Ideally 2–4 weeks ahead—especially if your little one’s birthday falls during our busier seasons (spring and fall). This gives us time to design the perfect set and make sure you get your favorite time slot. If the birthday snuck up on you (happens to the best of us!), still reach out — we often have weekday openings.

Your session fee covers the time, talent, and heart of your photographer — the storytelling part.
After your session, you’ll view your images during your Design Consultation and choose the ones you love most.
Digitals, prints, albums, and wall art are purchased separately so you get exactly what fits your home and your story.

Your session fee includes:
– Your Planning Consultation
– Studio time
– Access to our sets, props, and creative backgrounds
– Your Design Consultation to view and select your favorites
If it’s a First Birthday Session, your fee also includes a smash cake and balloons.
Everything is designed to help you slow down, be present, and celebrate this chapter of your child’s story.

We don’t just take photos … we help families feel deeply connected.
Our entire experience is designed for busy moms who worry childhood is flying by.
We help you see your child’s spirit, their imagination, and the love your family has built — and turn it into artwork you’ll see every day.
We’ve photographed thousands of children for almost 20 years here in Wesley Chapel.
Our sets, lighting, and process create magic … but it’s the connection and emotion that make our portraits priceless.

Absolutely — we built this entire experience for you.
– Sessions last about an hour
– Immediate viewing and ordering (no extra trip!)
– Sessions planned around naps
– A team that handles details so you don’t have to
– Fast turnaround
– Everything designed to be calm, simple, and joyful
You get stunning artwork without adding stress to your already full life.

Absolutely! We love when parents and siblings jump in. These are the photos your child will treasure most one day—the ones that show how loved they are. Plus, it gives us a few sweet family portraits that often become favorites for the wall.

We hear this all the time from moms, and here’s the truth:
You belong in the photos.
Not because you’re “camera-ready”… but because your child sees you as their whole world.
These portraits become a piece of your legacy …. the proof of your love that hangs on the wall long after they’ve grown.
We pose you gently, beautifully, and naturally. Moms always leave feeling grateful they said yes.

For milestone and birthday sessions, we typically photograph 2–3 outfits. Bring your favorites — we’ll help you choose what looks best on camera.

We don’t provide clothing for regular sessions — and that’s actually wonderful!
Your child’s outfits help tell their story in a way that feels personal and authentic.
The only exception is our Magical Themed Experiences, which sometimes include costumes. We’ll let you know when a theme includes wardrobe pieces.

Most families invest between $850–$1500, depending on what they choose.
Every family is different, and we guide you gently through options that fit your home, your heart, and your budget.

Tell him this:
“We’re not just getting pictures. We’re celebrating who our child is right now — before they grow again.”
Also:
Dads almost ALWAYS leave saying, “That was actually fun.” True story.

Yes! We offer flexible payment plans for artwork orders over $500. Many families love this option because it lets them choose everything their heart wants and still stay within their monthly household budget. Payment plans can be set up for up to six months, making it easy and stress-free to bring home all the portraits you adore without having to choose between favorites.

From classic backdrops to storybook scenes, enchanted orchards, wizarding labs, and cozy holiday sets … we have it all.
Every season brings new designs inspired by childhood wonder.
During your planning chat, we’ll help you choose a set that feels perfect for your child’s personality.

Keep it simple, timeless, and true to your family’s personality. For babies and kids, soft colors and textures photograph beautifully. Avoid big logos or wild patterns that compete with those adorable faces. For family portraits, choose a color palette that feels coordinated but not “matchy-matchy.” And most importantly—make sure everyone can move, snuggle, and play comfortably.

A well-rested, well-fed little one is the secret ingredient to happy photos. Try to keep nap and meal schedules as close to normal as possible. Bring favorite snacks, a drink, and maybe a tiny toy or two for comfort. Don’t stress about perfection … we’re pros at working with wiggles, giggles, and snack breaks.

For most babies and young children, mornings are the magic hour … after breakfast and before nap time. Everyone’s fresh, happy, and full of energy (and we get those natural smiles before the afternoon yawns hit).

Yes please! We love when families bring something meaningful—a favorite blanket, a stuffed animal, even Grandma’s quilt. These little touches make your session uniquely yours and tell your family’s story in the sweetest way.

Absolutely. A full tummy means a happy baby! Plan for a feeding right before you leave or when you arrive. We always build in time for quick top-offs or snack breaks during the session if needed.

