Welcoming your new baby into your family is one of the best transformative seasons, or simply watching those babies grow and change over the years before your eyes is so bittersweet. So here’s your guide to maternity, newborn, & family photos in Nashville.
With the beauty of this chapter also comes a thousand to-dos, and choosing a photographer you trust shouldn’t add to the overwhelm. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or updating your family portraits, this guide was created to help you confidently plan a photography experience that feels elevated, effortless, and entirely personal.
Why Choosing the Right Photographer in Nashville Matters
Nashville offers no shortage of photographers, but few specialize in creating a full-service experience rooted in timelessness and an elevated, but still simple, experience. From wardrobe and beauty to heirloom artwork, every detail should feel intentional. Your photographer isn’t just someone taking pictures; they’re the one helping you preserve your family’s legacy.
When to Schedule Each Session
Maternity Photography: 28–34 Weeks
This window offers the perfect balance of a visible bump and relative comfort. You’ll want to schedule your maternity session for during this time to avoid last-minute stress and ensure availability. Past this window? I try really hard to save a couple last minute openings on my calendar each month because, well, life happens and I understand that, so flexibility is the name of the game.
Newborn Sessions: 7–21 Days Old
The sleepy, curled-up stage typically lasts through the first few weeks. Reserving your newborn session (due date on my list for the month) early allows us to make sure you’ll have a spot no matter when your baby arrives. That said, with the way I photograph newborns more naturally and baby led, if you’ve missed this window and are feeling like you want a session like this, please reach out. I’m happy to photograph your baby at ANY age. Does a young baby typically make for a tinier, sleepier baby? Sure. But I’ve had 10 day olds who are wide awake and 4 week olds who slept from start to finish, so as always, every baby is unique.
Milestone Sessions: 6 Months, 1 Year & Beyond (Regular Family Sessions)
These sessions record those first smiles, new personalities, and those wobbly first steps. Many families choose a Collective Membership to document a baby’s first year, which allows for a savings on your fees and to do up to any 4 sessions, of course choice over up to 18 months. Popular options are maternity, newborn, 6 months, and 1 year, or newborn, 3-4 months, 7-8 months, and year, or newborn, 6 months, 1 year, and 18 months. You could also use your membership to have a couple family sessions each year as your babies grow, but are out of their first year already.
What to Expect from a Session with Jenny Cruger Photography
I believe in keeping the focus on your connection and making it easy for you to just show up and not worry about the little details (I’ll take that off your plate). With access to a curated client wardrobe that was built starting back in 2013, professional hair and makeup, and a refined, private studio space in downtown Franklin, the experience is designed to feel effortless and elevated.
After your session, I’ll guide you through selecting your favorite images and designing heirloom artwork, with your choice of in person together or an online gallery privately for yourself, so your memories don’t just live on your phone, but on your walls & in your hands. (Don’t worry, digital images are absolutely available and I want you to have those as well, in fact, most clients end up getting their full gallery of digital images completely complimentary).
What to Wear for Maternity, Newborn & Family Photos
I’m happy to style every detail for you and be as involved or hands off as you’d like. With a studio wardrobe of elevated, size-inclusive pieces (hundreds of dresses for moms, tops for dads, and hundreds of pieces for babies and children) and easy styling support, you won’t have to worry about what photographs well. I lean into soft neutrals, subtle textures and florals, and timeless silhouettes that never go out of style and offering a comfortable and flattering fit for when we are sometimes, as women, at our most vulnerable times with our bodies. I get it, and I’ve got you.
Nashville’s Best Locations for Family Photography
While my studio offers beautiful natural light and quiet simplicity, outdoor sessions are also available in carefully selected & permitted spots nearby. Thinking of an in home session? If you’d like to incorporate your home design or nursery and prefer a more lifestyle, unposed feel, in-home sessions are available for your newborn session. I highly recommend spaces with great natural light for a consistent look you love here on my website.
Locations: private downtown Franklin studio, golden hour field, your family’s home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in a session?
Single and Collective Membership sessions includes access to the wardrobe for your entire family, hair and makeup recs, styling support, and artwork design services. Digital images and/or prints are purchased after the session. (with many clients earning their digital images complimentary.)
Can I do both studio and in-home sessions?
Yes. In-home sessions are ideal for those wanting a more lifestyle, personal feel – perfect for incorporating your nursery or meaningful spaces. Some clients will do an in home newborn session, a studio session for 6 months and a golden hour field session for family at one year or beyond.
Do you offer multi-session packages?
Yes. The Collective Membership is my most popular offering, allowing you to document four sessions of choices over up to 18 months.
My partner and/or kids absolutely hate family photos – help me!
I totally get it, that’s why I’m on the other side of the camera… But really, I do get it. This is typically not their favorite day and the best compliment I get from nearly all of my dads, especially, is “We are done already? Wow that wasn’t so bad at all”. I promise to be as efficient and pain free as possible for all. I’m also a toddler whisperer and always get them on my team cooperating and having fun. You don’t need to worry about any of it while we are together.
How long does it take to receive our images or artwork?
Digital images are ready typically within 1-2 weeks of your session and your artwork is custom designed and professionally produced, typically delivered within 4–6 weeks.
SEE PRICING DETAILS & FULL FAQ HERE
Real Client Experiences
“I never thought I’d love photos of myself this much. Jenny made the entire experience feel calm, beautiful, and easy. Our family will treasure these forever.” – A.
“From the wardrobe to the final album, every detail was taken care of. This was more than a session, it was an experience.” – K.
See some of my favorite sessions:
studio maternity session
field maternity/family session
studio newborn session
in home newborn session
field family session
one year session
How to Reserve Your Nashville Photography Experience
Because this is a full service, custom experience for my clients, I accept a limited number of sessions each month to ensure every client receives an intentional, elevated experience. While I do try to keep some last minute openings, it’s never too early to reserve your ideal session date or due date and I would love to chat more with you to see if we are a good fit for each other.
Contact me HERE.
xo,
Jenny
Hi! I’m so thankful you are checking out my work here at my website and blog. A little more about my studio… I have a full, size inclusive, studio wardrobe, with of over 200 dresses and robes for moms (size 0 – 26) from my favorite places like some of the clothing above along with hundreds of choices for babies, children, and shirts for men. Hair and makeup is also available before your session to make your session as simple and stress free as possible. All you need to do is arrive and snuggle your baby.
Your ultimate guide to maternity, newborn, and family photos in Nashville – For parents looking for an effortless & elevated experience.
If you love these photos, and you are looking for a Nashville area maternity, newborn, or family photographer I would love to begin planning your session. With 15 years of specializing in my favorite ages of tiny humans, maternity, newborn, and young families and I would love to photograph your family. To see more of my maternity & newborn & family portfolio please click over here and get in touch if this is something you would love for your family.
Wondering what full sessions look like? I would be happy to show you what an entire gallery looks like while this blog space receives new posts, including older sessions mixed among new session sneak peeks. I feel strongly that potential clients are able to see many full galleries of real sessions so you know exactly what to expect from your portraits as well! If you are interested in a custom portrait session with Jenny Cruger Photography and would like more information, please click here to learn more about me and this experience.
I’m currently reserving all sessions into all 2025. If you would like to reserve your Nashville area photos, in my downtown Franklin studio, field, or your home, on my calendar I would love for you to contact me today.
