Waiting for Baby // Marissa & Greg's Botanic Garden Maternity Portraits

As a photographer, there is absolutely nothing like the honor of being asked to capture someone's growing family--and after welcoming our own daughter into our lives just two years ago, maternity and family sessions have had an even more precious place in my heart than ever before, knowing full well from firsthand experience how meaningful the documentation of these moments can be for parents-to-be. (Let's face it, I still tear up looking at Evie's newborn pictures!)I've known Marissa and Greg for years now--ever since we first came together for their engagement portraits! We photographed their wedding together just a few months later, and then last spring, I received the sweetest note from Marissa sharing the news that they were expecting, and excited to document this time too.

Despite the heat (I think it was well into the 80's the day we met for their session!), we had such a wonderful time exploring the Cornell Botanic Gardens together. Marissa had chosen several outfits before the day arrived so that we could have just the right fit when the time came, and had this to share with expectant mamas planning their own maternity sessions:

"Shop early for attire and select several options. With changing bodies during pregnancy and after childbirth, what fits well and makes you feel your best changes from day to day.

A week before our Maternity session I tried on my dress and I just didn’t love it anymore. That same dress worked perfectly, though, for our Newborn session. And let’s face it, the last thing anyone wants to be doing once you welcome your sweet baby is worrying about what to wear!

Whatever happens on the day of your session, just go with it! - Whether your partner is wiping sweat from your face because you’re pregnant and it’s 90 degrees and humid out, or your normally chill baby just won’t stop crying. Please do not worry, just go with it and you will end up with some amazing photos to be enjoyed for many, many years to come."

I'm so thrilled I was able to share this beautiful time of anticipation with Marissa and Greg, and just a few short weeks later see them joyfully settling into life as new parents.

More favorites to come from that sweet session soon, but until then, here are just a few from this lovely summer day <3