We were making crepes at my best friend’s birthday. Actually, if we’re going to be honest, we were eating the crepes… complete with nutella, strawberries, and banana. Nothing on earth could have pulled me away from my crepe…nothing except for what Anda was about to tell me. As if she were telling me Nordstrom was having a sale, she candidly declared, I’m pregnant… in between bites.  As if it were no big deal, she just snuck in that extra piece of information…you know, in case I was wondering. Shrieking from excitement, I dropped my crepe and hugged my friend. And just like that, Anda’s little family of three was growing and expecting a new lil’ addition. By the end of the night, I told her we were going to do a maternity photoshoot no matter what. And though I’ve never shot one before and am in no way a maternity photographer, we were still doing one. As the day approached, I began to get nervous…very nervous. Though this was a good friend, I didn’t want to disappoint…I didn’t want her to walk away thinking I had no clue what I was doing. And I definitely didn’t want her to think I should get pregnant and feel how uncomfortable the positions I was putting her in were.

As we shot around, I eased up…and fell in love with life. With the  life that was growing inside of her. I can’t wait to meet Abby’s little sister and one day show her pictures of what she looked like inside Mommy’s belly. I can’t wait to tell her how she kicked when her mommy and daddy kissed. How her big sister proudly showed me her little shoes. And I really can’t wait to tell her how I found out her mommy was pregnant with her…in between bites of our strawberry and nutella crepes. Anda, Steve, and Abby, thank you for letting me take pictures of your beautiful, expanding family. I was honored and left feeling so blessed to have you for friends. I can’t wait to meet the lil’ angel. Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot! The light was heavenly and Anda looked like the most beautiful mommy ever.
Hey Anda, careful…I think that was the look that got you in this mess in the first place….