This is one excited mamma to have the opportunity to photograph her own daughters maternity session AND that Inspired By This wanted to do a full feature of it! With the announcement only a few months ago Rachel and Paul we’re excepting, then the big news it’s going to be a girl, my Granna heart nearly exploded with excitement! When I photographed this session, we were down to the final few weeks until we got to hold our baby girl, and the anticipation was hard to bare!

Once Rachel was pampered with hair and makeup done by the amazing ladies at Blush Monterey, we headed out the Carmel Valley and walked the gorgeous grounds of Bernardus Lodge & Spa. You may remember this venue from the weddings and proposals we’ve captured here, but this is also where I surprised Rachel and all her bridesmaids for the “after party” to her bridal shower last year. We would live her if we could!

As the sun set behind the hills in the valley, we drove down the coast to experience a Big Sur sunset. With it getting a little more difficult to climb up and down the Big Sur cliffs with Rachel’s ever-so-growing belly, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. The wind stayed at bay until the very end, the high clouds reflecting the water and setting sun, turning ombre shades of pink as if it were a watercolor painting.

What a perfect afternoon! Everyday I saw Rachel’s belly getting bigger and bigger, I just counted my blessings. I couldn’t imagine a more exciting time in our lives!