Lily and Craig | Expecting in Denver Colorado

One night Lily and Craig were at our house, it was about 7pm and she could barely keep her eyes open.  I flat out told her she was pregnant.  She didn't believe me at all, but first thing the next day I got a text from her with a positive pregnancy test!   Not only are they expecting their little one next February, but this is their "Rainbow Baby" !!  A rainbow baby is a baby that is following a miscarriage, or loss.  I am so excited to not only help announce their pregnancy but I am thrilled that they want me to photograph their birth also!  Congratulations you two!  I am so excited for this journey you are on!!

Monet, Ryan + Lucy | Maternity Session in Denver Colorado |

Because of the difference in images in the adorable family's gallery they are getting two blogs.  Monet is an amazing birth photographer here in Denver and I was a tiny bit (a lot-a-bit) nervous to have her and her family in front of my camera.  They couldn't have been more natural though and they made my job so easy.  I really love maternity photography, more so than any other type of photography.  There is something so beautiful with a mom going through this beautiful transition into a mother, even if it's for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time.  Pregnancy is such a personally life changing time and no pregnancy is the same.  I really believe that every mom should have this chapter documented with every child.  

There is seriously nothing more beautiful than seeing your family expand. 

I truly love to fill my photos with light and love.  

There is such a special sweetness in being able to participate in creation.
– Pamela S. Nadav

I love this quote so much.  You can see the sweetness just radiating from this family.  I can't wait to share the rest of their maternity session with the world!

If you would like to book your own maternity session send me an email at Hello@photoartbyjessica.com

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! 

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!

Jamie L. | Maternity Session in Denver Colorado

A few weeks ago I was so excited to join several other photographers for a 'Maternity Shoot Out' We had several gorgeous pregnant mamas, and some families there for us to photograph. Each photographer styled their own maternity sessions and we all had about 30 minutes with each beautiful mama/family.  I have never participated in maternity session like this before and to say it was a BLAST would have been an understatement.  I had the opportunity to do a lot of experimenting with these fabulous ladies and I am thrilled with the results.  Here is one of my sessions from that day.. the BEAUTIFUL Jamie who is a fabulous Denver photographer and you can check out her stunning work right HERE

Beth, Mark and Skylar | Maternity Session in Tucson

My Cousin Bethany and I have always had this special unspoken bond.  No matter how far apart we are or how long we go without talking, when we finally get together (which unfortunately isn't often enough), she is like my best friend.  I was really honored to be able to photograph her and her husband Mark in anticipation of the arrival of my sweet new cousin Skylar.  This was probably the most nerve wracking session I have ever had, not only did these images need to be perfect for her because she is family, but we were very limited on time and when we fist started out it was so cloudy out.  I was so excited when the sun started to set and started peeking out from under the clouds.  I am so excited for Skylar to make her arrival any day/week now and I can't wait for baby snuggles when I make a trip to Arizona in March. 

I am currently booking Maternity sessions in the Denver Metro area.  I would be honored to photograph this amazing time for you and your family. 

C. Family | Family Session in Tucson Arizona

So I have had the honor of photographing this adorable family for 3 years.  I hope I get to photograph them for many more!  They have grown right along with me and they are expecting their 3rd little one early next year!!  We had a beautiful session at Gates Pass in Tucson.  The weather was still a bit warm but they were troopers as I made them hike all over. I cannot lie, these guys are seriously the silliest family I have ever photographed.  Their sessions are always full of laughs and tickle fights. I can't wait to hang out with you guys again when I am back in Tucson for my spring sessions!!

Jessie and Jon | Maternity Session on Mount Lemmon Arizona

Wow!  It feels like forever since I have blogged!  I have had so many sessions recently I need to get caught up so I don't get too behind and just give up!!!  Here is a beautiful maternity session with Jon and Jessie.  I have been so lucky to document so many of their life events!  I had the honor to document their engagement session, their wedding and we've had a couple other sessions here and there.  WELL NOW THEY ARE HAVING A BABY!!!  I am so excited for their little guy to join the world!  Fingers crossed everything falls into place so I can sneak in one last birth story before we move to Denver.  

