Winter Woods Outdoor Maternity Session in Durham, New Hampshire

Jess reached out last summer to share the news that she was expecting her first child with the hope that she might schedule a winter maternity session. It worked out perfectly to fit in the midst of my trip back to Maine to visit family for the holiday season. I first met Jess years ago when I worked professionally in the conservation field. The last time we saw each other was for another photo session in the winter woods in early 2020.

When I tell people Jess is my ideal client, it’s because she says things like, “there’s old growth hemlocks in these woods, so that’s where I’d like to have my photos taken.” WHAT A DREAM. I love capturing people in places that mean something special to them. We hiked through College Woods in Durham, though we never made it to the old growth pines. The light was so gorgeous we got swept up in capturing photos along the way. I was also so glad that Jess brought her two dogs along, including her young golden retriever puppy! I just about passed out from joy.

What makes Jess even more amazing is that she has always wanted to be a mother and made the brave decision to use a donor for her first child. It is so inspiring to see a woman go after what she wants in life! She’s also a lecturer at the University of New Hampshire and teaches classes on forestry. When I shared the sneak peeks on social media I used #thisiswhataforesterlookslike to highlight her power in a male-dominated field. New Hampshire has a legacy of strong female foresters and I love that Jess is a part of that.

What a gift it is to know Jess and have her support my artistry and photography business!