Portland Wedding Photography & Candid Portraits

I think close to 90% of my business these days is weddings, but portraits are such fun too. I especially love maternity sessions. While I take a few that are belly shots, I approach maternity photos not very different than engagement photography, or family portraits. To me, it’s a chance to document and celebrate your family as is, whether it being just the two of you, or you already have one or two children. It’s the last couple of weeks before a major change in life.

When I was pregnant everyone kept telling me to take some hubby time. Go out to eat. Go to the movies. Look into each others eyes while you stay up late drinking hot chocolate in front of the fire. Of course, I am guessing many first time moms-to-be would agree, I was too excited and anxious to really take the advice to heart and enjoy the quiet moments.

Around 35 weeks I got put on modified bed rest, which pretty much means I was supposed to sit on the couch and watch tv, or read a book. I did watch way too much HGTV, and read piles of pregnancy / birthing books. However, I really just wanted to get up and do things, and found the rest very difficult to take. Now with a 21 month old little girl, and a business, I can’t imagine the opportunity to sit on the couch for even a couple of hours!!!

I imagine it’s all very different when you are having your second, like Carrie and Stephen. In their photos, I try to capture who they are as a current family with their toddler Evan.

The first photo, a belly without a face, is one of the exceptions. The artist in me loves it but the feminist in me strongly objects, since it is cold and stark. Of course, back in art school, I would have said that any image that can conjure up enough feeling to make me feel conflicted, and think about it, is good.