When this mom mentioned wanting to do the maternity session in the Superstition Mountains of Apache Junction, AZ, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I’d captured countless couples against that stunning backdrop, but never a maternity shoot. This time, it was different – it was about capturing candid moments with her boys, knowing this would be the last pregnancy. She shared how she regretted not having maternity photos with her boys, but now, with this being her final baby and a girl at that, she wanted to make every moment count. Her boys were already gearing up to be amazing big brothers. During our session, I loved that they went to pick their mama flowers and brought them to her and we got some candid moments like this.

Reflecting on my own journey into motherhood, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. I never got maternity photos myself, and as my kids grew older and wondered what I looked like pregnant, I realized I had very little to show them. It hit me hard. Back then, maternity photos weren’t as emphasized, and the only one I could dig up was a dimly lit film photo from nearly two decades ago. I never thought about my kids asking about those moments or what it felt like to carry them. That’s why I’m so passionate about urging others to trust a photographer with their maternity photos – it’s a memory you’ll cherish forever.