I met Carrie and Justin when Carrie was a bridesmaid in one of my weddings this past summer – and I had no idea that she and Justin were already pregnant at the wedding!  So when she reached out to me a couple of months ago about maternity photos, I recognized her name immediately but was trying to remember which bridesmaid she was, since I didn’t know at the wedding that any of the bridal party was pregnant!  I remember thinking that she was the bridesmaid I remembered as “the pretty redhead” – because oh my gosh, did you SEE her beautiful hair??  Sure enough, I was right!

And although I thoroughly enjoyed every. single. second I spent with these two for their maternity session, I’m pretty sure my most favorite moment was when I asked Justin what he hoped his baby girl gets from her mama, and he said – without hesitation – her red hair!  Tell me that isn’t one of the sweetest things you have ever heard.  Another fun fact about these two – Justin was actually the one who *really* wanted a girl!  Which I just love.  It was so easy to see, because of how gentle and thoughtful he is with Carrie, that he’s going to make an amazing #girldad!  (So Justin, here’s hoping you get both of your baby wishes granted and that sweet baby girl comes out with red hair!)

After having to reschedule our original date because of literally the snowiest/iciest/rainiest February I can remember, our reschedule date was absolutely BEAUTIFUL – sunny with temps in the 50’s – and the Virginia mountains were totally showing off for these two.  In fact, we shot on land that they recently purchased and are going to be building a house on!!  How fun is that?!  I love how these images will always remind them not only of the expectation this season held for them as they waited to welcome their baby girl into their arms, but they’ll also remind them of the excitement of making their home building dreams come true!

Okay, okay, I think I’ve rambled on long enough!  😉  Enjoy my MANY favorites from Carrie + Justin’s maternity session!!!

Did I mention we took these after several back-to-back snowy days??  I feel like we got to cheat a little bit because we got to take advantage of a few snowy patches as well as areas on their land where the snow had mostly melted, so they got two different looks (snowy and not snowy!) all in one session – and without freezing their fingers off!  Haha!

Love, love, love this next one!

Carrie was super excited about their second outfits – especially her dress – and I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty obsessed with it myself!  (Also, still astonished that she found a scarf that was SUCH a perfect compliment to her dress!)

GAH!  Get ready for SO. MANY. mama portraits + baby bump portraits because I’m literally obsessed with ALL. OF. THEM.

Y’all, the view in this next shot on the right is what their view will be from their HOUSE once it’s built!  I’m only a little jealous…

Did I mention I have about a million favorites from Carrie’s mama portraits?!

Y’all, this next bump photo … OH MY GOODNESS!  Carrie’s little baby girl bump was just perfection!

I know I’m going on and on about Carrie’s portraits (I mean, with good reason!) but I’d say Justin cleaned up pretty good, too, am I right??

Oh, this next one on the left … it might be my top fave from the whole session (but good grief, that’s a hard decision to make between so many faves! haha!)!

Carrie + Justin found out after their 20-week ultrasound that baby girl is going to need surgery right after she’s born, so Carrie MADE this sweet little octopus for her – the legs will mimic the feel of the umbilical cord and can comfort baby girl in the time surrounding surgery!  I think that’s so precious and I love that Carrie included such a sentimental little detail into our session!

Oh, that buttery soft golden light we had at the very end of our session!

And I have to end with another one of my top faves, in black + white!  I love this next shot so much!

Carrie, Justin, thank you for trusting me to capture this sweet, sweet season of life for you!  I am so excited for you two (and I’m not going to lie, I cannot wait to see if baby girl gets mama’s pretty red hair!!)!  Sending big hugs your way!!