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not a whole lot of belly grabbin

PHOTOGRAPHY

***sorry I was MIA this week…Jer was in Vegas for business so I was flying solo…then Weston decided to cut a tooth and Will caught a lovely stomach bug…needless to say, it’s been eventful 🙂  pray.  pray hard.

My sister is not a belly toucher.  She’s just not.  Never was…probably will never be one…not on others and not on herself.  I, however, am an obscene belly toucher.  I love bellies.  Baby optional 🙂 

So this week when I was shooting her maternity photos, it was really hard for me to not say “Grab that belly!” when her only request was “not a whole lotta belly grabbin'”.  In the end, I feel like this is a really good reference for newbie photographers who are shooting maternity and need some variety in their poses.  In regards to feel – every time you shoot someone…no matter if it’s your family or a complete stranger, you absolutely need to know what they love and what they don’t.  If they don’t know, then ask what feelings they want to have when they look at the pictures.  My sister wanted happy, bright and a little ethereal…with limited belly grabbin 🙂

 

Seriously…Norn is so beautiful.  It’s almost obscene.  So just forgive her now in your hearts.  Oh and the white thing in the background is the fabric knot garland was made from my wedding runner for her bridal shower and hung below the “LOVE BIRDS” sign I made for her.  I thought it would be perfect since the little love birds have a little chick on the way 🙂

We just trekked down to the woods behind our house to do these pics so nothing is fancy here.  All the green stuff is weeds 🙂

A lot of times my maternity girls ask to look thinner.  I understand.  Water weight, hormones, that extra bowl of ice cream and pickles….I’ve been there.  So a really good tip to make your subject look thinner is get above them.  Try your hardest to never get below their chin level…that way the camera sees them in a more flattering angle.   

Norn is a sweller and I think that we should capture the little details like her big-for-now ankles.  She doesn’t like them in their swollen state (what pregnant girl does, right?!) but I told her that in a few months when her little guy is here and she has her slender ankles again that she’ll want a picture of them.  If nothing else but to show that she suffered through a summer due date in Hotlanta.

This is my favorite I think.  I love the casual hand on the belly and the look in her eyes.  Plus, the lighting was fantastic in this spot.  And even the weird framing is kinda my jam.

Pure belly grabbin.  This is exactly the kinda thing she didn’t want in every single picture.  I liked this one because it’s all about the belly here…

This may look like an easy pose but it really was a task.  Basically it only works if you are wearing a maxi skirt….the one leg that is creating the angle is practically off the ground.  I love this pose because it draws the eye up to the belly.

The skirt is really great because it gives subjects something to touch…to hold…to keep their hands occupied while not grabbing the belly.

This pose is a great one too because so many pregnant girls stand like this naturally.  It looks very easy breezy covergirl 🙂

This next one is interesting to me…I didn’t mean to take it as part of the photos but in the end, I kinda love the way you can feel her move in it…like you get the fact that pregnancy isn’t all flowers and glowing. 

Of course, it definitely helps to have a little prop or two.  These prickly weeds had the cutest white flowers….they reminded me of the baby’s breath she used at her wedding, so I loved the fact we could work it in.

I could go on and on about the rest of the pics…but in general, I know that they speak a thousand words and people need photo references…so I’m not gonna explain each one.  Enjoy!

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  3. And, I forgot to add — I hope the kiddos are back to healthy and happy real soon. That’s a tough combo right there. Yikes!

  4. Gorgeous Katie, and your sister is beautiful! Hope your little ones are feeling better x

  5. Oh she sure is beutiful. I wish you would not live thousands of miles away (Germany) so you could take my belly pictures. I’m 16 weeks pregnant. Yay!!

    I’ve been reading some old blog posts of yours, and you know what I miss? The monthly photodump. These were a lot of fun.

