Sweet • intimate • timeless

The Newborn Experience

Remember when you were still in school and the busy nights of cramming before a final felt like they would never end? But then they did somehow, in the snap of a finger?
Having a newborn is a little like that. The days and nights feel both long AND yet paradoxically short. But unlike your Chemistry (insert your worst college subject) final, these are moments you definitely want to remember years down the line.  Moments you can share in photos with baby when he/she is grown up.
That's where I come in.  From when you click to "say hello" down below, to when you bring your bundle of joy home, I am here to curate the sweet moments you want to remember of baby, so when you look back on these early days, instead of getting flashbacks like a veteran from 'Nam, you can't help but smile.

A baby makes love stronger, the days shorter, the nights longer, savings smaller, and a home happier.

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Your experience all starts with you filling out the contact form down below to get started! For newborns, I recommend contacting me while you are still pregnant, ideally before 25 weeks (yes, that early!)

You will get an email from me soon after to talk about newborn photoshoot options or for me to answer any questions you may have about this whole process!

We can then book a quick 15 minute phone call to talk about the details of your photoshoot. Or if you'd rather just email or chat or book on the spot, that is ok too! Whatever works with your busy schedule!

1. Say Hello

Once we figure out whether you will be getting newborn photos done at home, at a studio, or the great outdoors we will then book a tentative photoshoot date. It will usually be within 1-2 weeks of your expected due date. That is one reason why I recommend booking early with me for newborn shoots because I take on a limited number of them a month to allow a little bit of wiggle room if baby comes early or late.

A contract will need to be signed and a non-refundable retainer paid, and then you are officially in the books!

2. Officially book!

During the weeks leading up to the photoshoot I will help look over any outfit choices you may be considering and we will either book the studio or figure out what room we will be shooting in at your home. 

I also will send over a questionnaire to help me better get to know you and your needs, and then we will wait for baby to arrive!

Once you have given birth, I will have you send me a text on baby's status, and the date for the photoshoot will be finalized.

3. Planning it

You're now a proud mama of a little baby. Congrats! 

If you have a home shoot, I will be coming over to set up your home and clean up any distracting items from the photoshoot location. I will bring some wraps and outfits for you to use as you'd like, and you can feel free to have your own unique items for the photoshoot also.

We will gather up the family for photos once baby is happy and asleep, and I'll take care of the rest! Just follow my lead!

4. Your Photoshoot

About 1-2 months later, your photos will be ready for you to download from a link. If you need some photos or all of them sooner, I have options for this!

Newborn photos are really special because by the time your gallery arrives, your newborn will already be looking different than you may have remembered.  That's EXACTLY why we take these photos because in your sleepy daze of early motherhood, you will want to be able to look back and remember those early days.

It is during that time when you will have the opportunity to purchase more than your base set of photos and any prints and albums. And get ready, because most people do!

5. Your Photographs

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The Newborn Process

Say Hello »

AVERAGE INVESTMENT $1200-2400+

newborn PHOTOSHOOTS STARTING FROM $890

Photoshoots are on average 1-2.5 hours long

Packages include 8-45+ photos

Investment includes a photoshoot for five family members

Photoshoots within Orange County are included, travel fee may apply to locations out of OC.

Artwork (like prints and albums) are purchased separately

Special discount applied if bundled with Maternity Photoshoot

The Investment Details

Every detail felt intentional and handled with care. We’re absolutely in love with the final images and will treasure them forever.

Newborn Session

Farnaz

The photos turned out absolutely beautiful — exactly what my husband and I had envisioned. She captured such a special time in our lives perfectly.

Maternity Session

Georgina

In addition to being new parents, we have demanding careers so having Melanie take the lead and be attentive to all the details was incredibly invaluable. We were only able to relinquish the details to Melanie because her talent, vision, and expertise is extraordinary! We are IN LOVE with all our photos! They turned out better than we could’ve imagined.

Family Session

KElly

We are from Arcadia CA and to drive down to Irvine just for her, I'd do it all over again. (Mind you it's two hours of traffic)
DONT WALK RUN NOW to book an appointment.

Family Session

vivian

Our session might have been a disaster if she didn’t come to the rescue. Both my 2 year old and 4 year old had meltdowns (at the same time!) but that didn’t bother her. Somehow she got them to cooperate, made it work and captured some amazing moments!

Family Session

Tuyen

Her photos speak for themselves (just perfectly light and airy) but the BTS experience makes it 10/10. We never met prior to our shoot but she’s so warm and friendly, it felt like we were friends. 

Newborn Session

Abby

I loved her work, so when we found out we were pregnant, I knew Melanie would be our maternity and newborn photographer. 

Maternity session

Vanseka & Alan

Newborn Session

Andrea

 It definitely takes someone special to have the talent, the eye, and the ability to do what she does as well as she does.

She’s not the least expensive option out there but you get what you pay for and we’re really glad we went with Melanie.


We are grateful for her patience and unique eye to capture our newest addition to the family. Don’t hesitate to contact her, you won’t be disappointed!

NEwborn Session

Wendy

She is so thorough and very easy to communicate with.

Melanie walked us through every step of the way including helping us choose and coordinate our clothing, bringing some beautiful gowns of her own for me to wear, to sending us the most detailed list of locations along with pros/cons of each.

Maternity Session

Tiffany

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Safe Newborn Sessions:
N95 Masked & 4x Covid vaccinated & Annual Flu shots

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Note: Portrait packages start at $790
(Average Investment is $1100-2000+)

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