Originally published May 30, 2023 • Updated June 2026 with current information and reflections for families looking for newborn and family photography in New Richmond, Hudson, Stillwater, and the surrounding St. Croix Valley.
TL;DR
I started Alabaster Photos while raising small children, building a business, and learning how to create a photography experience that feels calm, thoughtful, and personal. Today, that same season of motherhood shapes how I photograph newborns, families, and parents throughout New Richmond, Hudson, River Falls, Stillwater, and the St. Croix Valley.
What Motherhood Taught Me About Photography
When I first wrote this post on May 30, 2023, I was a stay-at-home mom with a 2.5-year-old and an 8-month-old.
Life looked like toys on the floor, nap schedules, tantrums, snacks, big hugs, endless questions, and trying to build a photography business in the tiny pockets of time between it all.
It was not where I imagined I would be as I approached 40.
But looking back, that season shaped so much of the way I serve families today.
Because when you are in the thick of motherhood, you understand how fast everything changes. You understand that babies do not stay tiny. Toddlers do not keep those squishy cheeks forever. Families grow, shift, stretch, and move through seasons that feel ordinary while you are living them — and priceless when you look back.
That is why family and newborn photography matters so much to me.
Why I Photograph Newborns and Families Differently
As a mom, I know how much pressure parents can feel before a photo session.
You may be wondering:
Will my baby cry the whole time?
What if my toddler does not cooperate?
Do I have to lose weight first?
What should we wear?
Is it worth investing in professional photos when life feels so busy?
The answer is this: your family does not need to be perfect to be worth documenting.
My job is not to force your family into stiff poses or make your children perform. My job is to create a calm, safe, and relaxed experience where your connection can show up naturally.
Whether you are booking a newborn session, a maternity session, or updated family photos, I want the experience to feel easier than you expected.
Why Newborn Photography Is More Than “Cute Baby Pictures”
Newborn photography is about remembering a season that passes incredibly quickly.
Those tiny fingers. The sleepy stretches. The way your baby fits against your chest. The way older siblings peek at the new baby. The way your family looks in the very beginning of this new chapter.
As a newborn photographer in New Richmond, Wisconsin, I care deeply about safety, comfort, and patience. Newborn sessions are baby-led, meaning we follow your baby’s needs instead of forcing a strict posing schedule.
Your baby can eat. Be held. Be changed. Be soothed. Take a break.
That is not “messing up” the session. That is the session.
Why Family Photography Matters Even When Life Feels Chaotic
Family photos are not just for Christmas cards or perfect outfits.
They are for remembering who you were together in this season.
Your child’s missing teeth. The way they still reach for your hand. The way your toddler curls into you. The way your family laughs when no one is trying too hard.
As a family photographer serving New Richmond, Hudson, River Falls, Stillwater, Somerset, Baldwin, Woodbury, and the St. Croix Valley, I want families to know this:
You do not need to wait until life slows down.
You do not need to wait until everyone is older.
You do not need to wait until you feel perfectly ready.
This season is worth remembering now.
Building a Small Business While Raising a Family
When I first started building Alabaster Photos, I was working little by little every day.
In between naps, tantrums, dishes, laundry, and bedtime routines, I was learning how to create a business that could actually serve people well.
I was not just learning photography. I was learning client experience, pricing, systems, communication, safety, editing, website building, marketing, and how to make the process better for the families who trusted me.
And honestly, I was learning how to keep going.
There is rarely a perfect time to build something meaningful. There is rarely a perfect time to book photos either.
Sometimes you just start with the season you are in.
What This Means for My Clients Today
All of that early work matters because it shaped the way I run my sessions now.
When you book with Alabaster Photos, my goal is to make the process feel simple, calm, and thoughtful from start to finish.
You can expect:
A relaxed session experience
Clear communication before your session
Help with planning and preparation
A baby-led approach for newborn sessions
Gentle direction for family photos
A focus on connection over perfection
A gallery of images that feels like your family
I know parents are busy. I know getting everyone ready for photos can feel overwhelming. I know the newborn stage can feel beautiful and exhausting at the same time.
That is why I want your session to feel like a pause, not one more stressful thing on your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book newborn photos?
The best time to book your newborn session is during pregnancy, ideally in the second or early third trimester. This helps make sure there is room on the calendar around your due date.
When do newborn sessions usually happen?
Many newborn sessions happen within the first few weeks after birth, but every baby and family is different. The most important thing is creating a calm, safe experience for your baby.
What if my baby does not sleep during the session?
That is completely okay. Newborn sessions do not require your baby to sleep the entire time. Awake images, snuggles, feeding breaks, and soothing are all part of the process.
What if my kids do not cooperate during family photos?
They are children, not robots. Movement, silliness, shyness, and big feelings are normal. I gently guide the session so we can capture connection without forcing perfection.
Do you photograph families outside of New Richmond?
Yes. Alabaster Photos serves families throughout New Richmond, Hudson, River Falls, Stillwater, Somerset, Baldwin, Woodbury, and the greater St. Croix Valley area.
Final Thoughts
When I first wrote this blog, I was trying to build a dream in between the demands of motherhood.
Now, I can see how much that season taught me.
It taught me patience.
It taught me flexibility.
It taught me how quickly childhood changes.
And it taught me that the ordinary moments are often the ones we miss the most when they are gone.
That is why I do this work.
Not just to take pretty pictures.
But to help families remember the season they are in right now.
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Why Your Baby’s First Days Deserve to Be Remembered
Timeline for a Family Photo Session
Tips for Choosing a Newborn Photographer
