This photoshoot was done in a studio in downtown Los Angeles at FD Photo Studios. They have several different studios depending on the look you are going for. This white room is popular. Almost as popular as the green dress.

If you are in need of pregnancy photos to celebrate this wonderful season of life, send me a message and I will make it happen!

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The thing is, we are all beautiful. People fill our heads with negativity with out even meaning to. I have heard people say to me (when I was pregnant) “Oh my, you are so big”. “Are you feeling ok?” (As if I wasn’t??). “You look tired”. All of these little phrases equate into “I must not be beautiful”.

That’s all crap. If you look at my maternity portfolio, not a single woman is a “model”. These are all real women who are expecting a baby. That’s it. Yet, they are all beautiful–both in the traditional sense of outer beauty, but more importantly in the sense that they are a human growing another human. That in itself makes them beautiful. That beauty is what shines through.

Meet Ariel. She is a normal woman who really is extraordinary in every way. While she was comfortable in front of the camera granted many others who are not and that is totally ok. I just wrapped up photographing her birth as well as being her doula (more on that later) and have just got around to sharing some of her exquisite maternity shots.

These were taken at FD Photo Studio in downtown Los Angeles. Ariel wanted light and airy and classic images. I believe that is what she got. I hope you love them as well.

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What is maternity photography?

Maternity photography can be beautiful, uplifting and life affirming. It allows you to focus on the new life your body is working so hard to create. It’s an all too brief moment in time that can remind you of the excitement that accompanies having a baby.

Generally, maternity portraits are taken between 26-34 weeks. This is when your belly is nice and round and you are not too exhausted and uncomfortable.

These photography sessions can include a spouse or partner and even other children you may have. I always think it is super fun to get the whole family involved!

Nine months felt like an eternity for me. Time flies and pregnancy will be over in a flash. Having maternity photos to look back on will be a priceless part of your pregnancy journey.

I encourage you to look through my maternity portfolio and package options. If my style resonates with you, I would love to talk about your vision.

My Style of Maternity Photography

My concentration is on studio maternity portraits. While I like and understand the value of the natural outdoorsy, “lifestyle” images, my focus is more formal. I really don’t like the word formal, it makes it sound so stuffy! I am anything but that. Dramatic lighting with the addition of posing to accentuate a woman’s best features make my heart pound. I strive to make a product you want to see every day. A portrait you have in a beautiful frame on the wall. An art piece.

If I had to think of three words that represent my style, they would be dramatic, captivating and timeless. I at least strive for that.

Now, I realize this style isn’t for everyone. Even maternity pictures in general are not for everyone. Reading a blog post awhile back where the pregnant gal would no more get a picture of her swollen body than she would set her hair on fire, made me roll in hysterics! So I get it. My advice, if you are on the fence, is to look around and find a style that sings to you.

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As a maternity photographer, I strive for each woman to tell their own story through pictures. Molly was simply a happy go lucky woman who wanted images that showed that off. Her personality shone through with each click of the camera.

What to wear in a maternity photoshoot?

As I build my client closet, I look for items that are fun and unique. Items with texture or something unexpected. This red bodysuit not only looked stunning with Molly’s gold hair and sunkissed skin, but had a bit of flare, just like her.

What about nude maternity portraits?

I do nude maternity portrait sessions as well or at least a portion of the session nude. However, beautiful as it is, nude maternity photography is not for everyone. Often times I use beautiful material to cover the lady bits while still making beautiful images.

No matter what you choose to wear, your maternity session is uniquely yours. If I don’t have something specific for your taste, there are several vendors to choose from (even some rental places). If you think “I am only going to wear it once”, you can always resell it. Alternatively, if it’s something I am dying to have for my client closet, I can always take it off the price of your session and keep it. Among my favorite maternity dress designers are Sew Trendy, Silk Fairies, and Katharina Hakaj Couture. Ready to book your session? Contact me today!

