Welcome, we're so glad you're here! Life is filled with thousands of little moments that together, become your family history. Our boutique photography studio is located in the heart of Downtown Mesa, Arizona. We proudly serve the Greater Phoenix Area: Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Tempe, Phoenix and Paradise Valley. Maternity and Newborn photography is our passion, and we would be thrilled to create beautiful art for your family. We invite you to take a look around. You can find information about the studio, session information and our portfolio in the links above. Scroll down to find our blog with the most up to date sessions and features.
At Momento Studios, safety is our main priority at all times, especially during flu season and during this COVID-19 epidemic. Because we work closely with vulnerable clients including newborns, small children and pregnant women, we would like you to know that we are not taking the current Coronavirus outbreak in Arizona lightly. There is absolutely nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our clients at Momento Studios.
We are sure you have concerns about
remaining safe and healthy at this time, too. We would like to share the
current steps we are taking to ensure the studio environment remains safe and
clean for your portrait session.
Until further notice: we will only be scheduling ONE studio session per day, to ensure ample time for thorough sanitization and cleaning between clients.
Additionally, we have reduced or rescheduled portrait sessions for older children and maternity clients, as we adhere to the social distancing recommendations from the CDC.
STUDIO CLEANLINESS AND PROTOCOLS
Studio cleanliness is a top priority
and we take steps to avoid viral contamination, at all times. We would like to
reassure you that we are taking all precautions advised by WHO, CDC and the
Arizona Department of Health Services.
We have implemented extra measures
on top to safeguard our clients and to keep the studio safe for our clients.
Some of these extra precautions include:
Deep cleaning of the studio before AND after every session,
prior to new clients arriving:
Hard surfaces, door knobs, and
client seating is cleaned with hospital-grade Cavi-wipes
Floors are swept, mopped with a
hospital grade cleaning solution and steam mopped
Bathroom fixtures are cleaned and
sanitized with a bleach based cleaner
Using medical grade disposable pads for changing baby,
laying under props
Requiring clients to reschedule if they feel unwell, even if
it is mild
Requiring clients to leave immediately if they present with
a cough, fever or any other symptoms
All hard props (bowls, baskets etc.) will be wiped down with
hospital-grade Cavi-wipes and sanitized in front of you
All fabrics, wraps or clothing will be steam-sanitized in
front of you, prior to use
All hats, headbands, tiebacks or other items that will be
used during the session will be steam sanitized in front of you, prior to use
The camera and lenses will be fully sanitized and wiped with
hospital-grade Cavi-wipes between each client
Lizzy will be deep cleaning the studio and then FULLY
CHANGING into a fresh shirt and pants prior to your arrival, to ensure no
chemical-contamination
After your arrival, Lizzy will have an ADDITIONAL shirt
which she will steam-sanitize in front of you, and wear for the session
Lizzy will wash her hands with soap and water, and use
hospital-grade hand sanitizer throughout the session
We are not reusing props until they have been deep cleaned
and left isolated for 48 hours after use
Lizzy will be wearing a protective face mask during the
session
If Lizzy feels unwell, even mildy, we will contact you
immediately to rearrange our session.
If Lizzy has been in contact with anyone who has a fever,
cough or symptoms then we will inform you before the session, and discuss
options for rescheduling or an alternative photographer.
For the time being, only Lizzy will be present during the
portrait session (no assistant, to comply with social distancing measures)
**We will be updating this as
required and following the WHO and CDC’s guidelines closely.
If Lizzy (or anyone in her
household) becomes unwell or comes into contact with anyone exhibiting
symptoms, you will be notified immediately and we can reschedule for a better
time. Momento Studios is am committed to protecting our clients at all times.
If you have any concerns or would
like to chat further about booking a session or attending your portrait session,
please send us an email at Lizzy@momentostudios.com
BEFORE YOUR SESSION AT MOMENTO STUDIOS :
If you or anyone in your household
have been in contact with anyone with a cough or fever or if you feel unwell
(even mildly) before your session, please contact us as soon as possible to
reschedule. If anyone attending the session appears to have a cough, fever or
other symptoms of a virus, the session will be halted and all clients will be
asked to leave immediately.
