When a couple is expecting a new baby with other kids at home, especially toddlers, a maternity session can be the last thing on your mind.

In fact, even a newborn session can be the last thing on your mind. You've heard the running joke that with each kid you care progressively less about things like documenting their childhood, and cleanliness, for example. Trust me, it's for good reason. You have a million things to do, and a bunch of people to keep alive, and the little things can just be too hard to keep track of.

I’ve been there. I know what you are going through. Let me tell you, though, getting a maternity and newborn session with my youngest child was one of my best ideas yet. There is something about seeing a child with their mom's growing belly that is so special.

If they are young, they may not really understand what is happening, but they have all sorts of emotions about it. Sometimes they are excited. Sometimes they are scared. Sometimes they couldn't care less. But there's one thing I know for sure, they will never feel like that again. Even if you have more children, you current kids will be at a different age and will react differently. This is a one-in-a-lifetime kind of deal. Some moms think it's just too much work to have both a maternity and newborn session when they have other kids at home. They have to pick out things to wear and get their house ready and all the things.

I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way. Here are my top tips for easy maternity and newborn photoshoots.

• Don’t buy new clothes. This family wore clothes they already had in coordinating colors. Mom purchased a new dress to make her solo shots extra special for her third born, but you could just pick something out of your closet that makes you feel comfortable and call it a day. If you have nothing but paw patrol t-shirts and decades old clothes that don’t fit, it can be as easy as one trip to Target. I have a simple formula for picking out clothes and you can find all of it at Target on any given day in any season.

• Strategically pick your location. I have six locations to choose from in San Francisco and Marin for your outdoor maternity session. Pick the one that is closest to your house, or one that has timing that best works for your family. We also have the option of shooting in your home, which to me, is the easiest option of all and works perfectly for little kids because you don’t have to load them up in the car and pack all of their things.

• Have priorities. While I always recommend having anywhere in your home that you want in photos picked up, you can also just choose one or two spaces to pick up and leave the rest of the mess. This newborn session was done almost entirely in the family bedroom. They didn't have to have many other spaces in their home cleaned and it did not matter one bit. We spent time in their boys bedroom during their newborn session for a few fun candids, but you do not have to hire a house keeper and have your baseboards clean when I come unless you want to.

I'm telling you, easy maternity and newborn photoshoots, even with older siblings, can totally be a thing! Shoot me an e-mail. We can chat, e-mail back and forth when you have time, and it will be as easy as brushing your kids hair and opening the door for me.

To see the types of maternity sessions I offer in San Francisco and Marin, and to read more about newborn sessions in those areas, click here.