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Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer | Unexpected Surprise

I would love to hear about your pregnancy journey. Have you had any surprises along the way?

 

Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, modern art portrait, black & white

Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, Unexpected surprise, pregnancy portrait, color, red hair Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, Unexpected surprise, pregnancy portrait, black & white


My partner and I were trying for about a year and in the midst of our infertility work up earlier this year, we discovered we were pregnant! It was truly the happiest moment and though pregnancy has (and will continue to have) it’s challenges, I am loving this journey and watching my body change. We are thrilled to meet our little girl and would love to document this experience!

What do you like to imagine for your child’s future? Tell me all your dreams for baby.


I want my daughter to live a life she’s passionate about, whatever that looks like for her. Her dad and I will be there to support her in every step of the way.

Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, classic & timeless portrait, color lace dress Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, Unexpected surprise, pregnancy portrait, color lace dressWhat would you like your baby to know about YOU (their beautiful mama!)?

I want her to know just how truly wanted she is. I want her to know that her Dad and I managed to find our way to each other through one failed marriage and many other obstacles in life, and we cannot wait to be her parents and watch her grow.

Why are beautiful photos important for you and your family right now?


Simple answer: we are terrible at taking photos! We cherish all of our moments together but sadly always forget to document our experiences. I want us to have beautiful photos to document the memory of starting our own family.

Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, Modern pregnancy portrait, black & White Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, Modern pregnancy portrait, color red hair Charlotte NC Maternity Photographer, Modern pregnancy portrait, black & White

 

Thinking about modern maternity portraits to document your pregnancy journey? Not sure how to display them in your home? Check out this great article from my friend Nani’s blog here. She shares her wisdom on how to decorate with wall art in several different ways. Check it out and leave her a comment if you like it. 

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Charlotte NC Newborn Photographer | Waiting For Baby: My Wish

Waiting for baby, creating a new life, wishing for his safe arrival

waiting for baby charlotte newborn photographerMy husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for 4 years and on our second round of IVF we found out we were pregnant.

Describe your pregnancy journey while waiting for baby. Have you had any surprises (good or bad)?

Yes we found out our son had a clubfoot. So it is another journey we will have to go through with him. But other than a fairly normal and easy pregnancy everything else is great.

What do you like to imagine for your child’s future?

That he is happy and thriving!

What would you like your baby to know about YOU (their beautiful mama!)?

That we had prayed and prayed for him and he is my best accomplishment.

Is there an encouraging message you would like to share with other expecting mothers who are also waiting for baby?

Keep a good mindset and don’t compare your journey with anyone else’s.

 

Why are beautiful photos important for you and your family?

To cherish those memories!

 

Thank you both for sharing your story with us. -alicia

Are you expecting a baby?

I would love for you to apply for the Newborn Love Stories Campaign.  Ready to share about your miracle baby click the button below to get started.

 

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Newborn Love Stories: Expecting | Fort Mill SC Photographer

newborn love stories expecting, charlotte, nc, maternity, pregnant mom

Waiting for a baby while watching your belly grow day by day is the most amazing time in your life. It’s full of wonder, joy and some days worries and what ifs  too. I’ve made it my mission to share your true beauty and the start of your journey into motherhood. It is my belief that all babies are miracles and the time before birth should be honored and celebrated for you and for the baby. Maternity portraits are a wonderful gift for your future child and for you to share how much your baby is loved, wanted and cared for before he or she is born. It’s a gift to connect with and remember a time that goes by way too fast and the reason I’ve started the Newborn Love Stories: expecting series.

If you are expecting a baby, I would love for you to apply for the Newborn Love Stories Blog Series. In exchange for sharing your story you will receive a complimentary maternity portrait session and your favorite image printed professionally as a thank you for participating. Click here to apply.

Her Story

Amber’s enthusiasm and excitement for her newborn love stories: expecting session was contagious even after we had to reschedule the first appointment. She never lost any of her initial excitement for her portrait session or for her plans to come to life. 

She shared with me her hopes for her daughter “That her life will be bright and filled with success!!” Something she wants her kids to know “That I love them so much and I’ll die for them! I’ll do anything to make sure my kids always feel good!!”

Creating amazing images that mom loves was my honor and privilege. These portraits of mom to be, her baby girl will cherish being able to see how mom looked with her in her belly, growing, waiting and hopeful for the life she will lead. 

Her Message for expecting moms

Amber has this encouraging message for expecting mothers “Enjoy the journey and enjoy your little ones bc they won’t always be so little! One day they will grow up and you won’t be able to hold them anymore or smell the fresh scent of a baby anymore 😩”

Most moms come in for a maternity portrait a little nervous and unsure of themselves. While she told me later she wasn’t comfortable posing in the studio I never would have guessed that during the actual photoshoot. She appeared confident, comfortable and prepared for the portraits.

She came ready for fun and even brought a family member to help with her portrait session. Family and friends are always helpful to me when I want a real laugh or serious expression. Be ready I may ask for your assistance if you come with a friend for morale support 😉 Family knows your stories and what will get your true expressions better than anyone else.

She left this fabulous review for me on facebook!

“I had a wonderful experience with Alicia!!! She took her time and guided me through every pose which made me feel super comfortable!! She was extremely friendly and welcoming!! The pictures I seen so far look amazing and I can’t wait to see the finals!! I will definitely be booking with her again!!!” 

