As a wedding and family photographer in Virginia, I get the pleasure of photographing people’s milestones. One of those milestones happens to be photographing maternity sessions. When one of my clients contacted me to chat, she hadn’t even told me she was pregnant yet. I intuitively asked “are you pregnant?” Haha. I love moments like this. And she was! After having my own baby, I get so excited when other women share this news with me. There is so much leading up to having your first baby. The feelings, the preparation, and inside that bump is your baby. * insert teary eyed emoji *
After the initial conversation, we began the planning. When I start planning for a maternity session in Virginia, I begin by writing down some location and styling options for my client. I do this by by finding dresses or outfits online and what may interest her when it comes to the location. Since I’ve known her for a few years, it makes it easier to help her with styling, but in the end she is the one that does the shopping for colors and styles of what to wear in her Virginia maternity session. Though, I can recommend certain styles that look better for maternity if someone needs that help.
As a photographer living in Virginia Beach, I include beach locations. I also will include locations that are under a 2 hour drive just to change things up. It keeps things fresh and new aesthetically speaking. I also want the client to love the location and be inspired by it. The great thing about living in Virginia is that you can easily drive to different areas and get varied scenery. Two hours and under from Virginia Beach includes Richmond, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore. Of course, if you want to make a baby moon and travel wen can go to Charlottesville, Washington D.C, and the Western mountains of Virginia. I feel lucky to have explored my state, but I could probably stand to do some new trips to discover some places. I think I have spent so much time traveling out of state or country the last years that I forget I need to travel my own state.
Caitlin ended up choosing a private home from the options I provided located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and this was the first place I ever picked up a camera. I think when people picture Virginia, they often think of places like Washington D.C. or the oceanfront in Virginia Beach. Salt marshes, the Chesapeake Bay, and beautiful coastal woods are what my mind goes to.
I feel like my style has been fairly consistent in the sense that I like to give my photos a film look. Lately, I think my photography is fairly true to color with some film adaptation coloring added. I really like to mix it up. However, I base my editing mostly on the actual lighting that was available. If there is not sun I will not edit with a lot of warmth. My wedding, engagement, and maternity photography will be edited like an editorial shoot with true to color look with a hint of film coloring added. I love to add my black and white photography to galleries too. We lucked out during this session to have a variety of lighting.
My Philosophy
Some people will say, “I only need a few photos” or “just some * insert location photos *. Which is totally fine if that’s your thing. However, when you book a photography session with me you are already here. Why not change your outfit three times to get a variety? You don’t even need to change your outfit actually. Walking around to different parts of the chosen location to create different dynamics of capturing this moment in your life is my specialty. It’s so much more about how you felt during this period of your life and having it photographed as well as record keeping. My other photographer philosophy is that we are creating images that are meant to be art. Nowadays, I think people’s social media feeds are inundated with so much photography they have become numb to photos. I get that. We aren’t taking photos to only post up on social media. They are really for your photo books, walls, and to share with friends/family. Again, if you’re taking the time to plan your session with a photographer, you may as well just go for it. Really commit. That way you get the best results that are going to make you happy when the gallery is delivered.
Without further ado, here is a bit of the story of Caitlins maternity Virginia maternity session.
