Pregnancy is such an exciting time in a woman's life. There are so many crazy changes happening in such a short period of time, it's honestly mind blowing! How can a body create an entire organ, grow a human life, bring forth that life, and then sustain that life for months afterward? And the way your body changes physically is just so hard to believe. 
For some women, pregnancy is this magical and glowing time. Some women have a really hard time with it. I am a firm believer that both journeys are worthy of being photographed and the whole process deserves to be honored. So for that reason, my maternity sessions look a little different than my normal family and newborn documentary style sessions. 

My Maternity Storytelling Sessions can be exactly what you want them to be.
It can be a celebration of your changing body and honoring all that it has been through. Yes, even stretch marks. It can be simple, with just you, your body, and light. It can be about the natural and organic beauty of pregnancy.  
I'd like to briefly speak to Mama's with high-risk pregnancies or those who are on bedrest: I mainly shoot in home and I am comfortable shooting in your space in whatever capacity you are able to. Please don't feel left out if this is your situation- I know how you feel, I've been there. 

Or. your Maternity Storytelling Session can be more artistic and abstract. It can be a celebration of the whimsy and the unknown (or the well-known journey). It can be more mindful or dreamlike. It can be creative.  It could even be saying goodbye to one chapter of your life and the beginning of another, very different chapter. 

Or, your Maternity Storytelling Session could be about your growing family and how it's a familial journey. It could be about family growth and the joys of being promoted to Big Brother or Big Sister. It could be about your day-to-day life and how this new baby is along for the ride. It could even be about preparing for the new baby. 

Whichever direction you choose to take your Maternity Storytelling Session, it will surely be infused with love, hope, and wonder. It's about the Mama who is changing and shifting... coming into a new part of herself.

Here's what you can expect for your Maternity Storytelling Session:

• A Google Meet to talk about your session, plan our what we will do and which direction we will go in. I need to stress here that these Google Meets are extremely informal. I will likely have on zero makeup, my hair will be in a messy bun, and there will likely be my dog sniffing around begging for attention...or possibly a kid or two. This is just 2 moms having a chat about pregnancy and how you're feeling, and what your vision is. 
• A low key, organic, and zero stress session. This session is what you want it to be. It doesn't have to be like everyone else's. This is about you. Not what society or anyone else says it has to be. 
• Up to 90 minutes of shooting time in your home or on location. 
• A sneak peek within 3 days of your session. 
• An online, private, password protected gallery of gorgeous, honest, and artful images delivered within the contracted time (usually 2-4 weeks). 

When should I book my Maternity Storytelling Session?
I recommend booking as early as possible to get the most flexibility with dates. But always feel free to reach out and see what my availability is. I'm happy to try to accommodate you. I've even shot one in home maternity session as the Mama was in active labor!

When should I schedule my Maternity Storytelling Session?
I like to schedule maternity sessions at about the 33-36 week range, although there are always exceptions. Please reach out and let's talk about what your needs are!

Is there a discount for booking a maternity session and newborn sessions at the same time? 
Absolutely! I offer a Belly + Baby Collection with an amazing incentive for booking both sessions at the same time. For more information, send me a message here or click here to view my Client Guide. 

Can I do my session with my family?
Yes! If you include your family in your session, I typically shoot it the way I would any other session, in my signature documentary style. 

Can I make payments?
YES. My payment plans are super flexible and I can work with anyone's budget. 

Do you edit out stretch marks and lumps/bumps?
No. I don't. In short, I will not edit out stretch marks or other body features because I believe wholeheartedly that our bodies are unique works of art and they are perfect the way they are. Stretch marks are a part of our body changing and growing a whole new life- I think that is a beautiful testament to the love and sacrifice of a mother. 

Got more questions? I'm all ears! 
Interested in telling the story of your journey? I want to hear it and I want to be a part of it. 
Click here or on the Contact tab above to send me a message. I can't wait to hear from you. 

I had the opportunity to shoot the cutest little in home maternity session in Virginia Beach last week. 
I was met at the door by a rambunctious lab who sniffed me and greeted me and then ran away with my boots in an attempt to get me to play with him instead of doing my job! Haha! What he doesn't know is that I would have gladly sat and played all day with him on any other day, but as it was, I was there to celebrate a little baby bump and document this fleeting season of life. I scratched his head, told him he was a good buddy, but that I had work to do. 

We talked about Baby and how excited she was for her to make her arrival, how she and her husband met, and her job at a non-profit. Interestingly, we also talked about Taylor Swift and how when her phone alarm went off, we needed to pause things so that she could try to get tickets for the Nashville show. I told her, you do what you need to do, but I'm going to keep shooting! 
She also baked the best salted dark chocolate cookies from scratch! 
Sidenote: How is it that I get to photograph life's most beautiful moments and eat cookies and play with puppies for a JOB? *heart eyes*

Another side note: She got the tickets! 
Being pregnant is such a special season of life, we all know that. But, me being a mama of 3, there's something really, really special about that first pregnancy. Everything is new. Every feeling, every sensation. Your body is doing beautiful (and weird) things and literally growing a human life. Cliche, I know, but it really is a miracle.

To see more maternity sessions, check out this blog about a very quiet and moody beach session or you can click here to view my maternity gallery. 
I'd love to hear from you. Let's talk about your session- send me a message here! 

Today, we had a quiet little celebration for the sweetest baby, waiting patiently to be brought earthside. 
In the cutest little house in Portsmouth, Virginia, we celebrated by making the morning all about rainbow baby Cooper. We documented his little life inside the womb, we talked about how he came to be, we talked about his mommy and daddy's long, emotional journey to parenthood, and we talked about their hopes and dreams for him once he's here. 
It was a perfect morning.  

We talked about what a beautiful sigh of relief it will be to finally hold him and stare into his face, to count his fingers and toes, and how amazing it feels to fall so deeply in love with someone you just laid eyes on. 
We talked about the special place where they found out their tiny miracle was on the way, I think it's pretty fitting that it was in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I feel like it's a pretty magical place!

One of the things I love about in home maternity sessions is that there is a feeling of comfort and security because you are in the space where you feel most yourself- your home. You're in the space where you are going to bring your baby to live. The place where you are going to make a lifetime of memories. 
It sets the scene for the story that is unfolding. 
And, in home maternity sessions introduce us to the characters of that story. 
One character of baby Cooper's story who I think is going to play a very important role is Nelli. I think she's going to be one faithful and loyal sidekick. What do you think?
Sidenote: this little lady was the bestest girl at the session, some might even say she stole the show a bit! She has the softest fur you've ever touched and she was so cuddly! 

If you'd like to schedule your in home maternity session, I'd love to chat with you and hear your story. I bet it's a good one. 
Click here or the Contact tab above to get that conversation started.