Clearly, this summer has been the summer of Mama’s!! I think I have done more maternity sessions within a month than I have…ever! It’s been such a thrill for me because I absolutely LOVE maternity sessions! What I love about them is that it’s really about showing how much we love someone who isn’t even born yet. I tell each Mama-to-be that they are getting in front of my camera, not only to document such a special season of life, but also to show their baby one day “Hey look! This was me, before YOU! This was me before I knew how much one teeny tiny little soul like YOU could change my life for the better-forever!” 

I mean, I simply adore the photograph I have of my Mom where she’s pregnant with me. She’s absolutely miserable (that’s NOT why I love it, mind you!), she’s sweating in the dead middle of summer, the AC is probably out at the beach house, and she’s laying on this uncomfortable looking wicker couch (thank goodness they got rid of that thing before I came along!) and she’s probably hating life and rethinking that whole 2nd child thing. But that’s what I love about it. She’s enduring all this pain and going through so much…FOR ME!? How could I’ve gotten so lucky?! I’ve got one awesome Mama (Hi Mama, if you’re reading this!) and I just love looking at those photographs of her before I rocked her world! 

Now, granted-the Moms-to-be that I get the honor of photographing their maternity session …they’re not much in pain, sweating like crazy (although, it HAS been a hot summer!) or dreading their pregnancy throughout the session. It’s a sweet, natural, organic moment that we capture together. I just love it. It’s so simple. Nothing too crazy. Just Mom+sweet baby. Oh! I just get goosebumps thinking about it! What I’m most excited about before/during/after a maternity session is that I’m capturing & creating these images that their sweet baby will enjoy years down the road, just like I have with my own Mom.

Last night, I had the honor of photographing my new friend Stephanie at her maternity session.  This girl…oh my word! She’s absolutely stunning! (& she’s pretty bad@$$ if you ask me! The girl does body work on race cars and cars!! #girlpower!) She was so nervous about being in front of the camera, but it doesn’t show, does it?! I’m so happy that I was able to capture these sweet moments in her life, and I just know that her and Ryan will make such wonderful parents.  These two are just so in love with each other and support each other so much!

Oh! And get this! Stephanie and Ryan are having a little Baby Girl and they’re deciding on names for her! They’ve narrowed it down to….(drum roll please!)… Emily, Emma, or Evelyn!! Of course, my vote would go towards Emily or Emma…but what about YOUR vote?! What do you think they should name their sweet baby girl when she arrives in early October?!

Stephanie+Ryan– It was an absolute honor to photograph you both! I had the joy of getting to know you two and I’m so glad I was able to capture a sweet love story-one of your love together and the love you have so much already for your sweet baby girl who you both will welcome very soon! Soak up every moment left of this pregnancy & enjoy every second of your life together before Baby E makes her grand entrance into this world! It was fabulous! Can’t wait to meet sweet Baby E! XOX!-Emma Loo