Jennifer just oozes grace and beauty as a pregnant lady - she is an absolute natural... born to be a mother. She wrote to me wanting maternity photos in her own home, for their third child. She had never had maternity photos before, but wanted some that were 'homely and loving, just like when you bring home a baby'. I walked into their house and my eyes just lit up. Their beautiful big white villa home was just perfect for such a shoot - clean, stylish and so incredibly 'homely'... and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful subject to photograph!
Jennifer and Jon already have two absolutely adorable boys - Sam and Will - and they can't wait to have a new baby to love and adore! They all have such awesome Canadian accents... the whole family are in Dunedin for a few years, but heading back to Canada soon! Having maternity photos taken was a way to share this incredibly special and exciting time with their families and friends still on the other side of the world.
Enjoy the calm, pure, serene beauty of Jennifer and her gorgeous family.
Jennifer and Jon already have two absolutely adorable boys - Sam and Will - and they can't wait to have a new baby to love and adore! They all have such awesome Canadian accents... the whole family are in Dunedin for a few years, but heading back to Canada soon! Having maternity photos taken was a way to share this incredibly special and exciting time with their families and friends still on the other side of the world.
Enjoy the calm, pure, serene beauty of Jennifer and her gorgeous family.
Oh, apparently the whole shoot wasn't calm and serene... ;)
Jennifer runs a maternity/Mum's health and fitness website called 'Mama Lion Strong'. I suggest that if you are a Mum (Or 'Mom' as Jennifer would say!), or soon to be... or you just enjoy reading personal, funny, inspiring, honest blogs about the quirks, struggles, charms and joys of parenthood... you should check it out!!
Happy sigh... so, so beautiful.
Jennifer directed me to check out 'A Beautiful Body Project' - an incredible project aiming to 'celebrate the irreplaceable beauty of women through unaltered photographs and inspiring stories'. I urge you to take a look at this. It so so inspiring and such an awesome shift in the mindset of women.
I often have pregnant Mum's asking me to remove stretch-marks, and to 'tuck in' those extra few kilos they have put on throughout their pregnancy. I understand on a personal level. I do. Unfortunately, we all have things we dislike about ourselves. But this is such a contested aspect of the photography industry... and in reality, it's very sad. Software makes these things possible. But really, SHOULD it be?! I want people to love themselves, love their photos, and be proud of who they are. I want them to show their friends, hang them proudly on their walls and feel great about themselves in them. But I don't want to change people into things they aren't, all because we buy into the rubbish we hear in the media about what is 'beautiful'.
I absolutely LOVED that Jennifer was so proud of her body, her stretch marks, her scars... the things which make her a woman and a Mum that need to be celebrated. The proof of what she has been through for her children and her family. Would love to hear other thoughts on this topic! It's a big one, I know... but an important one.
I often have pregnant Mum's asking me to remove stretch-marks, and to 'tuck in' those extra few kilos they have put on throughout their pregnancy. I understand on a personal level. I do. Unfortunately, we all have things we dislike about ourselves. But this is such a contested aspect of the photography industry... and in reality, it's very sad. Software makes these things possible. But really, SHOULD it be?! I want people to love themselves, love their photos, and be proud of who they are. I want them to show their friends, hang them proudly on their walls and feel great about themselves in them. But I don't want to change people into things they aren't, all because we buy into the rubbish we hear in the media about what is 'beautiful'.
I absolutely LOVED that Jennifer was so proud of her body, her stretch marks, her scars... the things which make her a woman and a Mum that need to be celebrated. The proof of what she has been through for her children and her family. Would love to hear other thoughts on this topic! It's a big one, I know... but an important one.
Jennifer, thank you so much for inviting me into your gorgeous home to photograph this time of your life. You really are so incredibly beautiful inside and out. It was soooo lovely to hang out with your family for the morning... thanks for lunch too! I wish you all the very best for the days, months and years ahead with this new wee button who is about to enter your family (or if I read between the lines... who may have already arrived yesterday perhaps?!). You are a wonderful family xoxo