We understand this may be an
inconvenience, but it is of utmost importance that we do not allow a virus into
the studio at this time due to the vulnerable condition of all our clients.
Please ensure you wash your hands well for at least 20
seconds before leaving your house.
Please bring your own snacks/food to eat during the session.
Bottled water will be provided.
DURING THE SESSION:
You will be asked to remove your shoes and coat at the door
upon arrival
You will be asked to wash your hands upon arrival at the
studio
Contact will be minimal and hand shaking is not recommended
If you feel the need to cough, please do so into one of the
tissues provided and place immediately into the trash
AFTER THE SESSION:
All “In Person Viewing” sessions will be moved to an online platform instead of in studio. We will still review your portraits and complete your product order with you live, but the online platform will allow us to connect virtually and practice social distancing
If you become unwell within 7 days after your session, please let us know immediately even if you feel it is only mild.
Please note: If anyone attending the session appears to have
a cough, fever or other symptoms of a virus, I will need to ask to postpone the
session with no exceptions.
It is important to let me know in advance if you are feeling
unwell so I can reschedule your session to another time.
Thank you for helping us keep the
studio a clean and safe environment for our team and all of our clients. If you
have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Let’s talk about newborn photography safety, and as a parent what questions you can ask a potential photographer before booking your newborn session.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Undoubtedly you are entrenched in a multitude of options and decisions for your precious little bundle. You’ve likely spent hours researching and reading reviews about which baby monitor to purchase/which car seat to buy/cloth vs. disposable diapers and so on. But when it comes to selecting a newborn photographer in Arizona to document your sweet little babe’s first portraits, do you know what to look for?
Choosing a newborn photographer is just another item to add to your list, but luckily it is an easy one, right? Well, not exactly! We have a great photography community in Arizona, with many amazing options for newborn photographers all over the Valley.
It is easy to become overwhelmed with options, and focus on a pretty gallery, price or product as the differentiating factor. However, there are many factors and questions you should be examining when seeking a professional to document your baby’s newborn photography session in Arizona.
Newborn photography is not new, but with the prominence of digital photography, there are now very few barriers to entry. Just about anyone can pick up a camera, put together a Facebook page, and call themselves a “newborn photographer” these days. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as everyone has to start somewhere.
However, many of these photographers are not operating legal businesses, nor are they paying taxes. They do not have business insurance to protect your family in the event that your newborn is injured in their care or becomes ill following your newborn photo session. They have not invested in specific newborn photography safety and posing education, certifications, and do not have the years of experience that skilled professionals have accumulated. It is the combination of these factors that can be a recipe for disaster: not only in the quality of the finished portraits, but also in the experience and safety for your baby.
Think about this: when you look for a hair stylist, do you choose the least expensive option (the gal that is “pretty good” at cutting hair, but has only gained experience from YouTube tutorials and is offering “portfolio building discounts?) Or do you select the artist that has been professionally trained, has years of experience and either went to beauty school or has her beautician’s license?
You are your baby’s advocate- so how do you select a qualified newborn photographer?
HOW can you differentiate a true professional that is qualified, accredited, has experience in safety, proper posing, and is capable of creating beautiful portraits for your family? You want the best for your baby and understandably, budget is an important component. This is why Momento Studios offers a “Newborn Only Petite Session”- so you can still have beautiful images of your newborn captured by a safe, experienced professional.
While you might think that finding a newborn photographer in Arizona that fits your budget is the most important deciding factor, the hard truth is: finding an experienced photographer that places an emphasis on your infant’s safety is the most important detail you can look at.
Unfortunately, newborn photography safety is not currently a regulated industry- so this process can be difficult if you do not know what to look for or ask your photographer. Lizzy has been recognized for her passion for newborn photography safety, and continuing education. As such, she has been asked to be an Ambassador for two of the most prominent newborn photography safety and education resources: Stand In Baby and Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International.
Lizzy is an official Ambassador for Stand In Baby, and utilizes the SIB posing doll in her newborn photography workshops around the world to promote newborn photography safety, proper posing and education for other photographers.
Additionally, she is a Qualified Newborn Photographer (QNP) and official Ambassador for Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International (APNPI). The QNP Certification aims to recognize the competence and professional standard for newborn photographers. It is the leading quality assurance certification for newborn photographers around the world.
