22 Reasons to Get Maternity Photos: Summer Edition
Back in the Studio for Our First Summer Maternity Session
Spotlight: Meet Andrea and Eloise
Opening the studio back up for photos has been such a joy! I’ve even celebrated by adding new items to my family wardrobe and kids toy collection. I recently got to meet a new client Andrea, and her sweet daughter Eloise. Andrea is expecting her second child soon and wanted to treat her and Eloise to some mother-daughter maternity photos.
What a sweet afternoon we had together documenting her maternity story!
What They Wore:
Andrea was met by my hair and makeup artist to help her get ready, and then we styled her in:
A gorgeous, flowy sage green maternity dress (just look at those fluttering, layered sleeves!)
A cute and simple cap-sleeved grey linen maternity dress
A dove grey, ribbed maternity dress (so stretchy and comfy, plus it’s perfect for those baby bump silhouette photos!)
White lace maternity lingerie to show off her beautiful bump
It’s really important to me that my clients feel AMAZING in the clothes they’re wearing so we’ll talk ahead of time about what styles and colours you like best – you can show as much or as little skin as you’d like in your maternity session.
And then, we had so much fun dressing Eloise up in this adorable little pink linen jumpsuit – she felt so special getting dressed up with her Mama.
How They Preserved Their Memories:
Andrea purchased three wall prints – the neutral colours of Reflections photography will look absolutely stunning in her home, which is designed with natural colours and brown wood accents.
As part of her full-service photography experience, I'll also be professionally installing her new wall art in their home (I love doing this for my clients to save you the stress of hanging your photos).
We’ve also gotten started on her album design which will be printed in the future and include images from the milestone moments through their first year!
Switching from a Previous Photographer?
Before Andrea found me, she had been working with another photographer for her photographs of Eloise. She was relieved to hear that I could use the images they create together on her walls and in her first-year album. *I can use any images that clients have from previous sessions, as long as they received permission from the photographer to print their digital files.
Maternity Sessions That Capture the Beginning of a Lifelong Bond
If you were expecting during any point of this global pandemic, then Mama, you deserve something simply luxurious. You had to overcome some unique challenges this past year, and I want to invite you into my studio for a maternity session so I can take care of you, with hair, makeup, a gorgeous wardrobe, and of course, breathtaking photo memories.
You can come alone, or bring your partner, or bring your children! Whatever you feel you need during this season is what is going to make the perfect photos with you and your growing baby.
Summer Pregnancy Maternity Sessions:
I know that a summer pregnancy has its pros and cons. On one hand, you’ve got pool time! It always felt so good to float in the water – I found it really stress-relieving and it took a lot of pressure off my joints too. Plus, so many fun maternity swimsuits, flowy dresses, and easy-to-slip-into flip flops!
And then, on the other hand, I know the heat and humidity can make things really difficult too. As if we weren’t already sweaty and nauseous enough… sure! Let's add some 40 degree + humidex–temperatures to the mix! (But hey, at least that fresh citrus lemonade is abundant during the summer to keep the symptoms at bay! Make that on the rocks please!)
But no matter what season you’re pregnant in, and how it’s making you feel, I am dedicated to bringing out the deep, natural connection that is already forming between you and your baby.
When you’re pregnant during the summer, we can take your maternity sessions indoors into the nice cool Reflections studio, with white space and neutral accents, or we can go outdoors for a gorgeous maternity session where you can dip your feet in the lake if you’d like! These are all things we’ll cover during our preliminary meeting.
There are so many ways your body, mind, and spirit are transforming in order to make space for a new child in your life, and I think those changes (big or little!) are so sacred.
These changes are transformational, essential, and so important to document as part of your story.
The Number One Reason Why You Should Get Maternity Photos
In my mind, our bodies during pregnancy are nothing short of a miracle (and a lot of scientists' minds too as it turns out). Much research has been conducted on the incredible ways a woman’s body changes during pregnancy (even our DNA), and the way women change the way they move while pregnant (ie. the pregnant woman waddle).
To me, this is the number one reason why I recommend maternity photos.
Your body is co-creating a miracle with God right now Mama.
