Cameron | Smash Cake

Let’s talk about a few FAQs when it comes to booking a smash cake session.

Q. What is included in the cost of your smash cake session?

A. Literally everything. I plan and style your session including backdrop, cake, outfit, etc so you just need to show up with baby the day of your session.

Q. Do you only offer one type of session?

A. No! I offer two sessions, a full and a petite session

Q. What is the difference between a petite and a full smash + splash session?

A. The petite is a solid backdrop (usually white) to really focus on baby. The session includes an outfit + a semi naked cake and limited images. The FULL Smash and Splash session includes a themed set with outfit and cake, all edited digital images and a splash portion. The SPLASH is ONLY included with the full session.

Q. What if I want something simple for a full session but I want all my digitals + a splash portion?

A. If you do not want a big set, we dont need to do one. We can always keep it simple while still doing the entire workflow from baby alone to the splash + include all your images. However, my sets are VERY simple but to theme. I do not personally like the overly done set ups because I think they take away from baby, so I keep my sets simple so baby stays the focal point.

Q. When do you recommend I book my session + at what age?

A. I recommend booking the session for around 11M so you have your images back in time for baby’s birthday and booking around 6/7M so we can make sure to have a date that works for you on my calendar.

Have more? I’d love to chat about them. Shoot me an email bluestonephotos@gmail.com or fill out the contact form on my contact me page.

Your Michigan Smash Cake Photographer,
Nina

Faith | Motherhood

Year one for this duo and honestly it felt like time flew by with them. When it comes to mini sessions, I generally set a workflow that works for me + then do the same for everyone. No one but me knows that I do almost the same workflow with everyone, because no one sees anyone else’s gallery but them. So when they are all similar, it goes by fast but it also keeps me moving so we don’t go over on time.

It’s mostly for me to keep on a schedule. By the time we got to Faith + her son, I was set on my workflow and it felt like 15 minutes was almost too long. But they’re adorable and I love the way their session turned out.

Currently booking family sessions into November! Don’t wait to get on my schedule for the summer … or you’ll miss it… again.

Your Favorite Michigan Family Photographer,

Nina

Stephanie | Motherhood

This was not exactly an extended family session, but Stephanie brought both her mom + her MIL to her session and I think this is sooo special. Not only was I able to capture her and her mom in a couple photos, but also her kiddos with both grandmas. As a mom who has lost her grandparents, I wish I would’ve had more photos with my grandma + my great grandma. I was lucky enough to have one of my grandmas until I was 33 and my great grandma into my early 20s. I also wish I had more photos of my grandma with my girls.

But I can only move forward and be more mindful of the future and capturing as many photos with my mom and dad and my in laws with my girls. BOOK the extended family session. Photos are the only thing that you can take with you when your parents or grandparents are no longer around.

You’ll never regret the sessions you book, but always the ones you wish you would’ve made time for. And if investment is what is holding you back, ask me about payment plans! We can always split up your payments more than just a retainer + balance.

Your Metro Detroit Family Photography,

Xoxox,

Nina

Julia | Motherhood

This was year 2 with these two and I could not have been happier with their session. Little miss was a little shy last year but this year was all sass and I love that! We got so many smiles this year. However, the main reason I will always allow your kiddos to bring their lovies with them during their sessions is because little miss needed it last year, but did not this year, and honestly that’s a blessing and so sad at the same time.

If you missed Motherhood Minis, I have good news …. Any mini session throughout the year can be a motherhood mini and/or ALL my family sessions I take time to make sure I capture mom + her kids as a group and individually, same with dad.

See you this summer!

xoxoxo

Nina

Your Favorite Metro Detroit Family Photographer

Lisa | Motherhood

May is the month of Motherhood Sessions and I am not sad that I am sharing all this goodness on my blog. Lisa was another new mom this year and I am soooo glad that she signed up. Her kiddos were a blessing, her daughter has her own personality and I absolutely love that. As a girl mom myself, little girls make me laugh because they are all so similar but different and I think thats the beauty of motherhood, we relate without everything being the same.

