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

Your first step in the process is more about determining who you are, who your family is and then seeking a photographer that reflects your style. For instance let’s say your family is extremely outdoorsy and loves playing on the beach. You start determining what style you like, browse through photography website portfolios and determine if any of the styles exhibited there would be a good fit with your life and family style. You have already determined that you should probably seek out a beach type photographer (that is if you live near a beach) and then begin narrowing the field down a bit.

Finally after a bit of internet research, you have narrowed it down to two photographers who do what seems like solid work, the sort of outdoor beach look you desire.  It is now time to ask yourself: Do you like photographer A’s style over photographer B’s style? Is it because the people in the images of A’s style are having a great time and it seems very caught up in the moment vs. B photographer more posed, looking in the camera images? If this is a case, you probably like LIFESTYLE photography or perhaps even take it a step further and define your desired style as a PHOTOJOURNALISTIC photography style. The photographer you probably should choose is photographer A because their style is very similar to the style you desire.

What custom photography ultimately is all about is choice and experience (as in THE experience). Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio. A custom photographer will typically show you a fairly extensive gallery culled to only show the good images that meet the photographers’ creative sensibilities. Often the images are fully edited images-color corrected with blemishes and undereye circles removed. Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai, think Nordstrom vs. WalMart.

Custom photography should have you, the client and your experience in mind.

(wording used by permission by Professional Child Photographer)