maternity – Milli Stephania Photo

two preschool toddler girls playing princesses while wearing crowns and Princes dresses at home in a playroom covered with toys, stuffede animals like paw patrol charactersm. marshall, skye, and chase pup, with a play tent in the background. Girls are laughing and running around in a circle.

As a mom and a family photographer, I get it. The idea of planning a family photoshoot can feel as daunting as getting your toddler to eat vegetables willingly (why are they so suspicious of broccoli, anyway?). One of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to go for indoor or outdoor photography. Both have their charm, but the right choice depends on your family’s vibe, your goals for the session, and, let’s be honest, how much chaos you’re willing to wrangle that day.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for your crew. (Spoiler alert: Either way, you’re in good hands.)

Indoor Photography: Cozy, Controlled, and Climate-Proof

maternity photo of a woman who is expecting sitting on the side of her couch, while her dog also poses for thecamera. the background is dark and modern with a stylish, lamp, pillow and burnt orange throw for a stylish look.

The Pros:
Indoor photography is like a warm hug on a rainy day. It’s comfortable, intimate, and perfect for those who don’t want to leave the house (introverts, I see you). It’s also ideal for families with young kids who might get overstimulated outdoors or during colder months when the idea of bundling everyone up sounds less than appealing.-

Weather? What’s that? Rain, snow, or a heatwave? Doesn’t matter. Your indoor session will go off without a hitch. No sweaty foreheads or wind-blown hair to worry about.
Personalized vibes: Want to showcase your family’s personality? Indoor shoots allow you to use your home as the backdrop, making the photos feel extra meaningful. Bonus: If your toddler refuses to part with their favorite blanket or stuffed llama, it can be part of the story.
Controlled environment: Indoor sessions keep distractions to a minimum. No squirrels stealing the show or curious onlookers peeking in on your moment.

3 girls in a photo, one preschoiol toddler lays in bed drinking her chocoloate milk, while the older girl, a cousion or big sister, feeds the youngest baby her milk. all girls are in pajamas, and are in a girly bedroom with a pink purple sky colored bed sheets.

The Cons:
While indoor photography is amazing, it does come with a few limitations.

Space matters: If your home or indoor location is a little tight, it could limit the variety of shots. But don’t worry—I’m a pro at working with what’s available. (Seriously, I’ve turned the tiniest corners into magazine-worthy backdrops.)
Lighting challenges: Natural light indoors can be tricky, but that’s why I bring my trusty gear. My job is to make you and your family look amazing, no matter the lighting situation.

Outdoor Photography: Natural, Vibrant, and Freeing

newly wed couple in Manhattan, New York, sitting by bethesda fountain in central park, kissing, while the mom is expecting holding her belly in a baby blue dress.

The Pros:
Outdoor photography is like a breath of fresh air—literally. It’s perfect for families who love nature and want to capture those candid, unfiltered moments.

Scenic backdrops: From golden-hour fields to colorful cityscapes, outdoor shoots offer endless possibilities. Nature just hits differently, doesn’t it?
Room to play: Got active kiddos who need to move? Outdoor sessions give them the space to run, jump, and be themselves. Bonus: those action shots are priceless.
Dynamic lighting: The sun is nature’s spotlight, and when used right, it can create some truly magical effects. (Don’t worry—I know how to avoid harsh shadows and squinty eyes.)

stylish influenster woman, walks strongly down a manhattan street newar 14th street in SOHO. woman wears a bright yellow two set outfit with dark shades.

The Cons:
Of course, even the great outdoors has its quirks.

Weather roulette: The weather doesn’t always play nice. But hey, a cloudy day can make for stunning photos, and if it rains? We’ll pivot, dance in the rain, (Umbrella photos, anyone?)
Unpredictable elements: Bugs, mud, and the occasional “hold on, is that a skunk?” moment can keep things interesting. I’ll always have a plan to work around Mother Nature’s curveballs.
Travel time: Depending on the location, getting everyone to the spot might require a bit more coordination. But trust me, it’s worth it.

mother and daughter portrait based in Tampa Florida, laughing and admiring each other. Mom holds her first born daughter by the waist, wearing a baby blue one sided halter dress, while the daughter with long black curly hair, wears a short white mini dress, with a forest background

So, What’s Right for Your Family?

The answer really depends on your goals and what feels right for your family’s unique dynamic.

Choose indoor if: You want a cozy, personal vibe, your home has a special meaning to your family, or you need a controlled environment for younger kids.
Choose outdoor if: You’re looking for vibrant, dynamic photos, you want a variety of natural backdrops, or your kids thrive in open spaces.

curly headed expecting mother to be wearing a. long flowy yellow dress with a big bump, opens her arms to catch her young preschool daughter in all white who is running towards her while holding her favorite lovey. setting is in the woods with a nature background in the bronx Ny

Why Not Both?

