Traveling has been a passion of mine since I got my first passport at 6 months old (no joke!) I sat on my moms lap and made gaga sounds at the photographer. I started traveling alone at age 6 to visit my Aunt in Missouri every Summer. I haven't stopped since. Where I go, my camera follows. I love experiencing new places and capturing each one in my own way.
I still have a ton of family and engagement shoots to blog, but I wanted to get this one up quickly, it has special meaning 🙂
One of my best friends, Kirsten and her hubby Brett are expecting their first child at the end of January! Â They live just outside of Peoria, IL (where I went to College) so making her baby shower would be no easy feat! Â But I planned ahead with the help of her mom and was able to surprise Kirsten at the shower. She had no idea I was coming! Â You can see her reaction in the video at the bottom of this post (thanks Laura for capturing it!) Â Here are a few from the actual shower:
The monkey talks, hence the reason she has it to her ear!
Us 🙂
Kirsten called me soon after she found out they were expecting to see if any of my trips to IL coincided with the time maternity photos should be taken (7-8 months along). Â Since I refuse to go to the Midwest in the Winter, I had no plans to be there. Â She was pretty upset, there is no one local she wanted to trust with that! Â I snapped a few frames at the shower, which was held at the local Zoo. Â (it doesn’t look like it, but its about 30 degrees here!)
The following day, we did another short maternity shoot!  Kirsten is a yoga instructor in Peoria, IL (check out her studio – Namaste Wellness). We decided to shoot her maternity session in all yoga poses!  She was so excited 🙂  I also got to take her class – what a great experience!
Ok I snuck in one non-yoga pose!
I know this one! Â Downward Facing Dog!
Fav #1 <3
They are waiting to find out the sex – I can’t wait! I am hoping for a little girl to spoil!  🙂
Fav #2 <3
We had to stay inside – there was snow on the ground outside!!! Â Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
xoxo, M
Can;t figure out the video thing…here is the link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPaMRlbj4xo
These are awesome and can’t believe you braved that cold weather! I can’t wait for mine!!! You know I don’t trust anyone else to do it either =)
Gorgeous photos.. I did not know pregnant ladies can do yoga! That is impressive!
First off- what a great friend you are to surprise your bff 😉
Second- of course these photos are amazing!!!! Um too bad I couldn’t do those poses if I tried, but they look SO great in these pics. You always know just the right angles to get 😉
These rocked my world! Thanks so much for capturing Baby H in his/her yoga groove!!
You did such a nice job on the pics. Kirsten is beautiful !! I looked for the video you spoke of and couldn’t find it…..where is the link? Jan
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that last one, the one before the video. Gorgeous lighting. Nice work, Melissa!
Such a great idea!!! The last one is amazing!
Love these. Kirsten is so cute preggers. I love the video too!