Let me just say this… I am amazingly thankful to be able to work with, connect with, and build relationships with such amazing people. It seems as though each and every session I photograph continues to reaffirm my belief in building relationships and simply documenting people’s lives.

At this season’s first wedding, I was lucky enough to work with both Sarah and Ryan again (see their September 2014 wedding here). These two are some of the sweetest and kindest people you’ll ever meet. And they’re doctors out in Kansas, so I can’t even begin imagine how their patients feel to be taken care of by such wonderful people!

On Valentine’s Day, Sarah and Ryan announced their pregnancy, and I was so excited when I saw their post online! I knew immediately that Sarah would look radiant as a pregnant woman, and when I saw her last weekend, she truly was radiating joy and happiness!

So, shortly after announcing their pregnancy, Sarah contacted me to schedule a maternity session while they were visiting Illinois for a family wedding I was photographing… This wedding also happened to be Ryan’s brother’s wedding! I have to say, these moments really make me take a step back and truly understand why I do what I do. You see, just three years ago I had the privilege to meet Sarah while photographing my first wedding season and because of connections to her then fiancé’s family. Now, I am so thankful to know these two better and to have the opportunity to document their growing family while also building more relationships with their family and friends. My passion is so overwhelmingly fulfilling and rewarding in this way!

So, the day after the family wedding, we set out for maternity photos of Sarah and Ryan before their trip back home. We were definitely so thankful and excited that everything fell into place and worked seamlessly to schedule their maternity session while they were visiting!

I loved exploring a local park – Knoch Knolls Park – in Naperville, Illinois and catching up with this couple. My husband Kyle accompanied me to this session, and he also second shot Sarah and Ryan’s wedding, so I know that he was so happy to see these two and catch up on life since we last saw them, too!

Sarah and Ryan – We LOVE documenting these special moments in your life together and cannot wait to meet your baby girl! Enjoy these last few weeks of your pregnancy!