This week, local DOB fave photographer and guest blogger, Shayna Hardy, shares her fall maternity session tips!

1. Location, location, location.

Select a fall location for either it’s beautiful scenery or the meaning it has to your family. There are many beautiful foliage locations around Baltimore area to enjoy! But, there are only about 3-4 weeks of which you can enjoy the fall foliage, so it is best to schedule early!

I love getting to know clients during our consultation so we can decide the best location for them. If there are places that are meaningful to them, then I work to make that happen so the portraits we create will have a greater impact for them.

Baltimore’s weather can be challenging. When the weather threatens, indoor options are great too. At my studio, we can incorporate fall colors, like a red maternity dress into a studio session. These are wonderful because we can create some dramatic lighting images that show off the beauty of a pregnant woman in different ways.

2. Clothing.

 

Selecting what to wear can make or break the look and feel of the maternity session. The fall season is perfect for layering and cozy sweaters. Although I recommend a tight fit shirt to show off the belly bump, you can always layer with a beautiful fall sweater.

 

You may also elect to wear a beautiful maternity gown. Many can be found on Etsy for purchase, but I have several colors available in the studio. I usually suggest colors to complement the style of the nursery or home décor. I’m careful to select colors that will also coordinate or accent the fall foliage & location.

 

3. Don’t forget the details to make it personal.

While I’m getting to know my clients before the session, I find out through our discussion details about their lives. I suggest they bring any mementos, heirlooms or meaningful pieces they want to incorporate into their session.

Many times I will use the location as inspiration for incorporating something special into the session. For example, in the photo to the left, the mom was pregnant with twins so I simply plucked two beautiful leaves from the trees to symbolize the two babies growing inside her. They also got engaged THAT day so of course I included her engagement ring into the image.

These are the details that may get lost in our homes, but when photos are created of these pieces, they will never be lost in our memories.

While the changing leaves make a beautiful backdrop for a fall maternity session, all seasons offer wonderful opportunities to create beautiful portraits of you and your family. The ideal time for a maternity session is between weeks 30-36, but I suggest contacting me by week 20 to reserve your spot on the calendar.

I love creating beautiful heirloom quality portraits for families to enjoy for years to come. They can be enjoyed in wall portraiture or gorgeous albums. Digital images are nice to share, but the printed piece will last through your child’s lifetime and beyond! You are worth the investment.

 

your life in art. | www.shaynahardy.com | 443-686-9569

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “Eight 8oz glasses of water a day” to stay hydrated. Seems simple enough, right? What that saying doesn’t address is what you should do when water just isn’t happening for you! With as many as a staggering 90% of women suffering from morning sickness and/or food aversions during pregnancy, staying hydrated can be harder than one might think- and the need for hydration still remains paramount. So what can you try when that plain glass of water is triggering the good ‘ol gag reflex once again?

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1: Fruit Yourself

Believe it or not, fruits have a surprisingly high water content! Seasonal favorite watermelon boasts 90% water content, while year-round staple tomatoes (yes, it’s a fruit!) are an amazing 94% water. So grab a slice or dig into that Caprese salad you’ve been craving. It’s all helping you stay hydrated!

2: Go Green

Right up there with fruits, fresh vegetables are an amazing way to stay hydrated. Most people know that celery is a water-filled favorite (95% water!), but did you know that mushrooms clock in close behind at 92% water? Cucumbers top the list at 96% water, and go excellent with our next surprisingly hydrating food…

3: Stay Saucy

Now this tip isn’t strictly about sauces- we’re going to include some tasty dips and dressings too! Remember those cucumbers mentioned above? Prepare them in a traditional Greek style with a homemade Tzatziki sauce – the yogurt you’ll need is 89% water! Salads with dressing are an excellent way to up your water intake- most dressings are oil/water emulsions themselves, and the head of lettuce you’ll likely be pouring it over can contain as much water as a bottle of Evian. Hummus is another fridge staple that’s great for hydration- especially if you’re pairing it with fresh veggies instead of carb-heavy dippers. Hummus can contain 60-70% water, so grab some baby carrots and dig in!

4: Bring on Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but did you know it can help hydrate you too? We’re not just talking about a big glass of OJ – eggs are an excellent way to stay hydrated. Egg whites are 90% water but don’t skip the yolks – they contain lots of healthy fats important for helping to build your baby’s brain too. Win win! Other breakfast staples like oatmeal, smoothies, and chia pudding also bring on the hydration without feeling like a chore, so treat yourself and eat what sounds good.

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While adequate fluid consumption will always be key during pregnancy, help stack the odds in your favor whenever possible. And don’t forget your other options for nutritious fluids! Soups, smoothies, herbal teas, and yes, even ice cream, are all wonderful ways to help up your water intake without – actually – picking up a glass of water.