    XO
    Susi

  7. You are right, Norn is gorgeous. So are the rest of your family. These pictures, as usual, are lovely. I like them all. I love the silhouette, it shows off textbook pregnancy posture. I would like to know which one is Norn’s favourite? Oh and please add a welcome baby to your post list, I would love to hear all about their little arrival when it happens. Will she faint?…

  8. Oh Katie-these photos are just stunning! I have a tear in my eye at how you have captured the magic of a pregnant woman. XXXX

  13. You and your sister are both beautiful/gorgeous girls! You have very talented parents!

  14. Gorgeous! Memories to cherish for years to come. Beautiful captures with a nice balance of belly grabbin’. 🙂

  15. I love those pictures! They are so beautiful and so is your sister. It’s nice to see that not everyone does those tasteless half-naked maternity pics. Great job!

  16. haha…she’s like mother earth when it comes to babies so probably not. We would love it if you kept her in your prayers though because she has had some complications already.
    xo – kb

  21. Beautiful photos, Katie. Praying your boys feels better soon.

    I don’t know if I’ve ever commented on here before, but I absolutely love your blog. Your style of writing and your sense of humor is golden to me. Just thought I should get out of the lurking world and actually tell ya. 🙂

  31. Your sister is a beautiful mom-to-be! Great photos, and she couldn’t be any cuter if she tried! What a treasure to have photos like this. While pregnancy seems to last FOREVER in those last weeks, it really is fleeting, isn’t it?

  32. These are beautiful photos! I especially like the sillouette shot at the end!

  33. Beautiful pictures!!! Prayers for your little ones and you!!! Prayers for your sister these last few weeks!!!

  34. Gorgeous sister and photos! You guys look so much alike in the picture where she’s laying down in the denim dress. Congratulations to her! Lots of blessings and prayers for her, the family and the new little one!

  35. Absolutely gorgeous. I am hoping to shoot my first ever maternity photo session in a few months and I can’t wait to try and capture like you did.

    I hope those boys start feeling better soon! Poor babies.

  36. Aw Katie, I love these! She is indeed very beautiful! Two questions, and a comment: Is the first b & w pic edited to look kinda overexposed? Just curious about your process there. And please tell me that you noticed how much her face and expression resemble you in pic #21 . I love that! And lastly…love the one where she’s coming “out of the jungle.” I can feel the briers grabbing at MY legs! Not weird, right? : )

  38. Oh, Katie, Norn is stunning and your photos are beautiful! Got a little tear in my eye looking at them. Even her toes are beautiful! My favorites are her laying in the grass and the silhouette. Good luck to Norn!

  39. I LOVE these pics! I didn’t do maternity photos precisely because I’m not a belly grabber and felt awkward in my pregnancy body. Too bad I didn’t know a photographer like you! Very beautiful and sweet photos.

  41. I rarely comment, but I cannot keep quiet here… THESE ARE AWESOME!! Your photog skills are off the charts, coupled with a beautiful subject = perfection to the max. Thank you for sharing!

  42. Praying for a healthy baby and Momma! She is beautiful and so photogenic with her skin complexion. Love the outfit choices. I too am not big on the belly grabbing and I really hate the bare skin maternity photos. They are just weird to me but I am very modest….so that’s probably why. I want to try some of these tricks with my photos. I am due in Aug. Congrats on getting to be an Aunt again too!

  44. Wonderful pictures Katie! I love that your sister chose to do them out in the woods, it is so very natural and peaceful, but then again I am a outdoorsie type of person.

    I am totally jealous that your boys have that backyard to play around in and explore!

    My prayers are for your sister and that her pregnancy goes well and that her delivary goes well too.

  45. Would you be willing to share your camera settings for these photos? Just lovely!

  46. Gorg.e.ous. Pics and woman. You have a gift, Katie.

    You know, we both have younger sisters with ridiculously fabulous naturally curly manes. I think we should start a support group for the “more mature” sisters of young women with amazing curly locks. SWCI = Sisters With Curling Irons. What do you think?

