If you live in the United States, you know what happened to Texas in February.
In February, temperatures throughout the state are usually in the mid-sixties and seventies. In Austin, February is one of the loveliest months. Temperatures head up toward seventy in the daytime. They hover around the upper forties to fifties in the evening. And the landscape blooms with flowers and greenery.
Needless to say, the Snowpocalypse that hit us right around Valentine’s Day was unexpected. Frankly, it was a new experience for many of us. We so rarely get temperatures dipping into the teens — let alone for a week. Many of us just didn’t have the clothes, car tires, snow gear, and capacity to get on with normal life. The Snowpocalypse also impacted my Austin maternity sessions, including Aaliyah and Antonio’s maternity photoshoot at Bull Creek.
Meet Aaliyah and Antonio
I was supposed to meet Aaliyah and Antonio during the week of the Snowpocalypse. I half-considered talking her into a winter wonderland maternity session, but decided against it. The temperature was in the teens and the roads weren’t really drivable around Cedar Park and the surrounding Austin area. So, we pushed the maternity session out by a week.
And boy, was I ever glad I did. It was absolutely gorgeous out!
The lighting at Bull Creek was beautiful, and the temperature was a warm (but not too warm) seventy degrees. This was quite the change from the week before. Then, Aaliyah likely would have had to have her maternity portraits taken in a winter parka.
Outdoor Portraits After Snowpocalypse ’21
Even with the beautiful weather, it was clear that the storm had taken its toll on our maternity photo shoot location at Bull Creek. The trail was littered with fallen trees and dead plants, but that didn’t stop Aaliyah and Antonio. They assured me that they were from the country and “weren’t afraid of a few sticks”.
For some of these shots, all three of us had to crawl over and under fallen trees. Aaliyah took this all in stride despite being 38 weeks pregnant. Maternity photographers typically ask mothers-to-be to book their maternity photoshoot before their 36th week. This is for the comfort and safety of the baby and mother. However, the Snowpocalypse made sure that didn’t happen.
As you can tell from these powerful pictures, however, Aaliyah didn’t seem to mind. The maternity gown she chose from my lineup for maternity portraits fit her perfectly and just emphasized how absolutely beautiful she was. In many of her shots (like the one above) I tried to make her look both feminine and commanding, and she didn’t disappoint. This maternity photo reminds me a little of the Birth Of Venus painting, almost as if Aaliyah is rising out of this serene Austin creek.
An Easygoing, Loving Couple
Working with Aaliyah and Antonio was really lovely, and as you might be able to tell from these photos, they were so easygoing. Antonio was also a very good sport, helping (as most partners do) pose Aaliyah’s maternity dress trains in certain shots.
The results? Absolutely stunning maternity portraits. Aaliyah’s hair, maternity gown, and the whole vibe of the shoot was just amazing. I couldn’t have had a more relaxing, down-to-earth post-Snowpocalypse maternity session.
Aaliyah’s maternity session really showcased the beauty of Texas and the people who live here.
I particularly love this cactus shot, where Aaliyah is cradling her belly in between this patch of prickly pears. It reminds me that even when the world seems to be falling apart around you (or when you’re stuck in a “prickly” patch), there’s still beauty and hope to be had just around the corner.
Plus, you can’t pass up a photo op with a prickly pear patch if you live here. They’re iconic — and this photo will be a great reminder to Aaliyah (and her children) of where they were born and raised.
Book Your Spring Maternity Session Now
Springtime seems to be baby season these days, and this Cedar Park photographer has been booked solid with maternity photo sessions, newborn photo sessions, and milestone sessions. If you’re hoping to get that baby bump photographed, lets chat early so I can pencil you in. You can reach me through my contact link, or by email: jen@hellophotographyaustin.com.
You can see more of my work HERE.
