R. Family | Maternity Session in Denver CO

Sweet Cyrus is a big brother now, but in August we had a little fun at the lake before his little brother joined their family!  There is something so magical about maternity sessions.  There is seriously nothing I love more than an expecting mother.  Those last few weeks of waiting and anticipation can be extremely magical. 

Baker Family | Motherhood Session in Denver Colorado

As we all know I love everything about motherhood and I am one to believe that every stage of motherhood should be documented.  I love when mothers reach out to me to photograph this time in their journey.  It is so hard being a mother and finding time to step in front of the camera, especially with your children.  Even for me and I am definitely trying to be better about being present in the images with my children.

 The more I photograph motherhood and I understand that these photos are not for me or you or your husband or sister or mom, they are for your children. I only have a handful of photos with my mother from when I was a child, and even fewer of us just goofing off being silly together.  In the warmer months I plan on offering motherhood sessions outside once a quarter. In the winter, I plan on offering these sessions once a month at an indoor location.

Orley Family | Family Session in Denver CO

Although I generally only offer family photo sessions in the fall, these water sessions are ones I am planning on offering all summer long new year! To say I love taking families to the lake would be an understatement. There is something so beautiful about documenting a people along these shores. When we first moved to Aurora Colorado earlier this year and made our first trip to Cherry Creek State Park I knew I would be spending a lot of time here.  When I found this little, usually completely vacant shore line along the lake I knew I wanted to bring families here to photograph them.   I am so excited that next year I will be opening up these sessions as soon as the water is warm enough. 

The Orley Family is the second family that I brought to my little stretch of shore line and I am thrilled to share their gallery with you!

R. Family | Maternity Session in Denver Colorado

There is *almost* nothing more beautiful than documenting your last few weeks before a new little one joins your family. I had really been looking forward to this maternity session with the Roman Family.  Kathryn runs an extremely successful business here in Denver Colorado and is an amazing resource for so many families here in the metro area!  I was so honored when she contacted me to document her maternity session and her birth.  We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of their newest family member here in few days.  We all know these last few days can be hard, could you leave this family a few encouraging words in the comments.

Monet, Ryan + Lucy | Water Maternity Session in Denver CO

When Monet and I were discussing my vision for her maternity session, the one thing I wanted her to do was get in the water.  She had ZERO issues with that and even spent a week looking for the perfect dress to fit my vision.  Being in Denver had given me so many new options and ideas for my maternity, motherhood and family sessions.  Being in the water is definitely something I have been longing to do for quite some time.  We ended up going to a small reservoir in Aurora and found a spot that we almost completely secluded.  I am so excited to be offering these Maternity Sessions until the middle of September and I will be offering them again in the spring once it warms up enough to go back out.  

Sweet little Lucy wasn't too sure about the water, but as long as Mama was holding her she was all giggles and smiles.

Monet said being in the water was extremely calming and relaxing for her, especially on the waters edge where the water was the warmest.

About a week before out session Monet had her belly adorned with Henna.  

This sweet family is welcoming their new little one to their family in the few weeks.  They are having their birth documented by another amazing photographer here in Denver and I am so excited to see their birth story.  

If you are interested in booking your maternity session or birth story, please send me an email.  I would be honored to speak with you about my services

Rebecca | Motherhood Session in Denver Colorado

Motherhood Stories are my new baby.  This year I have spent a lot of time really evaluating where my work was going and what exactly I wanted to photograph.  Motherhood Stories came to me at the beginning of the year but my vision for them required me to hold off until summer to really dive in.  The water can be so healing, it can be a place where you hold on to your little ones so tightly and just love on them.  I feel extremely drawn to the water and I am so excited to bring others with me.  These Stories aren't just about photographing you and your child(ren) it's also about loving yourself and really truly embracing who you are a mother. 

I would love to photograph you and your children (if you'd like) in the water.  I am currently offering Motherhood Mini Sessions at this location in August and September.  Comment or send me an email at Hello@Photoartbyjessica.com to book your mini session!!

Randall Family | Family Session in Tucson Arizona

Last year I was able to document the birth story of Ireland.  I always love when families continue to return to me for other sessions.  I currently only offer a small number of family sessions here in Denver, and those will be announced here in the next few weeks.  I wold love to photograph your family this fall in Colorado!

Graham Family | Maternity Session in Denver Colorado

Back in February I was able to take part in a beautiful Maternity Shoot out in Louisville CO.  I had never participated in a session quite like this before.  I am so glad I was able to go because it was such an awesome learning experience!  There were so many beautiful families and mama's.  This mama had her sweet baby Thomas in March.  

Did you know that all of my Birth Story Collections include a full maternity session?  I am now booking births for fall 2016 in the Denver Metro Area!  I would love to speak with you! 

May | 366 days with the Mielkes

May was so much fun around here!  We were finally able to really enjoy being outside!  We started exploring even more.  We found some really fun places to go!  My mom came to visit and we had our first outings to the lake where the girls could actually go swimming!  

May:

April | 366 days with the Mielkes

April started while we were still in Tucson.  We finished up our trip and headed back to Colorado. Lilian had her Girl Scout Ceremony, her birthday and TONS of birthday visitors from out of state!  April was a pretty wonderful month!  

March | 366 days with the Mielkes

March was a really fun month.  I think we really started to find our groove here in Colorado.  We really started to make some friends and the weather was nice on some days so we could even leave the house and begin exploring!  Towards the end of the month the girls and I went to Tucson so Lu could spend spring break with her father.  

