Christmas card season is here. Are you ready for your Christmas family photos? This guide will show you what to do (what NOT to do) when it comes to planning your Christmas outfits for your family.

What to Avoid

Before we get into what you should wear, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t wear to your family photo session. You’ll want to avoid everyone wearing the same colors (i.e. everyone wearing black). Matchy-matchy is more likely to make the photos look older in style than they actually are. Your outfits should coordinate in a way that adds to the overall look of the photos – not be generic.

Keep Your Photo Location in Mind

When thinking about what to wear, you’ll want to envision the setup of the props, colors of the trees (or lack thereof), and your family’s surroundings. For instance, if you’re heading to the Christmas tree farm, you’ll probably want to steer clear of wearing green and wear complementing colors instead, like red, navy blue, metallics, and tan. Christmas is a time of year to have fun with your wardrobe, so let’s have a little fun with it!

Pick Mom’s Outfit First

Let’s face it. Us moms are hardest on ourselves. So let’s make sure we look great before trying to plan the rest of the bunch. I always say to start with mom’s outfit and work from there because if you’re able to find a dress you love and feel great in first, chances are you can find coordinating outfits for the rest of your family members pretty easily.

I recommend a maxi dress for mom. They provide great movement for photos and they’re flattering on every body type. When in doubt, opt for a maxi dress.

Pick 2 or 3 Colors That Go Well Together

The colors you wear can help enhance or detract from the photos, no pressure or anything!

You’ll want to start by selecting two or three Christmas colors as your color palette. Think of the colors of the winter season and those classic Christmas colors. You don’t have to do the traditional red and green colors either! It’ll easily tie the family together without everyone looking too styled. When in doubt, tan is always a great neutralizing third color.

Instead of giving you vague ideas as to what works and what doesn’t, I thought I’d show you some inspiration (and even link the clothing items in my Amazon storefront directly so you can easily find them). After all, you’ve got more pressing things to do than to pick out outfits that will work together and I’m here to help! Here are a few ideas of colors that go together that are perfect for Christmas family photos.

Christmas Outfit Ideas

*Please note that as an Amazon affiliate, I earn commission from any qualifying purchases.

I hope this guide on what to wear for a Christmas family photo session helps you choose your family’s outfits and gives you some peace of mind so you can look forward to your session!

If you found this article helpful, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter.

So you’ve done it. You’ve booked your photographer for those yearly fall family photos. Then the panic sets in. What on earth do we wear for the family photos?

If this question invokes a sense of anxiety, panic, and dread – then this guide on what to wear for your family pictures is just for you!

For this round of family photo clothing ideas, we’re focusing on some ideas specifically for fall. Fall is a really popular season for photos. The weather is generally pretty mild, the colors of the leaves are changing (hopefully we get a little color here in Southeast Texas anyway), and those Christmas card photos aren’t going to take themselves. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when selecting what you’re going to wear for your family photos this fall season.

What to Avoid

Before we get into what you should wear, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t wear to your family photo session. You’ll want to avoid everyone wearing the same colors (i.e. everyone wearing black). Matchy-matchy is more likely to make the photos look older in style than they actually are. Your outfits should coordinate in a way that adds to the overall look of the photos – not be generic.

Keep Your Photo Location in Mind

When thinking about what to wear, you’ll want to envision the setup of the props, colors of the trees, and your family’s surroundings. For instance, if you’re heading to the pumpkin patch, you’ll probably want to steer clear of wearing orange and wear complementing colors instead, like tan, brown, maroon, navy, or mustard. Fall has such a great range of colors available to us, so there’s a wide array of color options we can draw from.

Pick Mom’s Outfit First

Let’s face it. Us moms are hardest on ourselves. So let’s make sure we look great before trying to plan the rest of the bunch. I always say to start with mom’s outfit and work from there because if you’re able to find a dress you love and feel great in first, chances are you can find coordinating outfits for the rest of your family members pretty easily.

I recommend a maxi dress for mom. They provide great movement for photos and they’re flattering on every body type. When in doubt, opt for a maxi dress.

Pick 2 or 3 Colors That Go Well Together

The colors you wear can help enhance or detract from the photos, no pressure or anything!

