What does motherhood mean to you?
It’s the best kind of sacrifice, and the greatest joy mixed with a whole lot of worry!
In your own words, tell us about being pregnant, the mother you have become while carrying new life, and how it’s changed you.
Being pregnant is a crazy kind of magic. Everything is changing around you, the way you think changes, the way you look changes, and even the foods you like to eat change, but when you feel those flutters and kicks, you feel incredibly important and the world feels much bigger.
Did you find out the gender of your baby? Is there a name picked out yet?
Boy and Elisha Forest
What are your must-have pregnancy items?
Bio Oil and a Comfy Robe
How did you find out you were expecting?
I took a pregnancy test one day after missing my period. I couldn’t believe it and took three more before telling my husband.
How did you tell the father?
He told me to get some ham at the store, so I bought a baby food jar of “ham.” When he started to put away the groceries, he found it.
How has pregnancy changed you as a woman?
It’s the beginning of a lifetime of thinking about someone else before yourself, of weighing every decision through the lens of what’s best for someone else. I love Coke, but when I became pregnant, I’d question every food choice and evaluate how it would affect him.
What are some of your most cherished memories of your child and do you plan on passing down any southern traditions?
Every year we visit our family in Texas and spend time fishing, riding four wheelers, taking walks, and swinging from an oak tree. I can’t wait of my son to take part in this tradition. I also can’t wait for my son to taste his first New Years Day meal of collard greens, cornbread, and black-eyed peas, especially since his due date was on New Year’s Day.
What most surprised you about pregnancy?
I was surprised at how my body knew exactly what to do.
What has been your greatest challenge being pregnant?
Morning sickness!
What is your greatest joyful memory of being pregnant?
Finding out with my family and friends that we were having a boy. We opened a box of balloons in front of the lighthouse where my husband and I got married.
What advice do you wish you had known before getting pregnant (even if it’s something gross)?
Can’t think of anything
What would you tell someone who just found out they were pregnant?
Get ready for the ride of your life! It only gets better from here.
Can you share with our mommies where you purchased the items you wore for your maternity session?
I loved vinegar based BBQ, onions, and pickles, preferably all together.
Do you have any favorite maternity items you couldn’t live without?
Leggings!
If you could give your child(ren) one piece of advice what would it be?
You’ll never regret choosing kindness.
Tell us about your session and what the images mean to you.
Tiffany went out of her way on every shot, climbing up rocks and moving branches, in the rain. She made my dream shoot happen! I got my degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville but then moved to Florida. I missed having a real Tennessee fall. My son’s middle name is also Forrest, so taking our pictures in the Smokey Mountains forest in the fall was just a dream, and she captured exactly what I had in mind.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER:
I have loved photography since I first learned how to use an SLR camera in 1991. I obtained a BFA and MS in college.Then I went on to teach both art and photography at the high school level for several years, It was during that time that Shutter Sprite photography was born. I have always been a bit of a people watcher so it was natural that portrait and event photography became my passion. Standing behind the camera, I am able to share with others some of the beauty that I see. I shoot everything from weddings to maternity to families and children. I love weddings. For weddings I always come with the best second shooter ever: my husband! Maternity is another one of my passions. I love styling the session and the mom to be and making her feel amazing any beautiful. In my studio, I specialize in infant and child photography. My own children have taught me to be patient so when I shoot in the studio I take my time to let kids be kids and capture the perfect shot of their true personality. I love to share their little smiles and giggles. I am definitely not beyond being silly with them.
