What is it that you did?  Celebrate.  You will celebrate the milestones of your life and of your children’s lives.   You will mark each and every special moment in some way – be it big or small – and for so, so many of them, you will hire a professional photographer.   Why?  Because those photos are ever so important to you, because the moments are irreplaceable, and because you can’t waste time being behind the camera because you are far too busy being in front of it, living it – exactly where you need to be.  So… tell me.  Why is that you don’t see your pregnancy that way?

I’m here to tell you that you need to stop and see that.  Before it’s gone.  Before you are 39.5 weeks and your doctor is talking about an induction and you finally start to realize – this little miracle that has been going on for the past 9 months is about to be over and convert over to a new and different miracle.   A new miracle that needs to be celebrated on it’s own, in it’s own way - differently.

But now…right now… it’s your time.  It’s  a special time, a special milestone and a special moment to capture.  I don’t care if it’s your 1st or 5th pregnancy.  Any woman will tell you – each and every pregnancy is special.   Your body is changing, your relationship with your signficant other is about to change, your relationship with your other children is about to change and you, yourself, are changing.    Why wouldn’t you celebrate?!  That’s what a maternity session is – a celebration.   

Here is Tanya.  Well into her 33rd week of expecting her 2nd child, a little girl (who was born last week, btw, and yes, now you know how far behind I am on blogging!).  She is the cousin who probably looks most like me.  We are so alike in so many ways.   And while I often see her as kind of a little sister,  here I see her as a woman, a mother…and all the undeniable beauty that comes with that.   

For maternity sessions, I definitely feel the need and desire to experiment more – not just with posing, lighting, and locations – but with processing as well.  It’s the only time I will ever really deviate from my fresh, clean, vibrant processing.   So here is a softer and creamier processing that I loved for this particular portion of this session…

So, if you are pregnant and still on the fence about a maternity session – just remember, whatever you decide – this is most definitely a time to celebate! =)