Fun Fact: Even during your family sessions or other mini sessions, I absolutely take time to photograph just mom + the kids and even mom + dad. I think marriage is something that should be celebrated and remembered and I also think it’s important long term for your kids to see you + your spouse as a couple and not just their parents. I am currently booking family sessions into November! Head over to my shop page to book your family session for this year.

xoxox

Your Favorite Metro Detroit Family Photographer

Vicky | Motherhood

Vicky is another mom that came back this year after being part of my event last year. Seeing her boys this year connect with her was absolutely amazing. We were outside last year, it was warm, they had a later session + dad was there and they just wanted dad and I truthfully felt so bad because for a motherhood session, I had ZERO images of just her and her babies. And it was one of the reasons I was very firm on my no dads policy this year. THIS is why! THIS was the reason. I wanted all my moms to actually feel the love from their babies and capture it.

And I am not saying I do not love family sessions or that dad’s shouldnt be included in your family session, however, I think the bond between a mother + her kiddos should be celebrated. We focus on work, sending the kids to school, getting them into travel sports teams, but this ONE session every year, gives you a chance to just slow down, look at your kiddos + love on them. And that is why I do these every year.

xoxo

Your Favorite Michigan Family Photographer

Nina

Tyler | Motherhood

Tyler was a new mom for the Mom Circle Mini group and I am so glad she was able to snag a spot this year. Her daughter is the cutest and the love they have for each other is amazing. The one thing I truly love about Motherhood Minis is capturing your now. Your babies will NEVER be this age or this small again and you cannot turn back time. But what you can do, is go back and look at these memories and remember.

This is not about Tyler at all but a thought I hear a lot and it makes me sad. I hear so many times from moms that they dont want to take photos with their kids because of their size, or they dont look good postpartum, or I need to lose a few more pounds … But let me tell you something, YOUR. KIDS. DO. NOT. CARE. about your size, they DO CARE that you showed up for them. I do care that they have photos WITH you when they are little when you are no longer around. GET IN THE PICTURES. Book the family session. Book the mini. If you don’t want to do it for you today, do it for your future kids. And more than all that, YOU. ARE. BEAUITUFL.

Your Oakland County Family Photographer,

Nina

Kelly | Motherhood

This session was so special for me because Kelly and I actually went to high school together. We hung out in the same crowds and had very close friends in the same friend group, and I would absolutely have considered her a friend in high school. But, like most high school friendships, we didn’t keep in contact after high school and this is actually one of the first time I’ve seen her since we graduated! I LOVED being able to capture her in this season. Motherhood looks sooo good on her and her boys are absolutely blessed to have her as a mom.

If you’re ever worried about booking a photographer that you’ve known a long time ago, and don’t think they would want to see you for whatever reason, I promise you, we love catching up and capturing your memories. Never let us not keeping in touch a reason to not book a session.

Your Macomb County Photographer

Nina

Cayla | Motherhood

Going into Mother’s Day weekend with this session. Cayla was also a mom with the Mom Circle group from last year that came back this year. She brought her mom last year and was pregnant with her youngest and this year she brought the baby + her MIL! I absolutely love when y’all understand the importance of capturing these memories for you, but also for your kids. Why? Because this is how your kids see their grandparents, not how they were on their wedding day or even your wedding day, but how they looked and were when THEY were little.

Additionally, I am HERE for the lovies. Please let your kids bring them. One of my favorite sessions was when my girls brought their lovies, I will always make it work + it’s such a short season. Next year, they might be brave enough to do it without it.

Your Michigan Family Photographer,

Nina

Jenny | Motherhood

Ahhh! These two are the sweetest. This was also Jenny’s second year with me for the Mom Circle Motherhood Minis and I am so glad I was able to capture these two again. Again, it is soo cool to see your kiddos growing up in front of my camera.

I love when parents are boy moms, but there is something special I love about photographing girl moms because I am one x 3. Girl gangs are the best.

