Christine, Gareth, Grayson, Capri and the bump

This was Christine's third maternity session with me and so she wanted to make it really special and different. You may remember her maternity session from when she was pregnant with Capri, and before that, Grayson. We brainstormed for ages and finally decided upon Tom Moore's where we packed loads in from darling portraits with the family, and afterwards, some dreamy shots of the mama-to-be on her own. The whole shoot was just lovely to photograph and edit so have been bursting to share but what with homeschooling my littles these days, time is a little more precious. 

We didn't even intend it in the beginning, but the feel of the family part of the shoot ended up very natural and back to nature. 

Sweet little Capri and Grayson were troopers for all my suggestions and requests. I had a vision of all their hands on her belly and we arrived pretty close to my imaginings which was not easy, but worth it.

 

 

Capri was not even two when her little brother was born and so still very much a baby herself.

 

Little Grayson is a typical busy toddler boy but never too busy for a cuddle with his mama bear.

 

So this image has a history behind my vision. I have this mosaics statue made by Shelly Hamil and it is of a woman from the neck down (sounds creepy that she is headless but it isn't) and I love it. Shelly wanted to do a trade of a statue for a family session and I was thrilled but I had a very clear idea of how I wanted the next statue. I wanted her to have disproportionately long legs with a regular upper body. Sadly, that statue never came to be, but when Christine said she was too crazy in her life to think about what to do for the shoot and that she was going to leave it up to me to decide, I was thrilled with the carte blanche and knew I would make my dream of a long legged beauty happen. All the better a bulbous bellied long legged beauty. I am madly in love with the Grecian look I gave her and the way the dress turned out - much better than anticipated and all thrown together with the littles quietly melting as it was late.

Christine is such a good sport - she knows that it is not easy to get certain shots and she is willing to go the extra mile to make some magic happen. In this case, get in the water in a huge billowing skirt. This is actually the same dress I made for Julia in my Snow Queen shoot but I just folded down the bodice bit (that obviously would not be fitting over Christine's belly!). It was even still filled with all the feathers from the last shoot which I actually think adds to the romance of the dress.

Floating when pregnant is not easy feat, and to make it look effortless is even more challenging so was very proud of Christine for all her hard work. Love the results so worth it.

Thanks to the four of you for your patience and cooperation to make yet again, another fabulously unforgettable shoot. There is no way baby number three will say you dropped the ball for his maternity session! Much love to you all xxx

Angelica and Kevin - Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda Wedding

Kevin and Angelica picked Bermuda for their sweet getaway wedding because of how beautiful the island is and for our gorgeous weather. But on the day of the wedding, the rains were so heavy that many parts of the island temporarily flooded. The young couple had hired the amazing wedding planners, Bermuda Bride, and I was on the phone back and forth with Nikki Begg all day trying to figure out a romantic indoor option, or at least an outdoor under cover alternative for the young couple. But after all our agonising about plan B locations, the heavy rains dried up and Angelica and Kevin were able to go ahead with their original dream of exchanging their vows in the sand surrounded by hanging vases of vibrant flowers with the azure sea lapping at their toes.

The setting was beyond romantic - Petals did a stunning job creating a circle of shepherds hooks, each carrying its own elegant glass vase hanging by chic black ribbons, and filled with hydrangeas, roses, gerberas and fragrant hyacinths. Rose petals marked the aisle and the two were enclosed in their own circle of love as they exchanged their vows.

Petals also designed Angelica's delightful bouquet, which added so much colour to the greyness of the day and that coupled with the cuteness of the couple made it seem as if the sun were shining brightly.

Kevin and Angelica had spoken of marriage many times so it wasn't that much of a surprise. She ended up hinting about what ring she wanted, and he ended up ordering it, though tried to keep it a secret, which wasn't that successful. Angelica loves surprises, but in this case, she was a bit too impatient and excited and was ready to call the company and ask why the ring hadn't arrive yet. Once he did propose, it was simple and sweet. He knelt down on one knee, held her hand and simply told her that she made him happy. He also asked her father permission to marry her before proposing since she and her dad are so close.

April at the Coral Beach Spa did the bride's hair - Angelica loved how easy she was to chat wtih and the entire time she did her hair, she made Angelica feel so much better, reassuring her that the weather would break and they wouldn't be stuck in the rain - she was right! Janea did Angelica's make up and was very helpful as Angelica doesn't usually wear make up so she simply said "Do what you think is best - I trust you." Luckily, Janea knew exactly what to do and the bride's make up is natural and lovely.

These two were utterly adorable. Both before and after the ceremony, when passers by spoke to them, they all commented on how young they were. The two are young, but not as young as they appear, but lucky them having such youthful looks!

Kevin's ring is simple, but tough. He is a chef, so they didn't want him to have something that might potentially get damages with a knife at work. It's made of tungsten, which is the strongest metal you can have a ring made from - so strong that will will not scratch, bend or break - ever! I loved that is was all black too - so masculine! In contrast, Angelica's ring is a simple and dainty platinum eternity band to match her sweet petite hands and fingers.

Due to all the rain, the temperatures had definitely dropped and poor Angelica was freezing so I loaned her my shawl for a bit to warm up.

Thank you Angelica and Kevin for being so relaxed about the weather and whatever options we threw at you. I am so thrilled your dream wedding was realised on the beach after all and thank you so much for asking me to document your sweet story. Best of luck in your future together. xxx