
Some families hold a special place in your heart, and Heidi’s family is definitely one of them. I’ve had the privilege of photographing them for over five years, so when I learned they were expecting their third daughter, I was absolutely thrilled. To make it even more exciting, they were keeping this pregnancy a secret from their friends and family — which meant I had to be extra careful not to spoil the surprise! And because Heidi used my maternity client closet, we knew her gallery was going to be cohesive and timeless.
This spring maternity session turned out to be one of the sweetest, most meaningful sessions, full of love, laughter, and a little adventure. I’m so excited to share more about it and offer some inspiration if you’re planning your own maternity portraits.
Planning a Dream Session with a Dress Consultation and Maternity Client Closet
Heidi scheduled a dress consultation at my studio so we could create a maternity wardrobe she felt excited about. As a busy mom of (soon-to-be) three girls, it was such a gift for her to slow down, focus on herself, and dream a little about how she wanted these memories to look.
At her consultation, she was able to browse my maternity client closet, which offers a wide variety of beautiful gowns specifically curated for maternity sessions. This complimentary service takes the stress out of outfit planning and gives moms the opportunity to feel stunning without the added cost of purchasing a new dress. We selected two gorgeous dresses for Heidi, and then planned coordinating outfits for the rest of the family around her choices.This experience is one of the reasons I love offering a maternity client closet — it helps busy moms feel cared for and confident before the session even begins.

Choosing the Perfect Location (And Staying Flexible!)
During our consultation, Heidi and I also chatted about potential locations and decided to shoot at a spot that was new to me. We knew it would be a bit of a risk — it was prom night in that town, meaning there would be extra crowds and traffic — but we agreed to stay flexible and make the best of it. Of course, I also had a back-up plan ready, just in case!
On the evening of the session, we quickly realized that cars were driving much faster than we anticipated near the location. Thankfully, between myself, Heidi, and her husband, we worked together seamlessly to keep everyone safe while making sure the session stayed relaxed and joyful. Having a supportive team during a maternity session makes such a huge difference — and this family embraced every moment with positivity.

Capturing Beautiful Memories with Variety and Intention with the Maternity Client Closet
We designed the session to capture a full gallery of memories, even though we were working in a location with limited variety. Heidi did two outfit changes using selections from the maternity client closet, and we made thoughtful adjustments to the family’s outfits to coordinate with each gown.
We photographed a mix of family portraits, sweet solo images of Heidi, and quiet shots of Heidi and her husband alone together. The two little girls were full of energy and excitement, making for some truly joyful, candid moments that reflected their anticipation of meeting their new baby sister. And also a level of unpredictability!
By planning the outfits carefully and focusing on different groupings and poses, we were able to create a rich, diverse gallery that tells the full story of this season of life.

Why You Should Book a Maternity Session
If you’re wondering whether a maternity session is worth it, let me share my top three reasons why I believe it’s one of the most meaningful investments you can make:
1. Take Advantage of the Maternity Client Closet
One of the best parts about booking a maternity session with me is that you get access to the maternity client closet at no additional charge. You don’t have to worry about shopping for expensive maternity gowns you’ll only wear once. Instead, you’ll have a curated collection of beautiful, flattering dresses to choose from — all designed to make you feel like your most radiant self.
2. Capture a Season You’ll Never Get Back
Pregnancy is such a fleeting time. You may not always feel your best while you’re in it, but when you look back, you’ll treasure the memories of carrying your little one. A maternity session freezes this incredible season in time, allowing you to relive the emotions, excitement, and anticipation for years to come.
3. Celebrate the Strength and Beauty of Your Body
Growing a baby is one of the most powerful things your body will ever do. A maternity session gives you the opportunity to reflect that beauty and strength back to yourself. It’s a celebration of everything your body is accomplishing — and a reminder that you are strong, capable, and beautiful exactly as you are.

Final Thoughts: Cherishing the Journey with Maternity Portraits
I am so incredibly happy that Heidi and her family decided to prioritize this maternity session. Watching their family dynamic, seeing the love between them, and being part of this secret (even just for a little while!) made it one of my favorite sessions to date.
If you’re expecting and thinking about documenting this special time, I would love to help you plan a session that feels relaxed, meaningful, and true to your family. From helping you select the perfect gown from the maternity client closet to guiding you through a fun, stress-free session day, I’m here to make sure your maternity portraits are everything you dreamed of — and more.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
Choosing Sharon As Your CT Maternity Photographer
Sharon Leger is a family and newborn photographer with a private studio in Canton, Connecticut. As a former teacher, Sharon prides herself on connecting with her clients of all ages. Sharon creates a stress-free photography experience for busy moms. Sharon’s studio is in Canton, Connecticut and serves the Farmington Valley, Hartford County and Litchfield County.
What makes your maternity session with Sharon Leger Photography unique? Sharon has a large selection of maternity gowns that are available to borrow from the Client Closet. Once you have booked your CT maternity session, you are invited to come for a complimentary dress consultation. There, you can meet Sharon and discuss the vision for your session. The gowns from the Client Closet are custom and made specifically for maternity sessions. You are welcome to borrow as many gowns as you like. This will add a lot of variety to your final maternity portrait gallery.
To learn more about Sharon Leger Photography, explore the website or follow Sharon on Instagram or Facebook. Please send inquiries through the website only. The website includes all relevant pricing and booking information.