Charleston West Virginia Family and maternity Photographer
SOUL FILLED IMAGERY THAT SAYS GOODBYE TO THE RULE BOOK.
- SINCE 2018.
Imagine family and maternity photographs that are:
Are soulful and authentic.full of life and personality.true to who you are.story-driven and intentional.Allow you to freeze memories in time with photos that look as magical as they feelhell Yes.
This is more than a photo session- it’s memory preservation
A STORY, TOLD IN PHOTOGRAPHS
Your family doesn’t stand still. It shifts, expands, surprises you. That’s what makes it beautiful and worth remembering as it really is. These sessions aren’t about perfect poses. They’re about catching life mid-motion: the chaos, the calm, the everything-in-between.
PHOTOS THAT FEEL LIKE YOU
The goal isn’t to make your family look like anyone else’s, it’s to show you as you are. The way your kid leans into you when they’re tired. The look you share without saying a word. These images are meant to feel familiar, like home.
HOLDING ONTO WHAT MATTERS
Time has a way of slipping past us. But a photograph can anchor you. Years from now, you’ll look at these and remember how it felt. Not just what you wore, but who you were becoming—together.
The magic of becoming a mother.
Moments from a recent maternity story.
a recent afternoon session in downtown Columbus.
Love notes from our fams
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love notes from our fams
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Love notes from our fams • love notes from our fams •
“There really aren’t adequate words to describe how incredible Michelle is.
Her work is so stunning that I still get butterflies looking at our gallery, and even strangers have reached just to share how beautiful they think my photos are.”
— Olivia Bayer
2025 West Virginia Family & maternity Photo packages
All sessions are photographed on a combination of 35mm film, 120mm film, and high resolution digitals. Payment plans are available. Looking for a discount? Refer a friend and you both get 15% off. Refer multiple friends and I’ll gift you a future session for free.
30% discounts are available to returning loyalty clients (wedding or non-wedding, doesn’t matter!) as well as the first 5 families to book one of my new packages in 2025.
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This package is designed for expecting families who want to capture the beauty and anticipation of pregnancy, followed by a full family session once your little one arrives. From the glow of maternity to the first moments of family life, this experience allows you to document your family’s journey with depth and authenticity. If you’re not expecting, this package can be used for family sessions. It’s basically a buy one, get one half off scenario.
Deliverables:
TWO Extended Sessions (Up to 120 Minutes each)
Two Locations (for each session): A deluxe maternity session that highlights the beauty of your pregnancy, followed by a newborn or family session at a later date.
Multiple Outfits: Tailor your session to capture both the elegance of maternity and the warmth of family life, with a variety of looks to suit the occasion.
Natural, Candid Moments: We’ll focus on real, heartfelt moments that reflect the love and connection between you and your growing family. I’ll offer plenty of guidance as well.
Session collaboration: we’ll plan your session(s) together, with the help of mood boards and Pinterest for outfit inspiration. We can get creative with a theme or take a more natural approach- you have me as a resource to help curate a vision.
Up to 200 High-Resolution, Fully Edited Images
Receive a curated selection of 100 edited images (per session, so 200 images total) that tell the story of your family’s journey.
Delivered digitally and as 5x7 prints for you to cherish and share with loved ones.
Incorporation of 35mm Film
Film Photography: A blend of modern digital photography and the timeless quality of 35mm film, with 3-4 rolls of film capturing your family’s most precious moments.
Film Delivery: Film images are delivered both digitally and as prints, adding a nostalgic touch to your family’s collection.
Convenient Delivery
Digital Gallery: A private online gallery for easy viewing, sharing, and downloading of your images.
Prints Included: 5x7 prints to hold and treasure as keepsakes of this special time.
Session Location
Within 25 Miles of Charleston, WV: Sessions must take place within this radius.
Travel Fee: If your session is outside this area, a $300 travel fee will apply.
