Normally I do this post around mid-December at the end of the year. Well, I guess late March is the new mid-December now that a baby is involved! I was tempted to just let it go and not do it for 2018, but this is always one of my favorite posts of the year! And this one is especially my favorite because you get to see my entire pregnancy through these photos! I was actually pregnant for ALL but 2 of my 2018 weddings! So crazy! The end of 2018 definitely presenting some challenges shooting weddings with my growing belly. But I made it through (with some help!) and had a great season!
Shooting weddings while pregnant was not only different physically, but also mentally. I viewed special parts of the day so differently. Like the mother-son dances gave me all the feels when I thought about doing that with my son one day! Especially one of the weddings where the groom’s name was James and they danced to Sweet Baby James! I won’t miss the achey back and feet that come with shooting weddings 30 pounds heavier, but I will miss all the help I was offered at weddings! I could get used to people offering to hold doors, carry my bags and get me water!
So enjoy my yearly post of allll the unflattering pictures of myself behind the camera! I usually don’t order these photos sequentially, but I figured I would this year so you can see the progression of my pregnancy!
Photo credit to my awesome second shooters! Brooke, Bri, Corrin, Franzi, Marla, Ashley and Sarah!
Short girl problems! Always finding things to stand on!
The lovely Pippin Hill!
Treating myself to some warm Apple Cider on a cold wedding day. It was heavenly!
This was my first wedding pregnant! But I didn’t know it yet! I had a positive pregnancy test the morning after this wedding!
That side eye though…
One of the many HUGE wedding parties from 2018! And my cute second shooter/light tester, Bri!
When you and your second shooter are both JMU alum, you get picture with the groomsmen that was the JMU quarterback!
Can the photogs spot the cringe-worthy situation in the right pic? mmHmmm…
Navigating DC on a wedding day!
When you feet are super wet, you let them air out when you can! Don’t worry, shoes were back on when guests came into the room.
One of my favorite parts of the day- showing the couple their sneak peeks!
Hillary is like a little sister to me, so it was so sweet to get to shoot her wedding!
If you’ve seen my past BTS posts, you’ll know what this is- the evil eye!
Almost had a Marilyn Monroe moment!
Real cute.
Did you know that more often than not, I put the bride’s veil in myself then just have mom or the MOH pretend for a photo?
Bri takes her veil fluffing job very seriously!
Don’t fall in the water. Don’t fall in the water. Don’t fall in the water.
Second guessing how to spell BRIDE
The first wedding where I had a little sign of a bump! Can you see it??
Well, that’s attractive!
The test of a good second shooter is how many umbrellas they can hold at once!
Ready, set, go!!
Fun fact, there are actually TWO pregnant ladies in these pictures! Ashley was pregnant too, but it wasn’t public yet.
I wish I could remember what was so funny!
I’m impressed that I was able to still get into these positions at this point!
This happens more often than you might think!
The coldest gust of wind came through right here! We couldn’t move!
Really regretting not packing a warmer coat right now.
So cold!
Airing out my wet cold feet!
Loved her reactions to her sneak peeks!
And her parents reaction!
Last wedding of the year at 35 weeks pregnant!
This wedding was actually 10 minutes from our house and Branden happened to be off, so I brought him along to carry my bags!
Want to see more behind the scenes? Check out my posts from 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017!