Newborns change at lightning speed. You’ll want to remember every sweet detail--lashes, toes, hair, wrinkles, rolls, and nose. You’ll want to capture who your new little person is, how he/she looks, and who he/she looks like! Newborn portraits capture all of this. They also tell the story of new parents and building bonds--the wonder of a new family and new beginnings.
Right now, these beautiful portraits you capture of your little one will be for you--memories to treasure and hold in your heart. Soon, however, your newborn’s photos will be for him, the foundation of his identity. They’ll be his first connection to his family, the first time he is celebrated. His portraits are physical proof that he belongs and has always been loved. You’ll want to surround him with this constant visual affirmation. As mom to seven, I’ve seen the impact of portraits on my own children and made every effort to surround them with these confidence builders in our home, but it isn't a novel concept.
Portraits of various types have been valued for thousands of years without formal validation. However, in 1975, Tulane University decided to make it official when they set out to show they could measurably improve the self-esteem of children through photographs. They found an increase of 37% over five weeks! I think that seals it, but what about maternity portraits?
When I had my kids, people didn’t really do maternity photos. In fact, women often HID from any nearby camera. Pregnant women were supposed to be modest and demure, and clothing was designed to obscure the belly, not accent it.
Sadly, pregnancy wasn’t seen as the testament of strength and beauty it is today. However, in 1991, Annie Leibovitz revolutionized how we see and celebrate pregnancy when she photographed Demi Moore nude for the August cover of Vanity Fair. It was scandalous. But it was compelling. And it was absolutely breathtaking. It gave women permission to celebrate pregnancy and the pregnant figure through portraits.
A woman is never more powerful and more herself than when she nurtures new life, whether through pregnancy, surrogacy, or adoption. And she is never more beautiful. If your journey to motherhood has not included a pregnancy of your own, I want you to know I believe your path is just as powerful and beautiful. Pregnancy is a miracle. Seemingly against all odds, in a world where we may be more health conscious than ever, fertility can be a struggle. Those who find a somewhat easy path to motherhood are all the more fortunate. Whether you were blessed with a gentle journey or one fraught with struggle and disappointment, once you are expecting, this short and iconic moment in your life deserves to be celebrated. YOU deserve to be celebrated.
Your strength, patience, and love deserve to be celebrated. Your story deserves to be told. The distinct beauty of your pregnant body that holds within it all the hope for the next generation should be fully felt and experienced.
Many childbearing women only experience pregnancy once or twice. It’s simultaneously the most amazing experience of a woman's life and the hardest, vacillating between the deepest joy and exhilaration and the pain of her actual physical limitations--and more. It can be really hard to feel beautiful while watching your body change so drastically. A growing belly, spreading hips, swollen feet, skin and hair challenges . . . even the burden of extra weight and supplying nutrition and blood to another human can leave you feeling less than enthusiastic about the most awe-inspiring event of your life.
But these are the reasons you absolutely NEED a full-service maternity session. Imagine a pampering day planned just for you, featuring hair and makeup services, some decadent treats, and being dressed up in a range of elegant gowns and cute, modern, styled looks to be photographed in different sets, making you feel like a supermodel. With masterful posing and lighting, you'll LOOK like a super model too. This is just the boost you need to help you slow down and drink in this momentous occasion in your life. Something this amazing should be remembered and cherished. So hang them in your home or treasure them in a book. Show them to your kids as you recount their journey into the world. It’s a part of their story too.
One of the most important things you will do in your own life and for future generations is raise a family. You are shaping the future. You are strong, you are beautiful, and you can do anything because you are a mom.
To schedule your own session, reach out to Karen at (469) 927-0225 or visit her website at www.karen-laine.com