Sarah's Pregnancy Portrait Story
" During my first pregnancy, I was living in Alaska far away from a professional photographer. I had my husband take monthly photos of me to capture the progress of my rapidly growing belly. After getting pregnant with our second child, the months seemed to slip by without any photo documentation. I was feeling a bit sad I had not remembered and got too busy to take the monthly photos. (Any mother of more than one child can relate to this.) At the urging of my family, I decided to seek out a photographer to take some last minute pictures. I was due the next week, so I had to act fast. I had heard great things about Robin Hickman photography, so I called to see if they could squeeze me in somewhere. Robin reworked his schedule, and was able to get me in a couple of days later. It was a good thing we didn’t wait any longer, because our daughter was born two days after 
the shoot. We simply couldn’t have timed it any better, to get the results that I wanted- to have photos of me at the largest, latest stage in the pregnancy.
I had never seen pregnancy photos before, other than the pictures in baby magazines, so I didn’t really know what to ask for or expect. I knew I wanted some side profile shots to show off my belly, but that was all I could think of. Both Robin and Gaydena had great suggestions of different poses I could try, as well as a photo book of examples I could look at and choose poses from.
I was a little nervous about being partially naked and wasn’t sure I would even realize if I was flashing skin somewhere I didn’t intend to. As all pregnant women know, it is hard to see around your huge bulbous belly. R
obin's wife, Gaydeana was my assistant, and made me feel respected and completely comfortable. She would help me get situated for the shot, literally helping me to the floor at times, and making sure I was comfortable and appropriately covered. Only then, would she call Robin back into the studio to proceed with the photos. Between shots, I was clothed in a robe to ensure my comfort.
One concern I had beforehand was making sure the photos were natural. This was not a model shoot and I really wanted the photos to capture me exactly how I looked days before birth. Robin assured me they would do no “doctoring” unless I preferred it that way. There are only a few moments in ones life where a couple of days can change your appearance so drastically and pregnancy/ birth is one of those times. Robin did an excellent job of capturing this time in my life.
One week after our daughter was born we were ready for the viewing. I was excited and nervous to see how they had turned out. Looking at the photos on the large viewing screen in the studio literally took my breath away. I was overcome with emotion, not only because of the raging post pregnancy hormones, but because he was able to permanently capture this precious time on our lives. I was so grateful to have listened to my families’ advice about getting the photos done. Then, holding the precious child in my arms who was in my belly only a week before d
uring the photos was quite moving. I know she will cherish them when she is older, as we do now.
I strongly encourage every woman to have pregnancy photos taken. It is quite liberating to have this special time in your life documented not only for you but for your child as well. Embrace your beautiful, pregnant body. In a short while it will only be a memory. I will definitely contact Robin the next time I am expecting."
Sarah Andresen
Bozeman, Montana
- the artist's comments -
Sarah's session was scheduled very late in her pregnancy. I generally recommend scheduling oround the 7th or early 8th month. As much as anything, that is for the mother's comfort. A week or two before the baby is due is not a very comfortable time for getting up and down for the various poses we do.
But in some cases like Sarah's it is unavoidable and we do our best to make it as easy on the mom as possible. Sarah was awesome in this session and as you can see, she photographed beautifully!
The real essence of her session is in the emotion that we were able to capture. I realize now after having chosen the images to display with her article, that in all the ones I selected Sarah is looking down or away from the camera. I also created a lot of happy looking at the camera type images as well. I'm just drawn to the type you see here, I think because to me a pregnancy session isn't about an interaction between the subject and the viewer, it's all about emotions and relationship between mother and unborn child. By sharing her portraits with us, Sarah has graciously allowed us a little glimpse into that precious and special private time. I thank her for that.
Robin