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For those who want to go all in, this extended session offers a complete photo experience, perfect for capturing a wide variety of moments, locations, and outfits. Whether you're looking to document your family’s story at home, in nature, or at a special location, this package allows for the time and space to tell a full, beautiful narrative of your year.
Deliverables:
Premium Session (Up to 120 Minutes)
Two Locations: Enjoy a two-location session, ideal for capturing different aspects of your family’s story—whether that’s at home, in a park, or any location that holds meaning for you.
Multiple Outfits & Settings: Perfect for families who want a variety of looks and environments in their photos.
Up to 100 High-Resolution, Fully Edited Images
Receive up to 100 fully edited, high-resolution images that showcase the depth and diversity of your family’s connection.
Delivered digitally and as 5x7 prints, so you can easily enjoy and share your memories.
Incorporation of 35mm Film
Film Photography: 2-3 rolls of 35mm film will be incorporated into your session, offering an artistic, timeless feel to your gallery.
Film Delivery: Film images will be delivered digitally and as prints, giving your family’s collection an extra layer of nostalgia and artistry.
Convenient Delivery
Digital Gallery: Your images will be available in a private online gallery for easy viewing, sharing, and downloading.
Prints Included: 5x7 prints are included to help you preserve and display your family’s story in physical form.
Session Location
Within 25 Miles of Charleston, WV: Sessions must take place within this radius.
Travel Fee: If your session is located outside this area, a travel fee will apply.
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Designed for families who want more than just a handful of photos, this session offers a balanced experience, capturing both candid moments and posed portraits. Perfect for those who desire a meaningful collection of images with a touch of artistry, including film photography to add timeless charm.
Deliverables:
Signature Session (Up to 90 Minutes)
Full Experience: A one-and-a-half hour session that allows for a variety of moments to be captured, from spontaneous interactions to carefully posed portraits.
For Families Who Want a Little Extra: This package is ideal for those looking to capture more than just a few quick shots but still want a streamlined session.
Up to 50 High-Resolution, Fully Edited Images
A thoughtfully curated selection of 50 fully edited images, highlighting the beauty of your family’s connection.
Delivered digitally and as 5x7 prints for you to enjoy and share.
Incorporation of 35mm Film
Film Photography: 1-2 rolls of 35mm film will be incorporated into your session, bringing an organic, nostalgic element to your family’s story.
Film Delivery: Film images are delivered both digitally and as prints, offering an additional layer of artistry to your gallery.
Convenient Delivery
Digital Gallery: Access your images in a private, online gallery for easy viewing, sharing, and downloading.
Prints Included: 5x7 prints are included, allowing you to hold and display your family’s memories.
Session Location
Within 25 Miles of Charleston, WV: Sessions must take place within this radius.
Travel Fee: If your session is located outside this area, a travel fee will apply.
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Perfect for those who want a simple yet meaningful collection of family memories. This session is ideal for capturing a handful of genuine moments without the need for an extended photo experience. Whether you're looking for a few beautiful portraits or candid snapshots, this package offers just what you need.
Deliverables:
Essential Session (Up to 45 Minutes)
Quick & Impactful: In just 45 minutes, we’ll capture the essence of your family in a streamlined session that delivers powerful, meaningful images.
Perfect for Small, Intimate Moments: Ideal for those who need just a few high-quality photos to document the moment without a long session.
Up to 20 High-Resolution, Fully Edited Images
Receive a carefully curated selection of 20 fully edited images that reflect your family’s connection.
Delivered digitally and as 5x7 prints for you to cherish and share.
Convenient Delivery
Digital Gallery: Your images will be available in a private, online gallery for easy viewing, sharing, and downloading.
Prints Included: 5x7 prints are included, allowing you to hold and display the memories captured during your session.
Session Location
Within 25 Miles of Charleston, WV: Sessions must take place within this radius.
Travel Fee: If your session is located outside this area, a travel fee will apply.