You’ll want to start by selecting two or three fall colors as your color palette. Think of the colors of fall, the colors of leaves when they change colors in the autumn season, and those warmer tones. Those fall colors are the ones you’ll want to gravitate towards. It’ll easily tie the family together without everyone looking too styled. When in doubt, tan is always a great neutralizing third color.

Instead of giving you vague ideas as to what works and what doesn’t, I thought I’d show you some inspiration (and even link the clothing items in my Amazon storefront directly so you can easily find them). After all, you’ve got more pressing things to do than to pick out outfits that will work together and I’m here to help! Here are a few ideas of colors that go together that are perfect for fall family photos.

Fall Family Outfit Ideas for Photos

Whether you’re into mustard, maroon, navy, or sage green, we’ve got all the ideas for you here on how to pick the perfect coordinating outfits for your family.

*Please note that as an Amazon affiliate, I earn commission from any qualifying purchases.

I hope this guide on what to wear for a fall family photo session helps you choose your family’s outfits and gives you some peace of mind so you can look forward to your session!

If you found this article helpful, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter.

2022 FALL MINI SESSIONS OPEN SOON!

Mark your calendars and get ready to book your Fall Mini Session when they open this coming Monday September 12th at 9pm to newsletter subscribers. If you aren’t already subscribed to the newsletter, what are you waiting for?! These mini sessions typically book very fast, and spots are extremely limited this year so I encourage you to set an alarm!

Here are the *official* mini session dates for the Fall:

• Red Truck Pumpkin Minis - Friday 9/30

• Outdoor Family Minis - Saturday 10/29

• Red Truck Holiday Minis - Saturday 11/5

• Formal Holiday Studio Minis - Sunday 11/20

Keep reading for more details on dates, locations and themes.

Red Truck Pumpkin Minis - Friday September 30th
This year I'm adding the vintage red truck to this set up!  Just imagine...the vintage red truck, lots of pumpkins, and a variety of fall colored mums...all the gorgeous fall vibes in one set up! The image above was taken a few years ago, so this year's set up will look different, but it gives you an idea. Fall clothing, halloween costumes or adorable themed jammies are welcome!  These minis are for children only.

• 10 minute sessions and 5 digital images

• $295 plus tax

Outdoor Family Minis - Saturday October 29th - Out Under the Trees Farm in Angleton, TX 

These minis are for families and will not include any holiday props...just a natural location, gorgeous evening light and your beautiful family.  Out Under the Trees is located in Angelton, TX about 40 minutes south of Pearland and offers a variety of scenery for family portraits (the greenhouse is a client the favorite!). 

• 15 minute sessions and 10 digital images 

• $495 plus tax

Red Truck Holiday Minis - Saturday November 5th
These minis are family friendly and holiday themed using our vintage 1951 red Ford truck, Ruby!  Add in a gorgeous sunset with just the right amount of holiday decor and you have the perfect classic Christmas family photo. These have historically been very popular with clients...set your alarms! 

• 15 minute sessions and 10 digital images 

• $495 plus tax

Formal Holiday Studio Minis - Sunday November 20th
These sessions are perfect for clients who prefer a more formal family portrait.  The set up this year will be similar to last year with some new Holiday touches, and will take place in my Pearland studio.  They are clean + classic and ideal for those who want to avoid the outdoor elements (bugs, rain, heat). 

• 15 minute sessions and 10 digital images 

• $495 plus tax

A few additional notes...

• Don’t forget to join the newsletter!

• If Mini Sessions aren't your thing and you prefer a more relaxed and personalized family portrait experience, I still have a few openings for full Family Portrait Sessions this fall. Send me a message soon to reserve portrait session as my fall calendar is filling quickly!
  

  Now let’s keep our fingers crossed it actually FEELS like fall when these minis actually happen! :-)

Having a baby? Congratulations! This is one of the most exciting times of your life. But it’s also one that requires the most planning, and when you’re planning their bedroom, the details matter. Presented to you courtesy of Taryn Melgoza Photography, here’s a quick rundown of ways to make your nursery safe and secure without sacrificing style or comfort.

Start With a Blank Slate

For the safest and most attractive nursery, start with a completely empty room. First, clean everything. Follow this up by painting your baby’s room in your color of choice, making sure to avoid extremely bright and bold colors that might make it difficult to sleep.

