It has been a very long time since I have done a personal blog post but I figured if there was ever a time, it is now. I am only days from my due date and am winding down for the summer. It’s weird to type that as generally summer is one of my busiest times…along with Spring and Fall…ok, it’s busy most of the time around here. 😉 I have been overwhelmed with all the texts, calls, emails, Facebook messages, Instagram comments and gifts from past and current clients. I feel so loved. This confirms what I already knew. That, as a wedding photographer, we don’t just take a few (ok, a lot) of photos for an event. There is something about being a girl’s shadow on one of the most emotional days of their life that creates a bond. I’m lucky to call my brides friends and thankful that this is what I get to do every day. So when I have had people ask me if I’m still going to shoot after baby arrives, I say ‘well, duh”. My business will always be my first baby (besides my dog, but we won’t get into that right now) and I intend on jumping back into things head first in the Fall.
We have dreamed about this baby for years, but we did not anticipate him coming along in the middle of my busy season. Without a doubt, the hardest part of finding out my due date was having to call three very special brides and tell them that I couldn’t shoot their wedding. They were all very gracious and kind but it still made me sad. I become very attached to my brides! These three weddings took place these past three weekends and the only thing that kept me from sobbing again is that I knew they were very well taken care of with the photographers they chose. Kristen, Michelle and Cheyenne…you were beautiful brides!
I have been lucky enough to have a few wedding photogs sit and chat with me about being prego and having a baby while doing what we do. Nobody can imagine the life of a wedding photographer. I’ve tried in vain to explain it to a few people but it never comes out right. Advice from those in the industry is what I craved. Shannon, Andrea and Brooke have encouraged and helped me more than they even know. They didn’t have to take time for me but they did and I hope to pay it forward someday and give my advice to other photogs. It is such a competitive industry but I feel we are all better if we stick together. Thanks, gals!
Whoa, that was deep! Haha. This is a bit of a departure from my usual happy-go-lucky posts. I hope that you enjoyed the musings of this sentimental/emotional, nearly 9-month pregnant photog. 🙂 As an added bonus, here are some maternity photos that the other half of Picturesque Photos by Amanda (my dear hubby, Heath) took of me. I love having a talented hubby! I have always encouraged women to get maternity photos taken as a keepsake of this special time but now that I’ve been pregnant, I’ll encourage it for another reason. Get them taken when all you see in the mirror is your double chin, back fat, skin tags and swollen ankles. Get them taken when you think that these photos will be “just for you” and you have no intention of showing anyone. If you choose a photographer that knows how to pose, he/she will make you look like a freaking super model compared to how you feel. This alone was huge for my self esteem…and, of course, you get great images for you baby book too. 😉 The first photo is already printed and in the nursery as we decorated it in yellow, grey and cream. Be looking for a few newborn photos of our son in the next couple weeks!
We shot this photo on our way home from Kansas. We couldn’t resist the gorgeous canola fields near Fairview, OK. I was 31 weeks along here!
The rest of the photos were taken at Picturesque Studios at 37.5 weeks. It’s amazing how a few weeks near the end can make a difference. I’m not even going to show you how huge I am at over 39 weeks! Haha
Finally the sun came out!
This is my unexpected favorite! I am not a good subject and was complaining when he had me sit on my legs as they are swollen and I was sure they would explode with the pressure. I need to just trust because this is gorgeous. Thanks, Heathmeister, for everything you do for me…including putting up with my sassiness. 😉
Love it! Love you! Love Heath, Harley the Baby! Love it all! *Hugs*