Danika and Blake’s meaningful, storytelling maternity photoshoot outside

Danika and Blakes’ lives have been intertwined for many years. These two fell in love young (they are high school sweethearts!), and they have built an enduring, intentional relationship over time. Since they were teenagers Danika and Blake knew they wanted to create a family, and they also had big career aspirations and other life adventures they wanted to fulfill first. After supporting one other through graduate school, career building, and creating a home together, they finally felt it was the right time to begin the journey of starting a family, and they are thrilled to be pregnant.

Danika and Blake are both creative, artistic people, and they really value photography as a way to mark important life moments. They learned about my photography work through a referral from their neighbors Eliza and Isaac who I’ve photographed several times (which is such an honor – a referral always feels like the sweetest compliment!). They were drawn to my lifestyle approach to maternity and newborn photography all about capturing authentic, everyday emotions and interactions.

Danika and Blake’s maternity session vision + intentions 

Danika and Blake brought beautiful intentionality into their maternity photography session planning: they approached their photoshoot as a special time to document and savor the depth of joy and meaning this pregnancy holds for each of them individually, and together as a couple. They wanted their portraits to feel relaxed and easy-going, capturing their genuine happiness and gratitude to be pregnant and embarking on this journey into parenthood. 

Danika and Blake have two beloved dogs who also are very intertwined in their life story, so they chose to include their dogs in their maternity photoshoot (which as a dog person myself, I loved!). On the day of their photoshoot, I met Danika and Blake at their home. We captured a few portraits of them outside their house before heading to one of their favorite local spots: the dog park. This park is a storied place for Danika and Blake. Here they walk, talk, and dream together while wandering the trails and playing fetch with their pups. It felt extra meaningful to savor the sweetness of their pregnancy with photographs in this place that has witnessed their hopes for having a baby become a reality. 

Danika and Blake’s outdoor maternity photoshoot included moments that felt super fun and candid as they strolled the trails and threw sticks for their dogs to fetch. We also paused along the way to take intentional portraits of them as a couple, documenting their loving connection with one another and with this baby they can’t wait to meet!

Danika and Blake’s maternity photoshoot outside in Minnesota