At 34 weeks pregnant, I finally got around to taking maternity photos just yesterday… not cutting it close or anything, yeah? haha..
With Tessa, I took maternity photos REALLY early… like 23 weeks-ish, because my husband was joining the United States Navy and leaving for boot camp. We wanted to make sure we took the maternity photos before he left, since we had no idea what life would send our way with a huge career change like that. (We also wanted to make sure we took photos before the Navy cut off his hair!)
For Tessa’s maternity photos, we chose to take them in the Sequoias, since that is where Jonathan and I fell in love! It just seemed fitting to choose as a backdrop the location that started it all. You can CLICK HERE to see my maternity photos with Tessa in Sequoia National Park in California.
For Thyme’s maternity photos, deciding on a location was a bit trickier. We thought about using the same location but decided against it for a number of reasons. One, we want each daughter’s photos to be unique, and limit the hand-me-down habit that inevitably happens with older / younger siblings. Second, it’s really cold in the Sequoias right now, so photos would be a little frosty. Three, our car isn’t doing too hot (engine light keeps coming on, then off, on then off..) so we didn’t want to make the drive. And lastly, we wanted to find another meaningful spot!
After going back and forth (go to the coast? the zoo? the foothills?) we settled on the Kaweah Oaks Preserve in Visalia, California, just down the street from our house.
We chose this location because it offers a panorama of what the Central Valley – our home – is like: a mixture of valley, country, rolling plains and scattered oak forests. If the Sequoias represent the budding of our relationship, the Central Valley Oaks represent the growth and maturity of our relationship. We became a couple in the mountains, but we became a family in the valley!
I enlisted my sister to take these pictures, and we had a fun evening playing in the open fields till sundown. I’m so very excited for our second daughter, little baby Thyme to join our family!! God has blessed me with a beautiful family! You’ve no idea how happy I am. ^_^
These are so beautiful Gingi! They literally brought tears to my eyes. You are glowing and you and you’re family are beautiful. And I absolutely love the name Thyme. I can’t wait to see pictures of her! Please thank your handsome husband for his service to our country. I certainly appreciate it. 🙂
Awww, thank you so much Linda! Your comment just made my day!! <3
wow, this photographs made me considering about marriaged….
Lol, awww, you should! hehe!
Cute pictures!!!
I didn’t realize you were fixing to have another baby – congratulations!!!
Yup!! And in just SIX WEEKS!! (That’s the craziest part for me, haha!)
These pictures are incredibly beautiful!
http://www.girlandthepolkadot.com/
Thank you!!
These turned out so pretty! I love them! I’m sure you are thrilled with how they turned out!!!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
I am!! I like that we got some family photos too, we haven’t done family photos in AGES!
These did turn out beautifully! Did you get any of Tessa kissing your belly? She was being a little goof ball. She was much more involved in picking grass and snapping twigs than posing for pix. heh. What a little doll. I can’t believe you are giving us another lovely granddaughter in just 6 weeks. I am so blessed.
I did, but my boob was kind of hanging out in the picture, haha! And yeah, toddlers are really hard to take family pix with! 😉
Awww, the photos are beautiful beyond words! What an adorable family <3 I love your story behind the pick of photo spots.
Charlotte – My Green Nook
https://mygreennook.wordpress.com
Thank you so much! Yeah, I am really happy with the location! And all the pretty lens flares, hehe!
Gingi these are the most stunning, beautiful pictures I’ve seen in ages! You & your family are gorgeous!!!! <3
Serene xoxo
http://www.imserenel.wordpress.com
Awww, thank you! <3
Gingi… I wish I had pictures like this when I had my daughters… hardly anybody took pictures like that back then… does that tell you how old I am… lol
My youngest is 11 and that was before Facebook was popular and digital cameras were just starting to become the rage… no smart phones either…
I love the pictures, they are really fabulous xox
I remember when I was a teenager digital was quite rare, and I shot with film… it seems so inconvenient now, though at the time it was just the norm! (I’m 29, so I’m talking about 15 years ago, haha..)
Yeah, smart phones and digital have revolutionized photography, thats for sure!
these are so pretty and gorgeous!! you look lovely!!
