Andrea & David Maternity Session

Heart. 

This maternity session was incredibly special for me because this mama-to-be just so happens to be my very best friend. There is definitely a magical quality in the air when you get to photograph such an amazing moment in the life of someone you care deeply about. 

Andrea and I have lived through many seasons together as Best Friends; through heartbreak, wanderlust through the streets of Paris, new careers, new dreams, new states to live in…but this one…getting to see her fully embrace becoming a mother with her true love, David….this season of life is by far my favorite. 

In February, I got to travel to my hometown of Fort Myers, Florida, where Andrea and David live, to capture their maternity portraits. I chose the Franklin Locks Park in Alva, a really small country town just outside of Ft. Myers, as the location for this session.  I chose this location for its gorgeous Spanish moss and golden light peeking through the trees…it was just stunning. The weather was perfection, and you could literally feel the love these two have for each other. 

Andrea was 38 weeks pregnant at the time of the session and was still working as a singer, alongside David, in a band at night. By day, this powerful mama is a biochemist at a local hospital lab. I mean—their baby is going to be the most gorgeous and brilliant kid around. To match their fun, talented, and bright personality, Andrea chose a few of the Embers & Grace Client Closet dresses and they looked stunning on her. Blues, pinks, and reds complemented David’s suit and the two of them just sort of danced through their session. 

A few days afterwards, we sat down to talk about this season in their lives during their Heirloom Legacy Session. They spoke about how they met and fell in love, their hopes and dreams for their baby, and they revealed that they are having a girl and naming her Jayda, after David’s late brother, Jason. The way they both spoke about her namesake was beyond powerful and touching, and I have no doubt Jayda now has a guardian angle to look out for her. If you haven’t already, you just have to listen in to their story. 

One of my favorite moments from the Legacy session was when David said “Andrea is just an extension of my heart”. It was moving because during their maternity portraits, I asked him to just hold Andrea and he lovingly put his hand on her belly and said, “these two are my heart”. As this sweet family becomes a family of three, I cannot wait to see how they grow in love. 

How wonderful life will be when Jayda’s in the world.