What to expect.

What can you expect when you're expecting another member of an already wonderful family? You can expect your family to be more than it was before. You can expect your ability to love to somehow expand. To stretch. You can expect a sore body but a quiet excitement bubbling within your already beautiful family. You can expect the connections shared within your family to branch out and become more beautiful than they already were. You will anticipate someone special, but not know them yet... which makes the eventual meeting that much sweeter. I love this family, growing another beautiful soul... Looking forward to meeting the new addition, when he arrives. xo This beautiful bunch look familiar?? They come all the way from Port Alberni to see me every time, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be such a big part of preserving their family history, and memories. Here they are expecting Blake... and when he arrived.

Maternity on the mind.

MommaI'm officially on my own little maternity leave. I'll be back in action in June. I thought to celebrate my time off I would share Jamie and Brad with you. They are awesome. And, I am anxiously awaiting news of their little bundle so we can hopefully squeeze in a newborn session for them before I'm in the delivery room myself! Guess what else? It's Friday. Thats a good thing. Happy weekend everyone! maternalwith hathands and bellyhappy bellytogethercozy

To grow a baby

Tiffany BradenYou may recall the beautiful Tiffany and handsome Braden from their amazing wedding in 2008. Knowing Tiffany for, forever its pretty fabulous to be carrying babies at the same time. Its also nice to get talking about the whole process. I've been thinking a lot lately about pregnancy.

As human beings, generally... we don't really know the first thing about actually growing a baby. I don't know how to make eyes, or hair, or more importantly vital organs, but apparently our bodies do. Women's bodies just know, and without any input from the brain, or logic or reason... a baby is created. That, in itself is incredible, and absolutely deserves to be celebrated. One thing I know for sure about pregnancy now, after going through the experience myself is that there are a whole lot of NOT very glamorous moments involved. It isn't just beautiful photos of a gorgeous belly and then a perfect little baby a month later. There is a lot of struggle, there are emotions, there are countless physical challenges, nervous breakdowns, tears, endless fears, worries and an amazing amount of 'firsts'. I absolutely get it.

More than ever, I now appreciate and realize the intense value in maternity photos. In capturing a glimpse of the beauty of growing a baby. The magic in setting aside the struggles and challenges, and just simply appreciating the beauty of what is happening within the female body. Not to mention, allowing a woman going through so much, to see herself in a different light... my lights.

There are big miracles in life, medical miracles, and unbelievable stories of survival against all odds. Its no secret that pregnancy is a miracle. But I also believe it is a miracle that we fall asleep at night and wake up breathing in the morning. That our bodies carry us around in this world day after day, put up with our clumsiness, bad habits and keep that heart beating and oxygen flowing, all without any intellectual input from us. We think we are cool, or in control, or clever... but at the end of the day we are nothing without our little beating hearts. So, along the same lines when carrying a baby inside your belly you can try and read as many books as possible, you can be the smartest in your prenatal class, know all the terms... but when it really comes down to it, we have very little control over our pregnancies. Our bodies will grow these babies, and then deliver them. Wild.

Here are some of my beautiful friend and her husband a month before their due date. I'm so excited to meet your little one, and see what a marvel you've created together. oh the lightstunningTiffany Braden WhiteSo prettyTiffany and handsbaby boy white shirtssnuggleTiffany

Best of 2009: Outdoor Maternity

ShannonThis year, I started doing a lot more outdoor maternity sessions. It quickly became a huge joy for me. Not only are the women carrying these babies stunningly gorgeous... but even more so combined with the beauty of the outdoors, the glowy sunlight, and their shining spirits. Meet my favorite images of outdoor maternity sessions on Vancouver Island of 2009. There are also more favorites here from 2011 http://www.erinwallis.com/blog/2012/01/2011maternity-favorites/ **Cans for comments still going strong!!** in the grassshannonon the beachpeter lindsaybreein the grass againneanwateron the rocksfamilysky