Here’s a wild idea: Why choose? I’ve done sessions that start with cozy indoor shots and end with playful outdoor photos. It’s the best of both worlds and tells a complete story of your family’s life.

three kids playing in a kitchen, home setting. the 2 oldest boys play while the youngest in a diapers dances in a Conneticut home

Let’s Make Magic Together

No matter what you choose, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. My job isn’t just to snap photos—it’s to help you feel confident, relaxed, and genuinely excited about capturing these moments. So, whether we’re hanging out in your living room or chasing the sunset in a park, I promise your photos will be nothing short of unforgettable.

Ready to book your session? Let’s chat and create something amazing together.

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It’s 2:30 in the morning. I’m visiting my parents in the Bronx. I’m currently 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant, laying down next to my youngest brother after stuffing our faces with Chinese food, and watching silly movies all night. I’m starting to get uncomfortable, and I figured the food is rubbing me the wrong way. I’m giving it time to get better… but at 3:20am, I decided it was time to go home. I ordered an Uber and I snuck out of the house. I most definitely did not think I was in labor, but every part of me just wanted to be next to my partner, Steve.

I arrive in Harlem at 4am, still feeling weird. It wasn’t a sharp pain or anything, but it didn’t feel normal. I shake Steve a bit to let him know I’m home because I know the last thing he’s done is check his text messages, especially since I heard a little snore while I tippy-toed in the house.

He’s been in pain lately, mostly in his back, since he sits so much at work, and he has a shift in a few hours. The last thing I want to do is wake him up for no reason. I laid down for about an hour, tossing and turning. It wasn’t working. I decide to take a warm bath so I can relax, it was now 6am, and the water covering my body felt so nice. I kept rotating in the tub. I felt like a rotisserie chicken.

Once it was 7am, I figured I held on long enough. Maybe I should head to the hospital, “just in case”. Every part of me did not think I was in labor. This isn’t how it looks in the movies. My water definitely didn’t break, at least I think it didn’t— since I was submerged in water.
Nonetheless, it was time to wake up Steve, and as I walked to the bed, dripping water all over the hardwood floors, I still felt guilty for waking him up.

Steve wakes up, in complete confusion. These past few weeks he’s been on high alert, just in case I tell him it was time to go. Naturally, his first response is “Is it time?” Except I don’t have an answer. I’ve never done this before!
“Umm, I don’t know… but maybe we should go? I don’t want you to call out of work if you don’t have to”
“Ok, but what if it is?”
As I struggle to throw on the first pair of sweats I see, I overhear him on the phone ” I think the baby is coming.”
My heart smiles, and then I’m brought back to reality to the pain that kept getting closer.
The cab ride, luckily was quick, except for every single bump on the road, I felt. Which did not help. When we arrived at 7:30am, I start to begin the process of checking myself in. Due to Covid protocols, temperatures need to be taken before entering almost anywhere, it’s this whole ordeal. The security guy screams across the hall that visiting hours are still not available.
I mentioned to him how I think I’m in labor, and he quickly changes his mindset–“Oh, go upstairs! You don’t need to do this, go!”
I waddle myself to the elevators.
Steve checks me into Labor + Delivery… turns out, I’m already 4cm dilated. I’m told to stay, and I was reassured this baby was coming today.
For the past month, I’ve been wondering when you would arrive, turns out you wanted to make a grand entrance on Easter… the day of resurrection. Wow, girl.

Everything after this felt like it happened so fast. I, who rather have more information than less in every aspect of my life, ask in what time frame you normally start to dilate. I was told about a centimeter and a half per hour, at the rate I was going. So according to my calculations, I needed 6 more cm’s before it was time, which means by 2pm, I would be holding her in my arms.

Now that I know indeed that these are contractions, they seem to hurt way more now, and they’re coming closer and closer together. I’m sent to a room, where I’m being monitored. I had every intention of everything being natural. `Yeah, that wasn’t happening. I opted for the epidural, and thank goodness I did.
Her blood pressure was dropping. She was fighting the contractions. She wanted to get out of there so badly, I even had to get my water broken by one of the doctors. The more contractions I had, the more her blood pressure dropped. I was being rotated at every angle to see if it helped. It didn’t.

I was told I needed a C-section, and I did not want that at all. I kept denying it, and Steve, as amazing as he was, knew that I didn’t want that either. He kept advocating for me, holding my hand, and kept telling me that it was all going to be okay. God is with us.
I teared as I was rushed to an emergency C-section.
I was scared, and the tears kept forming. Everything happened so fast. Next thing I knew I was in a bright white room full of doctors. Not like I could barely see anyway, I had blue tissue paper blocking my view from my neck down. I felt the pressure on my abdomen, Steve walks in in full hazmat gear, tells me they’re cutting, and then I hear that loud cry… that’s my baby’s cry. It slowly started to fade, since she was being walked to the other side of the room, while I’m yelling, “Is she okay?” I feel another doctor shove their whole hand inside of me, it felt like what dough would feel like if it was being kneaded.
Steve rushes to her and yells “She’s healthy!” Her little cry is everything— the doctor brings her around, Steve over my head now holds her, and this time the tears of being scared turned into happy ones.
This is my daughter. I have a daughter.

Tag: maternity

Indoor VS Outdoor Photography: What’s Best For Your Family?