Em, Michael & Reggie
Port Hills, Christchurch | First Pregnancy Session
Some sessions stay with you long after the camera is packed away — and this was one of them.
I met Em and Michael in the Port Hills, just outside Christchurch, to document their first pregnancy during a truly fleeting and emotional chapter. The very next day, Em and Reggie would be flying to Australia to begin their next adventure, while Michael would be following a little later.
From the very beginning, the session felt calm and unhurried. It felt easy and unhurried, with room to simply be themselves together. Em and Michael share a beautifully grounded connection — easy laughter, quiet moments, and a deep sense of closeness that made photographing them feel effortless. By the end, it felt far more like time spent with friends than a photoshoot.
Reggie, their beautiful pup, was very much part of the session too. He’d had a vet visit earlier that day and with so much change happening at home, he was understandably a little on edge. Thankfully, a slow pace, gentle reassurance, and lots of dog treats helped him settle in.
As Em gently held her growing belly, there was such a softness in the way they spoke about their baby girl. This session wasn’t just about documenting pregnancy — it was about capturing the in-between. The quiet anticipation. The love that already exists before a baby arrives. The final moments of life as they knew it, before stepping into parenthood.
The Port Hills provided the perfect backdrop — open space, soft light, and that feeling of calm that Christchurch does so beautifully. A place to breathe, to connect, and to simply be together in this season.
After receiving their gallery, Em sent through the most beautiful message:
“THANK YOU SO MUCH! We absolutely love them!!! You captured it all so beautifully, we couldn’t be happier.
We are now 38 weeks, back in Australia and just waiting for her to come any day now… will keep you updated :)”
Knowing these images will forever hold this chapter — before the flights, before the distance, before meeting their baby girl — is such an honour.
Em and Michael, thank you for trusting me to document this moment for you. I’m thinking of you as you wait to meet your beautiful daughter and can’t wait to hear when she arrives 🤍
