Maternity & Newborn Photography

San Francisco Bay Area

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Before the baby arrives

Maternity Lifestyle Sessions feel like a joyful celebration of this brief and exciting time in your life. There is no other rite of passage that upends one’s sense of self like becoming a parent.

Documenting this special time of transition feels important for the folks I photograph. Plus you’ll get some amazing baby bump photos to show your kid when they’re older. 😉

After the baby arrives

Newborn Lifestyle Sessions are for the whole family, not just the new baby. They feel relaxed, unhurried, and above all, reverent of your new baby.

These sessions highlight your real interactions as a family, how you embody your home, and your baby's natural beauty.

No posing, no props, no artificial lighting - just you and the ones you love.

Overhead shot of family of four with newborn baby, cuddling at home in Palo Alto.
Profile of pregnant woman across from husband, eating cherries from a bowl in a white kitchen.
Mom holds newborn baby up to daughter who wolds a pink Care Bear.
White dog jumps off bed in baby girls bedroom during a newborn photo session in Walnut Creek.

"OMG, obsessed!!!! These are stunning, thank you. I feel like we got so many great shots of each of the girls, and the whole family. Thank you, Allison!" -Katie E.

"OMG, obsessed!!!! These are stunning, thank you. I feel like we got so many great shots of each of the girls, and the whole family. Thank you, Allison!" -Katie E.

"We love these photos! We really appreciate your care and expertise. We're so excited to flip through these again and again and put them throughout our home." -Neha G.

"We love these photos! We really appreciate your care and expertise. We're so excited to flip through these again and again and put them throughout our home." -Neha G.

Older child lying on bed holding infant sibling

Newborn Lifestyle Session

$1375 weekdays, $1525 weekends

  • 1.5-hour shoot at your home

  • 80+ hand-edited best images from set w/ high-res download

  • $300 deposit due at booking, with balance paid on shoot date

  • Includes every family member in your house, not just your new arrival.

BOOK HERE

Newborn sessions can happen anytime from the day you get home from the hospital to your baby’s 12-week mark. Timing is really a matter of personal preference.There isn’t a ‘correct’ time as perks and cons exist for shooting at different ages. To learn more about the best age for newborn sessions, read here.

Pregnant women walks with husband over large gray rocks, shot during a foggy maternity photo shoot at Muir Beach.

Maternity Lifestyle Session

$1300 weekdays, $1450 weekends

  • 1-hour shoot at outdoor location in Bay Area or your home

  • 80+ hand-edited best images from set w/ high-res download

  • $300 deposit due at booking, with balance paid on shoot date

  • Perfect for anyone wanting to document the last days before a new life arrives.

BOOK HERE

Maternity sessions typically happen sometime between weeks 34-37. Exact timing is a matter of personal preference, but I recommend finding that sweet spot when your belly is nice and round, yet you can still walk around without too much discomfort. To learn more about the ideal for maternity photos, read here.

Pregnant woman holding bare belly in field

Maternity & Newborn Package

$2450 weekdays, $2750 weekends

  • 1-hour maternity shoot at outdoor location in Bay Area or your home

  • 1.5-hour newborn shoot at your home

  • 80+ (maternity) & 80+ (newborn) hand-edited best images from each session w/ high-res download.

  • $300 deposit due at booking, with balance paid on shoot dates

BOOK HERE
Mom lies on brown couch with sleeping newborn baby on her chest.
A couple sitting on a bed with a baby, smiling and laughing, in a room with a map of Pittsburgh on the wall. The room has natural light streaming in through a window with blue tassel curtains.
Overhead shot of newborn in white gazing up at camera while mom's hands hold baby.
Mom in blue dress holds newborn baby while her two young sons cuddle with her on the couch.

These photos are gorgeous! Thank you so much for your incredible work. You really capture our family so well!" -Laura D.

These photos are gorgeous! Thank you so much for your incredible work. You really capture our family so well!" -Laura D.

"Huge THANK YOU for capturing these wonderful moments! I was a little worried that Olivia wasn't happy enough during the time we had, but she is just perfectly captured!" -Laura B.

"Huge THANK YOU for capturing these wonderful moments! I was a little worried that Olivia wasn't happy enough during the time we had, but she is just perfectly captured!" -Laura B.

Baby in white christening dress lies on bed with pink bunny nearby, shot at home in Lafayette, CA.
Mom sits in dappled sunlight on bed while baby breastfeeds, shot at home in Orinda, CA.
Family of four sit on bed and read storybook while mom holds newborn baby and looks out window.
Crop of dad's arms holding newborn son, with french doors and plants behind him.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I typically recommend maternity sessions happen between weeks 34 and 37, though mamas with shorter torsos or those who have higher risk pregnancies often opt to have their session between weeks 32 and 35.

  • Newborn sessions can happen anytime from the day you get home from the hospital to your baby’s 12-week mark. Timing is really a matter of personal preference.There isn’t a ‘correct’ time as perks and cons exist for shooting at different ages. I wrote more about the topic of newborn session age if you want more information.

  • Absolutely! I consider the shoot date for your newborn session to be somewhat tentative. Babies don’t always arrive when they’re expected and mom’s readiness can be hard to predict. It’s always ok to switch your date!

  • Our start time is flexible. Most newborns tend to be at their best mid-morning, but shooting anytime when you have decent light in your home will work.

  • Yes! I give you guidance on best colors, fabrics, patterns, and how to coordinate your look with family members. I also send you a link to a Pinterest board that has style examples specific to newborn sessions.

