It was a beautiful summer day when I met Stella at Meridian Hill Park for her Maternity Session! Stella reached out to me through Instagram and immediately knew she came to the right spot.

We spent the first half of the shoot taking gorgeous shots at the park. Then we drove through Washington D.C. rush-hour traffic to the Smithsonian Botanical Gardens for a few more photos. This time we focused on embracing that beautiful baby bump.

Is there anything more magnificent, more life-affirming than a woman carrying new life into the world? Mom is radiant, expectant, and so full of love. She and baby are having their first conversations together – all the little whispers, soft soothes, and responsive kicks. A delight of love and anticipation to finally meet. THESE are the magic moments that deserve to be captured and remembered. Pregnant women deserve to be seen as the absolute goddesses that they are, showing off the beauty and power of their incredible bodies.

Being there with Stella was such a fantastic experience – helping to capture all the love, joy, and anticipation of getting to meet her new baby soon. I’m so grateful I could be there as she prepares to set out on the incredible adventure of being a mom.