Your Macomb County Family Photographer,
Nina

Alexandra | Motherhood

This is Alex’s second year of trusting me to capture her and her girls for Motherhood Minis with the Mom Circle group! It is honestly so fun watching her girls grow up and change, it’s one of my favorite things about being a photographer honestly. Last year, her youngest was like 4 weeks old and this year she was 1! It is honestly crazy that some of these babies grow so fast. Her oldest also was adjusting to being a big sister and did not like me at all … lol … and at one point straight up told me no to something I asked her to do … but this year, she was all smiles (mostly) and her growth as a big sister was so cool to witness too.

I promise you mom, I can handle any of your kids and their personalities. I thrive in their chaos and I think it’s funny a lot of the time sooo do not stress about anything.

Also, 15 minutes is absolutely enough time! I actually had so many moms say they love the 15 minutes because it’s just enough time before their kids start getting restless … trust me. Trust the process!

Your Michigan Family Photographer,

Nina

Alyssa | Motherhood

I offer two different rounds of Motherhood Minis every year, the first is my own and then the second is a mom group called The Mom Circle. This mom group was created by Alyssa (above) when she was newly postpartum with her youngest. Motherhood can be sooo lonely and isolating when you don’t have a village of people around you and Alyssa felt like she did not have that village, so she created one.

Now her group is filled with hundreds of moms in the area and they get together to do walks, meet ups, coffee, bonfires and moms night out. I absolutely love everything she has created so we started offering Motherhood Minis for her moms last year and this was the second year we offered it. I offer these at a steep discount because every mom should have a village of people who support them.

I also think all moms should have an opportunity to capture their current season of motherhood, even if they are on a budget. So we started this event and it’s amazing.

Alyssa was able to snag her own spot this year to capture her and her daughters and I am so glad I was able to love on her. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for more of these sessions on the blog, until there, enjoy Alyssa and her girls!

Your Metro Detroit Family Photographer,

Nina

Issac | Freshie

Fresh 48s are such important sessions that so many people do not prioritize to book or they think that the photographer at the hospital is actually talented enough to give them what they deserve. The truth is, Fresh 48 sessions are so much more important than we give them credit for. This is such a short window of time and you will not remember a lot of it.

If you had a fresh 48 session, do you regret it? I can almost guarantee no… If you did not, do you regret not opting for an actual photographer than just using the hospital staff?

I am always curious on everyone’s experience.

Currently booking freshies into October - I do only take 2-3 a month as I am technically on call for these.

xoxox

Nina

Xander | Sitter

Mr. Xander was absolutely amazing for his sitter session.

What is a sitter session? A sitter session is a session that takes place around 7M when baby is fully sitting unassisted. This takes place in the comfort of your home or mine. You choose the color scheme and I plan and style everything so you just need to show up to your session, or let me show up to your home and set up.

Why is this session important to capture? Baby’s are growing so fast in their first year and they grow so much personality between 4 and 9 months.. And the sitter session is the perfect balance between newborn and smash cake (one year) and allows you to see that growing personality. It also is before they start moving around too much so we get all the smiles without having to chase down a toddler. :)

Sitter sessions are also a part of my BeanSprout Package (first year). Currently booking newborns + BeanSprout Packages with November due dates!

Your Metro Detroit Newborn and Milestone Photographer,

xoxo

Nina

Confetti Minis

When I first got my camera, my oldest daughter was 6M old. I decided then to start a calendar for my parents + in laws every year for Christmas. Well, fast forward 9 years and I am still making yearly calendars for everyone. The plus side, it makes me capture images of my girls once a year, which is truly something special, but the downside, I have to capture phots of my girls every month.

Some St. Pattys Day images for March… they talked me into confetti!

I keep going back and forth on if I should actually offer confetti minis or not… they are soo fun but so messy! lol. But they had a blast.