In only a short nine months, your body, and your soul are doing something as old as time – and yet, it’s completely, miraculously new. You’re bringing a new life onto the planet that has never been lived before and JUST THINK what incredible, hopeful, inspiring things they’ll bring to all our lives.
No matter how many trillions of people have given birth on this planet, to me, it will never stop being the most exciting, miraculous thing.
That’s why you should get maternity photos – to document the hope that your baby’s new life brings. Don’t let the morning sickness and hip pain have the final say – I want to spend your time in the studio helping you feel into the miracle you’re a part of in that moment.
This Always Gives Me All the Feels:
I’m walking through the grocery store, trying to decide whether to go for the salty almonds I like or the non-salted ones that are healthier (it’s a battle of the will with that one) when I see you:
You walk past me with your pregnant-lady waddle, and your 8-month belly popping out from your unzipped rain jacket. It makes me want to remember, just for a moment, what it feels like… I know, that sounds like a strange thing to crave. But even through the sickness, pain and exhaustion of pregnancy, there’s something about those laboured steps that I wanted to feel again; that weight in my belly, the extra life inside me, my hand supporting my lower back to release the pressure …these were all ways my body figured out how to carry a child, beyond what I thought would be possible.
Pregnancy taught me how to be proud of my body in a world that teaches women to hate them.
As I turn the corner I see you place your hand on your belly, as absent-mindedly as taking a breath, and I think it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. It’s like your body is trying to get as close to holding your baby as possible before they arrive.
The waddles, a hand on a belly, and seeing the way you do it all with such devotion gives me all the feelings.
The Ups and Downs of Pregnancy:
It’s funny what we each find ourselves remembering, even romanticizing about pregnancy.
Especially considering how many other undesirable side effects can consume our pregnancy experiences: morning sickness and ongoing nausea, back pain, bleeding gums, digestive issues, nosebleeds, always having to pee, acne, congestion, fatigue, mood swings, food aversions, and intense cravings… and needing your four-year-old to put your shoes on because you can’t bend over.
And despite all this, we can still find ourselves loving it. Craving it. And for some of us, even doing it all again.
(I am also a huge advocate of maternal health and care, so please know that if your experience of pregnancy has been difficult or traumatic, there is help for you. Reach out to your health care team for support. Sending you love, Mama.)
The months or years pass and we find ourselves dwelling in the beautiful, little things:
Not caring about “sucking in our stomachs” all the time
Amazing hair (and for some of us skin!)
Buying baby clothes
Dreaming of baby names
Feeling baby hiccups
Decorating a nursery
Wearing the comfiest clothes, all the time
Taking naps (and not feeling guilty about them at all!)
A little extra attention from friends and family
And yay for no periods!
Like everything in life, pregnancy has its ups and downs for all of us. But at Reflections, I am devoted to helping you capture the best parts of this quick, 9-month moment in your life’s story.
I always found this time to be a really creative time of life – you’re rearranging your home, choosing colours, picking out art, and just letting yourself daydream of all the beautiful moments you want to write with your baby.
Let’s capture you in the glow of this exciting new beginning for your family’s story.
22 Reasons Why You Should Get Maternity Photos:
After 15 years of photographing maternity, newborn and family sessions, I want to share with you the list of reasons why you should get maternity photos (from my clients’ perspectives! These are things they’ve told me over the years).
You can use them to announce a gender reveal.
Your kids will love looking back at themselves in your tummy and seeing where their life first began.
We’ll bring your dream maternity session to life from being photographed to hanging your photos (Yes! You can bring your Pinterest board you’ve been creating for months!).
You’ll have natural moments of you interacting with your baby before you’ve even seen their face – it’s amazing how that connection forms during pregnancy!
Maternity photos are a great way to feel like you’re still preparing for Baby when you’ve planned everything else and you’re feeling impatient for your due date.
It’s a time totally focused on you before your baby arrives.
It’s a lovely time of reflection. You’ll get to tell me all about your pregnancy experiences and your plans for your baby, and you’ll get to spend that time envisioning your life with your child.
We’ll also get to talk about the things you already know about your baby – the times they sleep, their personality, the music they react to and the food you think they’re going to like.
