When my friends Kelly and Derek announced that they were expecting, I was overjoyed. Then, I was even more ecstatic when they asked me to capture this special season in their lives! So I happily made my way up north for their destination New York City maternity session.
Maternity Session Tips
I firmly believe that since the journey of creating life only lasts nine months, it is worth going all out and documenting it. Your maternity session is an exciting time to make lasting memories of just the two of you before you welcome your new addition to your family.
With that being said, I always recommend that expecting parents schedule their maternity session for when they are between the 28 and 36 weeks (7 or 8 months) mark. This way, the mother’s baby bump is nicely visible and round, but we are not so close to the due date that she is uncomfortable, or we chance delivery before the session. I also find around this time, mom is simply glowing!
New York City Maternity Session Details
Derek and Kelly’s shoot was scheduled to take place during the first week of December. Now, if you’re from the east coast, you know winter in NYC is not for the faint of heart. Thankfully, we already knew we didn’t want to risk dreary, cold weather, so we booked a high-rise studio in the middle of the city, and I am so glad that we did! In a way, luck was on our side. It ended up being a gloomy and rainy day in New York, so we were glad to have the perfect indoor location for Derek and Kelly’s New York City maternity session.
Kelly and Derek’s session flowed so naturally that I was able to genuinely capture their love for one another and their soon-to-be baby, Max. And, I was witness to the most magical moment during the shoot. When I instructed Derek to place his hand on Kelly’s belly, the two felt their baby boy energetically moving. Derek’s reaction was just priceless, and it was as if baby Max, too, was filled with joy and couldn’t wait to join his parents.
Maternity Session Inspiration & Outfits
Derek and Kelly wanted the shoot to be laidback and relaxed, which I think any mama can appreciate. Our goal was to keep it simple, modern, and clean. So the spacious and open high-rise studio was the perfect fit. I loved the studio’s bright white walls and tall windows, which allowed for gorgeous natural light while still in an indoor setting. There was something so raw and organic about this session that it is safe to say I am obsessed with how the images turned out!
The soon-to-be parents opted for neutral-toned outfits that worked perfectly in the space. Kelly was dressed casually and chic with a white blazer and linen pants, while Derek chose a white tee and dark jeans.
As Derek and Kelly are dear friends of mine, I got to bring a new film camera to try out during their New York City maternity session. It was fun to experiment and try something new, which I don’t usually have the opportunity to do at sessions. I can’t wait to share more film photos with you in the future!
It is always an honor to be asked to capture cherished seasons like these for my couples. From maternity sessions to proposals and beyond, I love documenting and celebrating monumental life moments. Be sure to check out some of the milestone events that I’ve had the privilege to be a part of!
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