Antisdel's Story

Beautiful Bellies

We've photographed some gorgeous mommies and their beautiful tummies lately. I thought I'd post some of my favorites from each session. These first couple are a little tease from Tressie's inbloom session. Her baby shower is this afternoon and the baby is due in about 6 weeks. I can't believe how fast her pregnancy has gone for me. That sounds a little tongue in cheek, which it is, but the truth is, she's had a very healthy pregnancy with very few problems. She eats really well which is impressive and she never complains. I realized the other day while doing the cat stretch to p90x that I probably was a bit dramatic during my pregnancies although I had very little to complain about. Here's to beautiful bellies and the sweet babies we'll be meeting soon.

These next images are of Yen and her husband. They make such a beautiful couple and we can't wait to meet their little one who will be making and appearance in the next couple weeks.

In Bloom revisited

Here is a new installment of in bloom images.  I've been meaning to put these up for a while.  It's always nice to get a few more ideas.

the belly

With a week left before the baby is due, I thought I should share an image from my In Bloom session. I had planned to do the portrait out in the creek after the leaves were gone in November for more of a bohemian look. (It's good to do this type of session when the belly is the size of a basketball. For me, that is around the 7th month). But, we ended up doing the session with around 4 weeks left in the pregnancy late one night at the studio. Mom and Tressie both helped and I was amazed by the beautiful lighting they achieved. I'm only posting one image here. To see the others, you'll have to come to the studio.

I was inspired somewhat by the movie Apocalypto by Mel Gibson and, not having a well to shoot down into (there is a character in the movie who is pregnant and seeks refuge in a well - the lighting is beautiful in that setting), I thought the creek would work. I've always been very interested in the indigenous people of Mexico and South America since my degree is in Spanish. I've traveled to many of the Mayan and Aztec temples so the concept of this session is not comletely far-fetched. The necklaces are antique pieces from Tibet that Andy bought for me, combined with beads from a stall in a street fair in New York. Each of my other In Bloom sessions has been about a season, this one is about the time of year when there are no leaves on the trees and no snow on the ground. You'll have to imagine that part of the story yourself.

Congratulats to come for Meredith!

Meredith Tharp, antisdel.s makeup artist and hair stylist, and her husband, Mike are expecting their first baby any day now. We did a session just a few weeks ago and I wanted to share my favorite image. I love the simplicity of the shot and how you can see their relationship. Mike is going to be such a loving, involved daddy and Meredith is so serene and calm. I'm sure she doesn't feel like that right now, but I know from relaxing in her salon, Twist, while she does my hair that she is a very peaceful person and will make an amazing mother.

And, don't worry, as soon as the baby arrives (we don't know whether it's a boy or a girl, yet), I'll be posting newborn images. I can't wait.

more In Bloom portraits

As you know, I love In Bloom portraits. I just think it is one of the most amazing times in a woman’s life. Here are some of my favorite recent images.

In Bloom Portraits

Every pregnancy is amazingly different, as is every pregnant woman. Portraying these special feelings in a photographic piece of art is an amazing way for me to remember this time. My first pregnancy was a time of wonder, anxiety, anticipation and discovery. I am very affected by the seasons and my first baby came in the fall. So the portraits were done in late summer. This portrait was titled ‘In Bloom’ for the opening of a flower, capturing the beauty and youth of that time. It is a very special portrait to me because I am wearing my mother’s spring green wedding dress. She was pregnant with me when she married outdoors at 7 in the morning carrying a bouquet of gathered wild flowers.

With my second child, came a whole new world of feeling: solitary strength, loneliness, stark simplicity. This daughter is actually the most humorous of my children, but for some reason, this second birth was more serious and emotional.

She was born in the spring so the portraits were made in late winter. This image graphically represents my feelings at that time and was titled ‘The Blessing.’

My third, a baby boy came in January so the portraits were made in the fall leaves. I was so much more relaxed, comfortable and peaceful. Maybe boys are easier to carry. And although I love the change of the seasons, the colors of autumn are my favorite. Ahh, the glorious anticipation.