Baby Moons have taken a much-needed spotlight when it comes to family vacations! It’s basically a vacation that you take while pregnant to enjoy before the baby arrives. Best to make it around 5-6 months otherwise you might not get the OK from your doctor ;).

Baby Moons have been especially popular here in Puerto Vallarta and since many are already on such a beautiful beach they take advantage of getting maternity photos taken.

It doesn’t have to be a stressful session, you’re already in such a beautiful place! Just a few things you should prep so that your session goes off without a hitch!

Find a local photographer

Finding a photographer that already lives in the area will help you choose the best beach, time, light, and angles to make sure that you’re looking fabulous!

Local photographers know the area best and can help you make the most out of your session without you having to stress on finding a location on Google maps, which let’s face it, is usually really outdated.

Pack easy, light, and flowy outfits

For baby moon portrait sessions, you don’t need much! Pack a couple of outfits that you already plan on wearing while on vacation that can also be used during the session.

For example, a long maxi dress, cute swimsuit, and hat, a cover-up for a few beach swimsuit photos, and maybe a cute beach wrap.

Don’t add unnecessary weight to your luggage if you don’t need to. Just pack what you think could double for your vacation and for your session!

Bring small props for your session like these shoes. They don’t take up lots of luggage space and are a cute addition!

Book your session within the first 3 days

Most people who go to the beach on vacation will usually get some color, or sunburned, within the first couple of days after arriving.

Book your session as early in your stay as possible so that you can get a little color without having to worry about getting too much sun and also so that you can get your session out of the way and you can enjoy the rest of your vacation without having your session looming over your activities.

Have your session at your hotel

If it’s at all possible, arrange to have your session at your hotel. This way, you don’t have to worry about transport, arranging taxis, having cash on hand, or anything that can cause you to feel stressed.

Investigate if your hotel has a problem with letting a photographer onto the grounds. Some hotels might not want outside vendors to come into the hotel and there is a way to get around that. Just have your “friend” (the photographer) come pick you up or visit you at your hotel. Most of the time other hotels will allow friends or outside transport like Uber to pick up guests or come onto the grounds.

Go to reception and ask before hand. If they do allow photographers to come in, then great! Just set the time and date for your session.

The great thing about having your session at your hotel is that most hotels have pools, beaches, and really nicely decorated rooms to make the most out of your session.

Take advantage of the manicured lawns, gardens, fountains, and beaches!

And always have fun!

Both your vacation and session are supposed to be fun! Don’t stress too much about your bump, wardrobe, or anything else. I know that as a photographer, I’ve got you!

You’ll feel great, fabulous, excited, and beautiful! I will help you with planning your session, finding the best location whether it’s at your hotel or somewhere else, and anything else you need either photo related or not!

Let’s capture this amazingly unique and special moment for you and your family with a session.

Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Leon, my son, turns 3 today. What an amazing age full of surprises and really contradicting moments, ha! Threenager is in full swing and he’s silly, stubborn, independent, social, sensitive, and a pretty good sharer of toys and snacks. He’s an empath, asking if we’re alright after a bump on the leg or fall.

He’s full of life, laughter, songs, new games that only he understands, and enjoys going to the store, haha. Kids are pretty surprising aren’t they? Definitely my favorite age.

He’s talkative, assertive, and makes decisions pretty well. Definitely knows how to say “no.”

Here’s to many, many, more years kid.

Gallery walls are so fun to create because of the countless variations you can organize your photos. Here are some really great ideas for your walls with photo measurements.

It’s not a secret that printing and looking at your photos hung up in your home makes it more homey, welcoming, and a capsule of your family and you’re most important moments.

Three framed images to create a large gallery wall.

Getting them printed with a professional photographic lab is also very important in terms of quality and longevity because only a professional lab can give you real high-archival paper that will last much longer than poster paper, say at Costco or Walmart.

Real photographic paper also gives you those rich and vibrant colors an depth in tones when it comes to black and white.

Square framed photos are perfect for symmetrical gallery walls.

Seriously, the options are limitless to what you want to create for your bare walls ;).

Photos by Studio 1202

Want to get your photos printed? Contact me and let’s talk wall galleries, because your photos belong on your walls, not on a USB in your junk drawer.

Get more inspiration HERE.

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Hi Friends! Today I have the pleasure of having James Barnes, a wedding planner expert, give us a few tips on planning your dream wedding at a beach location, like Puerto Vallarta. Read on to learn his helpful tips and make sure you share with a bride who is planning her beach dream wedding!

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Many women dream about having their dream weddings on a beach, however, this also means that beach weddings are not like regular weddings. As such, brides who want to get married on the beach should think about some specific details when planning their beach wedding.

From my experience as a wedding planner, I can say that these weddings, and details, require timely planning and arrangement so that way, brides and grooms can avoid potential stress and mess. 