Pregnancy can be hard. A healthy diet doesn’t have to be!

 

Train gardens are such magical places this time of year…and local families are fortunate to have many favorites to choose from:

B & O Museum – What better place for a train garden than a historic train museum. Don’t miss their Magical Holiday Express!

Kenilworth Mall – One of Baltimore’s most visited train gardens. These collectors spend months setting up their magic for the children of Central Maryland to enjoy! There’s a wonderful Santa station as well.

Fire Museum of Maryland – Baltimore preschoolers LOVE the Fire Museum of Maryland, even more so when the train garden is set up at the holidays!

What are your family’s favorite train gardens??

Summer by the pool…ah, how relaxing.

Oh wait, you have small children? Then it’s the opposite of relaxing!

I remember when my children were tiny, seeing moms sitting by the pool, reading magazines (sitting?? reading??). This seemed like an impossibility. A future that could never be mine. But alas, it became mine and was bittersweet in the many ways that moving on in parenting can be. Here are the stages of parenting at the pool over the years as I experienced them:

Babe in arms…ah, lounging yes but all the uncertainty of first time parenthood. Am I doing this right? Does she need sunscreen? Does she need more sunscreen? Do I nurse here? Is it too hot for her? Why is everyone so loud?

Toddler…Oh, this will be fun. We just need to bring this and this. And this. And this. Oh, now you need a snack? Ok, and we’re off. No, please get in the stroller, there’s so much to bring in. Please. Please. Now. Ok, hold my hand…Yes, you slipped and got wet. But you’re ok, this is fun! Remember? Oh, and now it’s naptime…

Preschooler + new baby…Ok, we are literally bringing everything we own to the pool. Wait, now you need a snack? Ok, now let’s go. Oops, hold on, the baby pooped. Ok, now we’re ready. Hold my hand, please. No, no. I need you to hold my hand. Ok, hold onto the stroller. Stay with me. No, you have to stay in the shallow end. Mommy can’t get in, the baby just woke up and needs to eat. That’s it, play right there, don’t run off. Ok, now I can get in with you. Oh, you want lunch now? Ok. I can do this. What? Oh no, mommy, is just talking to herself. Here’s your lunch. Now the baby is asleep again and you want to go home. <whimper> Ok.

Kindergartener + toddler…Ok, off we go. You can be my helper. Stay nearby so your brother doesn’t try to chase after you. No that too deep. No, you can’t go after her, she’s too deep (he’s toddling into water starting to cover his face). No, no. Come back. Let’s find some pool toys. No, not that one. That one isn’t ours. Here’s this one. It’s ours and exactly like that other one. No, give that one back. No. No. Ok, let’s get a snack! Come sit down. No, come here and sit down. I have your favorite. No, you can’t get a snowball today. Here have a snack. It’s almost his nap time. We have to go… <Stares wistfully at the parents sitting on the edge of the pool>

School-age + preschooler…Ok, this year we are taking lunch. You can bring toys, we are meeting friends. Ok, and the noodles, and the inner tube. No, we just have one, you need to share. Ok, please carry the toys for me. Please hold my hand. No, don’t chase her. Stay with me. We are sitting by the baby pool, where there is a gate. <Sits down for nearly 8 uninterrupted minutes. Feels like a miracle. Notices another parent sitting in a chair, glancing at a magazine. Feels impossible.>

School-age + kindergartener…Now this is really going to be fun, guys. Let’s see do we have everything? Yes, that’s right now we have two inner tubes. And pool noodles. And dive sticks. Oops, almost forgot the snacks. Let’s get on swimsuits and sunscreen here. Stand still, please. Please stop moving. It’s going to get in your…oops! It’s ok, we can rinse it out. Alright, now are we ready? Let’s go. Oh, ok, quick, run and use the bathroom. Alright, you guys swim right here, I’m going to sit here with my feet in the pool. <Gasp! I’m one of those parents SITTING next to the pool! Amazing!>

Two school-age kids…Get all your things together, please. Don’t forget your water bottle. Here we go! Make sure you check in with me. <Sitting in wonderment> Wait, what are they doing. No, hey! Hey! Stop it. No fighting at the pool. Stop. You go over to that side. Look, there are your friends. <Sitting. Thinking, omg, I could’ve brought a magazine!>

A 13-year-old + 10-year-old…Go have fun. Listen to the lifeguards. Here’s money for a snowball. I’ll be over there <points clear across the pool, far away from all the yelling children>, with my book! Possible napping.

And off they ran.

It’s so cliche, I know, but man, those summer days went by SO SLOWLY and the years just vanished. These days I can send them to the pool with friends. Hang in there, my friends. Your day will come, too.