Kentucky Motherhood Photographer | Brianna Vanhook | Mother + Son Session
As a primarily outdoor photographer, I find that creating those poetic, truth-filled motherhood moments that just absolutely shine with love and warmth is something that I hold near my heart. If I can provide my beautiful clients with frames that simply take their breath away, I feel I have done my job and turned their life into living art.
THIS is what I am wanting to specialize in. Not just motherhood portraits of course, but authentic connections. Authentic and raw motherhood sessions are just something that isn’t popular in our area and this is something I would love to bring to our community. As a mother myself, I know how important these moments are for us Mamas. I want to make images of real, raw love in your hearts and homes. Those tender images that reflect who you really are and that will stand the test of time to be passed down to your children and grandchildren. I want to be there for my clients through all the moments.
I live to create imagery that make up stop and just feel for a moment. To create those genuine, heart felt images. I live to just simply create and as long as I am doing that, I am doing what makes my soul sing with happiness. The spark of joy I get from showing a mother just how much love she gives to her little ones or showing a mother the way her children stare at her when she’s not watching is what motivates me with these motherhood sessions. I feel so much happiness in what I do, I am one of the luckiest people on this planet.
A HUGE thank you to this gorgeous Mama!!! Brianna and her adorable baby boy made magic the other night. These images are some of my all time favorites and reflect just what I am aiming to photograph more of. Brianna also shared a piece of her motherhood story as well as some tips for new mamas to go along with her images. Your amazing Brianna and such an incredible mother. What a lucky baby boy you have. Thank you for allowing me to help document these sweet moments for you to treasure forever.
1. When you first found out that you were pregnant, what was your first thought?
When I first found out I was pregnant I was so happy I just burst out crying
2. How did you tell the news to your husband and what was his reaction?
Once I had got the positive test I called Josh into the bathroom and held it up for him to see and he started crying and shouting "I'm gonna be a dad! Im gonna be a dad!" He was over the moon
3. Did you have any advice on pregnancy for any expecting first time mothers? Any do's, don't's, must haves?
The best advice I could give an expecting first time mother is to keep yourself as stress and worry free as possible and just remember that you are doing an amazing job. And as for the do's and don't's
Do: take things easy and try to relax, always listen to your body and love yourself as your body changes
Don't's : don't allow any negativity into your space and don't be afraid to take a day to yourself
Some must haves for me were tons of water all the time, coconut oil for itchy belly and a lunch box with snacks for all times lol
4. How did you and your husband feel when you found out you were having a boy?
When Josh found out we were having a baby boy he was so so excited
5. What was one thing you did as soon as your found out the gender of your baby?
As soon as I found out we were having a baby boy josh picked me up and squeezed me I was shocked but my heart was so happy
6. How did you expect motherhood to be during those first few weeks? Verses how they really are.
I expected the first few weeks to be a lot more overwhelming but I had such amazing people by my side that made the first weeks of motherhood so special for us
7. Did your birth plan go the way you wanted it too?
My birth plan went as expected except for one thing my husband was 6 hours away attending a funeral in Georgia when I went into labor luckily he made it home with less than an hour before our baby was born
8. Any advice for expecting first time mom's on labor and those first few weeks as a mother?
My advice for first time mom's on labor is to stay relaxed and even if your birth plan doesn't go as expected remember that everything will be okay and for the first few weeks as a mother please don't be afraid to ask for help
9. Your amazing at breastfeeding and I am so proud of you for sticking with it! What is the one thing that has been the biggest help for you to keep going strong with breastfeeding?
Thank you one thing that helped me with breast feeding was just the bond that has come from it and having those precious moments that only I can have with my baby are like Nothing else
10. Any advice for expecting new mom's for breastfeeding?
My advice for new moms who want to breast feed is please DON'T GIVE UP it seems hard in the beginning but it seriously gets so much easier and don't be afraid to ask for help
11. How has life been as a newly wedded couple with a gorgeous baby boy?
Life as newly weds with a baby have been so perfect to us we are truly blessed to be able to share our lives together and raise our baby boy
12. What would you say is a must have item during the first weeks/months of motherhood?
A must have item for a new mother is a baby carrier so you can always have your baby safe and close to you and still get things done around the house
13. Is there a sweet memory that you'd like to share that is a favorite that you share with your son?
The sweetest memories I have of my son and I are taking bubble baths together the closeness and being skin to skin with him are pure bliss
14. Anything else you would like to share about your motherhood journey?
I would like to let anyone who is a new or expecting mother know that you are doing an amazing job and please be easy on yourself your baby loves you more than you know
15. Did you enjoy your motherhood session with me? Would you recommend a motherhood session for any fellow mama's?
I absolutely loved my motherhood session with India she is so amazing and allowed me and my son to be ourselves and made us feel so comfortable we had so much fun
I would recommend a motherhood session for every new mama it's so special to be able to look back on those precious moments and India does an amazing job at capturing real life feelings and emotions