Next, inspect the room for safety and comfort. Are lamps and cords out of reach? Are there any cracks in the walls or windows, or outlets that need some attention? Get in touch with a professional handyman service to address any problems you find (making sure you check their ratings, reviews, and prices beforehand, of course).

A few other important tasks to take care of in your baby’s nursery are to install guards on the outlets and secure HVAC vents to the floor. This can help avoid electrocution and cut fingers.

The Bare Necessities

When your goals include both safety and aesthetics, a minimalist mindset is key. While there are some items you really should not do without, there are many others that have no place in your baby’s nursery. According to Overstock, a crib, bedding, changing table, dresser, and rocking chair are among the most important items for a nursery. However, what you do not need are things like a low-hanging crib mobile, a Bumbo seat, a bouncer, or a walker. Each of these items is unnecessary, expensive, and potentially dangerous.

Saving on Style

A nursery can be costly but you can easily save money without sacrificing safety or style. If you have already begun with a minimalist mindset, you're a step ahead. A few tips to shave your baby budget include:

●      Make a budget. Make a list of exactly what you need and how much you’re willing to spend on each item. Rank each in order of importance and only splurge on the top necessities. Register for more expensive items, such as the crib and baby monitor.

●      Use personalized artwork. Photos of stuffed animals, your baby's clothes, and maternity pictures look at home in any nursery.

●      Repurpose furniture you already have. While you’ll need to buy the crib new, you can use an old dresser or other accents. (Pro tip: Secure all furniture to the wall.)

●      Organize everything. The more organized you are, the less chance you run into of having to re-purchase items you already have. Plus, keeping things organized and clutter-free can work wonders on your stress and anxiety.

●      Outside the box. If space is an issue, it may be wise for a small remodel or to build an addition to accommodate a nursery. Connect with a local contractor to get an estimate. This may be an instance where you need to remortgage your home, so calculate costs to determine whether this is the best option.

Your baby’s nursery should grow with them. Starting with a blank slate and putting thought into what you are going to put into the nursery will ensure that you stay within your budget and buy only those items that enhance your little one’s health and safety. When you’re not 100-percent sure what, exactly, your nursery needs, don’t be shy about asking other mothers. There are plenty of online groups and websites that can walk you through the process.

Taryn Melgoza Photography has been doing this for over a decade now, creating beautiful, timeless portraits of your new babies and families while keeping the whole experience easy and fun. Reach out today to get started!

Have you ever seen a more beautiful family?! There is no greater compliment than when clients return year after year to have me photograph their family’s major milestones…like welcoming twins into their family! These sweet babies were a dream to work with and were very cooperative and sleepy for their session, which means I have tons of gorgeous images to share.

A fun fact that I’ve learned about photographing twin babies, they love to be posed close together and touching. I have learned that being close helps them to stay calm and settle into a peaceful sleep. When they are in the womb, they are squished together in a very small space. I believe they find comfort outside of the womb being near each other. What an amazing bond they share, even before birth!

As a pregnant woman, finding ways to build confidence and live your best life is a must. However, it can also be challenging, particularly when you’re experiencing the stresses that come with pregnancy. If you want to get on the right path, Taryn Melgoza Photography shares some tips that can help.

Find a Fitness Routine That Works for You

When you’re pregnant, your health — and the health of your baby — is a top concern. In many cases, experts recommend getting 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days, if not every day, during the week.

However, you need to choose the right fitness routine during your pregnancy, too. Usually, your first step is to speak with your doctor. They can tell you if there are any special considerations to keep in mind and can also make recommendations about suitable activities.

If working out wasn’t part of your routine before, you may want to start by walking at a moderate pace as a form of exercise. Water aerobics is another solid choice, as the water can reduce stress on joints.

Pilates or yoga classes that are designed for pregnant women are also worth considering. They require very little equipment and often focus on gentle movements.

If exercising was part of your routine before, then you can likely continue with similar activities as long as your pregnancy isn’t complicated or high-risk. However, you may have to adjust your approach as your pregnancy progresses.

Update Your Diet for Your Pregnancy

In some cases, you may need to adjust your diet during pregnancy. That way, you can maintain your and your baby’s health, keep your energy levels up, and otherwise live your best life.

As with exercise, it’s smart to speak with your doctor about your nutritional habits. They can let you know if any changes are essential. For example, there are certain foods you should avoid during pregnancy. High mercury fishshould be eliminated from your diet, as well as raw or undercooked seafood, meats, and poultry.