Lizzy McMillan is the onlyPPA Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) in Arizona that specializes in maternity and newborn photography. So what is a “CPP” and why is that important when looking for a professional photographer?
According to the accrediting body, Professional Photographers of America, “These days, photography is practiced by anyone with a smartphone, but it’s mastered by few. When it comes to those once-in-a-lifetime moments—when you’ve got one shot at getting it right—you better make sure the person behind the camera is a pro. A proven professional photographer that is. There’s no greater proof than when the letters “CPP” follow a photographer’s name. They designate a Certified Professional Photographer, someone who is putting in the extra work to stay above the rest. It assures you of this photographer’s professional knowledge and experience, while also declaring that photographer as one who has achieved and maintains a higher standard.” (quoted here from the PPA website).
APNPI is a great resource for parents with questions about newborn photography safety, and has created this list of questions below to help you properly evaluate your Arizona newborn photographer options. You can view Lizzy and Momento Studios responses to the questions on our FAQ page.
For Parents: Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer:
1. How many years have you been working as a newborn photographer and approximately how many babies have you handled up to this point?
2. Have you received any newborn specific posing training and with whom did you train?
3. What are the safety practices you have in place in your studio specifically geared towards the newborn client?
4. Will my newborn be supported by human hands in all upright positions as well as any poses requiring suspension?
5. Do you work with an assistant or provide spotters at your newborn sessions? If not, will you allow me to spot my baby during a session?
6. What will happen in the case of illness, your own or otherwise?
7. Are you currently up to date on the necessary vaccines needed when working with a pregnant or newborn population?
8. Can you point me towards online resources from which I can learn about safe practices when photographing newborns?
9. Are you a member of an organization or association directly servicing newborn photographers and their educational needs?
Feel free to download your copy of these questions from APNPI here.
For Newborn Photographers: Behind the Scenes Newborn Photography Safety
In order to safely create many of the popular newborn poses, several photos are “composited” together, to ensure that the infant is protected at all times. Take a look at a few of these straight out of camera (SOOC) images below to understand how the composite works:
The Peeking Bucket Pose
These first two images show the straight out of camera images, as well as the final edit. This “peeking bucket” pose has become very popular recently, but can be dangerous if not posed and photographed correctly.
Newborns are not capable of supporting the full weight of their own head in this upright position, regardless of how well they are wrapped. Positional asphyxiation is a danger that you may not be aware of. To ensure the peeking bucket poses, as well as the popular “potato sack” pose are captured safely, a hand should be kept on baby at all times.
Additionally, it is important to use a weight in the prop or bucket, to counterbalance the positioning of the baby’s weight. Both of these bucket images have a flat, 10 pound weight in the bottom.
The Froggy Pose
This is know as the “froggy pose” and should always be created as a composite of two images. Supporting the baby’s head at all times is imperative with this pose. If you do not have a posing assistant, you can mom or dad to help.
The Stork Pose
This “suspended stork” pose is an optical illusion, as these twins are safely laying on the posing bean bag at all times. First, the babies are posed on top of the scarf, with one leg positioned like it is dangling. Second, the scarf is loosely tied around the babies, and the assistant holds the scarf taut. The twins are never lifted or suspended off of the posing bean bag.
Twins in a Prop Pose
When working with twins, it is important to enlist a second set of hands for safety. Working with two babies means working with two startle reflexes. In this image below, the assistant keeps her hands on the back of both babies’ heads at all times. Both twins have full support, so their heads are both secure and there is no risk of injury if they startle. The edge of the prop is lined with soft padding to support them, and protect their delicate skin. The images are combined together in photoshop, and the assistant is edited out.
*Note: poses like this in a prop with a single baby can be achieved without an assistant’s hand on the baby at all times. However, the photographer and/or an assistant should keep their eyes on the baby at all times, and be within arm’s reach in the event that baby startles.
Photographers: if you are interested in learning more about newborn photography safety, newborn workshops or mentoring with Lizzy, please click here.
I am humbled and thrilled to be among 30 of the best newborn and maternity photographer-educators in the world, teaching for the Milky Way Online Newborn + Maternity Retreat in February, 2018.
