Before Ruby was born, we never had professional family photos taken (except for our wedding photos). We never took engagement photos, and I didn't take maternity photos the first time around because I thought I had to do typical maternity shots which I was never into. But since Ruby's come into our lives, I've realized how nice it is to have these visual memories to keep and cherish forever. Even though we take a ton of photos ourselves in our daily lives, we so rarely have ones with all three of us in them. So this time around, I chose to take maternity photos but really have them be about documenting our family of three before we become a family of four. Here are a few of my favorites photographed by the amazing Luke and Katherine of Max + Friends…
…and then here's the face Ruby will make soon when she realizes she has to share all the attention with her baby sister…
Here are a few photos of me solo. I kept the same outfit on—something simple, yet it defined the belly well and had a lot of color. Since this is probably the last time I'll be pregnant, I wanted to remember how lucky I am to get to carry another baby inside of me…
The best part is, we shot all of these in less than two hours. I love the combination of photos at home in our natural, everyday space and a few others that were photographed in front of a gorgeous floral home that add so much color and life.
If you've ever been apprehensive about taking maternity photos, I say do it because you only get a few chances to capture these moments in life. Thank you to Katherine and Luke (who also photographed our holiday photos last year) for seeing the way that you do and capturing our family so beautifully.
I hope you all have an amazing weekend!
{Photos by Luke and Katherine of Max + Friends. My hair and makeup by Danielle Walch. My skirt by Calypso St. Barth (from past season), necklace by Emily Green, Ruby's romper by Wolfechild. Grey duvet by DwellStudio, pink pillowcases by Suku Home.}
You look gorgeous, just gorgeous. Congratulations.
That first photo of you alone is very beautiful.
Who makes your skirt?? I am looking to wear that exact thing to my baby shower next weekend.
These are gorgeous!!!!!!!!! Just the most beautiful pictures of your family! AND speaking from experience – your daughter should model!!! Gap kids….just saying 🙂
XO!
Jahaila @ Girl Nesting
Beautiful! If I’m lucky enough to carry another (fingers crossed!), I’ll have to remember this!
beautiful photos of you and yours, Joy!
Happy weekend!
Those pictures are gorgeous!
I love this. The simple color palette lets your beautiful family be the focus! 🙂
I am obsessed with that one photo of you on the bed looking down at your belly!! And your words… that you wanted to remember how lucky you were to be able to carry a baby inside of you – now I wish we had done maternity pictures (or SOME kind of pictures) during one of our pregnancies. Alas. Glad you seized the moment. And got SUCH gorgeous images.
These are so beautiful!! What beautiful snapshots of this moment in your life.
You look amazing and these photos are gorgeous! My husband and I also just had maternity photos taken. Great way to remember this special time.
Oh my goodness, these photos are amazing! I agree, it’s always nice when a photo shoot takes place at home. It looks natural and captures the every day in a beautiful way. Congrats to you and your family!
Annie
The Mama Gazette
Yes! who makes your skirt!!
These pictures are fantastic! SO precious 🙂 Congrats!
M
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BEARandBULL?ref=l2-shopheader-name
These are amazing, Joy! Katherine + Luke are SO talented and I agree, love the way that they see things!
Love the photos! You look like one very healthy and happy family!!!
Thanks so much for sharing and have a wonderful weekend:
http://lasagnolove.blogspot.de/2014/09/have-wonderful-weekend_26.html
Love from Italy,
Bambi
oh these make me so happy. i wish we were friends 😛
happy weekend to you and your beautiful growing family joy
thanks for sharing your life and all things beautiful.
i am in love with everything ohjoy and broke because of it.
my poor husband. ha!
so beautiful! love it!
Gorgeous! Love the natural setting, I’m not a fan of the typical maternity shots either and these are wonderful! Makes me so excited to have my session soon! Thanks so much for sharing!
http://ladolceviva.wordpress.com/
Your husband is a cutie ! 😉
Man his work is amazing… Great photos. Dreamy… I feel like “dream a little dream” should actually be playing in the background. 🙂
I’d love to know where your skirt is from, as well! Fantastic!
These are really beautiful photos of you and your family!
Absolutely beautiful!
Make that 4 of us on the skirt, please!
Whoa – the lighting In these in insane! Beautiful family photos.
These photos are gorgeous!!! 🙂
Such beautiful photos and what a wonderful idea to capture your current family dynamic before the new baby comes along, bringing with her more awesome family photo-ops. Love it!
The most beautiful maternity photos I have seen…..because they are authentic! Love!
Hi Moe,
Thank you! The dress is my Calypso St. Barth from a past season.
Best!
Joy
Hi Molly,
Thanks! The skirt is by Calypso St. Barth from earlier this summer. Congrats on your baby to be!
Best!
Joy
Hi Megan,
Thank you! The dress is my Calypso St. Barth from a past season.
Best!
Joy
G O D E S S
You look absolutely radiant, Joy! I agree that it’s so important to capture these incredibly fleeting moments – you’ll treasure these photos forever, I’m sure. x
You guys look great! Thanks for always sharing your thoughts on what works for you 🙂
Hi Kendra,
Thank you! The dress is my Calypso St. Barth from a past season.
Best!
Joy
Thank you! Yes, just the sunshine!
Joy
I love, love, love these photos. Not only are they stunningly beautiful, they capture the joy of your family. Yay you! 🙂 For people looking for a baby shower gift, this is a wonderful idea to steal! You could offer to take some candid photos of the happy family and then frame the best ones for the nursery.
LOVE the artwork of the woman with the scarf and earrings. Is there a better shot of it or deatails about it? Thanks, Joy!
You and your family are beautiful. Warmest congratulations! Your #2 is going to be so loved. 🙂
http://freshleesqueezd.blogspot.com/
You are definitely glowing, miss momma joy! Babies are such a gift, and you are blessed with too – our sweet congrats go out to you 🙂
http://www.mabelandzora.com/
really nice photos. I love taking pictures of our everyday lives too. However, like you were, I wasn’t really a fan of maternity shoots..not until I got out of my pregnancy that I realized I should’ve done it before..