Totally normal. Every child warms up in their own time. That’s why we start slow, chat, play, and let them explore. Once they feel comfortable, the smiles come naturally. And sometimes those serious, curious looks end up being mom’s favorite photos!

Most sessions run about 45–60 minutes, long enough for fun and variety but short enough to keep everyone happy. First birthday and themed sessions sometimes take a bit longer (cake and confetti need cleanup breaks!).

If your little one wakes up with the sniffles, fever, or just isn’t themselves, give us a call. We totally understand—babies don’t read calendars. We’ll happily help you reschedule so your child feels their best and you get photos you truly love.

Try to avoid scheduling vaccines or big checkups a few days before your session. Even the bravest babies can feel a little cranky afterward, and we want them at their happiest for picture day. (Trust us, this is one appointment they’ll actually enjoy!)

We’ve been there … drool, rosy cheeks, the works. Teething happens! Bring along a cool teether or soft cloth for comfort, and we’ll take plenty of breaks as needed. Sometimes those little teething faces make the cutest, most real photos of all.

First things first … you’ll be greeted with smiles (and maybe the smell of coffee). We’ll take a few minutes to get to know your family, go over outfits, and make sure everything feels just right before the camera even comes out. Then it’s time for fun! We’ll guide you every step of the way, just bring your love and laughter.

Don’t worry … this happens all the time! We’re experts at reading little moods and turning tears into giggles. Sometimes that means a snack break, a song, or a game of peek-a-boo. And honestly, some of those in-between expressions end up being the most heart-melting photos of all.

Yes! We love capturing the full story—big brothers, little sisters, and of course, mom and dad. These moments often become family favorites because they show the connection and love behind every milestone.

We adore that idea! Depending on the type of session, we can absolutely include grandparents. Just let us know in advance so we can plan enough time to give everyone their moment in front of the camera.

Perfect. That’s exactly what we expect! Kids are meant to move, explore, and show their personalities. We’ll follow their lead, keep things light, and capture those spontaneous laughs that tell the real story of childhood.

That’s the best part! The messier, the better. We’ll capture every adorable frosting-covered grin. We even end most sessions with a cute bathtub scene to clean up and finish with a splash (and some of the cutest photos of the day).

You’re welcome to take a few behind-the-scenes clips for your Instagram story, but leave the heavy lifting to us and put your phone down to be present in the moment. We want you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience rather than trying to capture it yourself. (Plus, we promise our lighting makes everyone look amazing.)

Absolutely. Think of us as your personal “family wrangler” and cheerleader. We’ll guide you into natural, flattering poses and then encourage play, tickles, and snuggles so it all feels authentic.

Most sessions last about 45–60 minutes, though themed sets and first birthdays can run a bit longer. We work at your child’s pace—never rushed, never forced.

Please do! Tiny tummies run the show. Bring mess-free snacks like puffs, Cheerios, or fruit snacks, and we’ll take breaks whenever needed. (Just maybe skip the red juice boxes until after the photos. 😉)

The best part? You’ll get to see them right after your session!
We’ll take a quick break to tidy up, then invite you to relax in our viewing room while we prepare your images. You’ll laugh, cry (in the best way), and fall in love with your favorites right away.

During your viewing appointment, we’ll walk you through everything … from digital collections to albums and wall art. We’ll help you choose the best ways to display your portraits at home so you can enjoy them every day, not just on your phone screen. (We’ll even show you what your images will look like on your actual walls!)

We offer digital collections for families who prefer to print on their own, but most of our clients fall in love with the idea of seeing their portraits beautifully printed and framed. Either way, we’ll make sure you get exactly what fits your style and goals.

Yes! Designing custom albums and wall art is one of our favorite parts of the process. We’ll help you create pieces that fit your home perfectly … whether it’s a cozy family gallery wall or a stunning statement piece above the couch. Every product is professionally printed and made to last for generations.

Most finished products are ready within 2–4 weeks, depending on what you order. Custom wall art and albums take a little longer (because perfection takes time!), but we’ll give you an exact estimate when you place your order.

Absolutely! Once you receive your digital files, you can share them everywhere — just please tag @Cloud9Studios so we can celebrate with you! We love seeing your portraits pop up in our feed.

That’s totally normal — it’s the hardest part! We’ll help you narrow things down and even show you what combinations look best together. You truly can’t make a wrong choice — every photo tells part of your story.

