Maternity photos with Caroline and Chace

Caroline and Chase arrived at the family home ready to announce some big news, but Caroline just wasn’t sure how to bring it up. The conversation turned to planning a family trip to see her extended family in Brisbane.

“I don’t think we can go,” Caroline said when it was her turn to speak up.

“Why ever not?” Her mum asked.

There was a pause

“I think I know,” her dad said, “but I’m not going to say anything.”

“Are you pregnant?” Her mum guessed.

“Yes,” Caroline revealed. The room erupted, and all talk of holidays was abandoned in favour of baby chat.

For years Caroline and Chace been batting away baby questions from friends and family, saying they’d love to have a family, but not right now and not anytime soon. They had a few more adventures to go on first. That’s why the news of their baby girl came completely out of the blue, including for Caroline and Chace!

The couple have been together 15 years, since a chance meeting in a kebab shop on a night out. One of Caroline’s friends knew one of Chace’s friends, and they spoke a little. It was a cold night. Chace looked warm. They had a chat and a little cuddle then went their separate ways.

The conversation continued on MSN messenger. Caroline tried to set Chace up with a friend, but she eventually she was forced to admit that she was hoping to get to know him better herself.

When I initially spoke with Caroline to plan her maternity shoot, she told me she was feeling equal parts nervous and excited. There’s a grandson on Chace’s side of the family, but he is 11 years’ old now, and Chace’s younger brother is 17 years’ old. That means it’s been a while since there’s been little ones around, and it will be a completely new and different experience for these guys.

Since we first spoke, however, the couple have been on Lily’s From Bumps to Babies antenatal course, and now their anxiety has melted into 100% excitement. The couple loved how honest and realistic Lily was about all aspects of pregnancy and birth, and found it especially helpful to hear what is normal and when to seek help with post-natal mental health, too.

Caroline is looking forward to the start of her maternity leave, which starts this week. She’s hoping to fit some much-needed rest and relaxation in before baby arrives, although Chace is convinced their baby will arrive early (he was, however, also convinced they were having a boy…).

One thing’s for sure, this little one will be going on lots of adventures with mum and dad. They’ve already been to Australia, India and the Seychelles, and had planned a baby moon this year before COVID-19 cancelled their plans.

However, with just one month to go until baby’s due date, they can start planning ahead to future adventures. This time, though, they’ll need to book an extra seat on their trips – for their little daughter. 🙂

After our shoot, Caroline said:

“My husband and I recently had a maternity photoshoot with Sarah and I would highly recommend to any expectant parents. Sarah’s attention to detail is fantastic – I had sent some photos through beforehand and Sarah took the time to make sure we replicated the images as best as possible – including a shoot outside. Sarah made us both feel at ease as soon as we got there, she always responds quickly to any questions, and to top it all off we have some gorgeous photos to cherish for many years to come. Now we can’t wait for our newborn shoot next month!”

Caroline, maternity photography client from Bicester, Oxfordshire

If you’re interested in newborn portraits or maternity photography in and around Bicester, Oxfordshire, please get in contact.

Sarah Plater LMPA is an award-winning qualified, certified professional newborn and family portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. She is the Master Photographers Association Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).