So, here’s what I suggest to my clients who want to get married on a beach. 

 Set the dress code

When it comes to traditional weddings, people already know what to wear. They either wear smart or semi-formal clothes. It’s known that no one comes to a traditional wedding reception dressed in shorts. 

However, a beach wedding could cause some confusion for many guests. Some people might still think that they should wear a tuxedo or high heels and others might dress too informally and wear bikinis at your wedding reception. 

To settle any confusion, I recommend that you set a certain dress code so that you can inform your guests on what to wear and what is appropriate attire for your specific wedding. You can include these helpful  instructions in the invitation card, as well. It helps guests know how to arrive dressed properly for your wedding ceremony, cocktail, and reception.

 Plan the cocktail hour

I have seen many different warm-up arrangements before the wedding ceremony as a wedding planner. Some couples don’t like to let their guests wait for too long. So, they don’t leave too much time for the cocktail hour. While others want their invitees to mingle and spend some time together before the ceremony. 

I believe that your decision should take into account on the type of guests, location, and overall feel and look of your wedding.. However, I would always encourage my clients to plan a cocktail hour for a beach wedding to set the mood and allow guests to enjoy the sites and sounds of the beach you have chosen.

You can arrange so many beautiful fish hor d’oeuvre and drinks for such an occasion. Don’t forget the cocktails, of course!

When your guests get into the right mood for the wedding, the wedding reception can begin. 

 Find the place for valuables

Organizing an outdoor wedding ceremony always raises some safety issues. The brides and grooms for whom I have planned beach weddings have expressed concerns over valuables. 

I have found that finding a secure place for valuables like purses, cameras, and other items guests have on hand with the venue manager. They can suggest or even have a special place for such things so nothing gets left or goes missing.

For instance, if you’re going to have the ceremony at a beach bar, you can install a safe inside the bar. This is where you can keep the rings before the wedding. Also, your guests can leave some of their personal belongings there. 

Even then, you should find a trustworthy person who can stand by the safe during the ceremony. Hiring a professional security officer is another practical way to keep the eye on the valuables. 

And if you’re organizing your beach wedding where you don’t know anyone, avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.

Ensure accommodation for the guests

Since most of us don’t live on the beach, organizing a beach wedding usually includes some travel. What’s more, it also includes providing proper accommodation for your guests. 

Having guests stay at the same place where the wedding is being held can be really convenient.

If possible, find a venue that also has rooms and suites for your invitees. That way, you’ll kill two birds with one stone (or a pebble from the beach). 

On the one hand, it’s convenient since all of the wedding activities will happen in the same place. I also know, in my experience, that many couples don’t like guests having to drive after the festivities or having to find transport to another location. This way, you and your guests are in the same location for the duration of your wedding.

On the other, you might be able to negotiate lower prices for the venue and the accommodation. Many managers of venues are ready to modify their offers if you opt for the whole package. 

Arrange the post-wedding period 

Brides and grooms sometimes forget to plan the initial period after the wedding. This is an important thing to do because it takes some planning to cover all the bases here, as well. 

For starters, set your honeymoon budget. Many couples use money from gifts for their honeymoons. My philosophy is somewhat different. I think that you should travel with the money that you already have so you’re not betting on a budget that you might not reach. The money from the wedding can then be used when you get back from your honeymoon.

Moreover, choose one or more places that you’d like to visit. Think about spending a few days with your best man and your maid of honor or even a group of friends. For instance, the Annex events complex has all sorts of wedding and post-wedding deals for their guests. 

After that, you can continue your honeymoon and your journey alone, as a newly wedded couple. 

If possible, buy all the tickets in advance. Also, I think that you should be straightforward with your guests on this travel. So, let them know what expenses you’re going to cover and what they’ll pay alone. 

Conclusion 

When I talk to my clients about a beach wedding, they see that it looks different in practice than on TV.  Since it includes several more features than a traditional wedding, it requires different planning, as well. 

What’s important is to inform all the guests in advance about the type of celebration, costs, accommodations, and general planning that guests will have to either pay for or arrange on their own.

Finally, you should decide before the wedding how and when you’ll travel after the ceremony. All these things will ensure that you organize your beach wedding in a relaxed and breezy way. 

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Gust post author James Barnes is an experienced wedding organizer and blogger at theannexevents.com. He specialized in organizing outdoor wedding events. When he isn’t writing about weddings and marital life, David usually goes swimming or playing squash.

If you’re looking to be a guest post author, please email me at hello@jackielamas.com

Seems a little too much, you might be thinking, but here’s the thing… what if you could get ahead of the holiday rush with the beautiful photos you’ve already taken and have your cards done quickly and without worrying about getting them out?

I’ve got you covered. You’ll have your perfect christmas card ordered, sealed, and ready to send out before you even hear the first holiday jingle.

