C. Family | Maternity | Hampton Roads Maternity Photography

Hi!

When Courtney contacted me about a session the very first thing she did was name drop (can you believe that?!). It's like she KNEW I would be begging to work with her if she sprinkled a little sugar and awesome networking in with her inquiry. ;)

 

KIDDING, of course! But really, in her very first note she mentioned that she was referred by an old High School classmate, Kristen; turns out this same Kristen is one of my sorority sisters from college! Is that not the NEATEST connection?!

 

(6 degrees of Kevin Bacon anyone?)

In the beginning of the session I worked really fast out of fear that little Emilia would get cranky and sick of me in her face- so family picture after family picture after family picture we snapped away.

 

Little did I know that working with Courtney's family would turn in to one of the best family sessions I've ever had.

 

Now, I have worked with some REALLY well behaved, polite, sweet kids before but to get through an hour and a half session with a 20 minute drive to first get to the location and have a NOT EVEN two year's old little girl not get upset ONCE?! Well, ladies and gentleman, that right there makes it my best family session ever!
 

Enjoy these images of Courtney's gorgeous family as they celebrate the nearing arrival of their FIRST BROTHER, Connor :)

 

Thank you so much again to you and your family, Courtney, and a HUGE early congratulations! Connor is one lucky little boy :)

Best,
Sarah

Lianne + Eric {and Isla} - City Center | Hampton Roads Maternity Photographer

Hi!

I am THRILLED to introduce you to Lianne and Eric. This beautiful couple is anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first little one, Isla, who, if she takes after EITHER parent is going to be one sweet, funny, and gorgeous little girl.

A little bit of background on Lianne and Eric is necessary for this blog post to make sense:


Lianne and Eric's first date was spent circling the fountain at City Center over and over and over {and over} again talking, laughing, and soaking in each others' personalities.

When Eric planned his marriage proposal he took Lianne to Aromas (at City Center) for coffee and then yet another stroll around the fountain {clearly this is something they enjoy doing together}. Once they reached THE BENCH where the ring was hidden he popped the question- and then had her family and friends come out from where they were hiding!  {ok, insert "awwwww!!" here}

Since every huge milestone up to this point has happened at City Center we decided to shoot there and bring Isla along to visit these spots- a way of taking the past and intertwining it with their future.

This is it! This is THE BENCH :)

I am very excited for you both, Lianne and Eric! Congratulations to one lucky little girl who gets to have you as parents very soon!

Best,
Sarah

A BIG thank you to Wendy Dunlap for makeup!

Allyson + Mady + Owen | Hampton Roads Maternity Photographer

Hi!

Lots of times with maternity sessions the goal is to focus on the mom and dad, the excitement about the upcoming addition to the family, and the love between them that created the incredible miracle they are about to bring in to the world; but due to some weather issues we ended up rescheduling Allyson's shoot and unfortunately her husband Chris wasn't able to join us :( So Owens big sister, Mady, stepped in to fill the spot!

I have to say, Mady didn't miss a beat! She was a FANTASTIC helper, was able to get mom to laugh, and when it was time to bring her in for some shots she was all for it and ready to shower little brother with tons of love!

(This was Mady's favorite pose!)

Isn't Allyson BEAUTIFUL?! I couldn't get over how pretty she was!

 

Needless to say with a big sister like Mady and an incredibly sweet and patient mom like Allyson, little Owen is going to be welcomed into one incredible and love-filled family.

All  my best to you and your family as you welcome Owen in to this world, Allyson! An early BIG congratulations!!

Best,
Sarah

A HUGE thank you and shout out to the fabulous Hair and Makeup duo who helped with this shoot!
Hair: Markia Nicole - MUA / Hair Stylist

Makeup: Makeup by Vega

Danielle- Life: As it is Part II | Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

Hi!
I can't tell you how excited I am to tell you about Danielle; my second nominee for the Life: As it is project!

When she nominated herself for the project I immediately felt her situation was perfect for Life: As it is! I'll let Danielle explain why:

"I was thrilled and humbled when Sarah chose me to be featured in her project! You see, my "life as it is" - is absolutely amazing, yet bittersweet. I am married to a wonderful man who serves in the Army, and am a stay-at-home mother to a gorgeous little girl, and a soon to be baby boy! I wrote in to Sarah asking for the opportunity to have maternity photos taken for my husband who is deployed overseas. Unfortunately, he is not able to make it home for the upcoming birth of our son. We were not able to take any maternity photos together before my husband left, so this was the perfect opportunity for him to feel a little closer to home. This will be my husbands second deployment in a few short years, and I can't even imagine how difficult it is for him to be away during this time..... I am so proud my husband for the sacrifices he has made for our family. Although my life at times may be difficult playing the role of mommy and daddy, I couldn't be more blessed"

Danielle fits the Life: As it is project perfectly: despite not having every piece of her puzzle in one place during her pregnancy she took it upon herself to document this time in her life regardless.

Without further ado, here is beautiful mom-to-be, Danielle!

I had asked Danielle a bit about her pregnancy and she told me that her biggest craving the entire time has been for Starbucks frappuccinos! So I told her to bring one along!

(Unfortunately the Starbucks happened to be closed at the time we shot so she grabbed a McDonald's milkshake- also an awesome choice if I do say so myself!)

Tattooed on her left wrist is "Love is...  1Corinthians 13:4

Pretty fitting, wouldn't you say?

Another incredible thing about Danielle is that when she learned her husband was going to be deployed she made the difficult decision to leave their post in Colorado and move the entire family to Virginia to be near their parents. That's right, she technically lives in Colorado! Can you imagine leaving what you know and bringing your entire family across the country during a pregnancy? Danielle is one tough and incredible woman!

And since she and her husband are from Virginia that means they are, OF COURSE, Virginia Tech fans! So little does baby Bryce know but he's already destined to be a Hokie ;)

A HUGE early congratulations to Danielle and her family as they soon welcome Bryce into their bunch! It was honestly an incredible joy to get to work with you and I thank you so very much for being willing to be featured! And I hope I get the chance to meet Bryce one day before you move back to Colorado!

Best,
Sarah

Part III can be found here. :)

Spencer Couple: Pregnancy Reveal | Hampton Roads Maternity Photographer

Hi!

A few months ago I booked a session with the Spencer couple (some of you may recognize her as my hair and makeup gal, Rylee) and was extremely honored that I was asked to shoot their session. Rylee works with a number of photographers so to be chosen out of all the talent she works with is such an honor.

Rylee had come up with this gorgeous pin-up inspired military session and we had even scouted out some fabulous locations that enabled us to shoot with some old planes and helicopters- it was SO neat!

A few weeks before the session Rylee contacted me and told me we needed to change the session...well...because of this:

I. WAS. ECSTATIC!

The day of the shoot Rylee showed up, flawless as usual, with her super handsome husband, Slater, and to top it off had made a bunch of ridiculously cute props!

Rylee and Slater really enjoy being in the country hunting, fishing, riding ATV's, etc. so we switched their session to a more woodsy feel. Of course, I put my foot down at the idea of including an ATV ride in their session- she is pregnant, of course. Rylee had no objections :)

 

Don't you just love the way he looks at her? He's so in love with her and already SO in love with their baby; just like a dad should be ;)

Their baby name choices!

The only flaw with this couple is their choice of football team... BUT since she's my friend I humored her. (She knew I couldn't help but take a small shot in her blog post :p )

Rylee and Slater I am so excited for you both and thrilled to be a part of your pregnancy announcement! It killed me to have to wait to share these images but I know surprising your family was worth the wait :)

Best,

Sarah