Discovering Motherhood

One of the most amazing sights to me in this world is a baby bump - the miracle that is a child is something I know first hand as a mother myself. The one thing that I don't have is a picture of me when I was pregnant with my son oh so many years ago, maternity shoots weren't "all the rage" then and now I wish I had just one wee picture to remember those days.

My best friend Beth announced in April that her and her partner were expecting their first child together and from that moment on I knew I wanted to convince her to do "maternity photos".  Beth is one of the "good ones" in this world.  She is full of life, driven, hard working, kind, smart and so much more and I am eternally grateful for her in my life.  I knew that although she is incredibly uncomfortable in front of the camera that perhaps, just perhaps some day she might be grateful to have these photos to share with her beautiful (not yet arrived) daughter Eva.

To that end, I began the "campaign"... gently at first, suggesting, cajoling, encouraging her to let me take the pictures for her.  Then I stepped it up a notch and shared with her some ideas and concepts of photos that we could use as inspiration (you see Beth was terrified of the typical "naked belly" shots that seem so prevelant).  I created an inspiration board to share with her and we talked and talked about how it "could happen".  Finally I pulled out the big guns so to speak... I truly wanted to do this for her and for her family and ultimately it was to be my gift to them (although I had kept that part a secret)... to document the first year of Eva's life (including the bump) and Beth gracefully agreed... finally!! 

It was a day of friendship - to spend the afternoon with my friend, to watch how she has discovered motherhood, to see her in all her baby bump glory, to capture how much she glowed and didn't even realize it filled my heart with joy.  We spent a couple of hours at a local park near her house, laughing, sharing, being silly... and then back at her house she proudly showed off little Eva's nursery - the beautiful touches she had lovingly added to her daughter's room... from the book she had as a child that her mother had saved, to a favourite stuffed animal that her cousin treasured in her short life, to a book that had belonged to Beth's mother, to the wee outfits hanging in the closet... I knew that little Eva would grow up knowing she was loved so much, even before she arrived.

My dear Beth - you will make the most amazing mother.  Your sense of humour will get you through the days and nights of no sleep, your drive will help you when times are tough, your willingness to live life fully will help your daughter grow into the most perfect version of herself and finally, your capacity for love and acceptance will inspire her and others around you to reach for the stars.  Big squishy hugs my friend!

Beth - you look so gorgeous, you don't even know how much you glow!

 

The lovely pink sweater that Beth herself came home from the hospital in a "few years" ago

Beth's Grandma Eva and for whom her wee one will be named for

 Beth's favourite book as a child

My favourite image of the day - she looks like a super hero and as a mother she will be one.