You may remember this sweet little guy all the way back to his newborn session last summer – well, I’m so excited to say that his baby sister is on the way and we’ll be doing newborn session round 2 in October! Ashley hadn’t had “bump” portraits taken with her first pregnancy, so it was special to be able to capture this sweet time with baby girl in her belly. We met at Gillson Park in Wilmette for the most stunning golden hour. Her maternity photos turned out so warm, delicate and sweet. I am so in love with them!

It was important to her that she also get a photo of them as a family of three one last time, before they never are again. I had never considered the significance of that. Maybe I thought that moms would eventually retire the photos that didn’t contain all of their children in them, but I’m learning that is not the case. What was I thinking? Of course they would cherish those other memories when their family was so new and small. They invested in those photos for that particular season, and the pictures will hang on the wall next to the newer ones of their growing family, holding just as much meaning.

The seasons matter. It reminds me of a commercial, I’m sure you’ve seen it. It’s a mom with baby #1, she’s obviously new at this and thinks she needs to pack every conceivable item into her stroller and diaper bag before she can even leave the house for an errand…then it flashes forward to baby #2, the worry a distant memory, a few miles under her mom belt and she is content to get out the door without much fuss. Moms, you’ll look at the photos you had taken during each season of parenthood on your mantle and hanging on the wall, and likely have those same flash backs. You’ll laugh, remembering the joys and frustrations, wondering how you got by. Most importantly, you’ll be grateful for how far you’ve come and recall all that your little ones have taught you about patience, perspective and love.

Enjoy some of my favorites from this maternity/family session in the North Shore!!