17 Mar
That Maternity Session: Pt I
Why in the world has it taken me so long to start showing off these photos? When you get the RAW files from a photo shoot featuring yourself you tend to be rather nitpicky about how they look. I want my blemishes gone, can’t deny using the liquify filter every once in awhile, etc. I’ve been making my way through them slowly and I’ve decided to post them in parts as I finish them instead of waiting until I finish them all (will that every happen?).
We took the photos at a park right next to my house, a spot that would have been much better if the snow a few days before hadn’t caused the water levels to rise drastically since I had spent time scouting it out. Oh well, amazing Bethany Jackman (who is now in Boston for 8 months, hire her!) somehow made my poor location choice look amazing. I had two different photographers there that day (one personal reason why networking is so important!) and I’ll be showing you watermark free shots that were taken by someone else and edited myself. Visit their respective blogs to really see what they can do, please don’t judge their skills by my editing!
My favorite headshot:
My hair and makeup were done by Emily Hudspeth, who I’m now using as my regular stylist for cut/color as well. This was my first time experiencing airbrush foundation. It feels so cool and lovely when it’s being applied! I went in with the idea that I might like to have my hair all down and curly, but Emily wisely suggested I put it half up due to the wind that day. I’m very glad I trusted her because it would have been completely flat within minutes.
When it comes to photo shoots, fake eyelashes are a must for me.
I came really close to framing this one for our wall. I love the blue sky contrasted with the dead foliage, and the teeny pop of red from my ring.
5 photos above captured by Bethany Jackman, edited by me.
I’m a bit insecure about my weight gain and resulting shape, so photos that are composed in creative ways like this one (you’ll see several more in future posts) are my favorites.
2 photos above captured by lynn in love photo, edited by me.
One thing I was really passionate about in coming up with the ideas for this session, is I wanted to help more pregnant women see that you don’t have to wrap your naked belly in a colored ribbon tied in a bow or stack blocks on your stomach spelling out the name of your little one at your maternity session. In fact, my naked belly won’t make a single appearance in these photos and I’m perfectly happy with that! (Although I’m planning a day frolicking around with big belly exposed in a field of Texas bluebonnets within the next few weeks, as I’m lucky enough to have the equipment I need to do a photo shoot pretty much any time. I just have to convince That Husband to act as the photographer.) If you’re considering a maternity session for yourself, but you feel like you only see sessions filled with watermelon bump ultra skinny ladies, just take a look at me in my 200+ lb glory after gaining 50 lbs in about 35 weeks and tell yourself you won’t regret it in the end. Because you won’t! You’ll be so glad to have these photos celebrating your pregnancy, I know I am.
Next post features some time spent nuzzling with TH!
Also:
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
You are ridiculously stunning. You know when people say you have that “pregnancy glow”? You’ve got it! I’m convinced that if you weren’t a photographer, you’d have to try modeling.
1Love the pics!! You look so beautiful in all of them, can’t wait to see more.
2Love these! I also love that little pop of red in the ring too. You look gorgeous!
3I love the second picture - your eyes just POP! Such a gorgeous color. I love the contrast your ring provides too!
4You have such gorgeous eyes that pop out in the picture. It makes me massively envious of your eye color. Your pictures are beautiful!
5Gorgeous! Every one:) It’s wonderful to see women (like you) take pride in their beautiful pregnant figures!
6Gorgeous!
7You look lovely in all of those. I especially love how the colors are simultaneously soft and striking.
8Your eyes are AMAZING in the first 2 shots
9Love them! I didn’t do naked belly shots either, and I cringe when I see the blue or pink bow wrapped around the belly!
10You look so pretty! I love the shots and cant wait to see the rest. I can’t believe you’re about to be a mom already…it seems like time has flown by since you first posted your baby news.
11Congrats on your photos!!! They’re wonderful!!! I wish I would’ve had pics like these taken when I was pregnanat!
12Best wishes for you…
You look gorgeous. I love that these aren’t the stereotypical maternity shots!
13Love these!
14You look sooo beautiful!
15Wow, you look amazing. I really really hope I look this great when we start having children.
You are so so blessed!!
16I love these photos. Thanks for sharing them. The second one is my fav - you looks so beautiful. Hope the baby has your stunning eyes.
17You look absolutely gorgeous! What beautiful photos
18You look great, Jenna!!
19Even though I’m already over weight, this is something that worries me as well - gaining more weight. The thought just makes me cringe. Of course I plan to lose weight before we go down Baby Rd, it’s not guaranteed… and I probably would’ve forgone professional pictures of me as a balloon.
So, I’ve book marked this… and when that day comes I’ll read your advice again. Thanks.
You look beautiful in all of these!
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