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My Breastfeeding Story

August is breastfeeding awareness month as you all probably know.  What could I possibly say that is new, exciting and somehow impossibly insightful? Well, what I can tell you is that it is the most amazing form of bonding on the planet. I breastfed my own little love for 2.5 years. Now at 6 years old he still finds solace laying upon my breast when he is sad or down.

My milk had a hard time coming in. Preeclampsia had me coming in for an emergency c-section.  The next few days I was knocked out on magnesium. When I tried to pump (it was too toxic for my babe in the NICU) I was barely getting anything. I thought, well I guess that’s that. I won’t be breastfeeding. The nursing staff encouraged me to continue to try. I did. Pretty soon I was dripping milk everywhere! It was a bit horrifying…I went through a gazillion tee shirts before I realized there were actual boob pads for this milky problem.

Breastfeeding: Do I have low milk supply?

Often times we think our supply is low when it’s really not. Here are some of the things you may experience and think your supply is low:

– Breast milk dissolves much faster than formula so these babies need to feed more often. If baby is feeding often this is a good thing!

-sudden increases in nursing is likely a growth spurt.

-your baby is not nursing as much as before. Babies learn quickly. The older they get the more efficient they are at extracting the milk.

-You breasts feel soft again. This is also normal as you adjust to your babies feeding habits.

-You are getting little or no milk when you pump. Babies are far more efficient at getting the milk than a machine. Pumping is a skill and is also dependent on the machine.

**If you are truly worried about your supply, consult a board certified lactation consultant.

Potential causes for low milk supply.

Here are some causes of low milk supply:

-supplementing breast feedings with formula feedings. “Nursing is a supply & demand process. Milk is produced as your baby nurses, and the amount that she nurses lets your body know how much milk is required. Every bottle (of formula, juice or water) that your baby gets means that your body gets the signal to produce that much less milk.”–Kellymom

-If baby is sucking on a pacifier she may not cry to be fed as often, which reduces your flow. Your body is saying baby doesn’t need to feed as much, lets produce less milk.

-breastfeeding is all supply and demand. When you have scheduled feedings, this can interfere with that and reduce supply.

-Even if baby is sleeping and you are drained and all you can think about is sleep, if you skip the nighttime feedings can also interfere with milk supply.

“For the most part, milk production is a “use it or lose it” process.  The more often and effectively your baby nurses, the more milk you will make.”–Kellymom

Breastfeeding: Ways to increase supply.

Your breast milk is all supply and demand. The more you breastfeed you infant, the more milk your body will make.

1. incorporate pumping in between feedings. You can even pump right after breastfeeding if they don’t feel empty.
2. Take care of yourself. This includes healthy snacks and plenty of water. Being healthy will help on the milk supply!
3. Some moms take to lactation enhancements such as cookies and teas. Products that contain fenugreek, alfalfa, flaxseed meal, oats, and brewer’s yeast are used as natural enhancements. But do your homework and consult with your doctor or lactation consultant before utilizing these products to ensure their safety and efficacy.

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This fascinating tattooed and pierced couple were planning to have a home birth in a birthing pool. They had their midwife/doula and now had their birth photographer (and new film maker!) in place. This momma was keen on having a homebirth and was planning each detail. As you may know, babies have their own plan…

Now, the baby kept growing…and growing…and GROWING! The best thing they felt was to induce labor with homeopathic recipes.

But this little girl inside her momma didn’t want to come out and didn’t want to stop growing!

Momma’s water finally broke, but after measuring and figuring the baby could be anywhere from 9-11 pounds, they collectively decided to go to the hospital and checked into labor and delivery at Kaiser Permanente Panorama City.

A Momma Knows Her Body

The baby was measuring large, but knew her body well and knew she could have a vaginal birth rather than a Cesarean section birth. She spent hours in labor and delivery with a Pitocin drip. Finally, active labor started and in just a few pushes, this nearly 11 pound baby came into world and their family grew by one and their love grew exponentially.

And yes, I was there to photograph this birth from start to finish. The birth film is still in the works, but I hope this birth photography and highlight reel (slideshow) will show how beautiful a hospital birth can be.

If you might be wondering how birth photography can fit into your birth plan, let’s have a chat about it♥

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