A Joyful Maternity Session at Dahlonega Resort & Vineyard

Something I love most about photographing a season of life is being invited to walk alongside women as they step into motherhood. Shelby is one of those women I feel so honored to serve. I’ll be photographing her home birth this fall, and I cannot wait to capture her story as it unfolds and their family grows — both through my lens and in bathed in prayer, I have already begun to cover her in this sacred season.

Shelby’s pregnancy is the joy that has carried her from the very beginning. Even during the first trimester — the stage where so many expectant mothers experience discomfort, nausea, and fatigue — Shelby made a profound decision: she didn’t need to accept struggle just because it was common. That shift has shaped her entire pregnancy journey, allowing her to carry this baby with peace and celebration. It’s such a beautiful testimony, and I’m so excited for her to step into a joyful birth.

For her maternity session, we chose the beautiful Dahlonega Resort & Vineyard in North Georgia. Even though the day turned cloudy and rainy, the setting was perfect. They had live music during our session, and the singer’s voice was just incredible. I can’t recommend this place enough for both photos and a relaxing evening out.

Making a Maternity Session Relaxed and Joyful

One of the things I loved about this shoot was how relaxed it felt. Shelby brought along her sweet little Lucy, which added such a tender layer to the photos. To make sure we could also capture portraits of Shelby alone, she brought along her Mother as an extra set of hands. Having Gram Gram there made all the difference — her little one was safe, happy, and loved on, which freed Shelby to enjoy her time in front of the camera.