One of the things that I never anticipated when becoming pregnant was having a maternity photoshoot.

I had nothing against them for other people I just never felt it was right ‘for me’.

I love photos and love to capture the moment and if you were to look at my phone’s photo albums there are absolutely loads of pics of me, selfies the lot!

I guess it’s partly to do with not liking the awkwardness of standing there unsure of how to pose and what to do with your face whilst a camera points directly at you – and you only!

Also, wondering what other people will think of me.

So, how did I find myself one October Monday afternoon in a photo studio in Steeton, Keighley prancing around in my underwear waiting for the next outfit to appear?

After yet another person recommended that I have a maternity photoshoot I started to view from another perspective.

Here I was in the midst of a miracle, my body performing remarkable feats as it shifts and expands and works 24/7 to create life. The question should have been, why would I not want to remember this special moment?

Especially as the journey that I have been on to get to where I am today is one that I have been capturing.

MY JOURNEY TO MOTHERHOOD

That journey officially started in 2021 when after years of being single and me reaching the age of 40, I made the decision that I was going to become a solo mum by choice.

In March this year (2022) I became pregnant via IVF using a sperm donor. Throughout this time, I have been noting my journey, for me to remember but also to share with my child as they grow so that they know the steps I had taken to bring them into this world and more importantly that they know have always been loved and wanted.

Rechannelling my mind with a nudge of friendly peer pressure I started to look for a photographer that specialised in maternity photoshoots.

As with all things online these days, type something that you’re looking for and you’ll then be presented with your own personal catwalk of services available and what wasn’t there before is soon all you will see.

DISCOVERYING MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOTS AT SARAH WALTON PHOTOGRAPHY

This is how I came across Sarah Walton Photography as a post of her work made me stop and look further. Having a look at the gallery of photos on her Facebook page, I liked what I saw so I entered my details to find out more about her Maternity shoots.

I had such a good feeling from the tone in Sarah’s message and how it was professionally presented but still really friendly that I replied almost instantly.

Two days later my appointment was arranged and the photoshoot planning began.

Continuing on with the professionalism, I received an email with a contract to sign as well as a guide which told me on how to prepare for the shoot and what I could expect on the day.

This instantly put me at ease as did Sarah being more than happy for me to bring a friend along for Dutch courage.

I had actually started to get excited about the session.

THE SESSION (PLUS HAIR AND MAKEUP!)

I decided to do my hair and makeup myself (although I know Sarah offers this as an add on service too) and with my friend as chaperone and designated driver, the nerves had started to kick in a little bit on the drive to the studio.

Thankfully when we arrived Sarah welcomed us with a huge, genuine smile and we sat and chatted for a bit, a great tactic to get me to relax.

Sarah allowed us to quiz her on; her background and experience, the photos she had displayed on the walls, down to the vintage furniture she had in her beautiful studio. I admitted to Sarah that I was tad nervous as I don’t know how to pose and feel awkward looking into a camera and she explained that she would guide me.

Guide me she did as I changed from outfit to outfit my confidence grew, although I still felt really awkward when looking directly into the camera, which she had noticed and we laughed about, which in turn chilled me out a bit.

There were times when the positions I was in, think ballet dancer feet, would make me ache a little but on seeing the stills that Sarah had captured it was worth it.

I highly recommend doing some stretches and having a salt bath later on to ease the muscles. I couldn’t actually believe how amazing she had made me look – that beautiful mamma-to-be, looking elegant and poised was me! Like the cliché – I had the pregnancy glow.

It was a completely empowering experience.

BEHIND THE SCENES AND… THE BUZZ!

My friend, who was sat just off to the side throughout the shoot, took some behind the scenes footage of Sarah getting me primed and into position and even those pics, taken on a mobile phone, were so magical that I knew that when I did get to see the final images, I would love them.

At the end of the session, feeling like a mere mortal in my normal clothes again, I booked in for a new-born shoot for when my little one arrives.

As those images are ridiculously cute and knowing how calm and patient Sarah is, my baby will be in good hands.

I can honestly say I was buzzing for days after the shoot and then Sarah shared with me a video collation of me from the day and I was blown away and, in all honesty, I choked up.

I looked completely relaxed and, in my element, and Sarah helped me to be both of those things and more.

… THE FINISHED IMAGES

I couldn’t believe how incredible the pictures were when I first saw the finished images.

I was looking at me but I looked different somehow and I could finally see what people meant when they said I had that ‘pregnancy glow’. I was almost in tears looking through the full set of images, they’re so professional I actually felt like a model.

I love that I now have a collection of photos as a keepsake of such an important and special time in my life. 

I can truly say that it was the most comfortable I have felt in front of a camera and now I will have this keepsake for life, to share with my little one and look back on fondly as the years go by quickly as they do.

I would say to anyone sitting on the fence or those not even near the fence when it comes to having a maternity shoot, do it. If you have an experience like mine, I guarantee you will not regret it.

Emma Halliday
Mamma to be to Little Bug due 17th November 2022

You can find out more about Emma and follow her journey at https://thisvulnerablelife.com/

Behind the scenes….Sarah getting me prepped for my next pose!

Want to know more?

Sarah Walton Photography is a specialist Maternity, Baby and Newborn photography studio based in Steeton, Keighley – within easy reach of Skipton, Ilkley, Leeds and Bradford.

Read about my Maternity sessions here https://www.sarahwaltonphotography.co.uk/maternity-photo-shoots/

Or explore other baby first year photoshoots:

• Newborn Sessions: https://www.sarahwaltonphotography.co.uk/newborn-baby-photography/
• First Birthday Cake Smash & Splash Sessions: https://www.sarahwaltonphotography.co.uk/little-sitter-baby-photoshoots/