    And, oh my, I hear you on the single-mommin’ thing. HH was out of town this week too. What I wouldn’t give for a three-hour flight ALONE, 5 nights in a hotel room ALONE and scheduled meetings with ADULTS. Another great opportunity for a support group. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Spouses.

  47. oh Katie…..these are all so beautiful (your sister is just magically gorgeous-you’re right!) but that last one…at dusk?

    breathtaking!

    good work girls!

    xo

  48. Breathtakingly Beautiful! Prayers for uneventful continuation of pregnancy and Happy, Healthy Delivery!!

  49. Absolutely lovely photos! I have to know, what products does your sister use for her hair? Being a curly girl living near Atl I know it’s almost impossible to keep such hair looking that good without frizz or crunch! Whatever she’s found it works beautifully so I just have to ask!

  50. Gorgeous work, Katie, with an absolutely gorgeous subject! I hope Norni is thrilled with the results, because they are amazing.

    Good luck with your tough week. Here’s wishing you extra reserves of patience and hoping backup arrives SOON!

  51. Gorgeous! If it weren’t for the hair, the silhouette picture could be you. You have the same profile!

  52. Gave me gooey love-iness feelings even though I know neither of you. It really makes me regret not making an effort during my pregnancy. I’m not sure whether it was because I felt terrible throughout, or partly because nobody else encouraged me to have some photos to look back on…either way, if I ever go through another pregnancy, I’m flying over to your house from Australia. You cool with that? 😉 Vicky Sweet x

  53. Beautiful photos. I hope I can look that great when I’m pregnant!!

    Praying for your family! For your sister to have a healthy remainder of her pregnancy, Will to get over this stomach bug, Weston for his teething and for your sanity until Jeremy gets back!!!

  54. She is STUNNING!
    Wow…absolutely beautiful.
    I loved all of these, but the one that completely stopped me was the last one, the silhouette. There is just something so classy and beautiful about it!

  56. Beautiful pictures! Norn’s hair is just too pretty! That girl can rock some curls!

    I hope your babies feel better soon, and I’ll keep Norn in my thoughts as well.

  57. Absolutely gorgeous!! Lori is beautiful and you take the most amazing photos, Katie!

  58. She is STUNNING. These photos are so naturally gorgeous – love love love.

    Prayers that she has the perfect birth that she wants with a healthy little babe.

    I really like that you kind of narrated these pictures too, like you felt a bit more comfortable with her being your sis and all. I can just feel the love!

    Nicole B.

  59. You are so talented! I loved the photos. And you both are gorgeous. 🙂 Sisters are the best! (I have 3). 🙂

  61. i LOVE the silhouette photo! it’s beautiful and strong…the essence of a pregnant woman.

  62. I really love this set of maternity photos. Bookmarking for the future! Like Norn, I’m not a fan of maternity photos where every shot is a belly grab. Nice work!

  64. That silhouette is absolutely beautiful! I kept going back to to look at it again. Well done, Katie!!

  65. Just Beautiful. The pictures and the model. It’s so hard to choose, but I adore the silhouette picture. Breathtaking!

  68. Katie – the pictures are so beautiful! I am like your sister with the belly grabbin’ it was never my thing! I wish I would have had you around to take my photos 🙂 I hope the kiddos are feeling better. I am praying your sister has a safe delivery – keep us posted!

  69. Beautiful pictures Katie! Its funny, before, I never thought you and your sister looked very alike, but now in these photos I see the resemblance! Amazing shoot. Prayers for a healthy pregnancy & baby!

  70. She is not alone on the whole ‘no belly-grabbing’ thing! With all three of my babies I *hated* it when random people thought they could just come up and rub my midsection. I actually had one gal I had literally met once kneel down and kiss my belly. I almost passed out 🙂 Tell your sister she looks beautiful and to tell people to keep their hands off! 😉

  71. Wow. You guys have some good genes. Absolutely gorgeous.

    I’ve never heard of that request before but I have to admit, I really like how it turned out. The naturalness of the shoot is stunning! Cant wait to see some baby pictures 🙂

    Oh and … stop tugging on my uterus!