Jessie and Jon have always been troopers with me. I am so honored that they have always trusted my artistic eye!  Congratulations you two!!  You are going to be amazing parents!!!!

Jonea | Maternity in Downtown Tucson

I really loved thatI had TWO maternity sessions with the amazing Jonea.  It was really nice to be able to go to two completely different locations and have completely different focuses.  Our first session really focused on the bond she had with her son JJ and her new little addition.  I loved taking her and putting her in the middle of a field and letting her be this gorgeous Goddess that every women is during pregnancy.  Our second session has a completely different feel.  Her husband joined us in one of my most favorite neighborhoods in Tucson.  In fact while we were down there we ran into Kelland and Suela who informed me that after our photowalk in that neightborhood they decided to MOVE there!  They just love their new neighborhood and it's so full of life and color.  

Josh was a great sport with our photos, we tried to make it as quick and painless as possible.  I really think he enjoyed the face that I never made him look directly at the camera.. and if he did that was on him :)

I can't wait for this little girl to be born.  As always good thoughts and prayers (if you pray) are always welcome for this little family!

Jonea | Maternity in Tucson Arizona

This is actually the first of two maternity sessions with this amazing woman!  Her husband was out of town for her first session and her second session will be just them without their adorable son!  I can't lie, I was extremely nervous to photograph Jonea..  this girl is literally famous. She was photographed by the AMAZING Jade Beall for The Beautiful Body Project and several of her images have gone viral.  it did take me a while to get over my nervousness and when I finally got comfortable we hit an amazing groove and created some because art together.  I am SO HONORED she asked me to photograph her!  

I have finally decided I am just obsessed with anything about birth and mothering/nurturing.  I love being able to photograph these amazing women who are caring for and nurturing their children.  Now we wait Jonea and Josh's beautiful little girl to grace us with her presence, I can't wait to share their images from their next maternity session with the world!

Melanie and Caleb | Expecting in Tucson

Melanie and Caleb have been great friends for a couple of years. They are the only people we trust with our fur baby Pocket, he loves visiting their house when we go out of town.  Melanie is due in July with their second little one and I am so beyond thrilled for my amazing friends!!

Jessie and Jon | In Love in Tucson

Jessie and Jon are two of the sweetest people I have ever met in my entire life.  I documented their engagement and wedding last year.  This year I suckered them into an early morning session at Sunrise.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for these two!

Stephanie and Danny | Expecting in Tucson

This family was such a dream to work with. When Stephanie contacted me, I was so excited for this session.  She is a labor and delivery nurse here at the Birth Center.  She has attended a few of the births I have photographed!  She is expecting her new one (they will find out the sex when he/she is born) in just a few weeks.  I can't wait to work with them again!!!

Sarah [Maternity]

This was such a beautiful nontraditional maternity session.  It's a session I will be offering to all of my home birth clients in the future too.  It was definitely remarkable working so closely with such an amazing and inspiring group of women.  

Sarah was nearing her due date and had her sweet kiddos with her, they have attended her appointments before, they knew the drill.  C. knew where all the puzzles were and he took a seat and worked on them diligently while mama got her vitals and measurements taken. Little H. was super excited to be right in the middle of all the action.  Both little ones had the chance to hear their little brother using the Fetoscope. Mama and baby were both doing great.  After everything was checked we sat around and talked about her upcoming birth.  Amy, one of her midwives, was so amazing and patient.  She answered all of Sarah's questions and even talked about things Sarah hadn't even thought about.. like making sure everyone that attends her birth had a specific job.  I have never been to such a relaxed prenatal appointment ever, even mine at the birth center weren't this relaxed.  Sarah gave birth at home just couple weeks after this session to a healthy beautiful little boy.

I would love to work with you if you have your own idea's for an untraditional maternity session!

