Houston, Katy, Fulshear Texas newborn, maternity, and family portrait photographer.
Category: Portraits
Whether you’re looking for professional headshots, family portraits, or individual portraits, MJ Photography is here to capture your personality and essence. Book your portrait session today and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
The time that I choose to photograph a majority of my clients is the hour before sunset, the golden hour. I live for those dreamy, sun hazed filled images. I joke that I want to be ” One with the Sun” when I am photographing, but seriously, I do. The lighting is the #1 thing that I focus on when choosing when and where we will hold your session.
Are there any exceptions? Sure there are. If it is cloudy, the area is heavily shaded, or we are shooting indoors (mostly newborns and sitters).
Will you really turn down a shoot because someone wants their session at noon? I will. I want your pictures to be amazing, if they are taken at noon, I know that the lighting will not be there. I will not chance it. If you are paying for professional portraits, it is an investment and it is memories, I want them to be worthy of hanging on your walls for years to come.
Below I will show you some photos taken in Katy, Texas during the Golden hour. I will also upload one that I did a while back, before I stuck to my Golden hour rule.
A common question I get a lot is how old is too old for newborn photos? Honestly you’ll get a million different answers from every photographer.
Newborn pictures are typically taken within the first two weeks of a baby’s life, but some photographers may consider babies up to six weeks old as “newborns” for the purpose of a photo session.
However, it is important to see that the older the baby, the less likely they are to sleep through the session and pose in the curly, womb-like positions that are characteristic of newborn photography.
That being said, there is no hard and fast rule about the latest age for newborn pictures, as every photographer has their own approach and style.
Photographers typically prefer to take pictures of newborns within the first two weeks of their life because during this time, babies are more likely to sleep for long periods of time and be more cooperative during the photo session.
Also, their bodies are more flexible and they can be easily posed in the curly positions that are characteristic of newborn photography. As babies grow older, they become more alert and active, making it difficult to capture those peaceful, sleeping shots.
Will I turn you away if your baby is older than 2-3 weeks? NOOOOOOO. I will do your newborn photos at any age. I have done newborn photos at 3 months old! Bring me your baby, I’ll capture them beautifully.
Want to see some more newborn photos? Or Maternity photos? Click here!
Do you have a studio or shoot in the clients home? – Newborn photographer Katy tx
I get this question almost every phone call. Studio or in home? There are big differences between a studio newborn session and an in home newborn session.
Let’s talk them through.
Studio newborn sessions are done in a professional studio. It will already be set up fully by the time you arrive. There will be newborn prop beds, baskets, wraps, and more. Professional solid backgrounds will be used for your family portraits. Here are some examples of a studio session. Newborn photographer Katy tx
This newborn bed is specifically made for newborn portraits. It’s the right size to capture their first moments.
At your consultation, before your session, we will go over the specific colors that you are wanting for your newborn baby’s session. Usually this is to match the nursery, that way when you order custom wall art for your nursery, it matches perfectly.
Neutrals are always a win for your newborn session because they match almost any room. We will do a variety of poses to make sure we capture the perfect portrait for your decor.
Now a in home newborn session is more of a lifestyle session. This means we will capture your newborn in their nursery, in the rocking chair, on your bed, and more. These are more natural daily poses, versus posed in studio. It depends on your style and what you are wanting.
Most clients want to order a custom album for their newborn session. This is one of the best ways to display and enjoy your precious baby’s very first portraits.
Whether we do in home baby photos or posed newborn photos, I will make sure to capture your baby just how you image. At the end of your experience you will have gorgeous photos of your new baby and either prints or a beautiful big album to share with your friends and family.
When should you book your newborn session? Every photographer is different for this, but ideally you should book during your first or second trimester. This makes sure the photographer has your due date available! Most photographers only book a certain amount of newborns a month, make sure you are in there!
The best time to book your newborn photos is when you are around 20 weeks along. You will want to photograph your baby when they are between 5-17 days.
Really? Book your newborn photos while you are still pregnant?
Yes! Here’s why. Most photographers only accept a certain amount of newborn clients per month. This ensures that we are able to capture each newborn within the 2 ish weeks that is best for photos. You really want to capture your newborn baby while they are 17 days are less.
But isn’t my baby still a newborn at 2 months old?
In the real world yes. Yes they are. But in photography world, newborn photoshoots are done within 2-3 weeks. This is because after two weeks of age, babies start waking up more and are less posable. Simply put, babies 2 weeks or under sleep a lot more and squish into poses better.
