One year ago today my Calmer and I received some life altering news. We were pregnant with our first child, full of dreams, expectations, hope for the future and the changes that lie ahead. On this day one year ago we were scheduled for a routine ultrasound excited to hopefully find out the gender of our first baby and begin planning our new life. Instead, this day one year ago was the beginning of a downward spiral of earth shattering news that no parent ever wants to hear. She was sick, she was broken, and the pregnancy was no longer viable and would not last much longer.
We were devastated. sick. broken. changed.
I share this not for sympathy. Or remorse. Or tears. I share this because losing our Bella Rose last summer set me on an amazing journey. Through all the tears and sorrow I found passion, and hope, and new life. Photography got me through the bad days and led me to new (wonderful!) friends and new opportunities. Be Young Photography has been a labor of love this year and I know Bella has been guiding me the entire way. I can’t wait to continue along this journey and I have bigger plans, dreams, and partnerships growing in the coming months.
BUT, in the short term my Calmer and I are again getting ready to chart a new path. We are expecting again and have a daughter arriving sometime in the next month. Pregnancy has certainly been different this time around but we could not be happier. On a recent trip to Tampa I went from photographer to subject which gave me some insight as to the nerves that come with being in front of the lens instead of behind it. There is definitely a huge level of trust that comes with allowing someone to capture you in pictures.
Your emotions. feelings. inner beauty.
I feel so blessed to have been trusted enough and be asked over and over again this year to capture images of families, babies, children, and couples that will be hung on walls, viewed in albums, and cherished for years to come. And, I am so glad I trusted some of my fellow Launch Workshop ladies with my maternity photos. I will certainly cherish the images they captured of me during this special time.
my apprehension. my joy. my protectiveness. my love for a growing belly and new life on the way.
Tina Cardoso of Howie Mac Photo was one of my fellow Launch Workshop photographers and I am featuring some of her images here. If you live in the Tampa, FL area she has recently launched her business and you should totally give her a call. You won’t be disappointed.
Today I am in my 35th week of pregnancy and I am getting ready to take a little hiatus from sessions and shooting so I can nest and relish in the joys that come with being a new mom. I’ll be on maternity leave for all of September and most of October but plan to make my debut back into to the photography world with my Holiday Minis on October 30th! (Have you booked your holiday session yet? Space is limited so don’t delay if you want in on the action).
In the meantime I’ll still be blogging and sharing insights (and plenty of photos!) on mothering a newborn, photography tips, session ideas, business news, and everything in between. I hope you’ll continue to follow along as my journey continues.