I had the pleasure and honor to photograph a maternity/family session this weekend. I especially love these because I get to witness people on the verge of great change in their lives. No matter if it is a first child, or an additional child, change is coming... I can see the excitement, anticipation, nervousness, and love that is so apparent. Yes, the couple is in for great change, but not quite aware of what those changes bring.

These sessions can vary greatly... when it is a first child, I can go into the session with all of my ideas, and creativity, and pretty much follow through on them... depending on the couple. But, I have significant control over the session.

When the session includes a "soon to be" older sibling, or more, my ideas for creativity and posing can pretty much be thrown out the window! This weekend, the session included a 3 year old boy who dictated how the images would go. I did give direction, but I was following his (unaware) directing... just hoping to get something that the couple would love. These sessions produce their own set of challenges, as you never know how the other children will cooperate, if at all. You learn to go with the flow, and snap away, hoping to capture a moment that will forever live in their hearts. I felt that I was rather fortunate to capture many good images...

In the end, what matters is that the client is happy.... they don't know what you expected, wanted, or planned to capture... they may have a small idea, based on conversations... but, all they see is the end result... and when they love what you captured, that is all that matters!