Raw or runny eggs are also risky, so it’s best not to eat those, as well. The same goes for unwashed fruits and vegetables, and unpasteurized foods.

While alcohol is a complete no-go, limiting caffeine is also wise. There isn’t a clear line when it comes to how much caffeine may be safe, so many doctors recommend avoiding it entirely.

Finally, you want to be cautious about herbal teas and supplements. Some herbal teas and supplements are unsafe during pregnancy, while others may be fine. As a result, you’ll want to consult with a medical professional before consuming any while pregnant.

Manage Stress, Prioritize Rest

Being pregnant puts a lot of pressure on your body’s systems, and as your baby grows, you’ll be managing a variety of emotions and physical symptoms, which is why it’s so important to make rest a priority. You’re likely going to feel a different kind of fatigue than before you were pregnant, so listen to your body. You may be unable to take naps during the day, but you can go to bed earlier, and you can implement bedtime routines that pave the way for a good night’s rest.

Reducing stress is also important, since it not only affects you but the baby too. Sleep and regular exercise can reduce stress, but consider also protecting your personal time, asking your friends and family for help, and trying to manage any work-related stress that could adversely affect your health.

Sometimes it can be helpful to consider professional help in the form of therapy when striving to minimize stress. Traveling more than is strictly necessary, however, can be challenging, especially close to term. Fortunately, a convenient appointment with an online therapist makes things easy. Instead of venturing out, you can meet with a licensed therapist in the privacy and comfort of your home. And online therapy is often less expensive than a more traditional in-person appointment.

Consider a Career Change

When you’re pregnant, it’s normal to reevaluate various aspects of your life. If you’re worried that your career doesn’t provide you with enough flexibility to raise your child the way you’d like, then it could be time to make a change.

One excellent option is to launch your own business. By starting a venture, you remain in control. As a result, you may have an easier time maintaining work-life balance, ensuring you can be an involved parent while also earning a solid income. Juggling a baby and a business will definitely be a challenge, but the autonomy that comes with being a small business owner can be well worth the effort.

Pregnancy can take a lot out of you, which is why it’s so important to make your health a priority now and after the baby arrives. Take the steps above to stay active, eat healthy, get enough rest and live the life you deserve. Reach out to Taryn Melgoza Photography to capture those precious newborn, pregnancy, and family moments.

Back to school minis have returned for the 2022 school year! The last time I did these was in 2020 when my daughter was preparing to start Kindergarten. They turned out so cute so I thought it was time to bring them back!

These are perfect your Kinder aged kiddo…but can also be used for any aged child! I will have a small desk set up similar to the photos below. Keep reading for more details!

Details: 

• Wednesday August 10th starting at 6:30pm

• $250 plus tax ($50 due at booking, $200 due the day of the session)

• 5 digital images

• 10 min sessions

• Location will be in Friendswood, TX

• Bookings will open HERE on Friday July 22 at Noon

There is no greater compliment than when a family returns to have me photograph their second baby. I was honored to photograph their first born 2 years ago when he was just a newborn…and look at him now! Can we say, ADORABLE! His smile is truly the best and his eyes have that special sparkle!

I love watching families evolve as grow they welcome additional babies into their homes. From the maternity session to their one year session, I get to see them become amazing parents and transform from a couple to a family! It’s part of the job that many don’t talk about but it’s an incredible thing to witness. I adore being a able to capture so many families’ major life milestones.

Here’s a brief look into their baby girl’s studio newborn session in our Pearland studio. Contact me today to book your due date on our calendar!

Working from home in Pearland, TX, can be challenging if you have young children. When you must make phone calls or attend virtual meetings, your children will probably vie for your attention. It can be impossible to balance a baby on your lap while typing a report. When you work at home with young children, planning your day to make the most of quiet time is essential.

Find a Career Path That Enables Working Remotely

If you liked working at home during the pandemic, consider returning to school and getting a degree in a field with options for remote work. A business degree can open doors in consulting, management, or marketing, three areas where you can excel when working at home. An online business degree program provides flexibility, especially if you enroll in asynchronous classes that don’t require you to be online during specific hours.

Schedule Around Your Child's Routines

Consider beginning your workday early while your baby or toddler is asleep. After they wake up, you can feed them and attend to their needs. Set up toys in an area of your office for a toddler to play with, with the security of knowing you're nearby. 

