Tanja + Rickey ·Myriad Gardens Maternity Session·

Hello Dears!

It's a good Monday to have a good Monday, right friends? Today I get to share with you a beautiful maternity session, and I'm not playing around when I say beautiful. Tanja and Rickey couldn't have picked a better spot for their session-- the Crystal Bridge at Myriad Gardens. The color is just breathtaking, not to mention the stunning momma-to-be!

One of my favorite moments from the session was when Tanja, Rickey, and I bonded over Bernie Sanders, because #bernieforever. She also made the flower crown she's wearing in her session, and I think it was the perfect compliment to all the wonderful nature around them. I mean, who doesn't love a good flower crown?

Tanja is originally from Austria, so shortly after their session they flew to Austria so she could deliver there and spend time with family during those fresh newborn times. We all know how important it is to have support with a new baby around-- for sanity reasons on our part and for baby cuddles on their part. It's a win-win for sure! 

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Kim, Ian, + Daisy ·Lake Hefner Maternity Session·

Hello dears!

It's Friday, and you know what that means! We're just days away from the finale of Big Little Lies. (That's what you were expecting me to say, right?) I know I'm not the only one who's on pins and needles waiting for all.the.answers. Who's with me? If you have any amazing theories as to what happens, leave them in the comments! I'm SO sucked in and it's definitely got me stumped!

The literature nerd in me wants to rewatch the show, just to pay closer attention to the scenes with the ocean. There's definitely some symbolism going on there, right? Or maybe I'm just overthinking it because we've got a SERIOUS Moana phase happening in our house. Either way, I love the ocean and have serious dreams of living near it some day. I guess that's why I like spending time at Lake Hefner so much...because sometimes you just take what you can get!

When Kim said she wanted to take her maternity photos at the lake AND they were bringing their fluffy pup along, I was so game. The weather was perfect, the sun was beautiful, and Kim and Ian made photo magic. I love these photos so much, I immediately ordered a sample for the studio with them. Hop on over to my Instagram @courtneydespainphoto to see it!

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Nola ·Documentary Maternity Photography·

Hello Dears!

One reason I love doing what I do is getting to witness and capture the sweetest, littlest of moments between loved ones. Oftentimes these moments pass us by and we never get the opportunity to cherish them, but thank goodness for lifestyle sessions, friends. Nola wanted to capture their "every day" instead of focusing on posed photos for her maternity session, freezing in time their last moments as a family of 3, and Afton's last moments as an only child. We stayed in the comfort of their sweet and cozy home in Tuttle, and were able to play with Afton throughout the session rather than pull out our hair trying to get perfectly posed shots of a toddler. The next time I saw her, she was a proud big sister sharing goldfish and changing her babydoll's diapers like a pro! I love that we got so many fun photos of their family playing and having fun together, because that's how life is with a toddler. Always go, go, go! By the end of the session, Afton was ready to wind down for naptime so we wrapped it up with storytime on the couch. 

I did talk Nola into taking a few posed portraits that we could recreate at baby Charley's newborn session, and those ended up being some of her favorite final images....and mine too! I just love that bump to baby comparison. I also love the photos of Nola fixing Afton's hair. It's those kinds of teeny tiny moments that make my heart flutter. 

I'm a huge fan of lifestyle maternity sessions because they make life easier when you're carrying your little one, but also because I'm able to capture you in your most comfortable and natural environment. The photos end up being truly representative of your family, and that's what we're always aiming for. 

Thanks for stopping by!