So if I forget to book within the first two weeks, is it too late for a newborn session?
No. While it is preferred that you bring your baby for their session in studio while they are under the 2ish weeks, it is not mandatory. Some photographers will turn you away, but others like me will gladly still take your little one in studio and capture them. All poses are not guaranteed, and you have more awake shots than asleep, but it is definitely still possible!
It is never too early to book your newborn photographer. I have had clients book me at 7 weeks along! They know they want their baby’s photos done by me and wanted to ensure that I would have an opening for them. So as soon as you know which newborn photographer that you want to use, book them to be safe!
You are looking to book a newborn session for your baby. How do you pick? How do you book your session? How old should your baby be? Do you need all of the props? Here are the top questions I get about booking a newborn photographer Katy
Let me help you by answering the top questions I get as a newborn photographer in Katy.
When should I book my newborn session?
How old should my baby be for their newborn session?
Can I bring my other kids and do family images as well?
Do you have a studio or shoot in the clients home?
Do you provide all of the outfits and props or do I need to bring them?
Are you trained on photographing newborns? Are you new?
How long does a newborn session typically last?
What if my baby needs to nurse or feed during the session?
Do you have a time limit on your sessions?
What is the latest age for newborn pictures?
*When should you book your newborn session? Every photographer is different for this, but ideally you should book during your first or second trimester. This makes sure the photographer has your due date available! Most photographers only book a certain amount of newborns a month, make sure you are in there!
*What age should your baby be for their newborn session? Newborns should be between age 5-14 days old for their newborn session. Why? Because this is the time frame where they are the most sleepy and posable. They are still used to being inside your stomach, so they fold up really well. After two weeks, most babies start being alert and having more wake times
*Can I bring my other kids and do family images as well? Every photographer is different, so make sure you ask this question. For me, the price is exactly the same whether you photograph just your newborn or if you include your whole family. I even provide hair and makeup for mom at no additional cost.
*Do you have a studio or shoot in the clients home? I have an in home studio where I shoot all of my newborn sessions. I do travel to clients home upon request for an additional travel fee. Why? It takes over an hour just to load the car with all of the equipment and props! Whew!
*Do you provide all of the outfits and props or do I need to bring them? I provide all of the newborn props for my sessions. I have bonnets for boys and girls, rompers, outfits, bows, crates, bowls, wreaths, tiny baby beds, and more! I even have the gowns and dresses for momma and sister!
*Are you trained on photographing newborns? Are you new? This is a good question to ask! If you have a low budget, you’ll have to use someone that is just starting out. But you want to make sure that they know how to handle newborn babies! You do not want to just hand your precious newborn over to anyone. I am not new, I have been photographing newborns since 2015. I am trained by other photographers to pose and handle newborns in a safe way.
Take this pose for example. If a new photographer saw this, they would think the baby is sitting up unsupported. That is not the case. The baby is in a little hole in the rug and the baby has a little neck brace support under the wrap. Additionally by hand is right outside the frame just in case he were to startle. This is safe if shot properly, but can be VERY unsafe if not done correctly.
*How long does a newborn session typically last? My sessions average around 2.5-3 hours long. This includes family and sibling portraits. I do not time my sessions. Meaning, if your little one takes longer (due to feeding or needing additional time being settled) then we will simply take longer. I will never cut your session time off.
*What if my baby needs to nurse or feed during the session? I can guarantee you that they will! Most babies need to break the session up and nurse or feed for a bit. That is totally fine. If someone tries to push through your newborn session and not feed your baby, they are more worried about their time and not your baby. Do not let that happen! Your baby calls the cues.
Newborn photographer Katy
*Do you have a time limit on your sessions? This is a great question to ask your photographer. Most newborns take around 2.5-3 hours long, but some of mine have taken up to 5 hours! On the other hand I have had some done in just an hour. I do not time my sessions because I do not know how your baby will be during the session. I do not want you or your little one stressed out. Make sure you ask your photographer this! What happens if my baby cries and we cannot get the shots within your time frame? They need to have a back up plan for you.
*What is the latest age for newborn pictures? I have photographed newborns up to 3 months old. This is not ideal, but it is possible. A photographer should never turn you away because your baby is to old. The session will last a lot longer, simply because it is harder to get them asleep between each pose. But it is not impossible!
