Photography Tip:  This is not some special backyard set up for photography, it is just where we live. I just used what I had. Like I mentioned in my previous post, use the area you have in your backyard or front yard as a backdrop for images.  The most important thing to keep in mind is available light. You don’t want someplace in direct light or with a lot of shadows, lighted shade is best. Keep in mind the time of day as well, different areas have different light depending on the time of day. I made sure to look at the light in the area I wanted to photograph a couple times the day before my session so I could utilize the best lighting in this area.

1. I am not used to being on the other side of the camera. I’ll be honest, I really don’t like it, but it is nice once in awhile. At least my children and grandchildren will know I was alive and what I looked like. I am almost always the one taking the pictures and recording memories and am hardly ever in the pictures–but I still don’t love getting my picture taken.

2. I am not one of those graceful, flowing, beautiful pregnant women. In fact my behind looks HUGE, my face swells up, I have 4 chins, and I am all around large.  I did however really feel the need with each pregnancy to document my hugeness for posterity sake. My sister-in-law really encouraged me to just go ahead and do them so I wouldn’t have any regrets. I hadn’t gotten any pictures taken of me while I was pregnant this time. I was 4 days overdue with Carter, and on the second day of being overdue I decided I should go ahead and do those maternity pictures I had been wanting to do. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. Although I felt (and was) HUGE, I didn’t want to have any regrets.

My husband took these. He’s very supportive of my photography and was instrumental in getting me into photography. He showed me how to use the first camera we got when we had our little O and was so patient teaching me how to use it. He is very talented and has a great eye for photography.

I am SO glad we did them. I was really happy with the images and know I will cherish them forever. People, please take pictures, even snapshots when you are pregnant. I will say that even though I brake all the rules of when to take professional pictures, you should get them done about 25-30 weeks into your pregnancy so you are not as uncomfortable as I was  Maternity pictures are some of my favorites to take…okay you’ve got me, I like taking pictures of most all stages in a family, but I really do enjoy taking maternity pictures.  Pregnant women are so beautiful and it is such a special and exciting time in life.

Special thanks to my sweet husband for loving me enough to take some great maternity pictures!

I love this angle. It is flattering for almost anyone. It even gets rid of 4 chins!

Me and my three kids.

my girls.

Autumn liked to sing silly songs to my belly throughout my pregnancy. I love this images as it captures something special to our family and how we enjoyed listening to her songs. Keep that in mind when you schedule your maternity session-anything that was special during your pregnancy we should capture.

Grass fight. Let's keep it real people-while having our grass fight, Autumn got dog poop on her hands and we had to cut the photo session short.

My view. Notice the cute pedicure Every woman deserves one before they push out a baby.

The little lady is sweet as a princess, yet tough as, well as a princess who has an older and younger brother.

Here is big brother, who is full of joy and has a smile that never goes away.  I actually had to ask him not to smile…and I still got this little grin.

I was able to get a few images of mom and dad as the M children wanted to explore the creek and climb trees.

Family images

Here are some preschool cuties!! We had an amazing time with these kids last week. They were amazing, cute and lots of fun!  Here is your sneak peek moms and dads: