Carrie & I went to school together (way back in the stone age – I’m getting old, so I am not going to divulge the year), and I was so excited when she contacted me about photographs in Johannesburg that I happened to have just booked a ticket to be there for two nights in June anyway.  We worked out that she would be just on 27 weeks into her pregnancy that weekend, which meant she was showing just enough to do a maternity shoot (I usually recommend scheduling maternity shoots in weeks 33 to 36).  She and Brett were supposed to be leaving on Friday evening for a weekend away, but they delayed their departure until 8am on Saturday so that we could fit in the shoot at sunrise. In Winter. In Joburg. It was COLD! But oh, so worth it!

We decided to meet at Emmarentia Dam at sunrise to get the most out of the beautiful morning light. We had to walk very carefully near the water, there was still frost on the ground. I was grateful that this was their first pregnancy, we would never have been able to get a toddler up in time (and it would have just been too cold as well).

As we were shooting the series of photos above, I noticed that the sun had risen enough to shine through the trees just to their left. I asked Carrie & Brett to move just a few meters, and got some epic shots with the sun lighting up the images and making me giggle with delight

Carrie and Brett were expecting a little girl (spoiler alert – beautiful Taiya arrived a little early, but healthy in early August), and Carrie had brought along a gorgeous hippo and pink balloon for us to use in a few shots.

Carrie & Brett were already smitten, and their love for their darling daughter has only increased since her birth

Sometimes shooting in Winter has it’s benefits. Later sunrise, and fallen leaves on the ground. Both make for awesome photographs

I loved being a part of and capturing Carrie & Brett’s magical moment in time  I hope you have loved sharing in it with us.