Which do you like? Color or black and white photography? I think with this specific portrait, I love the black and white! It looks so classic.
They did their Christmas cards in black and white this year and I love them so much! Such a unique idea.
Isn’t it perfect? So classy!
Family portrait studio photography
If you want a more classic, traditional look, studio photography is for you. There are two locations for studio portraits. One is in Jordan Ranch, near Fulshear and Katy Texas. The other location for studio photography is downtown Houston. Whether you are in Richmond, Katy, Fulshear, or West University, River Oaks, and the Heights, we will shoot near you!
Outdoor photography is an option as well! I specialize in both types of portraits.
MJ’s Photography is a Fulshear outdoor family photographer
When your adult children come to visit, you have to capture you guys all together! These times are not as often as they used to be, so make it count. Let MJ capture your full family together, in studio or outdoor.
Momma with her two babies. They may be grown and out of the house, but that doesn’t mean you can’t capture you with them. Look how sweet they are together. Fulshear outdoor family photographer
Dad and his son. Who is now taller than him! When your kids grow up, its important to capture these fleeting moments. Houston photographer near Katy.
Sibling portrait! Look how perfect they are together! I love capturing them all together. In Fulshear, we have very few fall trees, but I found a couple and we made it beautiful! I love the colors going on in the fall here! (even though they aren’t like the north lol!)
It’s so important to capture mom and dad together! A lot of times, mom and dad haven’t been captured together, as a couple, since their wedding! Which was the case here. So I made sure to capture them together. They are so wonderful together.
I adore this one so much! From the tree, to the yellow tree, to their adorable kiss. I hope they hang this one up on the wall and see it forever!
MJ’s Photography does Large family portraits in Katy
I love doing extended family sessions. It’s hard to capture everyone together with crazy schedules these days. But certain holidays make it possible and I try my best to be available.
Most clients from large family sessions, want to do a wall piece for their home! Creating these is so amazing and important and I make sure every detail is correct. From the medium it is printed on, to the frame that surrounds it. It will be absolutely magical.
Christmas and Thanksgiving time frames are perfect times to get your Large family portraits in Katy done!
Look how perfect Grandma and grandpa are with their grandbabies! I love taking these. They are so important to capture.
Mom and dad with their grown up babies!
I love this one so much! Everyone laughing all together! This was the day after Thanksgiving. Getting all of the extended family together was captured! Do you live in Katy or in the Houston area? Let’s book your extended family portraits!
Look at them together! Married for 50 years. How amazing is that. They are so wonderful together. Did you know he is my Santa for my sessions during the holidays? He is the best!
Want to book yours? Check out my website for more information.
Want to see more family sessions on the blog? Here you go!
Are you looking for a fun Santa Experience where you get amazing portraits of your family? MJ does just that! You get 25 minutes with Santa while capturing your portraits. We do a mixture of candid portaits as well as posed.
Each year we invest in a new scene for your Santa portraits. That way you can keep coming back year after year to capture your babies with Santa.
From newborns to 18 year old, your kiddos are never to small for Santa!
Some years we do outdoors, others we do indoor! There are limited slots to these Santa Experience portraits. Each year they are released in August.
We offer Santa albums, ornaments, acrylic blocks, wall art, and more!
Katy Texas Santa Portraits
Albums are such a fun way to relive your Santa Experience each year! Your little one will love looking through these every year.
MJ’s Photographer is a Katy’s newborn photographer.
Capturing the Magic: How the Right Newborn Photographer Can Make All the Difference
Welcoming a new bundle of joy into the world is a magical experience for every single parent, and preserving those precious moments is a priority.
However, finding the right newborn photographer can make all the difference in capturing these special moments.
With the help of a skilled and experienced photographer, you can ensure that every little detail is captured, from the tiny fingers to the little toes.
If you want to treasure these memories for years to come, invest in the services of the right newborn photographer and let ME work my magic.
Here are some things to look for!
Katy’s newborn photographer – FIND A PROFESSIONAL
You don’t want to trust your new baby to just anyone. Here are a few things to look for and ask about that show you you’ll be in good hands:
they show that they handle a baby safely
they’ve been published on a website or in a magazine
ask how long they’ve been in business, what their background is and what type of education they have
When to book?
Most of your session time will be spent feeding and relaxing your sleepy baby. I will be working with your little one to pose them delicately and make sure they not only look but feel comfortable in these adorable poses made to show off their newborn features.
