Jessica and I go way back. In fact, both of us met our husbands through the same band (shout out to Pioneer for being a band of stellar, quality men!) When my husband and I moved to Tennessee, I found comfort in the fact that Jessica and Josh already resided in Nashville. It’s great to move to an area where you already have friends!
When we found out they were expecting, we were thrilled. When Jessica asked me to be her photographer, I was even MORE excited! Of course I wanted to photograph my beautiful friend with her baby bump!
In a nearby town, Murfreesboro, we found Batey Farms, which just happened to have one last day open for Sunflower sessions! Bright, beautiful flowers to match Jessica’s cheery disposition? Yes please!
Of course I had to include a Brenizer/panoramic photo to capture all the sunflowers!
I have never met a soul who does not absolutely love Jessica. She’s always genuinely kind and encouraging. This little baby boy is going to be so lucky to have her and Josh as parents!
Before the session, I went across the street from my house and created a bouquet out of some wild Black-eyed Susans. They almost look like miniature sunflowers!
When we pulled up to the sunflower field, it was almost surreal. There seemed to be no end to the huge blooms! Being from Indiana, or the Midwest in general, I immediately compared it to a corn field. Of course, a field of sunflowers is much prettier than a field of corn!
Jessica said it seemed like fate that we were taking photos in a sunflower field. She kept thinking of her little baby as a spot of sunshine in her and Josh’s life (the sweetest!) Sunflowers aptly capture that feeling as they are like miniature suns themselves.
We arrived one hour before sunset, so of course we got to capture some of the beautiful colors the sky was creating as the sun descended. Jessica’s hat made for a really cute accessory, especially with the added sunshine, but it also had a special meaning to her. Jessica’s mentor in Charleston, South Carolina gave the hat to her. It originally had been her mentor’s mother’s – a fashion designer from London. How sweet is that?!
This photo shows a little more of the surrounding farm.
Being surrounded by sunflowers is pretty surreal! Despite the sticky, humid weather neither of us could keep from smiling. Here’s what Jessica had to say about her pregnancy experience:
“Pregnant Woman in Sunflower Field Embraces Scorching Heat
At 34 weeks you’d think I’d feel more prepared for whats inside of me. But alas, I don’t think I realize how much my life is about to change. Pregnancy has healed many insecurities and has helped me conquer a lot of fears. It has also resulted in a lot of ice cream, pizza, sleepless nights, and HOLY CRAP WHAT IS LIFE moments. I am usually very afraid of the future, but with this little guy I have no fear. He is a child of heaven and already bringing gobs of joy into my heart. Can’t wait to meet my son.”
At one point during the session, her baby boy decided to make himself known and started kicking and moving around. I caught Jessica’s reaction on camera!
Of course it wouldn’t be a true Michelle Christine Photography session if I didn’t call for some hair tossing! I just love capturing that movement – it’s so whimsical!
I had so much fun hanging out with Jessica and photographing her during this important moment in her life. I know I’m not the only one looking forward to meeting her little bundle of joy!!
can I purchase some of your images of the sunflower fields? I need one of the field by itself if you have one
Hi Susan, e-mail me at hello@michellechristine.photography about this. I’ll take a look and see what I have 🙂
Where is her dress from!! Everything about this is beautiful. From the story to the photos to the mother and the clothing/hat is wonderful. 😍