Sweetest moments from 2017

The end of the year snuck up on me and my family in the midst of the usual Christmas chaos. Now that we’ve officially rung in 2018 and we’re (mostly) back to a regular routine, I’ve had some time to reflect on last year and celebrate my favorite moments.

There is a certain level of intimacy with any photography session, and that’s definitely true of the maternity, Fresh 48 and newborn sessions I captured last year. Here’s a wrap-up of the sweetest moments with some wonderful mamas and their families.

Sweetest maternity moment (color)

Lauren was one of three mamas I photographed in black maternity dresses or gowns last year. I loved the idea of such a non-traditional color for her mama-to-be photos and that wrap was the perfect addition to her little black dress. Another thing I loved about celebrating Lauren: watching her start out shy and unsure of herself at the beginning of our session and slowly becoming this stunning woman who wore pregnancy so well. You can see genuine confidence in her eyes here because she felt beautiful and celebrated.

The key to a vibrant, fun session is clear direction from your photographer. When I am working with a client during a maternity session, part of our time together is very structured and I accentuate her curves by posing her from her toes up. Everything about how Lauren is standing is purposeful – the bend in her knee; the way she’s cradling her bump with one hand and pushing into her lower back with the other hand; the slight tilt of her head and her gentle smile. Yes, it takes a while to get settled into a pose like this and help a client look natural for her photos. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking your time during a session to ensure her comfort (that’s a priority) and her confidence (which is 100 percent essential).

I’m so proud of Lauren for trusting me with her maternity photos because I know she felt uncomfortable in front of the camera at first. Practically all of my clients start that way! Clear instruction and constant reassurance that you look great goes a long way toward creating incredible moments like this that you’ll treasure forever. See Lauren’s full post here.

Sweetest maternity moment (b&w)

Jessica was expecting baby number three here, a little boy named Jackson. We met in the fall for her nature-themed session on an afternoon that felt surprisingly chilly for September in Houston. I brought along my ivory wrap  (one of several signature wraps and gowns in my client closet) and Jessica just happened to pair it with her off-white cardigan. L-O-V-E the slight difference in color and texture here, not to mention that perfect length of her cardigan.

Do you notice the simplicity and elegance of her photo? She’s wearing her engagement ring and nothing else in terms of accessories. That’s part of what made this portrait so amazing! We caught the wind moving her hair and gown and this shot is one of my favorites from 2017. View Jessica’s full post here.

Sweetest couples maternity moment

Victoria and her husband were a Team Green couple expecting their first baby when we met in early 2017. They welcomed a sweet baby boy a few weeks after her session.

I love the emotion captured in this image and I feel like I’m looking at a private moment between them. I gave Tori and her husband some gentle posing direction and then put a little distance between us, armed with a longer lens. I encourage my couples to talk quietly or sneak in little kisses and tender moments during the session because that’s how genuine emotions happen.

Posing for photos doesn’t have to feel stiff or awkward. In fact, it shouldn’t be. That’s why choosing a photographer whom you trust is so critical to good photos. Not only should they be good with a camera, but they also have to give direction well and help you create real connection that you’ll want to treasure forever. See the full session here.

Sweetest Fresh 48 moment with baby

Meet Oliver! Isn’t he the most precious little green bundle of love you’ve ever seen? I couldn’t pick just one favorite photo of him.

To get close-up photos of newborns like the first image of Oliver, you need a macro lens to capture all the sweet details. I tried out a brand new lens on this guy and he was the perfect model once we got him swadled in my green wrap. These shots are so wonderful for helping moms and dads recall the things that change so fast about babies: the perfect pout of newborn lips, the barely-there eyelashes and his plump, kissable cheeks.

Another memory is captured in the second photo. For mom and and dad’s privacy I’ve cropped out his full name, but this photo forever captures those all-important birth stats. With this photo framed in his room, Oliver’s mom will never forget these sweet details. See Oliver’s full post here.

Sweetest Fresh 48 moment with mom or dad

That sweet girl is Evelyn Faye and it’s hard to believe she’ll be one pretty soon!

I fell in love with this photo of Evelyn and her mom because it tells a complete story in an unexpected way. Baby girl is peacefully cuddled in mom’s arms with her tiny hand curled at her cheek – and there’s just a hint of her mama’s joyful smile. In this moment, can’t you just feel how in love Kimmy is with her brand new daughter? That little smile from mom is so powerful, and yet the focus of the image is Evelyn.

I’m also a sucker for photos of babies in those signature pink and blue blankets. The design differs a little from hospital to hospital, but you’ll almost always see the same pink and blue stripes everywhere you go. Check out Evelyn’s full post here.

There are some moments during Fresh 48 sessions that are the same among all new parents, and this is a big one: watching new moms fall in love with their husbands in a completely new way as dad holds his newborn. I remember snapping this image of Stella and her dad and then taking a quick peek at Kristin. I could literally see her heart grow a thousand times bigger in this moment.

The thing is, as mamas, we carry our babies for nine months and we know their little movements by heart. By the time they arrive, it feels like we know a bit about them already after feeling them grow. But for dads, it’s all so brand new… and moms get to watch as a husband changes into a father. It’s one of my most favorite transformations to capture. See Stella’s full post here.

Sweetest lifestyle newborn moment

I met Ali and Nathan for their maternity session last January and photographed their lifestyle newborn session in April. Because I have three girls, photographing little boys is a treat for me! This little guy completely stole my heart with his curiosity of my camera gear. Photographing Wilson with little brother Carter was such a joy!

First-time and even veteran moms are always nervous about newborn photo sessions. They’re worried about the house looking photo ready or they’re concerned about their older kids behaving well for pictures. They stress if their newborn cries.

The thing is, there is literally no reason to worry about a thing.

I send all of my clients a step-by-step guide for getting their house ready for photos. If there’s anything special that needs to happen when I get there, like moving furniture to get the best light, I’ll take care of it.

There’s also no reason to worry about how your kids behave. My house is a zoo 100 percent of the time with three kids ages 4, 2.5 and 1. Nothing about little kids scares me! I have a few tricks up my sleeve for getting good photos, too.

If your baby cries, we stop for you to nurse. Still upset? We’ll try a swaddle. Still crying? I’ll photograph the rest of your family while you take a few moments alone with baby. If it turns out that we need to reschedule for a better day, I’ll take a look at my schedule before I leave your home and discuss other options. See Carter’s two-part session here.

Sweestest mini family session

The Burton family is seriously picture-perfect! I met them for their couples maternity session when Mary was expecting baby Preston (their only boy!) in 2016. What to treat to photograph the whole family in 2017! I loved how this picture of their entire family turned out, and this one of their girls playing in the leaves is precious, too. See the Burton family full post here.

So, there you have it! My favorite moments of 2017, all wrapped up in one blog post. I’m so thankful I was able to capture these memories for each family and I’m so excited for what 2018 will bring!

I specialize in maternity, Fresh 48, lifestyle newborn and family photography in The Woodlands, Tx and surrounding areas. If you’re looking for a luxury photography experience, you’re in the right place. The next step is telling me about you and your family – click the Book Now button below to get started!