Shaena's Pregnancy | Maternity Photos | 8 Weeks to 40 Weeks

if you’re new here, meet Shaena Elize, my best friend in the world, the person that’s been around for it all. i’ve spent minutes typing and deleting sentences about who she is and the type of true friendship and love she embodies and offers to those close to her, but it really doesn’t feel like enough. there’s nobody better suited for motherhood than Shaena, and it’s my favorite version of her to have the honor of knowing. her pregnancy was so beautiful, and i’m so thankful to share these memories that came and went in the blink of an eye. I brought my camera to her apartment early last year when she was around 8 weeks pregnant. she made tea and we laughed about how much she felt like she was pushing her stomach out and how she’s actually growing a person in there.

spring rolled around and we were itching for sun on our skin and fresh air. Shaena was around 20 weeks at this point, and had just shared that she’d be having a boy (not pictured: me crying every time we took photos).

i’m, again, trying to type coherent sentences about Shaena — what she embodies, who she is, what she stands for — and I am failing. she’s the most grounded person I know. she’s more empathetic than anyone i’ve ever met, she’s in tune with herself in ways I didn’t even know existed, she’s kind and loving, she’s constantly learning and growing and healing, she’s a teacher and a student, and she accepts her natural self. she’s a home with open arms. it’s hard to capture all of those things through photos, but I need to make sure the world knows what’s trying to be conveyed in these still moments. truly a goddess and a light, and glowing through every single second of growing this baby.

these were around 34 weeks, taken at her mom’s house. natural, close to earth, grounded, peaceful.

the moments before their baby joined them earthside. Shaena and Hoza were packing their hospital bag, putting together the crib, and wanting to remember these slow, easy days. I snuck into their apartment for a cozy in home maternity session around 38/39 weeks.

little man gave mama one last studio session before he made his arrival <3 me, still sobbing, still no words. really not trying to be dramatic, just truly so thankful to be here

Burn The Dress | La Crosse WI Boudoir

I would like to introduce you to my MOM, people, this is my mother. no jokes no lies. we talked about this session for months before we finally made it happen, and it was so worth the wait.

after my mom’s divorce was finalized, she told me she’d been holding onto her wedding dress so she could burn it when the time was right. healing journeys are constant, but this was the next step in her’s — a truly freeing experience. she chose a lingerie outfit from my client closet that made her feel sexy and powerful, and she started the session wearing the dress to really show her story.

a powerful queen.

taking off the dress, freeing herself, standing in her power and letting her confidence shine. BURN THAT SHIT MOMMA

and then, spark up. can’t waste those flames

the smile !!!!!!!!!!!! some of my fav photos from her entire session. my mom is truly so beautiful, and seeing her happy and confident and feeling herself was one of my favorite life experiences. to have been able to get MY MOM into a BOUDOIR SESSION, in the OUTDOORS no less… so sick.

the smoke bomb is the cherry on top. full sends only!!!

Alyssa's Boudie Babe Moment

Meet Alyssa: part time photographer and full time mama of 2. She booked her boudior session as a gift for herself, and spent the morning getting pampered, glammed, and hyped up in the studio until that gorgeous smile came out to play. Alyssa wanted to take this opportunity to love and cherish her body, to celebrate the changes motherhood has brought her, and to help heal parts of herself. Reframing the mindset of “bouncing back” after childbirth, and recognizing that we won’t ever look like our 18 year old selves again - and that’s okay, that’s exciting, that’s to be celebrated. She used her boudie session as a catalyst to fall in love with herself, to feel beautiful and confident and sexy. And she finished the session by sticking to her country girl roots!! Watching her confidence grow during the session was so special, and she should be so proud of herself for stepping out of her comfort zone to kill this boudoir shoot!

Sexy Pumpkin Queen | La Crosse WI Boudoir Photographer

In the true spirit of Halloween, we got spooky sexy with this fun pumpkin head boudoir session. All of these pieces are part of my client closet, available to any client that books a boudie sesh!

My darling Abbi! A returning client turned friend. This is our third session together, and she goes for it every time! Thank you, love, for shoving your gorgeous face into a pumpkin for me. Nobody I’d rather spend the day choking on smoke bombs with <3