This session was extra special because I had the joy of photographing my sister-in-law, Jackie, who is 30 weeks pregnant with my soon-to-be niece, Sofie! Today I'm going to show you some behind the scenes photos from last weekend's styled maternity session...
I recommend scheduling your maternity session between 28-36 weeks of your pregnancy. It's the best time to show off that gorgeous, round baby bump while still feeling comfortable enough to stand and pose (we planned this session around Jackie's 30 week mark). It's a wonderful opportunity to savor the moments of your pregnancy and preserve special memories to look back on.. more reasons why I was so excited for this shoot!
When planning the location I chose Brodhead Creek Park in East Stroudsburg for our session. I've photographed here many times in the past and LOVE the versatility it gives me. Trails, beautiful tall trees, grassy areas, still water AND running water.. there are so many little gems in this park that allow me to have such variety and creativity while shooting.
After deciding on the date and location the hunt for Jackie's dress was in full force a few weeks in advance to our shoot. After narrowing down my options I decided on this lace overlay maxi dress in pink blush. The pink paired beautifully with Jackie's fair skin and dark hair, and the lace added great texture for a feminine touch. It had me feeling all the baby girl and spring vibes for sure!
I want mamas to look AND feel amazing for their photos so I rented Jackie's dress from Mama Bump Rentals. I've rented from them in the past and they're definitely my go-to for maternity gowns! They have a great selection of styles, colors and prices to fit any mom no matter their budget. Plus, they make returning the dress sooo easy. If you can't find what you're looking for on their website, here's a list of some other great options for maternity gowns for your upcoming session:
Mother Bee Maternity
Chicaboo
Pink Blush
Bella Bello Bump
Sew Trendy
Most of my sessions take place in the evenings in order to capture that beautiful golden hour light. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for us but we were not about to let a little rain discourage us from capturing some precious moments!
While waiting for the rain to pass, we took some shelter underneath the biggest tree we could find. Thankfully, the rain dissipated within a few minutes but not until we used our new found shelter to our advantage for some great shots. I had mama thinking of little Sofie's arrival for these images. Having soon-to-be mom's thinking of their sweet, little bundles always brings out those soft, intimate smiles.
As much as I love posing my maternity clients in a soft and elegant fashion, I also love poses that leave my clients feeling empowered. Nothing says empowerment better than a fierce mama and Jackie nailed it!
Right before departing for our location I had some last minute ideas and was searching for some prop flowers. I quickly picked a few daffodils out of my garden and tied them with some hemp rope for the perfect spring accessory.
As the sun was setting we quickly made our way over to the opposite end of the park and ended our session with a few shots by the water.
If you take a look at the behind the scenes photos above, the location doesn't necessarily feel like a glamorous one (this early into spring we're still waiting on so much to bloom and hide the memories of winter). One of my favorite parts about delivering client galleries is knowing they're going to see what I saw... how the light illuminated them, the scenery, the posing, etc. And it's a joy when they're just as thrilled with the outcome as I am!
I'm always excited anytime I get to pick up my camera but there's something extra special about photographing family. We are counting down the days until baby Sofie makes her debut and I can't wait to one day share these images with her.. along with the time her mom and I shared. Aunt Missy loves you xo
For this weekend's styled shoot I was so blessed to once again work with my sister-in-law, Sarah Martini! She pulled all the stops to give Jackie the ultimate Hollywood Glam look. Check out my previous blog posts to see more styles by Sarah and don't forget to follow her on Facebook!
xx Melissa
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