Thank you! <3
These are such beautiful photos. You look amazing!
I can’t wait to get pregnant and have photos like this to keep as a great memory.
Yeah, the first maternity photos I took with Tessa mean SO MUCH to me that I knew I had to do them again with Thyme! I know I’ll treasure these forever!
aww, the pictures are fantastic! you are such an adorable family! thank you so much for sharing!
Aww, thank you for your kind comment! <3
What a beautiful family you have! The photos will a cherished memory… I especially like the one with Daddy kissing your belly, and the one with your daughter stretched out on you as well. Wishing you many blessings as you finish this pregnancy:)
Yeah, Tessa was being so hyper, I am VERY lucky we got the photos of her we did! And I love the one of her stretched out on me too! <3
Beautiful family, beautiful photo’s Gingi! Love it. Your sister did an absolutely fabulous job. I totally regret not getting any photo’s of me pregnant. And the second time around, I just felt like, hmmmm, was I this big the first time? Let’s dig out the photo’s to see. Oh wait, there are no pics. Opps! The name Thyme is delightful. God has certainly blessed you my friend!!!
Thank you so much Laura! Your comment means so much to me! <3 I am very very happy we got pictures of both pregnancies now.. I almost didn't do these with Thyme, but then I thought of how much I treasure the pictures with Tessa in my belly.. and OMG, I feel WAY BIGGER this time around..
Gorgeous photos! They really take me back …and I adore the name Thyme, so pretty!
Yes, I’ve had this name picked out since I was a kid!! <3
Nice sister!
My favorite was the one of Tessa on your belly. I just love that. What wonderful colors. I’m always California dreamin’, especially because I got stuck in my driveway today after 14 inches of snow. And it was 0 degrees at school dropoff today. Help me.
Yeah, that is one of my favs too.. that and the whole family! We haven’t had a good family photo since Tessa was two months old!! lol!
Those photos are so beautiful and what a sweet family!
Thank you! <3
You have such a beautiful family and the pictures are absolutely lovely and heart-warming! Thanks so much for sharing!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.wordpress.com
Awww, thank you so much for your kind words! <3
Oh your photos are so wonderful, so soft and full of love!
You have absolutely beautiful family!
http://www.stripesnvibes.com
BlogLovin
I am so happy with the pretty dreamy lens flare we got! Thank you for the kind words! ^_^
Ohhh amazing pictures! You all look so cute together!
Sarah x
http://www.palmtreesandheels.blogspot.com
Thank you! <3
These are absolutely beautiful photos!!!
Thank you! <3
Beautiful photos! You all look lovely.
Thank you! <3
Wow, these are simply beautiful! Your sister did a great job here!
Thanks! <3
Oh my goodness these are so gorgeous!! You have such a beautiful family! I am sure you are so excited to add one more! 🙂
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
We really are! And thanks! ^_^
These are so beautiful! What treasures to have. Wishing you the best of everything!
Thank you Sue! <3
this is what family photography is all about! preserving that moment with loved ones…compliments to your sister, the photographs are absolutely beautiful. I especially like the ones where the whole family is together.
Yeah, those are my favorite!! We haven’t had a good family photo (that isn’t a selfie!) in a loooong time!
Absolutely breathtaking! I love how “misty” some of the photos turned out 🙂 You are a gorgeous woman and your family looks lovely!
Aww, thank you! The sun was setting so we got a LOT of lens flare!
They came out great! I mean of course they did, I’m awesome. Hehe my new little buddy is almost here!
Hehe, and she’s not conceited in the LEAST! 😉
Beautiful pictures and congratulations!! 🙂
Thanks!!! ^_^
I LOVE THE PHOTOS!!!! And yes the place is so captivating. I really wish I did a photoshoot back when I was pregnant.
Yeah, I would have been really bummed if I didn’t do the shoot this pregnancy.. so happy to finally have these done! Even though I’m huge, haha..
Very sweet pics……. Its really touching…. We really missed these kind of maternal pics when I was pregnant…. Thanking u for posting these wonderful pics 🙂
Awwww, thank you for your kind words!! <3
Wow these are gorgeous photos! You look great!
