Miss {M}'s Maternity

To say that she has been by my side through thick and thin would be an understatement of the century.  This beautiful pregnant little lady is my dear sweet friend, whom I have had the pleasure of making memories with since we were Sophomores in high school and were biology partners at Ursuline High School.  

Through the many highs and lows of life she has been there for me.  Through friendship troubles to boy problems to college years where states separated us to being roommates after returning to Sonoma County upon graduation to engagements to weddings and now to welcoming our first children.  

We have experienced so much together.  

And, now, any day, we get to experience motherhood at the same time.

Miss {M} is having a son and he is already beyond loved and beyond blessed to have some wonderful and fun loving parents.  

Plus, he already has a little friend who happens to be my daughter awaiting for his arrival for playdates and walks around Spring Lake and music class :)

Celebrating my dear friends is one of my favorite things and I cannot wait to celebrate the birth of Miss {M}'s sweet little boy.  May these pictures serve as a reminder of the very start of his very long and prosperous life.

The Ives Family - Sonoma County Maternity Photographer

As the sun was setting across the skyline, he looked at his wife - eyes flooding with pride.  As we walked around our location taking photos, he tended to his wife - gentle hands leading the way with love.  At the place where they met years ago - where they once celebrated test grades, semesters ending and the cumulating event of graduation - they are now celebrating five years of marriage and the impending birth of their first daughter.  Life is about celebration of your past, your present and your future and I was honored to capture the joy in the Ives family as the dreams they once formed on their college campus are now becoming reality. 

  

After many scheduling issues due to rain and those pesking little things called j-o-b-s, we ended up at Sonoma State University per my suggestion.  Little did I know that they met through campus related activites - I just love it when things like that work out and align together!  We took quite a few pictures by "sneaking" into a part of the Green Music Center and it was so pretty, I loved this fountain :)  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Isn't Jamie's baby girl belly bump just beyond adorable?  She is due on May 4th and she looks beyond fabulous!  

  

  

  

  

  

The respect, love and overall connection that these two share is palpable and evident to anyone who observes them, I know that as a team they will make wonderful parents to little Jeanna.  

  

  

Jaime and Jarod - thank you for your patience with finallygetting your session on the calendar -  truly hope that it was worth the wait.  I look forward to hearing all of the details of her arrival and to meeting her sweet little face.  You two are wonderful friends and you will be wonderful parents.  Enjoy the final days of being a 'couple' and get ready to fall in love all over again - with your daughter and with one another.  xoxo

The Hildebrandt's - Sonoma County Maternity Photographer

We ignored the above warning sign and had an afternoon full of laughter and photography - two of my favorite things in the world!  My flight arrived in San Diego at 11:30 and after a flavorful lunch at Panera we packed up bags for our photo adventure and went out in search of a scene the opposite of the beach.  I thought it would be a tall order - but the Carlsbad area delivered.  And delivered beautifully as these pictures will show.  I spent the entire weekend taking photos of my beyond beautiful sister, talking about the little girl that is soon arriving, and enjoying a relaxing weekend at our fabulous hotel room looking over the ocean.  It was a wonderful time - and thankfully I have plenty of photos to prove it.

 Seriously, could she be anymore beautiful?  She was meant to be pregnant.

 I had a great time hanging back and just capturing the interaction between Alicia and Geoff.  Their happiness just radiates, agree?

 Alicia and Geoff are keeping the name of their little one under wraps (all that we know is that her name will start with "a") and when I was taking these solo pictures of Alicia, I asked Geoff to talk to her about the baby and he almost said her name.  So, this was Alicia's reaction.  Absolutely priceless!

 

 

 I was so excited to get lots of ring/belly shots - the next day at the hospital tour, the nurse advised the moms-to-be to not wear their rings anymore to avoid any "complications."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be taking some time away from my photography business in the month of March - but there will be plenty of photos of little baby a!  I do have two more client posts to publish - so be sure to check back this week for more adorableness!  xoxo

The Hildebrandt's - Sonoma County Maternity Photographer

It was Christmas, the last Christmas without another generation included in the family.  The last Christmas with just my parents, my sister and our husbands.  Next Christmas my new niece will be nine months old, and I already cannot wait.  But I have contained myself from shopping for her already, we still have a two more baby showers to get through first!.  One of the perks of being in my family is constant photo taking.  Although some might prefer to not have it be so constant, I cannot help myself, it is just what I do. 

After our traditional Christmas morning with my father's side of the family in Calistoga, I took Alicia and Geoff outside on our family "ranch" (in quotations because my family has always called it the ranch, but it is minature compared to my husband's real family ranch.)  It is amazing what 10 minutes of photo taking can accomplish and what two and a half pregnancy months can do to a belly (a quick maternity session from October can be viewed here.)

  

 This picture is SO Geoff and he will probably kill me for posting it - I guess that is one of the downfalls of having me and my camera around - I am in charge of what gets posted and what doesn't :)

 Later in the day, at my grandparents house, I stole my sister again because the lighting in the front room of the house was gorgeous.  Here is a picture that makes my heart stop a little.  Three generations of hands on one belly...

 

 I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season with their family, remember to take the time to take photos as often as possible during family celebrations.  They are valuable beyond words.  And when you are actually ready to be in the photos and have a complete family photo taken, remember to contact me at info@melissamorelliphotography.com.  xoxo

The Bissig Family - Sonoma County Photographer

 The wind was blowing and the skies were grey, but that didn't stop us.  We were determined to capture this special moment in time.  Because, when you are 7 months pregnant it is all about time.    When will I get to meet him?  What time will he come, will we be prepared?  Have we set aside enough time to get prepared?  Time will tell how bigger sister Mia will adjust.  Time, time, tim

 It is important to set aside the time to document your family as it grows. 

This family is growing from three to four.  And it was my honor to spend an afternoon making sure that this moment in time will be stay frozen. 

I have watched this family grow from a single Jodie, to a married Jodie, to a pregnant with her first child Jodie, to now.  She is a dear friend who is also a photographer currently living in the Fresno area.  As a photographer being on the other side of the camera is can be difficult, but as you can see Miss Jodie did quite well!

Please refill your beverage and get comfy, there are lots of eye candy to follow... 

 

 

 

 

 

 Which one is your favorite image?  Leave me some love in the comment section...you never know when I might start doing some fun giveaways on the blog.

I like to remind myself that the only constant is change and the only common denominator of change is time.  Be sure to take the time to document your lives and special moments. 

I am running a lot of photography specials right now, email me at info@melissamorelliphotography.com to learn more.

xoxo