I connected with Erica and Tim the moment I drove up to their mid-century ranch style home last weekend and walked inside.  Tim is an illustrator and had faux painted Alice in Wonderland images through out their home. And their bedroom was filled with great photos of the two of them laughing and loving eachother and life.  I knew I had a lot to work with, and I did.  Erica and Tim were very comfortable with me just hanging around and documenting this moment in their lives.  I didn’t have to pose them and I didn’t have to direct them.   It was an honor for me to be let into thier home and even though this was the first time I had met them,  I  never felt like a stranger.  I can’t wait to meet little Merrick when he arrives.  The joy in Erica and Tim’s home will be intoxicating!

So much of a “successful shoot” has to do with the enthusiasm of my subjects. Ashley was amazing! She is thrilled about being pregnant and was super excited to capture this time in her life. And it doesn’t hurt that she is drop dead gorgeous—seriously! If I knew that I would look this good as a pregnant woman, I would want to be having babies today…

But really—I had a blast with Matt and Ashley making these images because this couple was everything that I could have hoped they would be—in love, excited about their future, and simply glowing! I can’t wait until our next session with their newborn…

Will you look at this gigormous bowl of ice cream?? Ashley swears by CostCo’s brand vanilla ice cream with Hershey’s chocolate syrup. She makes it look pretty good!

Shami and Dan are pregnant—well, actually Shami is pregnant, but they are both enjoying the glow! And truly, Shami is glowing—her skin is luminous and dewy.  Is this one of the perks of pregnancy?  Can I take a vitamin for this?

I went over to their home and photographed them  (on their wedding anniversary) where they had the most lovely, gigantic yard!  They also had just had their wood floors re-done, so we had lots of emtpy rooms to play in!  It was a wonderful, summer maternity shoot!  Happy anniversary, Shami and Dan—I can’t wait to meet the little baby boy when he arrives…

Alicia and Ryan may possibly be the happiest pregnant couple ever…. I didn’t have to do a thing to direct this shoot, I simply put them together and they just loved on each other. All I had to do was fire away. It was really moving, actually. And it’s so clear that both of them are stoked for baby James to arrive… I’m excited too! I can’t wait to photograph the three of them. Love, love love!

Isn’t Alicia adorable in Ryan’s shirt?

Awwww….

Michelle and Steve were a dream for any photographer….  they played, they laughed, they joked, they cuddled— and to top it off, they are both completely beautiful!  I was a spectator—but that’s what I do best.  Man, it’s couples like these that make me want to experience maternity…  I love it!  Michelle and Steve purchased the “watch me grow” package, so I’m looking forward to meeting their son when he is born and documenting this family as they continue to live the dream.

Michelle and Steve have a very curious and protective cat that couldn’t help but jump into the frame.  I love this shot!