I’ll install your gallery wall and design your album so you don’t have to worry about that!
It’s the perfect beginning to a baby milestone album, from pregnancy to first birthday.
A maternity shoot is a good excuse to get that pre-baby haircut (so you still feel fresh and taken care of when you’re feeding at 3 a.m.)
Many of my clients have said that pregnancy photos are their family’s most cherished photos through the years – there’s something so magical about them!
Every expectant mother deserves to feel beautiful during their pregnancy, and maternity photos are the perfect way to help you see yourself and your changing body with loving eyes.
We’ll do your hair, makeup and get you all dressed up in gorgeous maternity wear so you can feel as beautiful as you look. I want to take care of you in the most luxurious ways!
The first months of motherhood are not often glamorous – my clients love having a sequence of maternity, newborn, and milestone photoshoots planned so they know that hair, makeup and nice clean clothes are always on the horizon (or also that it hasn’t been 15 years since they’ve worn blush).
This 9-month period will be some of the most fleeting moments of your life – don’t let them slip away without capturing and preserving the memories.
We’ll capture you in lots of different outfits, angles, and lighting so you can decide which perspectives are your most favourite!
It’s SO fun to hear your husband say how beautiful you look in your photos and how excited he is to meet your baby.
You deserve to show off this miracle you are creating in your own body! Be proud Mama!
They’re the perfect cherry-on-top to a Baby Moon vacation and celebration period. If you want to stay local, you could do a Niagara getaway at a B&B and we can build a maternity shoot into your weekend.
It’s the sweetest thing to capture your other children’s interactions with your pregnant belly. Kids love rolling a little wooden car over their mum’s baby bump.
Maternity photos are also a great way for Dad to feel like he’s part of the pregnancy experience, and he’s connecting with your baby as well.
Conclusion:
Remember the most important reason I mentioned above? (ie. the one where you and God co-create a miracle together in your body?) I have one last thing to say about that.
I was reminded by a post from Sarah Nicole Landry (@thebirdspapaya) about our pregnancy bodies. Our pregnant bellies are not made to be a before and after reel. The miracle isn’t about how we “bounce back” afterwards … the miracle is that they had the ability to change and make room for a new life to begin on this earth.
Mama if you find yourself looking at a mirror 6-months postpartum and criticizing yourself for still looking pregnant, I want your maternity photos to remind you that the ways pregnancy changed you don’t need to be “reversed” or “undone.”
They should actually be remembered and treasured.
If that day ever arrives, I want you to take out your maternity photos, put your hand on your postpartum belly, and do this:
Look at the way you touched your tummy with pride in those photos.
See the way you looked at your own pregnant body in the mirror with delight.
I want you to remember the way it felt to be making a miracle inside you and how much that made you smile.
I want you to do that again and marvel at what your body has done. Touch your belly with pride. Look at yourself in the mirror and be amazed at what your body has done for you and your baby. Hold your baby close to your body with utter delight of what you’ve created.
That’s what I want your maternity photos to do for you.
About This Beautiful Family
It was so wonderful to meet Andrea and her daughter Eloise for her mother-daughter maternity session. Keep an eye out – their family will be back for newborn photos when Baby arrives! In the meantime, they have new wall prints to enjoy while they wait for Baby.
View Their Heirloom Album
- How the’’ll enjoy their memories -
If you want to create something beautiful like this for your home and family, message me. I'd love to give you more information on booking a portrait session here at Reflections of Life.
Client Testimonial
"From the moment you walk into the studio, Karen makes everything wonderful. She makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. She's full of such positive energy it pours throughout the entire session. We just had our second photo shoot and we love being there and can't wait to go back." - Amy Perkin
Hi there!
I’m Karen, a professional, trained photographer in the Niagara Region of Ontario, specializing in maternity, newborn, baby and family portraits. Hundreds of mamas just like you have come to Reflections to capture the stories of their family’s growth.
As a mama of four, I understand the busy-ness of everyday life. I’m here to help you slow down time, even just for a moment, to embrace the beauty of that busy, full life. Contact me for info.