I also offer super discounted sessions for anyone who wants to jump in on my monthly images, unfortunately for April I will be doing Easter Bunny and those I just do at my parents but stay tuned for flowers or something for May!

xoxox,

Nina

Your Macomb County Milestone Photographer

Kat | Maternity

Pregnancy, while it feels like in the moment, is truly such a short amount of time overall. But it is such a beautiful time of you growing and nourishing a little baby inside you. A time when your body is changing to make room for that little human that you are going to hold in your arms. A time when you feel little flutters and kicks and love in every single one of those moments.

From one mom to another, DO NOT SKIP THIS SESSION! Even if it is not for you RIGHT now, and you’re uncomfortable being pregnant or you are someone who isnt enjoying being pregnant, because sis same! But for the you a couple years from now that wants to look back and remember your body doing what God designed it to do, grow and birth a tiny human.

Want to capture your maternity session? Currently booking due dates into October! I also offer newborn + maternity bundles and a full one year package with a maternity session add on!

xoxox

Nina

Your Detroit Metro Maternity Photographer

A + Z | Smash Cake

I first met Anastasia and Zayn at their newborn session a year ago, which is WILD that time has gone by that fast. Mom reached back out to book their smash cake session and it could not have gone better.

Anastasia stole the show with LITERALLY smashing her entire cake - she LOVED it! Meanwhile, Zayn did what every single parent + me wants them do, face plant into their cake.

Overall, mom and I could not have asked for a better session truthfully. Now, mom did book a simple smash session that does not include a splash portion but she still had so many images to choose her final gallery from.

I do offer 2 different smash cake sessions; a Smash + Splash which is my “full” session and then a Simple which is “petite”. For both sessions, I plan and style everything from outfits to ordering the cake. The smash + splash does include a themed set if you want one.

Currently booking smash cake sessions through the end of the year! It is never too early to get on my schedule!

xoxox,

Nina

Your Metro Detroit Smash Cake Photographer

Berkeley | Valentines Day

Every year I do a calendar for my family + my in laws. This year I started opening up my sets to include clients if they wanted to jump in. Nothing formal, but I figure, if I am going to take the time to set it up for my kids, maybe someone else would want to jump in on the fun… and Ms. Berkeley was one of those kiddos.

I love that mom let her bring her own little camera to take a photo of me, while I was taking pictures of her. Here’s a handful of images from her gallery.

St. Patricks Day is next .. if you’re in the Metro Detroit area and want to get your kiddo involved in one of my sets throughout the year for our personal calendar, let me know! I’d love to include you!

Your Favorite Metro Detroit Photographer

xoxox, Nina

Hiiiii Again!

Hiiiii! I am trying to be better about actually showing my face so people actually know who I am. I am a millennial through and through and you can never take the mirror pictures away from. Sorry not sorry!

I will forever take a mirror selfie when there’s a mirror, I also know so many song lyrics I should not remember but alas, here we are but I cannot remember why I walked into a room.

I want to live in the city but also have land and never have to see anyone ever and I love our slower lifestyle.

Thats all this time, thanks for being here.

xoxo

Nina

Savanna | Newborn

This little girl was an absolute dream baby. I did a full session inside their home and while I was setting up, she was just chilling! I had grandma feed her once I arrived and she stayed asleep, until I started trying to pose her. HOWEVER, I have been doing posed, studio newborn photography as a niche for the past 6 years consistently so I asked mom if I could give her one more ounce of food, she said yes, and she was OUT! I was able to knock out my entire table workflow in less than 45 minutes with 3 blanket colors, which is unheard of in the newborn world.

She was close to a growth spurt (there is usually one around 13-15 days at the 2 week mark) so before I started wrapping her, we gave her another ounce of milk.

I went through my entire wrapped workflow + then we ended with some lifestyle images in the living room and nursery.

Full sessions are probably my favorite because they give a laid back and technical element to them.

Currently booking newborns into July! Fill out the contact form to get started on booking your newborn session.

xoxox | Your Favorite Metro Detroit Newborn Photographer,

Nina