Schedule quality time with your child during the day. Have lunch with your little one. If they typically take an early afternoon nap, use nap time to complete work tasks. If you're caught up on work, try resting while your child naps.

Most babies and toddlers, when awake, require close supervision. Develop a backup plan with trusted people who can care for your child when you have must-do tasks.

Get Help From Family and Friends

When your work involves online meetings where interruptions can cause issues with clients or colleagues, consider arranging with family and friends to help. They can care for your children in your home while you attend your meeting. If your spouse or partner works from home, consider working mini shifts, where one supervises the children while the other works on tasks that require full engagement.

Consider a Part-time Child Care Program

You may need a childcare program. Some daycare centers in Pearland, TX may offer part-time or half-day programs. You can enroll a child in a part-time care setting if you need quiet work time several days a week. Your child will probably enjoy the company of other children while you get your work done. 

Get Organized if You Plan to Freelance

If you do contract work, getting organized is the key to success. It's easy to get so busy working that you have little time for billing. When you don’t invoice your clients, you don’t get paid. Make it easy for yourself by using premadetemplates. The best invoice template is one you can personalize with your information, logo, or brand colors. You'll convey professionalism, get paid, and have more time to address other issues.

Working at Home With Young Children Is Possible

Surveys indicate that most parents who started working from home during the pandemic want to continue. Changing careers can help you find a flexible work-from-home opportunity.

Working remotely can also help you put your family first and spend more time making memories with your children during their formative years.

Taryn Melgoza can capture those memories for lifetime enjoyment.

 In 2020, about 3.6 million babies were born in the United States. While births are joyous occasions, welcoming a child into your life can also be stressful. Overall, around 25 percent of first-time mothers go through a period of low maternal confidence, and approximately 11 percent of new fathers experience some level of anxiety during the perinatal and postpartum periods.

If you’ve recently welcomed a child, you may wonder if there are any tools that can help you maintain your footing. Luckily, there are some outstanding apps for parents out there. If you’re a first-time parent, here are five must-have apps, brought to you by photographer Taryn Melgoza.

5 Amazing Apps for First-Time Parents

1. Cozi Family Organizer

With Cozi, you can have a centralized place to track all of your family’s appointments and activities. You can make sure that everyone’s aware of upcoming doctor’s appointments or other scheduled events, keeping both parents on the same page. Plus, you can make chore and shopping lists, consolidating the information into one location to make everything simpler to monitor.

2. Glow Baby

The Glow Baby app is a tool that helps you celebrate every milestone during your baby’s first year. Along with tracking developmental milestones, it also allows you to keep up with feedings, diapers, and sleep logging. All of the information is presented using a beautiful but data-driven approach. It’s as attractive as it is informative, making it a joy to use.

As a bonus, you’ll also get parenting tips delivered to you daily. The app personalizes what it shows based on your baby’s age, health, and progress, ensuring the insights are as relevant to you as possible.

3. Sleep Baby Sleep

While sleep problems are normal with infants, that doesn’t mean parents don’t want to find solutions. Sleep Baby Sleep allows you to create white noise in a space. You get to select from several different kinds of sounds, giving you a way to find an option that best suits your baby.

Considering that one study found that 80 percent of infants fell asleep within five minutes once they heard white noise, this app could be a metaphorical lifesaver. It’s important to note that there is evidence that white noise is helpful for colic - potentially more so than swinging - making this app a solid choice for that situation, too.

4. The Wonder Weeks

With The Wonder Weeks, you have a robust tool for tracking mental development milestones. Additionally, it includes insights designed to help parents guide their babies through the various steps, ensuring they can progress through each “leap” and remain on the path toward healthy development. The app is comprehensive and user-friendly, making it easy to stay organized during this critical period in your child’s life.

5. Mommy Saver: High Contrast Baby Visual Stimulation

A baby’s vision changes significantly during the first year of life. High contrast images are easier for infants to focus on and can help their vision develop. As a result, high contrast pictures can both be engaging for babies and increase their odds of having better vision.

With Mommy Saver: High Contrast Baby Visual Stimulation, you’ll always have a collection of images available. The pictures involve a lot of black and white, as well as some bright colors. Additionally, many incorporate movements, and the app adjusts the images based on your baby’s age, promoting healthy vision development.

