{Maternity} with the whole family!
We all know that Mom and her baby are the stars of the show when it comes to a maternity session, but there’s no denying the sweetness of having the entire family in the frame, too. I love capturing the raw, candid moments between parents and siblings, and pressing pause on a moment in time that would otherwise go by so quickly and without preservation! My shoot with Alicha, Andrew and big sister-to-be Riley – offered lots of those moments. The session took place the last week of March at my field in Trent Hills, and despite it being just quickie, we had lots of fun and got tons of shots! I met this sweet family last year when they purchased a season's pass - a package of three mini sessions to be used within a year. This is a great way not only for YOU to get regular updated family photos, but for us to get to know each other, which can make for some really comfortable, fun sessions over time! This session was the last of their season's pass. Alicha was 36 weeks along and wanted to sneak in a session before the new baby arrived. Her goal for the session was casual, fun photos, which was accomplished by their choice of comfy, easy-to-move in outfits that she felt represented their family well, along with a mix of both posed and candid shots.
Don't you love all the snuggles and smiles!?
With an almost-3 year old in tow, one never knows how things will go - Alicha jokingly prepared for the worst in hopes of being pleasantly surprised lolololol - and luckily we were! Riley did amaaaaaaaazing and treated us to smiles and laughter the entire session. I just love to get shots of mom with both her babies, so that was a priority for me during the session.
See how Riley rocked the whole big sister thing?! We needed to get a few of just her too of course!!
Ahhh just look at that face! Riley got a break from the camera during photos of just Alicha and Andrew, and she was the best little helper. She followed me as I moved around, and her cuteness as she did definitely contributed to her parent's happy smiles!
Alicha had some sweet words about her hubby. "Andrew is always a very supportive partner, especially during early pregnancy when I wasn’t feeling the most awesome. He would happily deal with my mood swings and play with our daughter when I physically wasn’t feeling energetic enough to do so. Recently, without too much gruff, he picks up ice cream cones for me ahahha- the one thing that I ALWAYS. crave." Hehehe I can totally relate! My poor hubby received many a phone call on his way home from work, asking if he was stopping anywhere on the way home. (Code for I need you to pick something up for me!)
Finally it was time for some shots of just Alicha and baby. Though I'm only the photographer, I can't wait to find out who this little one is! Alicha voiced a truth that I know many of us mamas will relate to, which was that it can be hard to learn to love an ever-changing body. So very true! And of course, we are always hardest on ourselves. I thought Alicha looked amazing, I know you all will agree with me!
Baby was pretty active during our time together lol!
So gorgeous!! I'm glad we had such beautiful light and weather to celebrate and commemorate this special time. Thank you for sharing the moment with me, Alicha and Andrew! I am so excited for your growing family.
xoMelissa
