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Addi belongs to one of my favorite families. Her aunt, Taylor, is one of my best friends. & I met her when she was around 9 or 10 years old during her older sister's senior portrait session. It's been such a joy (and honestly - kind of weird) watching her grow up. I remember seeing her start to post selfies on Instagram with makeup on and thinking, "Wait... is she not ten anymore?"
When it was time for her senior photos, I honestly couldn't believe it was - and it was even harder to comprehend that the little girl we talked into matching the twins and their little bestie during a trip to Washington DC was becoming a mama and in need of maternity photos - but here she is, glowing and grown up.
Can we take a moment to appreciate how beautiful her hair is even in the wind?
One of my favorite places on the beach for photo sessions are near (but not on) the sand dunes - especially when they have tall grasses. As you are scrolling through this gallery you'll notice how quickly the lighting changes at the beach within the 45 minutes before sunset. We started off in full sun. When it was behind her we got this gorgeous golden glow.
When it was in front of her, all of the blues were so vivid - from her dress, to the ocean water, to the sky. Blue is my favorite color, so I was smitten. She's also having a little boy, so all of the blues in these photos were perfect for a little boy's maternity session.
I am so in love with these photos - and the way she loves her belly. Addi is the kind of pregnant girl who posts belly updates, and belly bump pictures with confidence - and she's always rubbing it affectionately. I can't wait to see her holding that sweet boy in her arms and cradling him in that same loving way.
We took a break for about twenty minutes to let the color in the skies change during this session - which meant I was snapping random bird photos (of course) and then talking myself into the water for fun shots while we wasted time.
Fly, little birdie.
This series of photos is one of my favorite perspectives for beach portraits, always. The first time I tried it was at her big sister's wedding and it killed my cell phone. This time, I handed my phone to her boyfriend. Lesson learned.
Look how cute her footprints are walking out of the surf. I can't wait to see pictures (or you know, take them) of her and her little boy's tiny footprints next to each other in the sand one day. I thought about that as I snapped these.
The sun finally started going down and the skies got even prettier. She had requested a photo laying down with the ocean behind her and I suggested we wait until sunset. Think I made the right call?
Why yes, yes I did have to lay in the sand for this shot. & yes, yes it was worth it.
Addi. You are fun, affectionate, smart, adventurous, smart, and sweet (among many other things) - and I hope your little boy inherits all of those qualities. Plus fingers crossed for your cute face (ha).
