I feel so incredibly blessed to get to share this couple’s maternity session with all of you today! I’ve known Melissa since our high school days at St. Teresa and we’ve talked a little here and there over the years. More so recently with Ryan and my struggles trying to conceive, and her baking business. (She seriously makes THE BEST cupcakes I have EVER had!!! They’re amazing!!!) She’s probably never known this, but I have a lot of respect for her.

Up until this year, Melissa and Jared weren’t sure they would be able to have kids of their own. So they made the very wonderful choice to adopt. In the process of helping to raise money for this adoption, Melissa started her baking business. So in addition to teaching full time – she was also baking for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings on the side. The amount of focus and determination to be both a teacher and do the baking seriously impresses me! And her optimism through the whole process inspires me! She is also, honestly, one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. She’s super friendly, kind, big-hearted, and just an all around loving person. And it’s because of all these amazing traits – that I know she’s going to be a phenomenal mom!

I met Jared and Melissa at Sportsman Park out towards Mt. Zion. I had actually never shot back here before but it was a beautiful fall day with only slightly chilly weather. We had green grass, green trees, and the lake all around to make for some lovely scenery for their maternity portraits! Melissa is very creative so she brought some props with her that she wanted to include in her session. So we had fun playing with baby Justin’s little shoes, his nursery letters, some pumpkins, and of course we had to include his big doggie sister, Cheddar!

I just look at these two and you can see the love so strongly between them. That’s a wonderful thing! I could not be happier for two people to be bringing a baby boy into this world! Both Jared and Melissa are going to be amazing parents and Justin is going to be one lucky little man to have them! Here’s a peek at a few of their favorites from their maternity session!