[Maternity] Beautiful | Hayti Missouri Pregnancy Photography

When a woman is pregnant, she will go through the gamut of emotions: happy, sad, excited, anxious, critical, self-assured, scared, lost, adored, proud. You name it, she's been there.

One emotion many pregnant women have a hard time accepting, including myself, is feeling beautiful. I mean, this large, protruding belly garners stares, the water retention makes you feel like you're floating in a pool, and don't even get me started on those Fred Flintstone feet, all swollen. Seriously, it can be quite uncomfortable being pregnant, especially in those last few weeks. Beauty is something many of us try to find in the mirror after a sleepless and restless night of sleeping on our sides, yet we just see tired eyes and puffy faces. And by the way, there's no sleeping-on-your-back at this point, that is, if you want to breath.

When this pretty mama contacted me to shoot her maternity session, I got very excited. Like happy-dance-meets-largest-lottery-payout-winner excited. She's the cutest lil' thang and since I'd had not ever shot a maternity session, I knew she'd not only make a great model, but bring some ideas I had to life.

I've seen the bed-in-the-field sessions of families, children and babies. But never one of a pregnant mom-to-be. So, I mentioned to her my idea, she was game. Albeit, the logistics of getting a bed in a field seemed quite crazy, it was accomplished in no time. Well, for me, I just stood and watched and directed.

Move it here. No, turn it that way. Ok, I need the light to hit at this area, so move it. Again.

When Kate showed up, she looked stunning. Hormones had gotten the best of her that morning, but when she saw the bed, she said, "It just looks so pretty." And she smiled.

Score.

I know the following images may not be suitable for certain people. Certain people don't see the beauty in pregnancy and all that it represents. Certain people should close this page right now if they cannot find the appreciation in maternity art.

As a mama myself, I'm drawn to these images in a way that can only be explained by three simple words:

Pregnancy is beautiful.

It is also hard, and for all that we endure to bring these gifts from God into this world, every pregnant woman should document this special, but fleeting, moment in time. Our bodies are made for procreation and what better way to celebrate it by showing off our bellies, smooth or full of stretchmarks, big or small.

Please enjoy the following images of this beautiful mother-to-be. And remember to tell any pregnant woman you know that she is beautiful.