Wintry Red & White Maternity Session

Pregnancy was one of my favorite experiences. Sure, it’s uncomfortable, and makes you super tired.  I also was not a cute pregnant woman.  Especially when pregnant with my daughter (sadly, I’m gonna get an “Amen” from some of my closest acquaintances…) I think maternity sessions are overlooked because for a woman, her body is changing drastically, and you’re still waiting.  But, there in lies the beauty.  As overwhelmingly happy as I was to bring two beautiful children (beasties, really) into the world, I mourned my pregnancy a little.  I missed having little flutters and kicks and knowing that my baby was securely tucked away.  There is so much anticipation during maternity that makes these photo sessions so beautiful.

I was so thrilled for Anne when she told me she was expecting.  We were about to shoot a wedding together in a few short weeks, and we had met for coffee to exchange memory cards for the big day.  She was still early on in her pregnancy, but I remember all too clearly how these early stages felt.  You’re tired beyond belief, and while you don’t look pregnant at first, after being on your feet all day your belly starts to pop by the end of it!  We were at Anne’s wedding in Shrewsbury and by the end of the night, her little belly was making an appearance.  It seems like it was only yesterday!

After the holidays, Anne reached out to me to discuss her vision of a red gown, snow and a garden in the Somerset Hills. I felt like all of my photographic dreams were coming true!  Now, at the time she reached out to me, we had bouts of 20 degree snows that were not so friendly, so we held off.  By early February, we gave up on the idea of snow.  There was so much rain, that it seemed the snow was done for the season (despite Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions). We rescheduled the session for a calm, but comfortable day.  Sun was a perfectly sufficient element to make this session beautiful.  Then, out of nowhere, the snow came, followed by this glorious weather, complete with sun and 60 degrees. A win for all!

Anne was such a sport in her shoulder-less dress.  Fortunately, we were dealing with a 48 degree day (as opposed to 20 degrees), but we made sure that she and Joe were cuddled up for warmth for the majority of their session. Joe naturally has a go-to GQ look that I love, but Anne’s little giggles broke him down a few times. For those of you who have had sessions with me, you know I talk A LOT. There was a lot of talking on my part, but also a lot of observing because they were having so much fun together.  I am so excited for Anne and Joe, and this final home stretch, and cannot wait to meet their little one soon!

Thanks for making me a part of this beautiful journey, Anne and Joe!