Thank you! And thank you for stopping by my blog! <3
These photos are absolutely gorgeous and I love how you described the location and the story of why you chose this location. You have a beautiful family and I’m looking forward to meeting Thyme.
Thank you so much for your kind words Megan!! <3
These are amazing! Your sister did a great job and the location is perfect. My favorite is your daughter laying on you listening for her new little sister :). I never even thought to do pictures like this when I was pregnant. What a mistake!
Aww, thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words! <3
What adorable photos! How exciting a new sibling and baby is coming to your family! Thanks for linking up your pictures at this Mommy Reality challenge!
Of course!! Thank you for hosting it, you have such a FUN blog!!! <3
I never got maternity photos taken and I regret it soo much. I have plenty of selfies but nothing framable. I want to do it this pregnancy but I don’t want my other kids to get jealous. Quite the pickle.
I always get so caught up doing photos for other that I forget to actually take photos of myself! (Aside from selfies that is!) So I’m really happy I had these done.. I almost didn’t!
Stunning photos! My favorite is the one with the baby in the middle with the big open-mouthed smile!
Yeah, she’s my little nut!
The maternity photos are stunning! Absolutely gorgeous.
xo Brighton
LittleSurprise.Naughty&Nice
Thank you! <3
Awww these photos are so precious! Absolutely beautiful and so sweet!
Thank you!!! <3
Oh my, these photos are just so beautiful.
You are radiant and have such a beautiful family.
Handsome hubby
xx
Awwww, thank you! <3
Beautiful portraits … love your dress and the setting!
Thanks!!! <3
Awww, these pictures are so beautiful! I love the light too. 🙂
Thanks!! <3
I feel like I missed out on a LOT since I last visited here. Maybe it slipped my mind but I had no idea you were pregnant! Aah Tessa will have a sister! Congrats (even if this is late now).. and you.. look very very lovely, stunning! (I’m a bit apathetic towards babies but I’m starting to have a sweet spot for your children — I hope that’s not creepy lol! If it is.. I apologize 🙁 )
Love each and every one of the photos here 🙂
LOL, everyone seems so surprised.. it’s funny, I talked SO MUCH about my first pregnancy on my blog.. with this one, I haven’t been as talkative on the subject… I don’t know why, I really am every bit as excited! I guess now I just have more projects! Awww, thank you so much for your kind words my friend! They made my day!
I waited to read this because I’m a sicker for stories about life and living and the beauty and creation of it all. Plus, I wanted to give it some time and soace, not be a rushed reading and viewing.
I’m glad I did! This is really wonderful and the whole backdrop and special family meaning of it…breathtaking! Gingi, I didn’t even realize you were pregnant. Nonetheless, I’m quite happy to hear it. You are a great mom and you’ll continue to be so once this little one is born!! And what a beautiful name! Happy and rested rest of the pregnancy. Good vibes and we’ll wishes for the labor/birth time/experience! :mama hugs: 🙂
LOL, I know what you mean.. especially being pregnant, if a post looks like it’s going to be touchy feely or emotional, I tend to shy away, otherwise I’m liable to get emotional! haha! A lot of people say they are surprised to learn I’m pregnant! I didn’t realize I don’t post about it all that much.. I’m not trying to hide it! hehehe, it just doesn’t get brought up much I guess.. Thank you so much for your kind words.. you are a dear! <3
These photos are beautiful! Your sister did a great job! I wish my sister could do this good! I have asked her to take photos for me a couple of times with my camera and she does things like cut off the top of our heads, or center the photo horribly so even trying to crop it doesn’t make it look positioned right, etc… Lol! I also checked out the maternity photos from your first child and they were just as beautiful! I LOVED both locations and LOVE that there is a meaning behind each one! Very special! 🙂
Thank you! I am usually REALLY picky with pictures, there’s not too many people who will let me boss them around with framing and such, haha. I will sometimes frame a photo, run the camera over and then say, “Take it JUST LIKE THIS!” hahaha.. so yeah, my sister was really sweet putting up with my being picky and bossy, and she did a GREAT job! ^_^