More Mandy

Mason and Melissa traveled thousands of miles (don't ask me how many, I suck at math, hahaha!) to be with family here in Spain and to do a pregnancy session and I was the lucky photographer chosen to shoot it. And lucky was I indeed! It was a one-of-a-kind session with this one-of-a-kind couple and the resulting photos prove that. Just so you know, the first half of our shoot consisted of some unconventional maternity photos and I'm really happy with what we were able to produce (you don't get to see them here on the blog though, sorry, but I've been given clearance to include them in my portfolio for potential clients of pregnancy shoots to see... Thanx, M & M!). For this type of session to happen again is probably like waiting for the Halley's Comet to make an appearance, hahaha! Well, hopefully not! So, without further ado, here are more photos from the Mandy Maternity shoot (from the 2nd half of the session) as promised...

Yes, it's a boy!

Melissa wanted a photo of Mason's booties on her belly...

Here's a long shot of the "hearts on the belly" photo that was in the sneak peek...

Then, we headed out to the embalse for more photos! We found this natural trellis in the wooded area nearby...

Can you spell "g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s"? Soon-to-be mommy Melissa by the water...

Baby M's mom and dad have perfected (if I may borrow the word coined on ANTM, a show that the three of us are guilty of watching, hahaha!), the "smize". No "dreck" faces here, people (again, from ANTM)! ;-)

A kiss for Baby M...

Ah, those tender moments...

And last but not the least, what comes to mind when you see a pregnant lady, a man and a bench?

This is the Mandy couple's "Notting Hill" moment (love that movie!). M & M, click on the photo to enlarge, zoom in and look for your surprise (and of course, if you change your mind about it, I can always re-do that part)...

Mason and Melissa, we all know there is no shortage of photographers in the States but still you traveled so many miles and placed in my hands your trust to capture the photographs of this first pregnancy. Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it! Best of luck to you both and I hope I get to meet Baby M in the near future... (",)

Belly Beautiful

Photographers are often faced with certain restrictions when doing their jobs. One time at an event, a client said not to take photos of certain guests because they were not well-dressed. Strange request indeed, but oh-so-true. I've also received the occasional wagging of a finger when some people don't want to have their pictures taken. I even had someone say "no" to moving some furniture. But that's part of the job and we learn to make things work for us. Well, I knew Melissa and Mason wanted some "revealing" pregnancy photographs, so I was pretty stoked already... But on the day of the session, hearing Dr. Mandy suggest to his wife that shedding her clothes will show off her belly more, I knew I had hit the jackpot of maternity photo shoots!

Melissa and Mason are, to date, two of the most open-minded people I've had the privilege and pleasure of working with. I suppose it's the combination of their personalities (easy-going and uninhibited) and professions (they are, after all, a doctor and nurse duo) that made them want to have some unconventional photos taken. Whatever the case may be, one thing was certain - They clearly wanted to showcase the gorgeous belly that carries Baby M!

Well, unfortunately for you, dear blog visitors, the more intimate photos are reserved for the couple's eyes only (and perhaps a select few of their families and friends). Still, the following images are not your run-of-the-mill, roll-the-shirt-up-to-show-the-bump, let's-wrap-you-up-in-a-sheet kind... Hey, that's not really their (and my) style! ;-P

So, are you ready for some LOVELINESS?

Decisions, decisions... I like them both, so you get to see the two versions!

There's nothing sexier than wearing your husband's shirt, ladies!

USA and Spain meet the Philippines as this lovely lady who was born in the States and raised in Spain uses a mantón de Manila as cover-up...

A canvas print of a section of Gustav Klimt's Three Ages of Woman is seen in the background... Quite appropriate for Melissa's condition, don't you think?

Beautiful people... Need I say more?

So, folks, this is the first installment from this maternity shoot. A second part to follow soon! Keep your eyes peeled... (",)