Maternity Portraits – Emily & CJ

I love getting to photograph maternity portrait sessions because there is just something so beautiful about that anticipation and love growing stronger each day as you wait to meet your child. It’s an honor for me to get to capture that moment in time so that when that child grows up, they can look back on how loved they were, even before they were born. To be able to see how their mama glowed, and how their daddy looked at her.

Getting to freeze those moments for my brother and sister-in-law? Y’all. It doesn’t get much better.

Add in some gorgeous weather, bluebonnets and a perfectly beautiful central-Texas backdrop and I was in heaven!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

A quick stop on the side of the road for some bluebonnet shots? Yes, please.

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Love this one!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

CJ’s not at all excited to become a dad… (please tell me you can sense the sarcasm!?)

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Emily, you’re beautiful!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Y’all I seriously could have shot on this property allllll day! And that light! Love love love.

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

I think this is one of my favorites!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

So my mom kept CJ’s baby shoes, and there was just something about seeing Emily hold those little sneakers in front of her belly that got me sooooo excited to meet my nephew! (Can we also just take a second to let that sink in? My NEPHEW!)

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

LOVE LOVE LOVE this one! Joseph’s going to be one good-looking kid!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Of course we had to get photos with their first baby, Rocko. And when he looked up at his soon-to-be little brother, my heart just kinda melted. Such a sweet boy!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

This book? I can’t even really think about it too much without getting teary-eyed, y’all. And I know I’m not the only one!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

That tree!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Emily was a soccer player through college, so in addition to CJ’s stuff I had to make sure we got a few shots in for Emily, too! I know she’s going to have so much fun getting to teach her little man how to play soccer, and after seeing her play with Peanut, I know he’s lucky to have a pretty great coach!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Another shot for Emily – with the onesie that says “Daddy and I agree Mom’s the boss” – you can see how CJ feels about it! And you know we couldn’t be serious the whole time… so we had to snag a few of their “signature” pose haha!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Such a sweet moment – these two are going to be amazing parents, y’all.

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Another favorite!!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

Seriously, Emily. You’re so pretty! I love how ethereal this shot feels!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central TexasNacogdoches photographer maternity portraits in Central Texas

CJ & Emily, thank you so much for being such a blessing in my life, and for giving me the blessing of becoming an aunt. I really appreciate getting to be the one to help lock these moments in time for you to be able to look back on once your son is grown.

I love you both and can’t wait to meet the newest addition to the family.

Yearly Bucket List – Self Portrait

I’m getting down to the wire on the first installment of the Yearly Bucket List, but I’m still crossing things off the list! (Better late than never, right?!?)

I have to thank Max for getting me motivated to get going on this particular item: take a self portrait. He surprised me the other morning with an early birthday present of a remote trigger so that I could get this one done before my birthday on Tuesday. So sweet!

I meant to bust it out on Saturday when our family was in town for Peanut’s birthday, but in the midst of hanging out with everyone I totally forgot. So instead of trying it out then, I broke it out yesterday evening real quick. It took a little while to get the hang of it (and I definitely have a long way to go when it comes to the art of self-portraits), but it was fun to try it out and get a few bump photos! So here we are at 28 weeks…


Nacogdoches photographer self portrait maternity shot for yearly bucket list Nacogdoches photographer self portrait maternity shot for yearly bucket list Nacogdoches photographer self portrait maternity shot for yearly bucket list

 

It seemed like some rain was about to make its way into town (unfortunately it never quite made it), so I didn’t do too much in the way of trying different angles/shots/poses for the first go around. Even though I just kept it short and simple, I do have to say it felt pretty awkward (and slightly self-centered) to be taking self portraits in our backyard, but I think it’s another great way to keep pushing myself and my photography. It’ll help me to remind myself what it’s like on the other side of the camera so I can help guide my clients, as well as reminding me to stay creative.

We’ll see if I get good enough to attempt taking photos of the 3 (or 4) of us as a family!

Maternity Portraits – The Brights

So I had a great week last week taking some much-needed time off, but I’m so excited to get back to the blog today… especially with this sweet family!

I recently got together in Kingwood with my dear friend Jessica and the two best men in her life to get some maternity portraits before Wyatt’s little sister makes her debut at the end of the month. These three were such good sports driving across Houston for an early morning session!

These three are so fun together, and I can’t wait to see them as a family of four soon when I head down to take newborn portraits of Quinn.  They chose to do a Little Ones Package, and I couldn’t be happier to know I’ll get to keep photographing them in the coming year!
Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

Little Wyatt may look familiar – I got to take his cake smash photos a while back, and I swear this boy just keeps getting cuter! And seriously, sharing flowers with mama? Melt. My. Heart.

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX
Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

Such a gorgeous couple!!!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

This one just cracked me up… living life with a toddler of my own, I know how busy/unpredictable it can be… and Wyatt was alllll about exploring this field, but would randomly pop back into mama & daddy’s photo time. And I love it. This is what life is like with little ones, so why not have photos that show it?!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

Jess, I am so grateful to have shared so many laughs with you!
Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

Seriously… is he not the cutest?!?!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

Sooo this has my vote for best belly kisses ever.

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

This is the definition of the pregnancy glow… Jess, you’re stunning. Really.

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

We did manage to quickly get a few good shots of these two while Wyatt explored nearby…

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

Love these!

Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX Nacogdoches photographer maternity portraits of family with toddler boy in lush green field in Kingwood, TX

Jess, Jason & Wyatt – thanks again for spending your morning with me and for being such champs about getting up and moving so early on a Saturday morning! I loved getting to document the last of your time as a family of three, and I can’t wait to continue to document the beginning of your life as a family of four.