Though I’m a Midwest maternity photographer, I loved the chance to travel for Rachel’s Colorado mountain maternity session. She as the wind caught the hem of her dress. It was her fifth pregnancy and her second time doing maternity photos. She’d had them with her first baby and wanted to bookend the experience with her last.

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Meeting Rachel

Last August, I joined a photography group where I met Rachel. We quickly hit it off with all the random things we had in common and we soon discovered we both shared a desire to shift our photography businesses to serve mothers.

When Rachel old me she was pregnant again, we immediately began planning a weekend in Colorado. We’d do a session swap: I’d take maternity photos for her, and she’d capture family photos for us.

(Side note: I LOVE the images she got of my little family! I can’t wait to print them and hang them on our walls. Here is a link to her website, Honey and Friends, and depending on when you’re reading this, you might even be able to see our gallery and why I treasure it so much.)

Colorado Mountain Maternity Session Story

Rachel had said she wanted to go all-in for her last pregnancy and really honor it but that she was nervous because she typically doesn’t wear fancy dresses. With a little shopping, she chose a beautiful, light green floral dress that looked stunning on her and highlighted her bump so gracefully, and she chose a mountain backdrop just a few towns away from her home.

We began in a more casual outfit: her trusty green overalls and a classic white tee. She said that felt more like her, comfortable, familiar, everyday. And then she changed into the dress.

The moment she slipped it on, something shifted. Her shoulders dropped, her smile softened, and she truly lit up. Even Rachel noticed it. She laughed and said she thought she’d feel most “like herself” in the overalls, but instead, she felt a spark in the dress.

Feeling Beautiful in Maternity Photos (Even When You Don’t Feel Like Yourself)

That moment reminded me: it’s okay if you don’t always feel like yourself during pregnancy.
Your body feels different, your emotions run deep, and sometimes the person in the mirror looks unfamiliar. But that doesn’t mean you can’t feel radiant.

Sometimes stepping into something a little outside your everyday, such as a dress, a moment of pause, and being photographed with intention, can remind you that you are still beautiful, still worthy of being seen.

Reflections on Rachel

Between photos, Rachel shared memories from her past pregnancies. Each one had been so different—her first labor was intense, while her third was calm and cozy. (She even watched Criminal Minds in the hospital bathtub!) This time, she’s hoping for the same kind of peaceful experience.

But more than the stories, what stayed with me was seeing her with her children that weekend. She’s such an intentional mother, giving each child her attention, letting them be fully themselves, and truly seeing them for who they are. Photographing her was a gift, and I’ll always treasure it.

Why Every Pregnancy Deserves Maternity Photos

Maternity photos aren’t just about the baby, they’re also about you. Your strength, your softness, your story.

Every pregnancy deserves to be remembered.
Even if it’s not your first. Even if it’s your fifth.
Each one holds something unique. Each one tells a piece of your story.

Whether it’s in your favorite overalls or a dress that makes you feel radiant, whether it’s in the mountains or on your living room couch, document it. Not just for the photos, but for the memory of how it felt to carry this little soul.

Because one day, you’ll look back and realize: even in the seasons when you didn’t feel like yourself, you were still beautiful. You were still worthy of being seen. And you always deserved to be remembered.

If you’re an expecting momma in the Midwest, or dreaming of a destination maternity session in the mountains, I’d love to help you be seen, remembered, and celebrated in this season.

Much love,

-Aspin