I have an extreme passion (and major soft-spot) for newborn twins (and triplets/quads/quints). When I was asked to teach newer photographers some of my tried and true tips for safely working with newborn twins, I was over the moon excited! I hope you enjoy a sneak peek at several of the images from my video in the retreat, and a little of my “why” when it comes to my desire to educate and uplift the newborn photography community.
Later this year, I will celebrate my FIFTEENTH year as a newborn photographer! I cannot believe that I have been blessed and able to snuggle and document these adorable tiny humans for nearly 15 years. I have learned a lot along my journey with photography, and I am excited to be able to share some of that knowledge and experience through the 2018 Online Newborn + Maternity Retreat! Education is very near and dear to my heart, and the ability to digitally connect with and help to educate thousands of photographers is not a responsibility I take lightly.
When I first began photographing newborns, the learning curve for newborn photography was steep, and there were not many (if any) instructors that were available to share their wisdom in the art. The concept of “Community over Competition” was not the reality of the photography industry back then. There was a lot of trial and error, and the road was pretty lonely. To put things into perspective: when I began photographing newborns, YouTube did not exist, smart phones were not popular and Facebook was just starting out (it was only available to college students.)
Through the incredible technology of today, photographers are now able to connect and learn how to safely work with newborn twins (among 30+ other topics). If you’re a photographer and you’re on the fence about joining the Online Retreat, you can learn more here. Investing in yourself and your education is always a great choice.
Happy New Year from Momento Studios, and these sweet newborn twins!
A New Year brings many things: goals, resolutions for self-improvement, the promise of a fresh start, and of course more babies!
Lizzy had the honor of photographing these sweet twin brothers last year- and they have such a fun story: One brother was born just before midnight (2016) and the other was born just after midnight (2017). So, although the brothers were technically born only 10 minutes apart, they have different birthdays, AND different birth years! These adorable mini-party hats are from Little Blue Olive and were absolutely perfect for this newborn twins photo session.
These twin brothers traveled over an hour from Peoria, Arizona for their newborn photo session in our Downtown Mesa, Arizona photography studio. Lizzy, aka The Multiples Whisperer™ had a wonderful time capturing these twins.
She unstacked this adorable doll bunk bed, so the boys could be photographed side by side, tucked in tight with gorgeous wool “fluff” from Lizzy’s favorite fluff vendor, Oh So Fleeting. The boys were born at 11:51PM on December 31, 2016 and 12:01AM on January 1, 2017 (which is indicated on the tiny clocks.)
It’s hard to believe these twin brothers just celebrated their first birthdays!
We’ve been busy behind the scenes, updating our Mesa, Arizona newborn studio, and perfecting the details of our client experience. We can’t wait to share the progress (and photos) with you soon!
Lizzy McMillan to speak on photographing newborn multiples (twins+)
I am BEYOND {see what I did there} excited and humbled to announce that I have been invited as a professional speaker and educator for the largest international newborn, maternity and family photography conference, Belly Baby and Beyond Conference in Newport Beach, California in May.
I have always had a strong passion for public speaking {weird, I know!} and absolutely love being able to collaborate with and educate others in my photography field. About seven years ago I wrote a dream in my photography dream journal that included speaking at a professional conference, and I am thrilled that dream is coming true this year!
It is no secret that multiples OWN my heart, and photographing sets of twins, triplets, quads and quints is my specialty. I am delighted to be able to share some of my tips, tricks and posing with the newborn community at the event.
There are special procedures needed when photographing newborn multiples (such as having a skilled set of newborn-handling hands for each baby), and proper sanitization of camera gear/props, safe posing etc. I am also looking forward to sharing information about the importance of collaborating with other skilled newborn photographers vs. photographing multiples solo (and how to connect with others in your area), as well as special recommendations for working with preemies and micro preemies.
In the past 12+ years I have had the joy of photographing over 40+ sets of newborn twins, 6 sets of newborn triplets, 1 set of newborn quadruplets, collaborated to photograph newborn quintuplets, and 1-year old twins, triplets, and quintuplets. Multiples… they are my JAM!
Over the years, I have developed a great posing flow for multiples and cannot wait to be able to share this knowledge with the newborn community! It is truly such an honor to be invited to speak with some of the best photographers in the industry.
