Dawsonville Maternity Session at Etowah River
Imagine walking along a beautiful river bank on a warm, early fall day, the gentle breeze brushing against your skin, carrying with it one of the sweet scent of nature's perfume - the coming of autumn. As you stroll along, hand-in-hand with your spouse, the excitement of your little one’s approaching arrival makes you both a little giddy. The blessing of new life growing in your belly is incredible and miraculous and special by nature - but that the baby you’ve prayed for is a girl and you’ve had her name picked out since you were a teenager. You’re not just having any baby - your baby is being fashioned and knitted together by the Creator who made all things. Your baby is being formed as one of His Children - made with a purpose and a plan. And you get to love and take care of it. How truly humbling to be able to witness the miracle of life and know that this journey is more than simply getting to the birth. Becoming and growing as parents is one of the greatest works you can do in this life. And I have the immense pleasure of witnessing and preserving one of the most beautiful transition points in that journey.
In a world filled with flashy, over-the-top photo shoots, there is something undeniably captivating about simplicity. And it is in the simplicity of this laidback maternity session that the true essence of this real-life, authentic narrative shines through. I strove to capture the moments and not to focus so much on poses - but allowing the love, joy, and anticipation to unfold naturally. As the expectant mother and father share an intimate embrace, their connection radiates through the lens, forever frozen in time. Each photograph reveals a layer of their story - a story of a miracle growing beneath the surface and a story of love.
Can you think of anything more beautiful than capturing the raw emotions and genuine bond between two souls about to embark on the journey of parenthood?
Because pictures are worth a thousand words and my work is intended to be a visual story, I wanted to weave together their unique narrative by documenting the details that made their maternity session truly special. With an eye for the extraordinary in the ordinary, my goal was to capture the delicate curve of the mother's belly, the intertwined hands of the couple, the custom bracelet with their Little’s name spelled out, and the soft whispers of endearment. These moments, seemingly insignificant on their own, came together to create a tapestry of memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Through the camera lens, I wanted to paint with the evening light, using the golden hues of the summer sun through the trees and over the field to create a warm and ethereal atmosphere. The subtle, film-like quality of the photographs adds to the intimacy of the session, evoking a sense of tranquility and peace.
I wanted these photographs to be like windows into a timeless world, where the expecting parent’s love and the beauty of life know no boundaries. Since time travel isn’t physically possible, I knew the camera would become the passport, allowing them to step into the realm of emotions and connections from that time and season. Especially when those intricacies are often overlooked in our fast-paced lives.
This Dawsonville maternity session serves as a reminder that beauty lies in the simplest of moments. It teaches us to appreciate the present, to revel in the joy and anticipation of new beginnings. The photographs embody the essence of what it means to be patient and expecting, designed for a greater purpose and yet vulnerable in our weakness, and full of hope and love.
So, the next time you find yourself surrounded by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, take a moment to pause, to breathe in the sweetness of the world around you. To see the wonders that the Creator made for us and realize that beyond our wildest dreams or expectations, we’re created for a purpose greater than we could ask or imagine. And remember that life's most precious moments are often found in the unassuming moments, waiting to be noticed, captured, and cherished.
