Maternity: Yissel

Yissel and Matt are our favorite “work friends”. Matt and my husband work together and we always look forward to attending work events if we know they will be there. They’re both enthusiastic about life, and a little bit sarcastic, which is one of my favorite combinations.

Yissel was scheduled to have her baby boy yesterday afternoon and I haven’t heard from them yet which I’m hoping is due to the fact that they can’t break away from their sweet new baby for even a moment.

When Yissel and I were brainstorming about her session I sent her some photos to use as inspiration. They were all really classic maternity session shots, lots of hands on bellies and eyes gazing off into the distance. She replied and asked if I would be interested in doing something a little different, at their apartment, showing scenes from her everyday life. The answer wasn’t just yes. It was YES.

We were doing some shots with the vaccum while Matt was working on the couch. I know this has been done before, done many, many times before, but I couldn’t resist.

Yissel actually bought this napkin long before she got pregnant. LOL

Have you had this flavor? The baby has, and he likes it mucho.

They are moving out of their apartment next week (isn’t that timing awful?) but they had his dresser all set up and ready for him anyways.

I want this rocking chair.

Aren’t they the cutest?

A change of clothes meant it was time for a change of jewelry as well.

How do you think she got those toes painted with that cute big belly of hers?

Matt had previously explained Yissel’s interesting new sleeping habits and now I got the chance to see how it all worked. Yissel wasn’t joking when she said she uses a mountain of pillows every night.

“Hello, are you over there somewhere?”

Then it was time for the daily workout. I’m ebarassed to say I can’t even run half as fast as a pregnant woman. I’m going to blame it on back surgery, and not how extremely out of shape I am.

Matt figured he would get a workout in while Yissel had her picture taken.

THAT SHOT!

I love this so much. I might see if I can sell it, that’s how fantastic I think it is. Isn’t that the cutest little bump you’ve ever seen?

Good form Yissel. And now I know how you kept those hot legs all 9 months.

As we were finishing up in the gym I noticed this patch of Black-eyed Susans across the street. Even though Yissel hadn’t asked for it I asked her if she would change one last time so we c ould do some “pretty” maternity shots as well.

And I’m sure the baby will be glad we got one of mom and dad being sweet together as well.  I love these two.

Matt and Yissel were kind enough to let me stand all over their furniture and on their kitchen counter in order to create this series of shots which attempted to replicate life from Yissels point of view. It’s my first attempt at what I like to think of as “conceptual portraiture”  and I’m hoping I have more clients in the future willing to let me expirement a little bit with them!

Yissel I can’t wait to meet (and of course take pictures!) of your beautiful new baby. Thanks for spending the morning with me (and for coming along on our safari later that afternoon!)

Best,

Jenna