Choose from three pre-made designs. Each set is sized 5x7, printed on professional grade card stock with a smooth matte finish. All cards come printed on both sides with white envelopes.

Choose from one of three pre-made designs.

Pricing depends on how many cards you will need for your friends and family. Choose from sets of 25, 50, or 100!

Email me at hello@jackielamas.com for more information on pricing and let’s get your holiday started off early. Each order of holiday cards come with a cute Metal ornament for your holiday decorations!

Get this task checked off before October 31st to get your free metal ornament.

Photo albums have been around for a long time and as a kid, I remember we had a few in our house. To this day, my dad loves to bring out his photo albums stocked with yellowing prints of my grandmother and the generations that followed.

How great is it to see yourself and your family across generations through albums!

Thankfully, albums have been gotten a much needed update and have now become these beautiful flush mount, lay-flat, works of art that can sit on your coffee table for all to enjoy time and time again.

You probably thought albums were only for weddings, but no, they are perfect for family portraits as well!

All of the albums that I offer come with a custom full photo cover and the title on the spine. Choose from smaller sizes like the 6x6 or premium in the 12x12 size.

Perfect when you can’t choose just one photo and want all of them!

Getting to hang out with fun families with cute personalities are my favorite. These little guys were just the most fun kids at this session!

At the end of our session, dad told the boys to thank me for capturing their family memories and it made me smile from ear to ear and then on the way home, it brought tears to my eyes because that is EXACTLY what I aim to do for all families: CAPTURE FAMILY MEMORIES.

People come from all over the world and take the time to get portraits taken on one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches and it’s a perfect time to really soak in being a family, hanging out together, and getting one of kind portraits taken.

It’s a perfect time to capture your children making sand castles. Wearing their favorite colorful sunglasses when they were three because they are only three once. It’s the perfect time to capture that wave that wet everyone and made your whole family belly laugh!

Those are the moments we all want to remember, looking back at photos of ourselves with our family living our best lives. Even if it means getting wet from head to toe. Or getting to hang on dad because he’s so much fun. Or kissing your brother because you love him so much.

Because kids grow, get older, and forget that when they were three, they got to splash in the water and not worry about a thing.

Don’t let these moments pass you by, get your portraits taken.

Here’s the thing, when digital came around in the photography world, it was new and cool and instant. It was something you could share out in the big world wide web and it seemed sooo cool.

But what can’t be ignored is that these portraits, they get stuck on a disc, USB, or sometimes don’t even get downloaded.

Old school film studios had it right: PRINT YOUR PHOTOS.

And it’s making a HUGE comeback.

“And it’s been proven. Scientifically when you see your loved ones in photographs displayed in your home, it makes for a more unified and happy home.”

Canvas gallery wraps pictured above

This means that all that time you spent researching, scheduling, going to the session WORTH IT. It will mean that your family, your memories, are appreciated all through out your home and for generations to come.

Framed prints

We’ve all been there - researching, scheduling, going to the appointment, and then walking away having to do more work than we intended. And let me tell you, Costco printing doesn’t cut it either. Those lines you see in the engineer prints means it’s not top quality.

Which is my long way of saying that as of August 1, 2019 I am going to be offering a wide range of Legacy Photo Products that will bring your PHOTOS TO LIFE.

They will hang in your home, they will sit on your desks perfectly framed and printed on the absolute best quality paper, or canvas, your choice!

I work with one of the top leading professional photography printing labs and because of that quality is of the highest rate. Be it albums, frames, prints, or canvases, your photos are Fine Art in your home. Your family, your loved ones, YOU are works of art.

And this means EVERYTHING.

Waking up to photos of your children in the living room hung up happy, smiling, and playful is what I want. Seeing photos of your family splashing in the water or running across the sand framed and hung above your sofa is pure happiness.

And it’s been proven. Scientifically when you see your loved ones in photographs displayed in your home, it makes for a more unified and happy home.

If you’ll like to get a sneak into the lookbook, shoot me an email at hello@jackielamas.com and I will send you a copy. Filled with beautiful legacy photo products to make your photos artwork in your home.

Because let’s face it: Your wall portraits make your house and home.

Walnut famed 20x24 prints in a set of three.

I first photographed this beautiful family when this little rainbow baby was still safe and sound in mommy’s tummy. Now he is safe and sound in the arms of both his loving parents!

It’s a delight to be able to photograph growing families and I hope that we get to see this little cutie pie grow big and handsome!

I have a big spot in my heart for maternity sessions. It’s absolutely miraculous and so incredible how we grow, care for, love, and build an intimate relationship with a person we haven’t even met yet!

It truly is an honor to be able to photograph such a momentous life event for my clients. Can’t wait until baby C is here and these two beautiful people can enjoy the miracle of having a baby!

Anyway, here are the photos, taken on the beach in Conchas Chinas, Puerto Vallarta.