There is a certain kind of magic that happens when a plan meets a “let’s just go for it” attitude.

Last September, I met up with my niece, Kayla, and her husband, Jordan, for their maternity session at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. This spot was the perfect middle ground—a central meeting point for them coming from Rock Hill, SC, and for me driving from Madison, NC.

But as any photographer (or North Carolinian) knows, September weather has a mind of its own.

Beating the Clouds

The day arrived with heavy, overcast skies and a steady threat of showers. Since I had already made the trek from VA to my sister’s in NC and my fall schedule was packed, rescheduling wasn’t really on the table. I looked at the radar, looked at the sky, and decided to take the gamble.

We ended up with a miraculous 45-minute window.

The light during an overcast day is actually a photographer’s secret weapon—it’s soft, flattering, and acts like a giant natural softbox. We explored the park and chose our locations while we waited for a break in the rain. When a break in the rain happened, we caught some truly stunning moments of Kayla and Jordan as they prepared to welcome their little one.

---

The Magic in the Window

Despite the rush, the session felt effortless. You’d never know looking at these photos that we were keeping one eye on the dark clouds overhead!

• The Vibe: Moody, romantic, and lush.
• The Result: Pure joy. Kayla was absolutely glowing, and the way Jordan looks at her made my job easy.

Just as the first light droplets began to fall again, we called it a wrap. We squeezed every ounce of beauty out of that 45-minute break, and honestly? Some of my favorite shots came from those final moments when the air felt heavy and quiet right before the rain.

Better Late Than Never

I’m still playing catch-up on my blogging from last year, but looking back at these images reminds me why I love what I do. It’s not about the “perfect” sunny day; it’s about capturing the love that exists even when the weather is a little unpredictable.

Kayla and Jordan, thank you for being such good sports and trusting the process! I’m so glad we didn’t let a few raindrops stop us.

Looking Ahead: Welcome to the World, Juna!

As much as I love these “bump” photos, the story doesn’t end there! While we were chasing the dry windows at Tanglewood, we were all counting down the days until we got to meet the guest of honor. I’ve recently finished photographing Juna Cooper’s newborn session, and let me tell you, he is every bit as precious as we imagined. Stay tuned for Juna’s newborn session blog coming soon!

---

Let’s Capture Your Story

Whether you’re expecting a new addition or just want to document your family’s current season, I would love to help you tell your story (even if we have to dodge a few rain clouds to do it!). I’m currently booking sessions across Virginia and North Carolina.

If you’re ready to get on the calendar, head over to my Contact Page or browse more of my work here to see how we can make some magic together.