  72. I always thought you both looked so different to be sisters, but the 2nd to last one, where she’s laying down, looks so much like you! Gorgous pictures! Thanks for sharing them – I wish I had gotten some maternity pictures taken now. Maybe you can do mine if there’s ever a third baby 🙂 I’m not too far away in Watkinsville, and we could go get chipotle afterwards! 😉

  73. I LOVE these. Her hair is seriously amazing. The black in white in the dress is my fave. She really is beautiful and pregnancy suits her well.

  74. Love these! Especially that silhouette. Have you done a photography tutorial on how to do that? Would love to read one!

  75. You and your sister are gorgeous! I am in LOVE with the lighting and how naturally posed she looks. Your photography is amazing, girl. Simply amazing. 🙂

  77. Those flowers are raspberry/blackberry blossoms. Looks like it’s going to be a bumper crop. They do add a delicate, ethereal mood to your beautiful pictures.
    I hope your boys are feeling better! My oldest is 28 and lives in his own apartment, but when tummy troubles hit him this week he was on the phone to Momma asking for help and sympathy. They never outgrow needing momma when they are sick.

  78. love the photos! I too am not into the whole belly grabbin’-half naked maternity photos so these photos were a breath of fresh air. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  79. I wasn’t a belly grabber, either…particularly if the grabber was a stranger…but if I’d looked like your sister I’d have been all, “hey you wanna touch?” 😉 She is stunning!

  80. So lovely! You captured your sister so beautifully! I missed you this week and hope your boys feel better soon!! (For their/your sake, not mine :))

  81. Now realizing saying “I missed you” might seem super creepy since we’ve never met, but you know what I mean. Missed your posts!

  82. I love these pictures! My favorite is the last one – the silhouette. That is just stunning.

  83. Wow. If I could have her hair… She is so beautiful. These pictures are so full of love. Excellent work, Katie.

  84. These photos are absolutely beautiful!! And you can totally tell you are sisters in that second to last picture… identical twins 😉

  85. she’s gorgeous and those photos are AMAZING – I wish you lived near us. I’d use you all the time! She looks so much like you (or vice versa?) in some of them. You have the same eyes for sure. I love that floral shirt – where is it from?

  86. I love them all…but the silhouette is my favorite. Wonderfully captured memories!!!!

  87. Oh really? I am not much for identifying stuff that grows in the woods…maybe I’ll go out there later to see if anything is cropping up!
    xo – kb

  89. Most of her maternity stuff is Old Navy or Target so I’m gonna go with one of those 🙂
    xo – kb

  91. HAHA. I love support groups…I only wish my wavy hair would be one way or another…it is stuck in the middle…along with the calories from my addiction to cookie dough. And yeah…5 nights in a hotel room alone sounds just.about.right.
    xo – kb

  92. Yes, it is edited that way. She specifically told me that she liked photos a little overexposed…which is hard for me because I don’t edit well that way…but since I save all the originals, she can always tell me what she likes better later. Oh that one in the jungle is crazy…she was so focused..and those weeds were INTENSE.
    xo – kb

  95. i love how you got both teeth and closed lip smiles… AND they both are lovely. my non-teeth smiles make me look mega creepy. or i look like i might bust out a laugh. just a natural teeth smiler here. great, lovely work. hoping she hangs in there for the next bit! swelling is tough- though i bet boots and cole are treating her great. 🙂

  97. How much am I loving the silhouette picture? so. friggen. much. Please tell your sister that she looks gorgeous! Although it does look like she stole 98% of the curly hair genes from your fam. How rude.