Here is what she had to say after her reveal appointment with me “Alicia these are absolutely beautiful!!! I’m so in love with these photos!!! My favorite would have to be #6 but OMG!!!! You did such a wonderful job guiding me bc I’m so awkward at poses!! Lol” 

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Fort Mill, SC Child Photographer | Cherished Mom and Daughter Portraits

mom and daughter share joy Fort Mill, sc, Tega Cay, SC, Charlotte, NC

Do you want a pause button for your fast growing kiddo? Many people think I offer portrait services, but what I’m really giving you is a window back in time. You see, when you buy a photograph from me you get to stop time for a second and take that memory with you forever, and that, my friend, is priceless.

These are just awesome for mom and daughter. Imagine in ten years how much these will mean to mom! Imagine what these will mean to this little one in a few years. She will look back at these and see how much mom loved her and how much she loved her mom as a toddler.

Simple, classic mom and daughter portraits like these are treasured memories when this little girl is an adult. Mom of course will cherish these forever. And on the tough days these portraits will bring her so much joy. And isn’t that why we take family portraits in the first place.

Share Joy my friends!

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Planning ahead for Amazing Baby Portraits – Fort Mill

planning ahead for baby portraits, wall artwork, fort mill, sc, Charlotte, NC, Tega Cay, SC

When you are expecting baby number three it’s easy to think oh I got this I know what is coming next. Moms who plan ahead are my spirit animal. (serious over planner here).  Plan ahead moms make their life and mine so much easier. I distinctly remember chatting with this mom about where she wanted portraits to be displayed in her home.  How she wanted them to feel and how having a photograph of the three kids together was so important to her.  

Why newborn portraits matter in the grand scheme of things

Having photographs of this special time is a once in a lifetime opportunity and something this mom didn’t want to forget. The newborn stage goes by so fast and it’s easy to forget the small details. Having newborn portraits on the living room wall will remind her that she was wanted and loved! Planning ahead for amazing baby portraits is the best way to achieve this goal.

Great Job Mom

Shout out to mom on her clothing and styling choices for this session. I feel like she could teach other moms how to style a family and make it look effortless. These kiddos always look put together yet casual for portrait sessions. But don’t let that fool you it’s never as effortless as it looks. I recall tears from little D last year when he had to take off his batman shirt for picture day! 

Perfect little sister

Little miss was a dream baby model, I’m not sure she cried the whole session. And only woke up to eat near the end. She seems to be an easy going little sister and that will help mom out immensely with two active older brothers. 

Are you planning ahead for baby at home?

Check out my best baby soothing tips here.

 

 

 

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How talking about your family helps create amazing family portraits, Tega Cay, SC

Family Gallery Wall, Tega Cay, SC Portraits, Fort Mill, SC, Charlotte, NC

Family Wall Gallery

The C family came to see me for family portraits and asked me to create a family wall gallery series for their home. I love to help families prepare for their family portrait session. It’s so much fun to sit down usually with Mom and talk about their family dynamics. Who doesn’t love to talk about their kids, right! But why you may be asking do I want to know all about your family. Well so I can learn what makes them laugh, smile or what gets their attention. There is nothing better than making a little one smile and knowing the topics she cares about ahead of time makes it so much easier!

How to make it easy!

Can you imagine for instance if your little one is into my little pony and loves to read about horses? Now imagine we are in a portrait session and she and I are talking about ponies and how they love to run. Can’t you just see her face light up? Now lets think about this same scenario a little different. Say I didn’t ask those questions ahead of time and we are already in the studio trying to get this little one to smile. And all I keep talking about is Disney princesses. Well she could care less about Cinderella or Ariel,  see where this is going? While I have enough experience to try something different, if I know ahead of time what she’s into the process goes much faster and more smoothly. 

And even easier!

What else can make the process even easier you guessed it, didn’t you? Well if not here’s a hint. Knowing what dad is into? I mean come on if I’m all did you see the Panthers last Sunday and he’s a baseball fan I’ve lost him already. But if Dad likes to rebuild old cars and I can ask him about his latest project. You know I’m gonna get his best smile. So when you are ready for your next family portrait remember I’m gonna ask you all about what your family loves and the more you share the better the outcome!

Leave the C family some love in the comments.

You can see it in the photographs these girls were all about laughing and having a great time! Thanks again C family for letting me capture your little miracles and create your family wall gallery. 

-alicia

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Studio Maternity Portraits, Fort Mill, SC

fall studio maternity portraits Fort Mill, SC Tega Cay, SC Charlotte, NC maternity portrait

Studio Maternity Portraits

Aren’t these guys just the cutest? Two dapper young men are ready to add to their crew. One more little man is joining this adorable family. It was so much fun to celebrate this time in their lives for them. Pregnancy portraits can be a little nerve wracking for expecting mommas. I totally get it and aim to make all mommas feel super comfortable in my studio. And you can see that here she looks comfortable and happy doesn’t she?

Creating wall portraits for her family was awesome these portraits just naturally fit together in and cohesive story telling way. Telling the story of her family is the goal. Are you ready to tell the story of your pregnancy and your journey? Get in touch and let’s have a chat about your story.

-alicia

PS want to learn my 8 best tips for new parents? Grab my free guide.


 

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Grateful Heart Maternity Fort Mill, SC

You guys this momma was so excited about her pregnancy it was contagious. Her joy her grateful heart and attitude, are just such an inspiration. After being a boy mom for years, 3 boys to be exact, she is expecting a little girl. And she is capturing this special occasion with Maternity portraits for her room.

I am so grateful she chose Insley Photography to help her create such a special wall display for her home. Her maternity portrait and baby girl’s newborn portrait will make a great before and after for the wall in her home. Personally I can’t wait to see how it will all turn out. Of course now we just have to wait patiently for her little one to arrive. 

-alicia