Cozy, Laid-back, In-home Maternity Session in a Lovely St. Louis Loft

As I write this, I’m awaiting a text or phone call from this gorgeous, fun, easy-going couple to say that labor has begun and it’s time for me to get ready to photograph the birth of their baby girl.

But on the day these photos were taken, there was no hurry or pressure. We were able to relax and chat and get to know each other a bit.

It’s one of my favorite things about doing a maternity session with a couple who’s hired me to photograph their birth, too. Having the opportunity to get really comfortable with each other before I enter their birth space is truly a gift.

In-home maternity photo sessions really allow couples to feel relaxed and comfortable, as they are in their own space. And gives me a really good sense of who they are. Plus, it’s such an easy and fun way to honor this pregnancy and document the whole story of this amazing journey.

We get to document what their life feels like now — before a baby comes and changes everything about their days and nights. This is what a beautifully lazy Sunday morning looks like when it’s just two.

We get to capture them chilling on the couch together with a hot cup of coffee, playfully and lovingly baking cookies as a couple, playing with their current “Baby” (that’s their super-awesome dog’s name), casually strumming the guitar in the bedroom, and perusing some of the gifted and collected items for their new little bundle’s arrival with sweet anticipation of her actually using or wearing them oh-so-soon.

Life changes so drastically — and joyfully — after your baby is born.

Suddenly, your days are filled with caring for a tiny person’s basic needs. And when you aren’t doing that, you’re staring in wonder and adoration at this little human who you are more in love with than you ever could have anticipated.

Your days change. Your love grows. Your heart expands.

So having a record of these before days is a gift. Remembering what your relationship felt like… Reminiscing about the excitement you both felt at that growing belly and your growing family…

It’s a time you will never get back. And as incredible as the next chapter of your life will be, this one is worth documenting and remembering, too.

Stay tuned for a peek at the rest of this story. I couldn’t be more excited to document the birth of this baby who’s already so loved. And then I get to come back to their lovely home to see how that sweet newborn baby fits so beautifully into their lives. I can’t wait to watch the evolution of their days. And I’m so grateful they’ve asked me to document this journey.