Do you ever scroll through social media or Pinterest and see gorgeous wedding photos, maternity photos, or simply documented “love stories” and think, “Maybe someday!”? Having an amazing maternity session was something that I always thought would be an awesome experience, but I honestly never thought it would actually happen. I just figured that I’d have to take some selfies along the way and then cringe at them when I would look back years later. As beautiful as pregnancy is- and how crazy it is to think that your crazy toddler used to live inside your belly- those 9 months are almost never the most glamorous of anyone’s life. Well, this weekend, despite being 31 weeks pregnant with our little girl, I felt like a princess.

This past weekend, Josh and I dressed up (well, I dressed up. Josh wore his “date-night but I’m going to try to look like I’m not trying too hard” outfit. Which actually worked out great. He has more of a west-coast trendy wilderness-man style as it is, which matched the style of the shoot perfectly.) and met an almost complete stranger in the woods to take some magical, mysterious, earthy maternity photos.

I say almost complete stranger because about a month ago I had the awesome opportunity to meet a fellow online creative person through one of my favorite Facebook groups, The Rising Tide Society. Kelley is a photographer and graphic designer based out of Durham but loves to take the occasional random road trip, especially to get a shoot in! After a few exchanged Facebook messages, we decided to style a boho-themed maternity shoot. Kelley found a super cute, affordable Airbnb– this one to be exact, we set our date and time for the shoot, and that was about it until this past weekend!

When we showed up around 10 am, Kelley had already been there and arranged our little “studio” for the shoot. We talked and laughed while snapping photos in and out of the teepee and around the surrounding woods. Oh, did I mention that we were in a teepee? I said boho, right? Although this would never be what Josh would choose to do on a Saturday morning, we ended up treating the whole morning like a fun date. We had a ton of fun just talking, holding hands, and hugging while Kelley snapped away and gave some suggestions here and there. Her style is very natural and unposed, which I love because Josh and I are awkward enough as it is. After the shoot we got breakfast at IHop and headed home. Well, Josh got breakfast. Prego mama over here got chicken and potatoes. Anyway, it was a wonderful morning!!

If you’re in need of a highly talented lifestyle photographer, I can’t recommend Kelley enough!! (But I’ll let her work speak for her). Kelley was so laid back, easy to work with, and blended really well with our personalities. Please check out her website and portfolio and recommend her to anyone you know who needs an amazing photographer!!

By the way, if you’re curious about the dresses I’m wearing, you can find them here. They were so comfy and worked out perfectly for the shoot!

Check out Kelley’s bio below and visit her on social media!

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Kelley Deal

Photographer at Kelley Deal Photography

I'm Kelley Deal, a 31 year old freelance photographer and environmental graphic designer in North Carolina, by way of Texas, Ohio, and most recently Chicago, IL.

I was a bride, I am an aunt, and will forever be a traveler.Those experiences shape the way I treat my clients and approach my work.I focus on artistic, honest photography of life, love and places.My goal with every shoot is to tell a story - the real moments are my favorite.I love all things creative - I've grown up painting, sculpting, and designing, and believe that no matter the medium, it comes down to the same basics : color, composition, and light.

I've learned that photographs give life to the legacy we leave behind, and they deserve as much depth and heart as possible.

Latest posts by Kelley Deal (see all)

• Bucketlist Mark-off: Our Boho-Styled Maternity Photos (31 weeks pregnant) - January 31, 2017