OUR LITTLE FAMILY: IMPENDING MOTHERHOOD
AM I THE LUCKIEST PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE WORLD?! THERE AREN'T ENOUGH DAYS IN A WEEK FOR ALL THE BEAUTIFUL STORIES I HAVE TO SHARE! AND TODAY, WE JOIN JENNY AND TITI FOR THEIR SUPER SWEET BABY BUMP SESSION. A WOMAN'S BODY GOES THROUGH SO MANY INCREDIBLE CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY, AND EVERY WOMAN'S EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT. AND IN TURN, EVERY SINGLE SHOOT SHOULD BE TOO. MAKE SURE TO READ THROUGH TO A LITTLE Q & A WITH JENNY...
I photographed Jenny and Titi's wedding three years ago, in my home town. My favourite moment of the entire day, was just before the sun set. We ran out of the wedding reception to catch those last rays of light, to a path through a cornfield which I (and the bride!) used to walk to school everyday. My memories of this shot are super special. Imagine how it felt when we went to take some photos of Jenny's baby bump, and I saw a canvas print of it above their bed. I choked up a bit.
And this part of the shoot was a brave moment for Jenny too. You see women in baby bump shots looking wistful and beautiful in their nakedness, their swollen bellies shining, but it likely took a lot of confidence and courage to strip off for that photo. Adjusting to their bodies' changes can be a difficult experience.
IT'S SUCH A BRAVE THING TO INVITE A PHOTOGRAPHER TO BE A PART OF THAT, BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT.
Jenny agreed to have a little chat with me about her experience, which I'd love to share with you today. I hope it encourages more women to come forward for these kinds of sessions. I absolutely adore giving ladies something which helps them to recognise how INCREDIBLE their bodies are.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR BUMP PICS TAKEN?
J: When we first worked with Gemma for our wedding, I knew I wanted her to capture other life changing experiences for us. Our first pregnancy has been one of those experiences and we wanted something that continued our photographic collection of our memories of our family - from the day we became our own little family, to expecting our first addition. We wanted to take the opportunity whilst it was available to have something to remind us of the excitement of pregnancy - and how truly blessed we are to be experiencing it.
DID YOU HAVE ANY WORRIES?
J: We did our shoot when I was 28 weeks so I was worried I wouldn’t have a big enough bump yet to get in the shots. That it seems definitely wasn’t an issue as we managed to get bump looking perfect and finding the angles that worked the best to highlight it.
HOW DID IT FEEL TO SHOOT WITH YOUR BUMP?
J: Shooting with a bump was a weird experience at times - as it was generally all about me and the bump. It was fun finding ways to keep Titi included in the shot but
AMAZING FOR ME TO HAVE SOME ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH THE BUMP I'VE GROWN TO KNOW SO WELL.
WHAT DID YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE?
J & T: The one on one time focusing on our family. Gemma clicks away putting herself in the most awkward angles possible, but you’re so at ease with her being there that you can start to forget she’s even around.
WE REALLY FELT LIKE FOR THAT TIME IT WAS ALL ABOUT US AND THE LITTLE LIFE GROWING AND WE FOUND WE FINISHED THE SHOOT WE WERE SO EXCITED TO MEET BABY AND HAVE THE PHOTOS TO REMEMBER WHEN SHE WAS JUST A BUMP.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANY LADIES/ COUPLES WHO ARE THINKING OF DOING THIS?
J: It’s one of the most magical times you can shoot yourself - no inhibitions. Your body is doing the most powerful thing it can do and that alone I feel is so empowering.
TAKING THAT TIME TO FOCUS ON YOU AND YOUR GROWING BUNDLE MEANS YOU CAN REMEMBER THE SLIGHTLY MORE ENJOYABLE TIMES IN PREGNANCY - AND NOT JUST THOSE WHEN YOU FELT LIKE A HIPPO, WERE HUGGING THE TOILET BOWL OR PRISING A 6LB BABY OUT OF YOUR RIBS SO YOU CAN BREATHE!
AND FINALLY, WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST MAGICAL PART OF PREGNANCY?
For Jenny, the connection to someone we’ve not met properly yet but I feel I know so well.
For Titi, feeling baby move and making that connection to a little life.
Huge thanks to Jenny and Titi for having me capture yet another important life event. Your trust and love of my work reminds me why I do this. Cannot wait to meet the little when they arrive!
GWx
