Leslie & Ralph - A little wind, a lot of love

Winter Maternity Session in Invermere, BC

Mountain weather is always a bit of a gamble, but honestly, that’s part of the adventure! When Leslie and Ralph booked their maternity session, we had no idea we’d be getting a full-on wind machine experience for free. But let me tell you—this shoot turned out to be absolutely stunning, wind and all.

Dress for success

Let’s talk about dresses—because trust me, the right one can make all the difference. I always tell my maternity clients to go for something long and flowy rather than super tight. Why? Because movement in a dress gives us way more variety for posing. You can swish, twirl, and let the wind do its thing, creating those effortlessly dreamy shots.

Leslie’s dress was the perfect in-between—a stunning yellow mermaid-style gown that hugged her bump in all the right places but also had these gorgeous long lace layers that caught the wind in the most magical way. And the color? Absolute perfection against the snowy mountain backdrop. It’s like the dress was made for this day.

The Wind That Kept Us on Our Toes

So, about that wind. We knew we wanted those big, wide-open backdrops, which meant shooting in an exposed location. It had been -20°C the week before (classic mountain life), but by the time our shoot rolled around, it had warmed up yayy—with the added bonus of a windstorm!

Leslie was a little worried about her hair flying everywhere, and I totally get it. But instead of fighting the wind, we worked with it. We waited for those little pauses and in between? Well, let’s just say the wind gave her dress movie star levels of flow.

The Real MVPs: The Kids & Quick Thinking

If you’ve ever taken kids outside on a windy day, you already know—they don’t care about “epic backdrops.” They care about warmth, snacks, and getting back to the car ASAP.

So, we made a game plan: family shots first, kids back to the car to warm up, and then some couple’s photos with just Leslie and Ralph. And Ralph? Absolute rockstar. He kept things fun, helped with the kids, and was just so easygoing—it made the whole experience a blast.

What to Wear (Besides the Dress!)

A gorgeous dress is a great start, but let’s talk footwear. If we’re walking to a location, bring sturdy, comfortable shoes (trust me on this one) and switch into your nice shoes once we’re set up. Also, layer up! Jackets, mittens, even a hat—because warm fingers make for happy smiles. It’s way easier to shed layers than it is to pretend you’re not cold in a strapless dress in the middle of a snowfield.

Bonus Perk: My Client Closet & Changing Tent

One of the best things about booking a maternity session with me? You get access to my client closet, which means beautiful dresses (like Leslie’s stunning yellow gown!) are available at no extra cost.

Oh, and I bring a pop-up changing tent! So, if you want to switch things up mid-shoot, you totally can—no awkward car-changing necessary.

Kind words from leslie:

Denise was absolutley amazing for our maternity photoshoot! She mades us feel so comfortable from the start, which was such a relief since I'm not the best at posing. She gave clear directions that made everything feel effortless and fun. The session was super windy and I was a little worried about how the photos would turn out since my hair was all over the place. But Denise worked her magic and captured so many gorgeous shots. She's truly a professional, from the way she guided us during the shoot to the helpful tips she gave us beforehand. I highly recommend Denise to anyone looking for a talented and thoughtful photographer. She made this experience so special for us.

Let’s Create Something Your Future Self Will Thank You For...

Whether it’s sunshine, snow, or a bit of wild mountain wind, your maternity session will turn out magical either way! So, let’s capture this beautiful season of your life—one you’ll look back on with so much love (and maybe a little laugh at the weather we faced!).

Ready for an adventure with me? Shoot me a text!