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Maternity Magic

Oh these two were so much fun to photograph. They were the sweetest, most loving couples I’ve ever seen. They now have a sweet little boy who they love with all of their hearts. Isn’t it miraculous how women’s bodies can grow a new life like they do? It’s such a blessing.

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Maternity My Way

I have a confession to make. When I first saw maternity photographs they did not impress me. I thought it was weird to focus on a growing belly. It just seemed weird to me. At that time I was having babies, and to be honest I felt kind of hideous when I was pregnant. Looking back at photos of myself I can now appreciate that I didn’t look bad. I was just too hard on myself, as most women are.

Now as I’m older and wiser, and have a much better perspective on life and what’s beautiful I LOVE maternity sessions. I think pregnant women are so beautiful! I especially love seeing them with their families. They absolutely glow when they are with their spouses and children.

This maternity session is definitely one of my favorites. Their little guy could not be any cuter, and his energy and sass made me so happy. What I love most about it though, was how happy they look together. Their big smiles fill me with joy I cannot describe. THIS is why I’m a family photographer. THIS is what I want to leave my clients with.

To all the moms, and moms to be out there, please know how beautiful you are! Your body is doing MIRACULOUS things! Giving birth is the most selfless, difficult, and loving thing you could do. It still blows me away that my own body was able to grow 4 children. It was the very best thing I ever did, and I will always be so grateful I could be a mother.

Would you like to book a maternity session? I would love to photograph your family. You can see more information about maternity and newborn sessions HERE.

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Why should you have Maternity Photos taken?

When I was pregnant, the thought of being in front of the camera made me want to vomit. I felt so big I was bursting everywhere. None of my clothes fit right. It was uncomfortable and depressing. I wished I could be one of those women who only grew in their belly. I grew everywhere. All of me got bigger. I vividly remember walking by a store in the mall and seeing my reflection in the store window. I stopped in my tracks as a little shriek of terror escaped my lips. I couldn't believe I had gotten that big. That was only my first pregnancy. You should have seen my by my fourth.

Thankfully, my husband, friends, and other family members did sneak some photos of me while I was pregnant. I reluctantly put them into my photo albums, and now years later, I have to say I actually like them. I stop and look at them longer than any other photos of me. Why? Because they make me feel good about myself. Yes, those images of my huge bulging belly make me feel good. I am removed enough from the pain of the pregnancy to just see myself, and guess what? I didn't look as horrible as I thought I did. Not even close. I wasn't as big as I imagined in my own mind. I look at those photos and feel tremendous gratitude that I could give birth to 4 healthy beautiful babies. There is nothing in life I wanted more than to be a mother, and I was able to have that. I am incredibly blessed.

My message to all expectant moms out there is this: LOVE that amazing body of yours. The fact that you can bear children is a miracle, and trust me, there are countless women out there who pray for that ability every day with no success. Your children will want to see what you looked like. They will pour over those images and marvel that they were once in there. YOU will pour over those images and marvel that they once fit in there. Don't be hard on yourself.  Don't compare yourself to other women. Don't beat yourself up about stretch marks, veins, or bulging belly buttons. Those are trivial. You are a treasure worth documenting, if not for yourself, then for your children.

This is a recent maternity session I did at the beach. This couple was such a pleasure to photograph. This was actually our second time meeting. The first time we attempted a photo session I lost all of my photography equipment to a rogue wave that swept me up and knocked me down. Luckily I have the best clients who are so understanding. I will never forget their kindness and compassion.

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Waiting, hoping, wondering....

Waiting, hoping, wondering.... what will it be like? Will he look like me? Will he have my nose? Will he be the next Michael Jordan? A brilliant doctor who saves millions of lives? Will he be kind? Will he love me asmuch as I love him?  Will I be a good mother? How hard will this be? Can I do it?

Nobody can really answer all those questions, but I do know for sure he will love you, and if you are even thinking these things you already are a good mother. You won't be perfect, and you'll make lots of mistakes, but you'll be just the mother he needs.

I know I'm not supposed to say this, but I love this session so much. It is exactly what I think a maternity session should be. I'm also excited to share their newborn session tomorrow. It was one of my favorite newborn sessions of all time. Please come back for more tomorrow.

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Family maternity session | Westlake Village

Maternity sessions are so unique in that they are celebrating the future. Most moms don't want all the attention on themselves. They are used to giving their all to their families, and not taking as much care of themselves. In their photo sessions it's their chance to be seen with their families, and to exist in pictures. You would be surprised how important this is to the kids as the years go by, and also to the moms as they look back on the years and see themselves documented with the family. This is one of those sessions where the mom, expecting her 2nd daughter wanted the family to be the focus, but with her as a part of it.

She's absolutely glowing as she gets ready to give birth. Her oldest daughter charmed me with her contagious laugh, and happy face as she ran up and down the beach. I hope they look back on these images and remember what it was like when it was just the 3 of them, but anxiously awaiting being a family of 4.

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Expecting

Combine low tide, a gorgeous beach, two beautiful soon-to-be parents, and you have a maternity session just like I like it. When I was pregnant I always felt like the baby would never ever come. The waiting seemed to go on forever. When the baby finally arrived it was like I couldn't ever imagine life without them. It's funny how life works that way.

The here and now seems like it will last forever, but you look back and see it goes by so quickly.  Be fore you know it you are in another stage of life. You really have to enjoy where you are in the moment because it will change.