  99. great job Katie… Your sis is beautiful just like you.. Love her curly hair too… Does she know what she’s having? (I like touching pregnant bellies too. though i’ve never been pregnant so i’m not sure if i’d like being the recipient… sure why not.. ) Missed you this week – hope all is well on the home front with your boys and Jer gets home to you safe and sound… Patty

  102. These are gorgeous, Katie. And your sister is truly beautiful. Congrats on the newest addition to your lovely family! 🙂

  106. are you going to add that up the skirt shot of the tree to your prints available?

  107. gorgeous photos of a gorgeous girl. WOW. and OMG you have the same face! lucky sisters!

  108. Oohing and ahhing! So, so sweet! She is a gorgeous mommy-to-be. Great photos!

  111. Aw, definitely saying a prayer for the Bowers! When it rains it pours, right?!
    You are one uber-talented photographer, missy! Gorgeous pictures and a gorgeous sister! How fun that your kiddos will be so close together. My boys both have cousins their age and it makes family get-togethers so much fun. {Completely wild, but still…so much fun! ;)} Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

    ~Abby =)

  114. Beautiful photography, Katie! And your sister is gorgeous! Love your humor! You are so cute!
    Hope all goes well with her pregnancy!

  115. Such beautiful flowers that capture such an amazing moment for your sister. You are so talented and gorgeous. Your sister looks so beautiful too! Thanks for sharing with all of us.

  117. Such a special time:) Very Important Question….what hair product is your sister using in these shots. Lack of frizz in southern locale is phenomenal.

    Signed:

    Frizzy in Detroit

  119. Hi Katie,
    First off, I love your blog, I visit it frequently, but have never posted. You are beautiful and so is your sister. I was wondering the other day about if you would have an update on your sister and bam! this post was the answer. I love how you post about every day diy updates and family, you do a great job with your blog. I really enjoy reading it!

    My husband and I spent a week in Atlanta(early May) celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. He wanted to visit Gallery 63 (the auction show Auction Kings caught his attention), and we had a wonderfuly time at the auction. In my mind, I kept on thinking, this place is so nice, the people are so friendly, no wonder Katie lives here!

    Just wanted to say “hello” from Canada! Again, love your blog, with all the love Jesus and bacon comments, and how you refer to your husband as you boyfiend, you make me laugh! Keep up the great posts!

    From up north in Ontario, Canada,
    Monica

  126. I’m with your sister on not liking too many belly grabbing photos. I only really like belly grabbing if it is higher up on the belly. I find belly grabbing often looks like they are holding themselves because they have to go pee (not a good look). Great photos of your sister and I love the white flowers you used.

  130. Love these pictures! How in the world does your sister to get her curly hair to look so amazing in the humidity of the south? As a curly haired person, I need her tricks! =)

  132. Absolutely beautiful photos!! Do you want to come to Chatt in about 6 months to take mine?? I know you get lots of questions about her gorgeous hair but would love, love, love for her to share her products of choice and which salon she goes to…I’m willing to drive down to Atlanta!

  133. Okay…so I asked her and this is what she said “straight out of the shower I comb my hair while it’s still very wet then apply a mousse and scrunch with a towel. Then after most of the water is out, I use a bit of hairspray to set it.” Sounds pretty easy I guess 🙂
    xo – kb

  134. I asked her tricks – this is what she said “straight out of the shower I comb my hair while it’s still very wet then apply a mousse and scrunch with a towel. Then after most of the water is out, I use a bit of hairspray to set it.”
    xo – kb

  135. This was her tricks: “straight out of the shower I comb my hair while it’s still very wet then apply a mousse and scrunch with a towel. Then after most of the water is out, I use a bit of hairspray to set it.”
    xo – kb

  137. Oh Katie! You have outdone yourself with these photos! I have to say, I like the variety of not too much belly grabbin too. I know in the bible that angels were pretty much scary tough guys and not women, but I kept thinking, “What a beautiful angel.”

    xo

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