I shared a wonderful afternoon with Allison & Joe Taylor in Manvel, TX.  (Even Harley, the Taylor’s doggie, joined in on the fun) The mood was light and the laughter plentiful.  The sun broke right when I arrived through the fog of Houston’s highways.  The session went very well and as I finish-up the artwork…I am realizing that my baby clock is blasting in my ear!

CONGRATS, Joe & Allison!  I can’t wait to meet Jack!

Holli & Jarrett (and Baby Schaub)

Holli & Jarrett arrived at Yellow House Bed & Breakfast bright and early.  The morning was brisk and beautiful on the grounds of Brian & Cathy Harris’s B&B.  As the fog lifted, we headed into the trees.  Holli was breathtaking in her plum sweater and black cable wrap…she was glowing with the anticipation of her baby girl.  Jarrett was a proud papa-to-be.  The session was relaxed and quiet surrounded by the wonderful scenery.  The colors and textures made for great backdrops….framing the two future parents.

Congrats you two!

How to prepare for a successful maternity photography session

• Schedule your photo session on a day that you, your partner and your children (if they are going to be in the shoot) will be relaxed and well rested. Try not to schedule too many appointments on that day before or after the shoot.
• Make-up should be light and natural looking. A light foundation, blush etc. to even out skin tones is perfect. Too much eyeliner or eye shadow can look very dark on camer.
• Special jewelry is a nice accessory to the photographs, though too much jewelry can be distracting. If you have any questions, just bring it along.
• Hair should be fixed so you are comfortable with it.
• Feel free to bring anything that you feel good in or want to be included in the photograph, including flowers or special clothing, such as scarves, shawls, veils.
• If you are being photographed with your partner, please have him/her bring or wear dark pants and a solid dark shirt, long or short sleeved is fine. Mothers should bring a dark maternity skirt and black cardigan sweater and tank top — something to cover the breasts but still expose the belly.
• If the shoot is in your home, only the family should be present to prevent distractions.

I had an adorable maternity shoot in San Antonio, TX. The mother was glowing and showing. The father-to-be was laughing and kissing. And the preteen brother-to-be WANTED to be in the pictures…it was a great time!
I truly enjoy the opportunity to photograph expectant mothers. There is this quiet conversation between baby and mother that comes alive through the connection of hands embracing the stomach’s round curves. The silence that occurs once I have posed the mother and have stepped back to take the shot. There isn’t just 2 in the room, you can feel the 3rd. The presence is felt in the heart and it causes that quick intake of breath and then the sounds of life creep back into the shot. This session really allowed me to play and the mother was up for it all! Please take a moment and view the shoot in its entirety on : www.collages.net (username: Brady & password: 18575)

This was a challenging shoot…mostly my fault! I arrived at the spot a bit early and started to get my camera ready. OOPS…I’d left my battery in its charger! Called Mandy…lucky a close friend…and she picked-up her camera and we were off! With equipment problems, distracting ducks and friends popping in…I still think it was a success! Not exactly what I’d envisioned…but, you work with what you have!