Bonus App: Redfin

If you need to find a larger home to support your growing family, the Redfin app makes it easy. You can use filters to narrow down the options efficiently, ensuring the results list shows only homes that meet your needs. Then, you can take video tours and use virtual walkthroughs to explore the house from the comfort of your home, making finding the right property simpler than ever before.

Becoming a parent for the first time can be totally overwhelming as well as rewarding, so look for ways — and apps! — that can help everything balance. And make sure you work with a family photographer like Taryn Melgoza to capture all of those wonderful moments before they pass!

I hope your year is off to a great start! Today is the first day my kids are all back in school (almost half way through the month), hooray! While it was a wonderful holiday break with my kiddos, I'm ready to get back into a routine and start working on my plans for this year. I used my "kid-free" time today to sit down and complete the mini session calendar for 2022. While some of these are returning from last year, a few are brand new! If you're like me and love to plan ahead, you're welcome. :-) I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect and helps you decide what sessions you're interested in. Release dates and information will always be shared on my newsletter first so make sure you subscribe here!

Announcing the 2022 Mini Sessions:

• Glitter Minis in the studio - Saturday February 5th, releasing on Monday 1/17! (more details are below)

• Motherhood Minis in the studio - Saturday April 2nd

• Beach Family Minis - Saturday May 14th

• Summertime Minis, TBD but considering baseball themed for boys floral swing for girls in June or July

• Pumpkin Patch on Ruby the Vintage Red Truck - Sunday September 25th

• Outdoor Fall Family Minis - TBD, but hoping to book Out Under the Trees in Angleton on either 10/22 or 10/29

• Red Truck Holiday Minis - Saturday November 5th

• Formal Studio Christmas Minis - Sunday November 13th

• Christmas Themed Children Minis in the studio, theme TBD (possibly Baking or Winter Wonderland), Sunday November 27th

*Glitter Mini Sessions* are baaaaaccck for 2022!

Saturday, February 5th

I'm still cleaning up the glitter from last year's event, so I say let's just do it again! These were such a hit with the kiddos last year! But *NEW for this year* I'm inviting moms to join in on the glitter fun! This is totally optional but the feedback last year was that mom clients want to play in the glitter too..! And it makes for a perfect opportunity to capture some precious playful moments with your kids!

The date is set for the afternoon of Saturday, February 5th in my Pearland studio. Sessions will release on my website next Monday January 17th at 8pm.

The total cost is $300 plus tax and includes a 15 minute session and 10 digital images. A deposit of $100 plus tax is due to hold your spot and the remaining balance of $200 plus tax is due the day of your session. These sessions can accommodate up to 4 siblings, and of course boys are welcome too!

Galleries will be delivered before Valentine's Day and wardrobe options are available for both girls and moms.

Launching Your Business While Preparing for a Baby? Discover These 5 Must-Know Tips…

Separately, starting a business and having a baby are massive life events. Combined, these undertakings are a massive achievement that few can handle at the same time. If you are one of the rare individuals who will be welcoming your new addition shortly after starting a business, planning and preparation are an absolute must. Having a plan for everything from childcare, to your baby’s sleep schedule, to your postpartum work hours is crucial for success.   

Taryn Melgoza shares five valuable tips for any soon-to-be parent who is about to launch their new small business.

Handle all important business tasks prior to baby’s arrival

As you prepare for baby with a maternity photo session, baby shower, and nursery decor, you should also start focusing on critical tasks that need to be completed before opening your company. It will be far more challenging to do things such as file for a business license, obtain your sales tax permit, set up a website, and create your product/service menu once your newborn arrives.

Among these core business tasks is applying for an EIN (Employer Identification Number). An EIN is also known as a Tax ID Number. If you’re wondering “what is an EIN number?”, you are not alone. Many new business owners are unaware that — even if they do not employ anyone yet — having an Employer Identification Number is important. The primary reason for obtaining an EIN is to more easily identify your business in various situations. This number also makes it easier to file state and federal taxes. 

Establish dates for maternity leave and for your return

Business owners have the benefit of making their own schedules. Although this is a perk most of the time, it can prove to be difficult when going on maternity leave. Since all time off is unpaid, deciding how much time to allot for maternity leave is not as easy as when you are employed by a company. Complicating this even further is the fact that your business is brand new. 