No problem! We keep your ordered images on file for reorders, gifts, and wall art add-ons. (Pro tip: grandparents love surprise prints at Christmas.)

Yes! Cloud 9 Studios gift cards make the perfect present for baby showers, birthdays, or holidays. You can purchase them in any amount and even wrap them up in one of our adorable gift boxes.

At Cloud 9 Studios, every season has its own kind of magic. We photograph everything from First Birthdays and Baby & Child Milestones to Family Portraits, High School Senior Portraits, Holiday Sessions, and our fan-favorite Magical Themed Experiences.
Each one is designed to tell your child’s story — whether it’s frosting-covered giggles, school-age milestones, or a Christmas magic moment. We believe every age deserves to be celebrated!

These aren’t just photos — they’re the celebration of the year that changed everything.
Parents tell us these portraits become the ones that live in their home forever because they capture the end of babyhood and the beginning of who their child is becoming.

These sessions let your child step into a world where they are the hero of the story — and yes, that is exactly as magical as it sounds.
Our Magical Themes are where imagination takes center stage. Each one transforms our studio into a new world — a Wizarding School, an Enchanted Orchard, a Jurassic Adventure, Magical Fairies, Enchanted Princesses, and more.
We design new sets every season inspired by childhood wonder (and sometimes a movie or two 😉). Costumes and props are often included, and each session feels like stepping into a storybook where your child is the hero.

Yes! We love capturing the connection and joy between families — not just posed portraits, but the hugs, laughter, and in-between moments that tell your story. Whether it’s your first session together or your tenth, we’ll help you create artwork that feels like home.

Absolutely! Christmas is our busiest and most magical time of year. Each year, we unveil six custom-designed holiday sets during our Christmas in July event — from cozy fireplaces to sparkling snow scenes.
Many families come back year after year to see how their kids have grown through each Christmas theme. It’s become a beloved family tradition at Cloud 9 Studios — and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 🎄

Yes, and we love it! From sassy preteens to confident high school seniors, we design sessions that celebrate who they are right now. These portraits are perfect for yearbooks, wall art, or just capturing the incredible young person they’ve become.

Of course! Pets are family, too — and they often steal the show. We’ve photographed everything from golden retrievers in bow ties to bunnies in spring scenes. If your pet plays a special role in your story, we’d love to include them.

Yes! Throughout the year, we host limited-edition Event Weekends like Wizarding School, Baby Duck Sessions, Mother & Daughter Portraits, and more. These themed events are wildly popular and often sell out quickly, so we always recommend joining our VIP list to get first dibs when new ones are announced.

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Payments are due at the time of your session or when placing your artwork order. Easy, flexible, and no hidden surprises. For artwork orders over $500 we do offer payment plans.

Life happens — we get it! If your child wakes up sick or something unexpected comes up, just let us know as soon as possible. We’ll happily help you find a new time.
We do ask for at least 48 hours notice so we can offer your spot to another family on our waitlist.

We know getting out the door with kids can feel like a sport. If you’re running late, give us a quick call or text. We’ll do our best to adjust, but please know sessions may be shortened a bit if we have another family scheduled right after yours. (Pro tip: pack the diaper bag the night before — it’s a game changer!)

Please don’t push through if your little one isn’t feeling well. It’s always better to reschedule so they can shine when they feel their best. Sick days and skinned knees are part of childhood — we completely understand.

Absolutely. We take your family’s safety seriously — from spotless studio cleanliness to age-appropriate props and secure sets. Babies and toddlers are never left unattended, and all our photographers and staff are trained to handle kids safely and gently.

Totally fine! Just let us know ahead of time so we can make sure there’s plenty of space. Many parents bring Grandma or a helper for outfit changes or snack duty — we love having extra smiles in the studio.

Yes! While most of our sessions take place in our Wesley Chapel studio, we occasionally offer outdoor family or senior sessions in beautiful local spots around the Tampa Bay Area. Ask us about availability — we love chasing golden-hour light!

Yes — but please let us know first so we can plan accordingly. We photograph plenty of furry family members, but we like to schedule those sessions at specific times to keep everyone comfortable.

We recommend booking Christmas sessions as early as July when we release our holiday sets. These are our most popular sessions of the year and tend to sell out fast. Booking early ensures you get your preferred date (and plenty of time to order holiday cards).

You can always call, text, or message us — we love chatting with our clients! No question is too small or too silly. We’re here to make sure your experience is smooth, stress-free, and full of magic from start to finish.