family with five children and newborn baby during studio family portrait session - St Louis family photographer
newborn baby girl wearing bow headband - St Louis newborn photographer
mother holding and kissing newborn baby during newborn photography session - St Louis newborn photographer
St. Louis Newborn Photographer

Preserving those tiny first days

simple and timeless lifestyle newborn photography

Congratulations, your baby is finally here. Those first days are filled with sleepy cuddles, tiny fingers, and moments you wish you could pause. While many newborn photographers focus on props and stiff poses, my approach is simple and natural. I create light, timeless newborn photography in your home or studio, capturing real connection and the quiet beauty of these early days.

These first moments become the beginning of your family’s story, preserved in photographs you’ll treasure and display in your home for years to come.

Congratulations, your baby is finally here. Those first days are filled with sleepy cuddles, tiny fingers, and moments you wish you could pause. While many newborn photographers focus on props and stiff poses, my approach is simple and natural. I create light, timeless newborn photography in your home or studio, capturing real connection and the quiet beauty of these early days.

These first moments become the beginning of your family’s story, preserved in photographs you’ll treasure and display in your home for years to come.

newborn photographer in St. Louis MO

Capturing those tiny little fingers

Time moves quickly, and you’ll never have this moment again. Your baby bump becomes a real-life baby. Your newborn is walking before you know it. Those adorable chubby cheeks slowly fade, and suddenly you’re looking at this little adult thinking,

“My goodness! Where did my baby go?”

Time moves quickly, and you’ll never have this moment again. Your baby bump becomes a real-life baby. Your newborn is walking before you know it. Those adorable chubby cheeks slowly fade, and suddenly you’re looking at this little adult thinking,

“My goodness! Where did my baby go?”

Digital Files

print Credit to spend on artwork

Beautiful memories preserved forever

Your Newborn Session

which Newborn session is right for you...
Studio sessions

What to expect in studio...

If you love a clean, timeless look that keeps the focus on your baby and their tiny details, the studio is a beautiful setting for your newborn session. My approach is relaxed and baby led, so your little one settles naturally without stiff posing or distracting props. I provide soft wraps and simple accessories in neutral tones, plus a wardrobe consultation for mom and family. Studio newborn sessions take place within the first two weeks and last 1.5 to 3 hours to allow time for feeding and cuddles.

lifestyle sessions

What to expect at home...

Lifestyle newborn sessions are very different from studio sessions, with a relaxed, connection focused approach that tells the story of these early days in your baby’s first home. These sessions can take place anytime in the first few weeks or months. For sleepy images, the ideal window is 7 to 15 days; for more awake, interactive moments with family, anytime within the first three months works beautifully. Lifestyle sessions typically last about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Planning your session

The Newborn Timeline...

I recommend planning your newborn session within the first 7-14 days after your baby arrives, when babies are typically sleepiest and easiest to gently pose. Because due dates can shift, most families reserve their session during pregnancy and we finalize the exact date once your little one is here.

That said, beautiful newborn portraits are still possible after the first 2 weeks. Your newborn session is designed to focus on your baby and the quiet beauty of these early days. I also encourage including parents and siblings for part of the session to capture the connection and love already surrounding your little one.

timeless joyful artwork

Layflat albums  |  wall art  Galleries |  print boxes  |  CUSTOM FRAMing

Your memories deserve more than a screen. I transform your digital images into timeless artwork your family will grow up with and cherish for years to come. From albums to wall art, each piece preserves your story in a meaningful way. These are the memories your children will one day hold in their hands.

The portrait process

From First Conversation to Finished Heirlooms


The Phone

Consultation

right when you inquire

After you inquire, we’ll have a brief phone call to talk about your family, what matters most to you, and what you hope to preserve from this season of life.

You don’t need to have everything figured out. My role is to guide you and ensure your session is thoughtfully designed from the very beginning, so you feel confident and excited moving forward.


