I will never forget the feeling in my heart when I found out that you were here, that you were alive, that you were growing on the inside of my swelling stomach. I won’t forget the look of joy and celebration on people’s faces as we told them with their gasps, and tears and squeals, as if you were the biggest gift. Because you are.

I get to hang out with new mamas here in the studio all the time. I quickly get a sense of who they are as people, what kind of mother they'll be, and often they share their concerns about being a mom for the first time. Here's what I always want to say but sometimes it doesn't come out right, or at all.Mama, try your hardest not to worry. There will be times where you'll wonder and where you'll hope. Times when you know you don’t have all the answers and you pray that your best will be good enough.

Choosing to use a midwife for all of my pregnancies was easy. They encouraged home births, but also delivered in the hospital if that's what I needed or prefered. They answered all my questions, about epidurals or trying with no meds at all. They met with me, got to know me, and literally helped me every step of the way.I didn't realize how much I needed these kind, gentle and knowledgeable ladies until after my baby arrived. They inspired me, pushed me and cared for me.

Marianne was comfortable, beautiful and having a great time, but the look on her face when Carter and her boys arrived to join her at her pregnancy session here in the studio was sheer happiness. She is so gentle and kind, and yes, this new baby is going to bring a little more chaos to their lives, but also whole lot more happiness.

So, what happens after your portraits are taken? Let’s say you’re sitting on your chair, looking lovingly at the images of your brand new baby wrapped up cozy and beautiful on your computer screen from home. There are 25-30 images, and each one seems to be even more gorgeous than the next. You want to take these from a screen and put them on your walls, but you have too many questions...

As we grow as artists and humans, we must push the limits that we previously set for ourselves. Perhaps the hardest areas to push the limits are the ones we are most familiar with. I have been shooting indoor maternity session for years.

For Aisling and Wayne, the greatest loves in their lives are blind. They took the first steps towards those loves without seeing, without knowing, and just trusting. Aisling and Wayne met on a blind date. They grew and nurtured their love from that day forward.

With pregnancy comes a wide range of emotion. Excitement, anticipation, nervousness, hope and joy. Most of all it bring with it the feeling of a love like no other. It is a love that has no bounds, and a love that cannot be broken.

The eyes can say so much without ever saying a word. The eyes are the window to our souls. And when they make a real connection with my camera, an image is created that can touch the viewer's soul.

There is a difference between looking beautiful and feeling beautiful. We are all beautiful. Beautiful in our own way. There is beauty in life. But we do not always feel beautiful. 

I am so excited to give you an inside glimpse of a Reflections of Life maternity session. I am taking you behind the scenes into my studio! The studio is where maternity, newborn and baby sessions take place.

A smile. A smile says so much without saying a word. The universal sign for so many thing, all of which are good. Happiness, love, acceptance, understanding. It is hard not to greet a smile with a smile. The power of a smile is unlimited. A smile is contagious. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jaime when she came to my Grimsby studio for her maternity session.