Last week I loaded up #OlivertheScottishTerror and we put my Acadia in the wind headed west. I typically take one week in the fall to travel back home (Oklahoma) for sessions and to visit friends. I was only able to take four days this year since we are having an especially busy year on the farm, so it was a jam packed four-days.

Knowing I make a least one trip home a year for photo sessions, Josh and Kelly contacted me right after they found out they were pregnant earlier this year about getting on my schedule for their maternity photos. If you scroll back through my blog posts you’ll find Josh and Kelly’s “nerd” themed Kansas City wedding and their zoo engagement session. I love being able to continually document milestones in my couple’s lives, so I was over-the-moon when they contacted me about their maternity.

Here’s the thing about Josh and Kelly though, up until now they have never had an “ideal” session. Their engagement session was shot in middle of the day harsh light, and sheesh, I still haven’t forgotten how intense the heat and humidity was that day. Daniel was able to attend that session and I have a behind the scenes photo of him completely drenched in sweat when we were only halfway finished. Then their spring wedding came, and not only was it a brisk upper 40’s, it also rained. And not rained a little and we dashed out in between sprinkles to get portraits. No, like rained, rained, which we still photographed outside, but the wind was so strong it blew the umbrellas straight up — Mary Poppins style.

Despite all that, I have photos from each of those events that are still some of my favorites of all time. This time around though, I wanted, more than anything for them to have a perfect weather session. These two had experienced it all, I just wanted perfect temps, a slight breeze a golden sun and gorgeous fall leaves. I mean, I wasn’t asking for much was I?

Wrong, I was asking for a unicorn on the moon, because days like that happen very few and very far between. Until they do… like it did, for Kelly and Josh’s maternity session. I wanted to cry tears of joy through this session as we had the easiest, most ideal conditions to shoot in.

Y’all you’re in for a treat. This session revived my very tired busy season creative spirit.

Also, P.S. I always bring Oliver with me to Oklahoma, but I went to Kansas City before dropping on down into my home state, so that meant I had a 20-pound tiny terror with me. Luckily, he’s used to traveling and is THE easiest dog to bring places so I just tied him to my camera bag during this session. Make sure you scroll to the end to see a few behind the scenes with my furry assistant!