The Planning &

WARDROBE APPOINTMENT

4-6 weeks before session

We’ll meet for a planning and wardrobe consultation where every detail comes together. I’ll help design the look and feel of your session, guide outfit selections, and connect you with trusted professional hair and makeup artists.

Everything is thoughtfully prepared so your session feels cohesive, effortless, and fully taken care of before session day arrives.


The Portrait

session

on scheduled session date

Your session is designed to feel relaxed and enjoyable. You don’t need to know how to pose or what to do - I’ll guide you every step of the way so you feel comfortable, confident, and completely yourself.

This allows genuine moments and connection to unfold naturally, resulting in timeless images that reflect your family honestly.


The Viewing &

Ordering APPOINTMENT

2-3 weeks after session

Once your images are ready, we'll meet together in your home where you’ll see them for the first time and select your favorites. Together, we’ll design custom artwork for your home so your photographs can be seen, lived with, and preserved.

Your photographs are not meant to live on a screen. They are meant to be seen, held, and remembered.

Details & Investment

digital files + gorgeous artwork = happy clients

Newborn

Session Booking fee is $300

collections including digital files start at $1200

*collections are purchased separately after each session

your newborn experience includes:

  • Personalized wardrobe consultation and planning so you feel confident, polished, and completely prepared
  • Professional hair and makeup recommendations with coordination handled for you
  • Location planning tailored to your vision and style - outdoor or in-studio
  • A guided, relaxed session experience designed to flatter and feel natural
  • Artistic editing of your final images with a timeless, refined finish
  • In home ordering appointment with personalized artwork design so you can see exactly how your images will live in your space
  • In home artwork reveal and custom design consultation so your images become finished pieces, not forgotten files

*To ensure every client receives a personalized experience, I accept only 4–6 portrait bookings each month. Contact me today to get all the pricing info before you book.

Bump to Birthday

Your baby’s first year goes by in a blink. And there’s already so much on your plate, so let’s make capturing it easy. With Bump to Birthday, your baby’s first year is beautifully preserved, from maternity to first birthday.

Often families choose Bump to Birthday because it makes documenting baby’s first year simpler, more cohesive, and more cost-effective than booking sessions individually.

CombineD Booking fee is $600

(3-4 sessions included)

No session fees  |  Hair & Makeup Included  |  Artwork Credits

*collections are purchased separately after each session
CHOOSE ANY OR ALL
MATERNITY  |  NEWBORN |  3 MONTH  | 
6 MONTH  |  9 MONTH  |  12 MONTH

Your Bump to Birthday experience includes:

  • 3–4 Sessions across baby’s first year, thoughtfully scheduled to capture each milestone without you having to manage the planning
  • Personalized planning roadmap so you know exactly when to schedule maternity, newborn, and milestone sessions
  • Styling and preparation consultations for every session so the entire year feels cohesive and beautifully curated
  • Professional hair and makeup included for every session for Bump to Birthday clients so you can arrive relaxed and fully taken care of
  • In-home viewing and ordering appointments after each session so you can choose your favorites comfortably in your own space
  • Artwork credit at each session included for Bump to Birthday clients to help turn your images into finished pieces for your home

*Only 12 Bump to Birthday client slots available each year.

serving st louis parents since 2017

Kira Messer is a seasoned St. Louis Missouri photographer. She has been capturing the beauty of motherhood and family for the past 9 years. Kira offers maternity photography, lifestyle newborn photography, and family photography in her timeless, natural, and elevated style.

Kira serves St. Louis City and St. Louis County including St. Albans, Wildwood, Chesterfield, Town and Country, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Ladue, Frontenac, Kirkwood, Webster Groves and beyond.

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Kira Messer Photography captures newborns, maternity, and families in St. Louis.

greater st louis missouri
like what you see?

Contact me today!

314-960-8073

St. Louis, MO 63131

clients@kiramesserphotography.com