 Right now, establish dates for your maternity leave, and a set schedule for when you return. What works best for you will depend largely on your individual circumstances. Factor in everything from your budget to your physical needs (and the needs of your baby). There is no right or wrong answer when setting a timeline and schedule that works for you.

 Decide childcare arrangements in advance

Childcare is another area that will look different for every business owner. Depending on what type of business you run, you may be able to care for your baby while running your company from home. Alternatively, you might need to find daycare services (either outside of the home or with a friend//family member) so that you can show up in person.

After setting your maternity leave schedule and your plan to return to work, research childcare options that suit your needs.

Consider outsourcing tasks while away from your business

Don’t want your business to come to a halt for the duration of your maternity leave? Outsource daily duties to a variety of professionals. Find freelancers to take care of customer service, order fulfillment, IT support, and every other need you have. You can also ask friends or family members to step in and run the organization while you are on leave. Keeping the momentum going for a new business is crucial, so outsourcing is vital.

Be kind and gentle with yourself

Remember how few individuals are brave enough to take on parenting a newborn and starting a business at the same time? That’s because juggling both duties is tough. There will be periods that are more challenging than others, and that is ok. At all stages, be kind and gentle with yourself. Praise your efforts and acknowledge how much work you’ve put into being an amazing entrepreneur and parent.

On top of these suggestions, allow time for self-care. Taking care of yourself helps you be the best business owner and parent that you can be.

Taryn Melgoza captures stunning images of pregnancy, newborns, children, and families in the Houston area. Preserve memories that will last a lifetime by scheduling your photo session today.

First birthdays are such a huge milestone in your baby and family’s lives! It’s still unbelievable to me how much babies grow and change during the first year of life. They’ve learned so much, developed into little people with personalities and opinions, and have started to explore the world around them. It’s all so exciting and beautiful to watch! And as parents, you’ve survived birth, the sleepless nights, the mood swings, the growth spurts, all the first moments and milestones of wonder and joy…you deserve an award!

This first birthday milestone deserves to be documented as a big moment in your baby’s life! To help you preserve these memories, we are excited to be offering a new session type in the studio. These sessions will be photographed by my amazing associate photographer, Katie!

A Petite Cake Smash session will take place in our Pearland studio and will generally last 30 minutes. Since this is a shorter session, the focus will be on baby only and will include one set up with an optional cake smash at the end of the session. This Petite session option is $399 and is all-inclusive of the session time and 15 fully edited digital images.

Petite Birthday sessions include our amazing personalized care; access to our carefully curated client wardrobe and accessories; a skilled, trained photographer with over 10 years of experience; use of our adorable studio and props; and heart warming photographs that you will cherish forever.

If you’d like more information or to discuss date options, please contact us today to start the conversations!

We can’t wait to see your sweet babies in the studio soon!

Can we all agree, babies that look like this demand to be snuggled and kissed multiple times a day?! Don’t worry, I didn’t personally kiss him (although sometimes it feels like a natural reaction when I’m holding a newborn and I have to tell myself - THIS IS NOT YOUR BABY, lol)…I know his mommy gives him plenty of love and snuggles because she is head over heels for him! This family was a new Baby Planner client in 2020 (meaning they will be coming back for their baby’s milestone sessions every few months) and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know them and become friends with them this year! We connected on all sorts of things, like home-building, raising kids, shopping, hair stuff (blonde highlight issues), etc. It’s awesome when you get to call your clients FRIENDS. Just another reason I love my job! I hope you enjoy this peek in little man Decker’s newborn session.

I’ve been trying to catchup on blog posts from 2020, but let’s be honest, it’s going to take me a while with as busy and crazy as this year has been! This sweet girl will be visiting me in the studio soon for her sitting milestone baby portraits, so I thought it was finally time to blog her beautiful newborn session from earlier this year. This family is so special to me as I also photographed big sisters’ first year baby photos. This essentially means I watched her grow up in front of my camera, and now I will get to watch as baby sister grows over her first year! One of my favorite memories from this session was how excited big sister was about her new baby sister. She was so sweet and gentle with her…I know they will have an unbreakable sibling bond as they grow up! Welcome to the world baby Carolina!

