MAMA

For the woman who's never in the picture.

At last, real portraits of you with your kids.

You're always the one behind the camera. The one chasing them down for the shot, fixing their hair, holding the snacks. The blurry phone photos pile up on your camera roll and you're in maybe three of them.

This summer, it's your turn.

MAMA is an intimate portrait series for mothers and the children they made. One hour in the studio. One setup. One album you'll hold in your hands the rest of your life. No production. No pressure. No more being the one who's never in the picture.

Just denim. Just you and the kids.

Here's what's included

  • A complimentary one-hour studio session ($1,000 value)
  • A $300 product credit applied toward your album order
  • A guided session built around you and your kids
  • Hair and makeup with Karrie Jo available as an add-on
  • A private reveal where you choose your favorite images

Sessions held June through August. Limited applications.

Read this before you apply.

Is your answer "yes" to all three?
  • I value beautiful, professional portraits of my family.
  • I want to be IN pictures with my children, not always behind the camera.
  • I'm prepared to invest in an album or artwork from this session.

If yes, you're in the right place.

Can my partner, my parents, or our dog be in some of the photos?

MAMA is just you and your kids. By design. The whole campaign is built around the woman who's never in the photos with her own children, so that's where the focus stays. If you want a full family session with your partner, parents, siblings, or the dog, that's my standard Family Session, and we can schedule that separately at any point. Two different experiences, both available.

Is this a contest or a model search?

No. MAMA is for real mothers who want beautiful portraits of themselves with their kids and are ready to invest in the work. Selection is based on fit, not appearance.

What exactly will I get from the session itself?

A custom portrait experience at my studio on Main Street in McAllen. Your time with me, planning guidance, the session itself, a private reveal where I help you choose your favorites, and a $300 credit toward your album order.

This sounds like a gimmick. Why are you giving away free sessions?

Fair question. MAMA is a campaign, not a discount. The focus is specific. Just you and the kids, an hour, denim and a tee, different from a full family shoot. The waived session fee lets new clients experience the studio without that barrier, and gives past clients a reason to come back for this specific kind of session. Products stay at full price. Most women who come through MAMA stay with me for years.

Is there a minimum purchase?

No formal minimum, but MAMA is built for mothers who want to walk away with an album or printed artwork from the session. Most MAMA clients invest between $3,500 and $7,000 in their album and prints.

How much do the albums and prints cost?

The signature album (10-image Short Story) starts at $3,500. The 20-image Favorites album is $4,500. Folio boxes and wall portraits are available at studio pricing.

Why is there a $300 deposit if the session is complimentary?

Spots are limited and a lot of planning goes into each one. The $300 secures your spot and is fully credited toward your album or prints at your reveal.

What should I wear? What should the kids wear?

Easiest wardrobe ever. Denim is the constant. On top: tank, tee, button down, sweater, or a cool vintage tee. White, cream, navy, black, or tonal pieces that coordinate. Cool t-shirts are welcome as long as the group looks intentional together, like a fashion campaign. Kids in jeans and simple tops too. Barefoot, sneakers, heels, clogs, all good. Make it denim. Make it you. Once your application is accepted I'll send a one-page Mama Style Guide and you can text me a quick photo of what you're thinking before the session.

Where is the studio?

321 N. Main Street, Building B, McAllen, Texas. On-site parking, climate-controlled, set up for kids and grown-ups alike.

About Nicole

I'm a mom. I've been photographing women and families in the Rio Grande Valley for years. The clients who keep coming back tell me the same thing. I make them feel seen. That's the whole job, really.

MAMA exists because I kept hearing the same line from women I photographed. "I never have any pictures with my kids." I kept hearing it because I've said it about myself.

Welcome to different.
For every woman, every age, every stage, every phase.

Ready? Apply below.

Your application form is just below this section.