March: 

Theo B. | In Home Newborn Session

I have known this sweet family for over a decade now.  I was beyond thrilled to capture the birth of sweet little Theo, then about a week later I was able to go into their home and photograph for a few hours for his newborn session AND then I was able to do a full family session with them at a local park.  I absolutely love doing in home newborn sessions for my birth story clients.  

If you are interested in adding on an in home newborn session to your birth story collection, connect with me so we can make arrangements.  

Madison | Pregnancy Announcement in Tucson Arizona

This mama is one of the strongest humans I know.  Her sweet son is battling Langerhans cell histiocytosis She recently found out that she is expecting baby number THREE and although timing isn't perfect (is it ever) this baby is so loved already.  I was able to document the birth of their sweet Norah last year and this mama and I became amazing friends. 

I would be honored to tell your pregnancy story.  If you are currently expecting please contact me so we can chat. 

Kathryn | Maternity Session in Denver Colorado

Kathryn was such a trooper.  She was my last model during our Maternity Shoot Out in February.  The sun was setting and it was definitely getting a little bit chilly out.  We even had the opportunity to use a smoke bomb.  The more I shoot maternity the more I fall in love with it.  I can't even put it into words how much I love photographing mothers.  I am currently booking births and maternity sessions for 2016.  I would be honored to speak with you about photographing your beautiful story!

Melanie and Alina | Mommy and Me Session in Tucson Arizona

Can you believe this session happened on a WHIM?!?!  I am so glad I was able to talk her into going out into the desert with me for an hour.  It was extremely windy but it was so beautiful out. I am so glad we were able to sneak in this session because she and her family just relocated from the desert to the east coast.  After I delivered her gallery she sent me message after message thanking me for these photos- she didn't have any of just her and sweet Alina.  I can't stress enough how important it is to present in images with your children.  That is something I am personally trying to do better with.   I still have a handful of mommy and me sessions available in the Denver Metro Area in May.  

Ireland Jean | Birth Story in Tucson Arizona

You might remember my GORGEOUS Maternity session from a few weeks ago.. Well Ireland decided to make her debut in the weeeee hours of August 11th, weighing a perfect 7lbs 2oz.  Mom had a pretty intense labor but worked through each and every contraction with the help of her amazing husband and wonderful Doula.  Ashlee worked so hard during her labor, probably walked a mile back and forth at the birth center.  She moved into and out of the birth tub before settling into the bed.  Lynn her doula (https://www.facebook.com/loveandlabor) was with her every second.  When Ashlee was doubting she could do it, Lynn was there to give her positive affirmations, rub her back and hold her when she needed it.  In the end Ashlee had the birth she imagined and had an amazingly supportive birth team,  I can't wait to share her entire birth story with the world!  For now enjoy this preview.  <3

Norah | Birth Story

I normally try to write my birth stories out within a few hours of the birth.. usually no later than 24... It's been over a week since little miss Norah Jean was born and I am just now starting to write it all out.  I've been going back and forth with what to say about this amazing family.  Madison and Tremayne moved to Tucson at the beginning of Madison's pregnancy with Norah, I remember her messaging me when she was just a few weeks along, she hadn't even announced her pregnancy yet.  We chatted for a while and she gave me the honor of photographing her birth.  Months passed by and we started planning her Maternity shoot, everything was planned and set for May 17th. Just a few weeks before Madison was diagnosed with Polyhydramnios (Excessive Amniotic Fluid). The Wednesday before, I had gotten a message that she thought she was in labor and was heading to L&D to be checked out.. false alarm. Days passed like normal and on Saturday for some reason I woke up around 4:45am, for no particular reason, my daughter was still snoring, our phones were on silent and all was dark in the room, but for some reason I was wide awake. I laid in bed for a few minutes then I decided to get up and get moving.  

When I had gotten to my phone around 5:20am, I notice I had missed a text message from Madison, she was in Labor and was at the hospital.  I shoveled some breakfast into my mouth, grabbed my gear and out the door I flew.  Things were quiet at the hospital, Madison was at 5cm when I arrived but because of the amount of fluid she had, she could barely feel her contractions.  Because she was still several weeks away from her due date the hospital staff tried to slow her labor.

 Things were progressing, and because the amount of fluid, Norah's head was still floating and because of that Madison and Norah were at risk for cord prolapse when her waters broke (where the umbilical cord drops through the open cervix in front of the babies head, the cord can then become trapped against the babies body).  A high risk OB came in and assessed the situation, although the chances were very slim of the cord prolapsing it was still a risk, and if it happened Madison would be headed to an emergency C-section and would have to be unconscious for the procedure unless she opted for an epidural.  Madison had planned on having an unmedicated delivery but with the risks she did opt for an epidural.  The OB then broke Madison's bag of water and as we all had hoped for Norah's head dropped nicely into place. 

After Madison had taken a short nap with the epidural she asked for it to be turned off so it would be worn off or nearly worn off by the time of delivery. Things began to pick up speed around 5:30pm and Madison slowly started having the urge to push.  After a half an hour of small pushes, the real pushing began.  Sweet little Norah Jean was born shortly before 6:30pm.  Because of her prematurity, she was having some issues breathing and keeping her oxygen levels up.  Madison only got to spend a few short minutes with her before she was whisked away to the NICU to receive further treatment.  Norah came home 6 days later and is thriving.  She has this amazing red hair just like her mama, and is super sassy just like her big brother Owen.  

Please note: there are graphic birthing images below