In full transparency - I know my prices are expensive. I do offer a ‘pay what you can’ situation. I also offer a mega discount for cash payments. I’m always down for a haggle - so just reach out if you want your family photos to feel like art.
More of a homebody?
The good stuff, no frills in-home session.
Proof that maternity photos don’t have to be boring.
An analog film + digital maternity session in Pittsburgh.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes! We specialize in both candid, documentary-style photos and posed portraits. During the session, we’ll guide you with gentle prompts to help everyone feel relaxed and natural. Our goal is to create a mix of spontaneous moments and intentional portraits.
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We suggest wearing clothing that reflects your family’s personality and is comfortable for the whole crew. Neutral tones, soft textures, and coordinating colors work well for timeless photos. We’re happy to offer styling advice and tips if needed—just ask! If you’re more drawn to the documentary approach and want your kiddo in their grungy Toy Story t shirt, I love that just as well.
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You’re not alone! Most people feel that way at first. But trust me—within minutes, you’ll be feeling comfortable and confident. My job is to help you shine.
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Booking is simple! Just reach out via the contact form at the bottom of this page or email me directly at hello@thebreiters.com. We’ll discuss your vision, the package that’s right for you, and lock in a date. A deposit is required to reserve your session.
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Yes! We offer special packages that combine maternity and newborn/family sessions, allowing us to document your family’s journey from pregnancy to your baby’s first moments. Contact us for details on these packages and to schedule your sessions.
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Yes, we love to travel! Our base radius is 25 miles from Charleston, WV, but we’re happy to go beyond that for an additional travel fee. We offer a tiered pricing structure for travel based on location, so feel free to ask for details. I would love to do an adventurous family session at Dolly Sods or New River Gorge. How about a camping session? I have so many ideas lol.
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Absolutely! We understand that pets are an important part of your family. If you'd like to include them in your session, just let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
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Our approach is rooted in storytelling and documentary-style photography. We aim to capture real moments and emotions that represent your family as they truly are. We also incorporate film photography, which adds a timeless, artistic touch to your photos that you won’t find with many other photographers.
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Documentary-style photography is all about capturing authentic moments as they unfold naturally, telling the true story of your family. It’s about preserving emotions, connections, and the small details that make your family unique. While we focus on documenting your family’s life as it happens, we also offer gentle guidance to help you feel at ease and look your best. Whether it’s a relaxed pose or a spontaneous moment, we’ll be there to guide you without interrupting the natural flow of your day. Think of it as a balance between capturing the real, unposed moments and providing direction for those special, framed portraits.
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It’s completely normal for kids to have moments of grumpiness or upset during a session, and we’re here to make the experience as stress-free as possible. We approach every session with patience and flexibility. If your child isn’t feeling it, we can take a break, adjust the pace, or even let them have some quiet time before continuing. Our goal is to capture the essence of your family, even in those raw, unposed moments. Sometimes, the most beautiful memories come from these real, unfiltered interactions. Rest assured, we’ll work with you to make sure the session feels relaxed and enjoyable for everyone. At the end of the day, if your little one is just sad, upset, and crying the entire time- well that’s the beauty of documentary style and we’ll hope that you cherish your memories of that cranky toddler phase. We’re parents too- we get it.
Think I’m the one?
If you’re ready to chat about your family and/or maternity photo session and potentially hire me to photograph it, here’s what’s next:
Book a discovery call
After you fill out the inquiry form, we’ll schedule a discovery call to talk about your vision and gather details for your preferred photo package.
Make it official
After choosing the perfect package for you, we’ll lock it in with a signed contract and a $500 retainer. Folks love our flexible payment plans, so depending on your package, we’ll break your payments up into 3 installments.
Collaborate
Prior to your session, we’ll schedule a collaboration meeting or we can do it over email (I’m flexible for all you busy mamas and papas out there!) We’ll review moldboards, outfits, and locations and prepare a game plan to document your family in a way that is natural to you.
document your memories
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document your memories
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document your memories • document your memories •
