If you 'like' us on Facebook, you might know that I had to cancel my family/belly shoot this weekend. It was cold and rainy most of the weekend--definitely not the ideal weather for a photo shoot. So we rescheduled for next weekend and are hoping for some better weather to document this season with some photographs.
To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure what I thought of maternity photos until this past month or so. Yes, I took some pictures of myself (and Jake) when I was pregnant with Liza and I've done plenty of maternity shoots. But I always had a small nagging in the back of my mind that it was a bit indulgent and trendy. I'm embarrassed to admit this now, particularly because I do work as a maternity photographer! I should clarify that I never thought my clients were foolish for having maternity pictures taken; I took them of myself, after all! My feelings were more about the genre. But I can honestly say that I no longer feel this way at all. In fact, I've really come to appreciate the merit and purpose of such photographs this past month.
You see, L is increasingly interested in her baby book and daily begs me to flip through it with her. She exuberantly points out everything on the pages--from the flowers on the paper to family members in the images. Appropriately, the first page in the album has some pictures of Jake, me, and my large belly. She looks at those pictures curiously and is thrilled each time I explain to her that, in those photographs, she was in my belly. She gets a goofy grin and then points to my currently swelling belly and says "like baby ____!" (We're saving the internet sharing of his name until he's here and the name is set). As she looks at those pictures, I know she feels loved and welcomed. I'm sure her understanding of those images will only grow as she does. I'm so thankful now that, two years ago, I set my camera's self-timer and took those shots. Maybe the maternity photo trend isn't banal, after all.
Here are a few photographs I snapped of my little one earlier this past week, when the weather was surprisingly warmer. Jake put her hair up...pretty good job for a dad, huh? ;) Have a wonderful Monday! -Emily
