Pregnancy does not make me feel beautiful. While I so desperately wish that a round belly and full hips made me feel like the womanly goddess portrayed in the media, the fact is, it doesn’t. Instead, my body feels foreign and awkward. The body consciousness that I try so desperately to bury sneaks to the forefront of my mind. Negative self-talk tries to drown out the longing of my heart for the baby I am carrying. Dressing this strange body and standing in front of the critical lens of a photographer is the last thing I feel like doing.

But I do it. With each of my pregnancies I have ignored my inner critic, and paid to have photos taken when I am at my most vulnerable. Why? Because these images aren’t necessarily for me. These pictures provide a snapshot in time, that I can’t ever get back. No matter how many kids I have, there was a time that existed when it was just the two of us, then the three of us, before the four of us. In the future I will be able to show my children what our family looked like as we prepared for their arrival. Someday, I can show my son what our family looked like before his sister was born, and what our family looked like before he was born. I can show my daughter what it looked like when I carried her in my belly, full of love and anticipation. I can show them how much I loved them before they were even born. These images are some of the most meaningful pictures I own.

These are the photos that I go back and look at the most for myself, treasuring the memories they capture. Every time I look through them I am surprised by how beautiful I look. Looking back, I don’t see how self-conscious I felt. Instead, I see a stunning mama-to-be, radiant with love, excitement, and the kind of anticipation that can only come with a pregnant belly. I see a growing family, with a rambunctious, joyful toddler. A family that loves each other deeply, and delights in each other’s company. These captured moments are our own little slice of history, the story of our family. And, to me, they are priceless.  written by Cara Stolen

I couldn’t have said it better.  Cara has been writing beautiful essays about her experiences in motherhood and I just love her words. to read more, click here to go to her blog. I’d had the pleasure of photographing their engagement session , wedding, their first maternity session, newborn session and milestone with Royce. I just love photographing growing families and watching my favorite people add littles to their tribe.

Authentic Lifestyle Maternity Session at Golden Hour.  Maternity Sessions are photographed at an outdoor location in Ellensburg, WA.  

Ellensburg Maternity Photographer with Levi & Cara at Golden Hour | Babies will grow,  but this family photograph is a memory you can hang onto. Hailey Haberman Photography knows the greatest gift you can give yourself is authentic photography to remember and cherish this time.  With the greatest design and fine-art products imaginable, I will help decorate your world with meaningful artwork that you will treasure for years to come.  From  thick page layflat albums and fine-art prints that come ready to hang – to my custom cards and brag books, you will enjoy your art for years to come.

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Hailey Haberman Photography is located in Ellensburg, WA. Hailey Haberman is an Ellensburg premier newborn photographer specializing in artistic lifestyle family photography. As a professional photographer, Hailey captures maternity, newborn, baby, and family portraits in Ellensburg WA,  Cle Elum WA and surrounding areas.