For more information about Amy Zenizo and her midwifes please visit http://www.amyzenizo.com

Calista [Birth]

I have so much to say about this beautiful birth.  I'm not even sure I will be able to articulate it here.  Jovanna invited me to her birth a few months before her due date, the first time we met I noticed how quiet and composed she was even when she was obviously uncomfortable during the last trimester of her pregnancy.  The day she went into labor she was messaging me just like most of my clients do and I had plenty of time to prepare for the long night ahead.  At 9:00pm we arrived at the Birth Center and I instantly thought to myself that this was going to be a long labor and I should have waited until the midwife checked her to see where her cervix was before I headed out.  I have had a history of my births happening very quickly so at this point I would rather show up and go home instead of missing it all together because I chose to wait. 

Jovanna was so quiet during labor I thought to myself there was NO WAY she was in active labor.  She was literally silent and focused with an occasional small moan.  Between her contractions the room was filled with smiles and laughter.  Jovanna entered her birthing tub a little after 10:00pm.

At about 11:20 things started picking up and Jovanna said she was wanting to push a little, after a series of small pushes to relieve pressure her water broke. Two contractions later Calista was welcomed Earthside to a room filled with so much love.  She was silent and focused just like her mama.  She didn't cry once the entire night, not even when she got a vitamin K shot.  

Calista's three older siblings came to meet her when she was about 20 minutes old and they were all smitten the minute they met her.  

This birth holds a very special place in my heart because this is the same room our sweet Aria was born in.  In that same exact tub with the same exact nurse and Jovanna and I had very similar labors (except I was definitely not as quiet as she was.)

Lillianna [Birth]

I have known Hartini for a little over a year.  She is the amazing person that talked us into hosting an exchange student this year.  She has provided us an amazing experience with Jule and we are forever grateful for this opportunity.  She was on the fence for a long time about having a birth photographer and actually hired me before even talking her husband into it!!  Lillianna is her 4th child and Like my previous birth Hartini warned me that she has had some pretty quick labors.  

Hartini messaged me during the afternoon, letting me know she was having some intense but really irregular contractions.  I went about my day not really thinking too much about it.  My bag was already packed so I was ready if this was "it."  Around 8:00pm Hartini messaged me again to let me know she was going to pack up and head to the hospital, so I made a pot of coffee and filled my thermos so I would be prepared for the night.  

We got to the hospital around 8:30 or so and when the nurse checked her she was only at 3cm.  They said if she made progress at 11 then her doctor would admit her.  The catch was since she had a previous C-section she had to be continuously monitored and they wouldn't let her leave her little triage area.  For those of you who have been in labor, you would know that it's really hard to progress when you're stuck in a bed.  We asked for a yoga ball but they hospital only had ONE and it was in use.  I only live about 10 minutes from the hospital so I offered to run home and grab my ball and some fresh coffee.  I left around 9:30 and I was back before 10:00.  Hartini spent the next hour or so on the ball and sneaking off to the bathroom to get a break from being monitored.  When 11:00 rolled around the nurse checked her and she was at 6cm!  What a huge change!  We had to wait for a little while for a labor and delivery room to become available for her and finally got put in a room around 12:30am.

Hartini had two really good contractions on the way to her room so it took us a few minutes to make the walk.  By the time we got to the room the nurses were there in full force (I counted 12 of them at one time).  She was hooked up to her IV and had the monitors strapped back on.  Her contractions were coming on top of each other and I could tell she was getting close.  I remember her head nurse asking for her Doctor, who had just stepped out to the atrium for her break.  Hartini's body was pushing want her doctor walked in and didn't even have time to put on gloves!  She pulled her hands into the sleeves of her gown and caught sweet Lillianna less than a minute after she walked into the room.  

I have to admit watching a hospital birth was so crazy.  I had never experienced a hospital birth from an outside perspective.  Being able to provide these images for Hartini is so amazing for me since she has been able to provide us with such an awesome experience with our sweet Jule.