Look at this cutie pie birthday boy! I have been photographing his family since he was was just a tiny little peanut in his mommy’s belly. His mommy booked me for the very popular Milestone Baby Collection that includes 4 sessions throughout baby’s first year, so I feel like I’ve watched this sweet little guy grow up in front of my camera! We did his birthday session at one of my favorite park locations in Houston…many people refer to this park as the one with the cute door. This park has so much character and makes the perfect setting to photograph a family and birthday boy. And of course, we ended the session with a delicious and messy cake smash. Happy 1st birthday Wyatt!!

One of my best friends in the world had her first baby last year! I was lucky to get to photograph that precious little guy and his parents in their gorgeous Houston home just a few weeks after his birth. I’ve known Sarah since our high school cheerleading days and then we went on to be college roommates at A&M and lifelong friends (and funny story - I’ve known Jarrett for years from our triathlon days but before they ever started dating!). Sarah and I have so many fun memories together, but nothing is more special or memorable than getting to see her become a mommy! As you can see, she has impeccable taste in home decor and her little family happens to be beautiful and super photogenic, which easily makes this one of my favorite lifestyle newborn sessions EVER. They made my job so easy. Brady the Golden Retriever needs his own shout out because look at him! Such a handsome pup and best big brother! J&S I am so happy for your growing family and was grateful to have the opportunity to document this wonderful and new time in your lives! Welcome to the world baby Reid!

I’ve known this family for many years. I photographed their maternity photos before they had their daughter and was honored to photograph them again for baby #2….a BOY! I’m also lucky enough to call them friends! We photographed this session on their family ranch in Angleton. It was so dreamy with a pond on site, gorgeous trees, and lots of livestock to keep us company. I always love the way Margie styles her sessions from their gorgeous dresses to her boho inspired hair style. The session was just perfection!

I love photographing families and always aim to make them look fun and natural! My goal is to capture both posed (everyone looking at smiling at the camera) and natural+connected, candid+playful images of your family. The natural images are the ones I always seem to choose to hang on my own walls at home..just us being ourselves and loving on each other (but with prettier clothing and nice hair and make-up!). The key to taking genuine and authentic family photos is knowing how to pose clients in a way that makes them look their best while having fun. Part of my job as your photographer is to coach your family into poses that both look beautiful and feel natural.

If you’ve never taken professional family photos before or if you simply want to improve on your last session, here are my my favorite suggestions on how to pose that will leave you with beautiful family portraits.

Get Close

The last thing you want is a family portrait that looks stiff and awkward. The secret to creating a beautiful, intimate family photo is to get close. Snuggle up with the people you love if you want the best photos. If there are people of varying heights in the photo, take a few photos on the same level so that you can get your heads close together too.

Have Fun

Your photos always look more authentic when your family is genuinely having fun and laughing. Spend time talking about your favorite vacation or a memory that makes you all laugh out loud. These candid moments always make for the best photos.

Keep it Natural

When you overthink posing, it takes away from the genuineness of your photos, which is why it helps to shoot your family photos in a setting where you’re all comfortable and where you can go about your lives as naturally as possible. For example, if you’re in an outdoor setting, take your little one for a walk. If you’re shooting at home, bake something together or snuggle up for a story. 

Use Your Surroundings

Very often, standing upright in the middle of a room or garden will make your photos look and feel stiff. Use your surroundings to make yourselves more comfortable. For example, if there’s a wall in the vicinity, lean up against it. If there’s a couch available, pose on that for a few shots.

Make Use of Props

If you would like to change things up a bit or give a younger child something to do, you can also always incorporate a few basic props into your photos to get a few non-standard shots. 

If you still have questions about your upcoming photo shoot with us and how to make the most of it, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you with additional tips. 

Y’all, this family has been with me for years…they were one of my very first clients when I first started my business when their oldest daughter was just 6 months old. I adore them more than words can express. They are always styled so well, EASY, happy, and just a dream to photograph. I look forward to their sessions every year because their sweet girls are so much fun and photogenic. I can’t say enough good things about them, I just love them!

We did their family portrait session at my favorite beach location south of Houston and the evening light was incredible. The sunset creates the most beautiful purple and pink backdrop over the water, which blended perfectly with their outfits. The beach also happened to be mostly empty this evening, so that meant I didn’t have to edit out anyone in the background….a big win for me! I can’t wait to see their family again later this ear!