“We started this session at one of Minnesota’s many lakes and then headed over to some nearby bluffs to finish out their session. This couple’s joy and excitement for the impending arrival of their new little guy in combination with the most gorgeous golden sunlight made for some really beautiful + glowing images.

The expectant mother in these images is actually my cousin. We grew up together and she started dating her now husband in high school, so in a way, I feel like I’ve grown up with both of them. It was really special to have the opportunity to photograph them during this really important milestone in their life. She and I were little girls together, and now they’re bringing their own little one into the world and it is truly a surreal thing to document! The two of them have a sweet + fun-loving relationship and I wanted to make sure to capture elements of that while also creating something that felt a bit more classic.

These relationships are so central to who we are and they’re a large part of what shapes us as we grow. They’re bonds that seem to always be evolving but are also so steady at the same time. There really is nothing like a mother’s love, and having the chance to photograph that love is such an honor. These are photographs that the mother will likely cherish more immediately, but as the children grow, my hope is that they’ll come to adore these photographs of their mama and them just as much, if not more.” Leah, Photographer

LEAH EMERSON PHOTOGRAPHY