack. There's no rushing. There's no clock-watching. There's just your family, your home, and the story that's already unfolding.

I've written a lot more about what in-home newborn sessions actually look like if you want the full picture -- you can find that on the blog. But the short version is: it's more relaxed than you're imagining, your house is more than ready, and you will not regret it.

Step 5: Your Gallery

Within a few days of your session, you'll get a sneak peek. A handful of images from your session so you can share them with your people and see a little taste of what's coming. Because I know the anticipation is real and I am not going to make you wait two weeks for everything.

Your full gallery arrives within two to three weeks. High resolution, beautifully edited, delivered to your inbox.

After that, I'd love to help you actually do something with your photos -- design an album, put together a gallery wall, get prints made. Most families have the best intentions and then the photos live on their phone or a hard drive for years. The newborn fog is real and it is not kind to personal projects. I'm here to make it easy.

Step 6: The Part That Might Surprise You

A little while after your session, keep an eye on your mailbox.

I love sending a few printed photos to my clients after their session. Something tangible to remind you how tiny baby was, right when you need it most. It's a small thing, but I've seen what it means to people.

And honestly, that's rarely where our relationship ends.

I have clients I've been photographing for over ten years. Families I met at a newborn session who came back for the first birthday, the next maternity session, the second baby, the family portraits. I've watched kids go from three days old to starting kindergarten. That kind of relationship is one of the things I love most about this work.

My hope is that once we work together, you become part of my photography family for the long haul.

Ready to get on my calendar? Newborn spots in Seattle fill early -- especially for spring and fall due dates. If you're in your second trimester, now is a great time to reach out.

Check my availability here!