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duck pond mini sessions | anne arundel county photographer with studio

Click here to book your Duck Pond Session

I’m just absolutely in love with this painted scene.  The wooden dock, boulders, cattails and fishing pole feel like they live along the waters of the Chesapeake. This set is perfect for babies and children from birth through preschool – we had our cat model the set as it makes a great choice for small-medium pets too! 

dino encounters | pasadena, md mini session

 – $99 session fee – Perfect for babies sitting unassisted to age 5/6

– 15 minute session

– Price includes 3 images for digital download.

The full gallery will be available for you to choose from and purchase additional images.

– Sessions take place at Heartlove Photography Studio in Pasadena, MD

– Once your session is booked, please check your email for the next steps!

Click here to book a Dino Encounter

Motherhood Mini Sessions

Motherhood Sessions Are Here!

🌹 Pasadena, MD

🌸 Mommy & Me / Pregnancy / Couples / Branding / Kids + Families

🌷 May 2022

🌺 Packages starting at $150

 

We’ve got an incredible room of floating florals and we cannot wait to host these sessions throughout May. Sessions last 15 minutes and include use of studio wardrobe. You don’t have to be a mom for these – if you’re looking for bright and colorful portraits, this is for you!

Package 1 includes your choice of 3 images

Book Package 1

Package 2 includes your choice of 10 images

Book Package 2

Package 3 includes all 20 images

Book Package 3

FAQ

 

Who is this for? Mother’s Day is coming up and this is a great opportunity for a gift to the mom in your life to have updated portraits with or of their children and grandchildren – but you don’t have to be a mother or be celebrating Mother’s Day to join us.  If you love this colorful, floral set – you’re invited.

 

We think it’s the perfect fit for parents with babies in their arms and big kids who can walk carefully through the hanging flowers but you should know toddlers (generally 12months-3 years) might not have fun on a set where they are asked to be careful.  Look out for another event that will best match that stage. 

 

What stage of pregnancy is best for portraits? I suggest scheduling between 22-34 weeks but whenever you’re ready is the perfect time.

 

What’s in the studio wardrobe? Gowns and dresses to fit children from 2T-14 and adults from 0-4X.  We also have a selection of baby clothing in neutral colors/styles from newborn -18mo. See photos on the website or schedule a free appointment to make your selection after booking a session. 

 

Have other questions? Ask them here!

Click Here to Purchase A Gift Card

Gramercy Mansion Elopement – Chace & Camille

There are about a million things I love about this Baltimore, MD elopement:

  1. Gramercy Mansion is the most incredible venue – it’s clear they love hosting queer weddings and every corner has a different gorgeous vignette. It’s an experience just to be in the many gorgeous spaces the mansion and grounds have to offer.
  2. Officiant, Shannon Herrera was literally beaming as she wed them – peep her reactions in the ceremony photos. 
  3. The laughter.  From the minute Lindsay started make-up, the joy was just palpable. Having a relaxed timeline and hiring an amazing team really made this possible – Chace and Camille did it right. 
  4. Bacon Marmalade. That’s all I’m going to say about that. Go find some for yourselves. 
  5. The vows.  They “vowed the shit out of each other” – per Camille’s request and if you missed the live stream go find them on TikTok @uhaulher to hear some of the beautiful words.

 

Enjoy a couple hundred of my favorite images of the day. ❤️

Venue: https://www.gramercymansion.com

Make-Up and Hair: https://www.nofilterglam.com/

Video: https://videovillagefilms.com

Florals: https://www.instagram.com/wildflower.by.m/

Dress: Natalie’s Custom Tailoring

Officiant: https://instagram.com/shannonherreraweddingofficiant

how to make a sitz bath for postpartum healing

Herbal sitz baths are an amazing way to help soothe and heal your sore bottom after giving birth. Across generations and cultures – from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Ayurveda – warming soaks are recommended to help us recover and provide relief.  In the days and weeks after birth and whether or not you’ve had tearing, stitches or hemorrhoids, use this herbal bath salt recipe to aid in your recovery.

Herbal Sitz Bath Recipe

  1. Combine salts and herbs in 1 quart boiled water. 
  2. Steep (like you’re making a cup of hot tea!) then allow to cool.
  3. Place sitz bath into open toilet.
  4. Strain and pour the herbal mix directly into sitz bath. Be sure to fill deep enough to cover your perineum.  
  5. Soak for 10-20 minutes or as directed by midwife/OB. 
  6. Stand up and pat dry with a clean cotton towel. Sitz bath liquid can be dumped into toilet and flushed. 
  7. Ask your postpartum doula or other support person to wash the sitz bath so it’s ready for it’s next use.
Don’t have a sitz bath?

  • Make a larger batch and pour the infusion into your bath tub for a whole body soak or fill the tub with 3-4 inches or water for a “hip bath.”  Make sure your tub is cleaned to prevent infection.

  • Put the herbal mix into in a peri-bottle for a soothing herbal rinse.

  • Pour onto a pad or washcloth for a perineal compress.

Risks to note: 

  • Using hot water can burn your especially sensitive bits – even water that feels comfortable on your hand or at first can cause harm.  
  • Bacteria that lives on surfaces can cause infections. Make sure your sitz bath or bath tub has been properly cleaned (a bleach and water mixture is recommended) and then properly rinsed so no cleaning product remains. 

 

The herbal ingredients are up to you! Other ingredients that promote healing and soothing are comfrey leaves, arnica flowers, mugwort, red clover, St. John’s Wort, frankincense, rosemary leaves, sage leaves, uva ursi leaves, baking soda or sea salt. 

Ingredients can be divided into 3 categories: antiseptic/antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and uterine toners.

+ Lavandin is a hybrid of English and Portuguese lavender – it is antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and has a sweet floral aroma.

+ Calendula is energetically cooling and very soothing to skin. It’s antifungal and antimicrobial properties help prevent infection and heal injured tissue.

+ Chamomile soothes skin and inflammation and promotes wound healing. 

 Chamomile, Calendula and Lavender are also known anodynes and help reduce pain. 

+ Yarrow is anti-inflammatory and soothing. Known as an amphoteric, it has 2 seemingly opposite effects to both stop bleeding and increase circulation.  

+ Witch Hazel Bark is anti-inflammatory and a uterine toner. 

+ Plantain leaf is anti-inflammatory and helps skin regeneration. It contains a substance called allantoin that is highly beneficial for soothing skin and promoting new cell growth.

+ Himalayan Salt is antiseptic and contains trace minerals like chromium, zinc and sulphur that may be absorbed through the skin. 

+ Epsom Salt is Magnesium Sulfate (magnesium, sulfur and oxygen) is readily absorbed through the skin.  Promotes relaxation on the muscles as well as increased circulation.

 

I remember leaving the hospital with a number of postpartum instructions and supplies including pink, plastic vessel – I didn’t have a clue what it was for. After 12 weeks of struggling with stitches that didn’t heal, I finally had a provider demystify the pink tub. At it’s simplest you put it in your toilet seat and fill it with water then sit there for a bit.  They come with a plastic bag and tubing that can be filled with cold or  warm water and hung from point higher than the toilet (you can hold it, hang it from your shower curtain rod or rest it on a counter) and let the water run through the bath to keep it moving over your perineum. With the bag, you can keep refreshing the water so it stays the most comfortable temperature.