One thing I love about being self-employed is that the only limitations I have are the ones I put in place for myself!  In other words, I love having the ability to travel all over the state of Virginia (or farther!) to shoot at one-of-a-kind locations.  So when Jillian + Tom asked if I knew of a possible maternity session location halfway between their home in Fredericksburg and my home base in Christiansburg, my very first thought was of Swannanoa Palace in Afton, VA!  It’s pretty much exactly halfway between us, and photographing a session here has been on my bucket list since Jason and I had our own 10th anniversary session here a few years ago!

Another thing I love about being self-employed?  Somehow I get blessed with the absolute sweetest, most trusting clients who are willing to drive two hours to meet me at a location they’ve never seen before in person, and who let me get all caught up in my creativity during our time together there!  (In case you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about Jillian + Tom. 😉)  I love that these two were up for the adventure of traveling to Afton and walking all over the Swannanoa property so that we could capture this fleeting season of life at its best!  We chatted all about how these two met, their journey to baby boy Cajohn, and the quirky things about being pregnant that you just don’t understand until you’ve been there!  Haha!

Jillian, Tom, I have so many favorites from our time together and I cannot WAIT to see y’all again soon when baby boy makes his arrival!  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my faves from your maternity session!

This next one is such a fave!

Another FAVE up next in black + white!

I’m not going to lie, I’m a liiiittle obsessed with Jillian’s second dress – such a pretty blue color, it fit her perfectly, and it had such pretty movement in the skirt!  (Y’all, I’m always a fan of full-length skirts and dresses!)

Love, love, love this shot of Jillian up next on the left!

There are SO. MANY. pretty staircases with ornate marble railings at Swannanoa!  It really is like something out of a fairy tale.

(Also, HOW adorable is Jillian’s perfect little baby bump?!)

Oh, these next two.  Equally such faves in my book!

Love this sweet shot of Jillian’s baby bump up next on the left!

GAH, this next one.  FAVE!

Did I mention all the marble staircases and all the creative ways I wanted to use them in different compositions??  Haha!  So grateful these two were willing to humor me every time I said, “Oooh, let’s do a quick shot over here, too!”

This next one is another of my top faves!

Aaaaaand this one too!  Anyone else think this looks like the entrance to an enchanted forest?!  Am I getting too much into the fairy tale vibe here?? Haha!

Love, love, love this last portrait of Jillian.  You’re a beautiful mama-to-be, girl!

Jillian, Tom, I can’t thank you enough for letting me be part of this season of your lives!  I SO enjoyed getting to know y’all at Swannanoa and I cannot wait to meet your sweet little boy when he arrives!