  • When you schedule a session, I send you a booking form with a contract and request for your deposit. All bookings require a $300 deposit to be confirmed. Once confirmed, I send you a prep guide, questionnaire, and we start planning your shoot - including location, outfis, and your priorities for the session.

  • Once your booking is confirmed, I provide you with a thorough prep guide, including tips on what to wear. In addition, we stay in contact via email, text, and phone so you arrive at your session relaxed and knowing what to expect.

  • I tell families it will take 1-2 weeks but about 95% of the time, I’m able to get your images to you within 1 week. All the images in your gallery will be lovingly edited to enhance color, light, shadow, and skin tones.

  • Yes! Your images are delivered to you in a beautiful, user-friendly private gallery that allows you to download your images in high-res. This allows you to make prints of any size. Your gallery will also have a custom print shop for anyone who wants the convenience of ordering fine art prints and print products directly from their gallery.

Browse the portfolio below to see what your family could look like…

Crop of woman's pregnant belly, wearing open white cotton shirt during maternity photo session in Palo Alto.
Crop of newborn baby's legs and arms, wrapped in a pink blanket on a white bedspread, shot during newborn session in Oakland.
Mom lies on bed and gazes at newborn twins wrapped in pink swaddles, taken at home in Kentfield.
Big sister holds newborn baby on pink bedspread and laughs.
Profile of Black dad in white shirt, gazing with wonder at newborn baby daughter in his arms.
Black and white image of dad's arm reaching into crib to calm newborn baby, shot during a newborn session in Oakland.
Parents stand in doorway, smiling at each other and holding newborn twins, shot in Piedmont during newborn photo session.
Newborn lying on mom's legs coos while Dad reclines nearby and kisses baby's cheek.
Toddler girl in foreground tosses colorful scarves in air while dad changes diaper of baby in background, shot during newborn photo session in Berkeley.
Pregnant woman in white dress stands in surf at Ocean Beach, while husband looks at her and touches her belly
Dad snuggles and kisses newborn baby, who is gazing at camera.
Couple dances in the surf at Crissy Field Beach during sunset maternity photo shoot.
Mom in colorful robe, sits in cozy chair in front of window and gazes at newborn baby, shot during newborn session at home in Oakland.
Dad holds newborn while toddler climbs on his back and covers his face with blanket, taken at home in Berkeley.
Dad hold newborn daughter in lap while mom leans into him and gazes at baby.
Mom and dad gaze down at sleeping baby cradled in their arms during newborn session at home in Oakland.
Cropped close-up of newborn baby chest and arms, with swollen belly, on white sheets.
Mom reclines on turquoise colored couch, snuggling newborn baby and toddler daughter, who sits on the floor nearby.
Close up, through the bars of a crib, of a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket with bright oranges, shot at home in Berkeley.
Dad holds newborn while big sister shows baby her doll, shot at home in Walnut Creek.
Mom and dad caress newborn baby who wears yellow romper and looks directly at camera during newborn session at home in Oakland.
Mom gazes down at smiling baby in white onesie against a black and white striped rug.
Profile shot of mom sitting at window seat holding baby while toddler brother reaches down to touch baby, taken at home in Pacifica.
Man holds belly of pregnant laughing wife, shot at Lafayette Reservoir.
Mom and dad cradle newborn in front of them and marvel at baby.
Smiling mom wearing pink and orange dress stands in front of orange tree cradling baby daughter.
Birdseye view of parents arms holding newborn wearing cozy white hooded pajamas.
Preganant mama and husband face one another on hillside with Golden Gate Bridge in the background, shot at Baker Beach.
Family of four sits on bedroom floor while holding newborn and playing with toddler, taken at home during newborn lifestyle session.
Dad smiles at camera while toddler daughter leans on his back and he holds newborn in his arms.
Brother and sister lie on bed with white spread and hug their sleeping newborn brother.
Mama in purple dress cradles newborn baby in room with pale green walls, shot at home in San Francisco.
Newborn held by Dad, looking over his shoulder and at the camera.
Crop of dad's strong arms holding newborn son while rainbow light leaks in.
Mom sits in filed of yellow flowers with baby daughter on her lap.
maternity-photo-shoot-crissy-field.jpg
Naked baby lying on and wrapped in blanket with green cactuses.
Mom holds newborn over shoulder while baby gazes out window, shot during newborn photo session at home in Berkeley.
Mom holds newborn and gazes at husband, shot during newborn home session in San Francisco.
Woman holding camera and wearing all black stands on icy mountain and smiles

Allison Busch is a seasoned photographer serving families across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hey, there! I’m Allison! I’ve been offering my signature style of flattering, natural light photographs that evoke real emotion since 2011.

Got a wild toddler? An awkward husband? A shy teenager? I LOVE making photos for families who think their particular family will be a tough one to make look good. It’s fun to prove them wrong. 😉

I’d love to make photographs for your family! Online self-scheduling is available, or we can chat by phone before you book. It’s easy either way.

GET IN TOUCH
Newborn baby smiles on white bed while mom strokes her head.
Family of four, with pregant mama, crosses the street in front of Ferry Building in San Francisco.
Overhead shot of newborn baby girl in pink dress, smiling at camera while sitting in dad's lap.
Profile shot of pregnat woman and husband playing with black dog in the surf of Muir Beach.

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Do you want to take better or more meaningful photos of your family? Do you wish your photos had more feeling to them? Are you curious about the basics of photography? You can download my FREE guide to taking better photos right now (with any kind of camera - yes a phone camera counts!).

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