Shara & Nick will find out at birth if baby will be in blue or pink!
I met Shara and Nick through Debbie Hull, a Houston-area doula who has helped deliver more than 300 babies. I profiled Debbie on the blog earlier this summer and I was thrilled when she connected me with Shara for a couples maternity photography session on The Woodlands Waterway.
We met up on a Saturday morning for a romantic maternity photography session in The Woodlands, Texas, along an area of the Waterway that is often pretty quiet. It was the perfect backdrop to celebrate these sweet parents-to-be and their baby.
A romantic weekend couples session
This location is so beautiful for maternity sessions because of its versatility and also it offers the connection to nature that lots of mamas request for baby bump photos. Just north of Houston, The Woodlands Waterway is one of my favorite places to photograph maternity photography sessions!
Shara and Nick are one of several couples I’ve photographed this year who are waiting until baby is born to find out if it’s a boy or a girl, which is definitely one of life’s sweetest surprises. Maybe the blue in her skirt is mama’s intuition about baby’s gender? I’d say it’s definitely a possibility!
Timing is everything
Shara was 37 weeks along for her maternity photos. The timing of maternity sessions is always something mamas-to-be ask about. As a maternity photographer, I recommend scheduling anywhere from 27 to 35-ish weeks pregnant so that you’ve got that perfectly round bump to show off.
This timeframe usually works well in terms of mama’s comfort level too. There’s certainly no harm in scheduling later than 35 weeks, and some mamas don’t even feel the usual end-of-pregnancy discomfort till the week or so before birth!
As you’ll see from her photos, Shara was totally rockin’ her baby bump just three weeks before baby’s due date! We started out with she and husband Nick sharing sweet moments and smiles on a bridge that runs along The Woodlands Waterway. We also found a secluded little alcove with a gorgeous weeping willow and other trees that worked perfectly for these photos.
My favorite part of Shara’s romantic maternity photography session was the very end when we photographed her bare belly. I love when mamas are brave enough to do some bare belly shots. I know it’s not for everyone! To get Shara’s gorgeous look, you’d need a bandeau bra or bikini top, along with a lacy, sheer wrap. Her soft makeup perfectly complements this look… and oh, those curls! What a beautiful mama!
What a stunning mama-to-be
I focused on some closeup shots of her to highlight how lovely she is just weeks before she holds her precious baby for the first time. These are the kinds of memories I hope mamas hold on to – how it feels to carry a baby and feel every kick and hiccup, and the anticipation of waiting to see baby’s adorable face.
There are so many moments to celebrate during maternity sessions – the love between parents, mama’s stunning pregnancy curves, dad’s excitement about this next stage of life… Shara and Nick’s magical maternity session captures all of it.
View this stunning maternity photography session in The Woodlands, Texas, below!