The Other Side of the Lens
Getting your own portraits taken can be nerve wracking for anyone. But, I think for professional photographers it can be particularly scary. I know I put a lot of extra pressure on myself to make sure our outfits are perfect and that our shoot is something different and unique. I don’t mind the actual being in front of the camera. That part I actually enjoy! It’s the preparation that is not fun.
For our maternity / last family of 3 shoot, I decided to book it when we were on our trip in Maui. Maui is where Chuck and I started our friendship the summer before our senior year of high school and we vacation there a lot with my in-laws, so it’s a special place for us. A lot of the photographers in Hawaii are (how do I say this nicely?) old school. You see a lot of on camera flash and super posey pictures. Which, I obviously didn’t want. I asked my twitter friends who their favorite Maui photographer was and they unanimously said Anna Kim. I checked out her work and really liked it so we went with her. She’s young and uses natural light and seemed to be the photographer that had the style most similar to mine.
Picking out outfits for maternity sessions is hard! For the first look I just tried to find something that I felt comfortable and pretty in. Then I picked out Chuck and Brayden’s outfits around mine. For the second look, I wanted something different. In my head I had a beachy, bohemian look in mind. Finding a flattering bohemian look for a 34 week pregnant girl is not easy! Up until the last minute I was contemplating my decision, but I’m glad I went with the one I did.
Brayden has not been enjoying having his picture taken lately. In fact, it’s been down right impossible to take pictures of him. I was extremely nervous about how he would act on the shoot. I brought two of his favorite candies and gave them to Anna to bribe him with. I gave them to Anna so Brayden would think she brought them and then hopefully like her more and listen to her, which worked! And then once we were on the shoot I let go and did what I ask all my clients to do – have fun. It’s easy to stress out when your kids don’t want to cooperate, but if you stress then they will react to that stress. Chuck and I just had fun, played with him, and did all of our normal things to distract him and make him laugh.
I’m just in love with these pictures. When I saw the blog post I cried. Happy tears. Anna exceeded my expectations. She captured moments that happened for a split second. I don’t even know how she got them. If you’re vacationing in Maui, book her! Skip the cheesy photographer at your hotel. They take pictures. Anna captures memories. I will forever be grateful to her for capturing these memories for my family. I can’t wait to hang them up all over my house!
Without further ado, here are a few from Anna’s sneak peek.
Hair and Makeup: A Pampered Bride
Dress and necklace: Anthropologie (dress isn’t online, but just bought in store a few weeks ago) (and pregnancy Spanx are my new BFF).
Brayden’s outfit: Peek Aren’t You Curious
Chuck’s outfit: Banana Republic
Red Tunic – Anthropologie
White Shorts – A Pea in the Pod
Flower Crown – Peace Love Vintage
Brayden’s Outfit – Quiksilver
Brayden’s Hat – Gap Kids
Chuck’s Shirt – Banana Republic
Fav shot. Will be getting this one on canvas!
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
Wow, they are gorgeous shots.
Mandy´s last [type] ..Plant a Tree Day 2011
DrewB, you are one hot mama! These pictures are great!
Fantastic Drew!!! You are gorgeous and those photos are fabulous!
Rachel McPhillips´s last [type] ..The 4th… a little late.
those are stunning! SO gorgeous!!!
BEAUTIFUL! I’d say going with the bohemian look was the right choice – stunning!
You are so beautiful…so glad you captured this time in your lives.
Beautiful shots!!! Love them all! You have a lovely family!
Sarah´s last [type] ..{favorites}
So gorgeous Drew!!! I can’ t believe how beautiful and put together you all look even on vacation.. when I travel I look like I just fell out of a turnip truck LOL. The one of B kissing your Belly is SOOOOO amazing.
Ariana Falerni´s last [type] ..Cooper, One Year Old!
Stunning! What a special treat to share forever!
Summer C.´s last [type] ..OC Zoo with the family
Awesome, awesome, awesome!! You look amazing. What a beautiful shoot!
Melissa´s last [type] ..I might have a problem.
Absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful family you have, and you look *amazing!*
Rhyah´s last [type] ..Camera Strap for SLR or DSLR – Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax – 32 inch
Oh my goodness! These are INCREDIBLE! You look amazing! Ohhh, I know you are SO proud to have these!
Bobbie Brown´s last [type] ..Happy Birthday MawMaw!
Isn’t she amazing?! We had ours done with her in February while on vacation in Maui and she rocked them. I also was surprised at how many photographers in Hawaii aren’t… awesome. Glad to have found Anna. From now on, every vacation to Maui, I’m calling her!!
Chelsea´s last [type] ..The Klassen Wedding!! (Baker City Wedding Photographer)
Adorable pictures!! What a happy family
You look so beautiful Drew.
Evie Perez´s last [type] ..LOVE, WEDDING, MARRIAGE
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Jennifer´s last [type] ..The H. Family
These are amazing! How fun!!! You have a beautiful family!
Donetta´s last [type] ..How to make a high school transcript
Beautiful….
Incredible shots!! I *love* the one of him smooching your belly! And I totally agree – these are truly captured memories that will last a lifetime, not static, staged poses that are usually displayed a few years and then filed away.
Tiff Glover´s last [type] ..It’s a lonely ole’ niiiiight
The sunset shot is beyond gorgeous! Beautiful is an understatement.
Pia´s last [type] ..Populært sommeren 2011
lovely photos. they’re breathtaking!
Oh my goodness Dew! They are BEAUTIFUL! you have such a photogenic family! and P.S. You look AMAZING!!!! Wish I looked like that while 34 weeks pregnant! lol
Monick S.´s last [type] ..The Chloe Button Necklace
INCREDIBLE!! I am blown away by these pictures. You have the perfect little family. So happy that you find such an amazing photographer to take pictures of your amazing family!
Sweet pix. You look gorgeous as always!!!
Brandi´s last [type] ..Baseball
these are FABULOUS! what a gorgeous family you have!
Stunning photoshoot
Susan´s last [type] ..Sweet shot-nature
Loved them all! I’m totally booking her for our trip there next summer! And pregnancy Spanx!?!?!?! I’m an avid fan of them in general, but for pregnancy! Tell me where, girl!
Great photos – wish I had my own island