Listen, I’ve been there . . .

I know how those last weeks of pregnancy can make you feel. Tired, bloated, aching, fat.

And then you have a woman like Jasmine that just flipping smashes it with her style, flair, and elan. She and her partner, Dejuan (but of course she would have a husband who looks like he stepped out of a fashion editorial), are soon to become first time parents to Baby Girl Harlem. So she wanted to commemorate this chapter of their lives with a maternity session.

Here is what I think makes for a good maternity session: attitude. I see a lot of women go for what I call the “earth mother” look. She is wearing a long, flowing gown with some type of flowered head band in a woodland setting. You know, if that is you there is nothing wrong with that. Listen, you want a picture in tall grass, I will get you tall grass. But if you are doing that because you see the hundreds of other expecting moms doing that - STOP. If you are going to spend the time, money, and resources for a photo session unique to you, let’s talk it through first.

Jasmine wanted fashion with some variety and we talked about the mood she wanted and what she would wear. A little bit of a challenge - with three outfits, I knew I had to work fast because something to take into consideration when shooting maternity is that the subject is pregnant and you do not want Mom-to-be to get overly taxed. That is a benefit of doing an in-studio session; not only can lighting be controlled, but so can temperature and if a break (or bathroom) is needed, it is at hand.

Check out these pictures. Harlem is a lucky little girl!