Maternity photoshoot in Richmond-Upon-Thames, London

Pregnancy is a vulnerable yet beautiful and empowering time as a woman. I will never ever tire of shooting it. Every mother to be I meet and photograph gives off this indescribable energy - a sense of knowing and yet not knowing all at the same time.

As a woman who has carried two babies, I remember how much you have to give in to, and trust in your body when you're growing a baby and as birth approaches how everything is heightened. So when women invite me to capture the beauty in their pregnant form, to preserve in images their blossoming, it is one of the greatest honours as a photographer. I feel so lucky to have met such strong and trusting women, who've allowed me to capture them just as I see them, and who've believed in my vision despite their physical insecurities or emotional vulnerabilities.

Sometimes we can't control everything, we just have to be, just as we are, and embrace it, never more so than when we are pregnant.

This session was shot in conditions I fear the most as a photographer - bright, hostile, midday light, out in the open in Richmond Park with very little shade.  It was damp underfoot, boggy in patches but we embraced the elements and laid blankets in the grasses. Rachel was serene and gave into it all, letting me do my thing, so very open to my suggestions.

She lay down on my old, antique lace throw, the warm sun on her face, gentle shadows swaying over her from the blowing grasses all around, and basked in her pregnancy while I took her portraits. As we worked away she said, "this is so lovely, to lie here like this". And I really think you can see that when you look at these pictures... the simple sense of joy she took in these still moments... while awaiting her little one.

Her pictures are ones I keep finding myself coming back to since I finished the edit, they make me so happy as a creative. I hope you like them too. And I'm looking forward to meeting and photographing her newest addition later this month once they've arrived safely.

Whilst this was not a sponsored shoot Rachel has very kindly shared her thoughts on our session over on her personal and rather lovely blog The Little Pip if you'd like to take a look. 

All photographs are copyright LittleKinPhotography. Little Kin Photography specialises in the natural-light photography of pregnancy, newborns, babies, toddlers, children and families in West London and Surrey (Richmond upon Thames, St Margarets, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton, West Molesey, Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, Kew, Chiswick, Barnes, East Sheen, Putney, Fulham, Wimbledon, Dorking, Clapham, Battersea, Kensington, Chelsea, Esher, Weybridge and Cobham)