Shelby and Blake live just outside of Columbia, South Carolina and contacted me earlier this year to inquire about a maternity session in Charleston. Shelby waited that fairytale look, and being that her pregnancy lined up with the peak of azalea blooming it was a no-brainer that Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was going to be the perfect spot for that fairytale, light and airy, yet true to color look. Magnolia is open to the public daily but also allows for portrait sessions to be booked there during the week as long as it does not interfere with their scheduled weddings. The cost of reserving the gardens for the session is $200 this year, but for Maternity and Family portrait sessions during the peak of azaleas it is WORTH EVERY PENNY! And if you're not yet convinced of that, just keep scrolling to see the magical images we captured for them!

My portrait sessions here at the gardens usually last about 90 minutes depending on how many outfit changes we have and your energy level. It doesn't seem like anything is a very far walk, but there is just loads of variety all over so it can be hard to pick what you want to really focus on. Me personally, I base my choices of location on what my moms-to-be have chosen to wear and the look they're going for. When Shelby told me she wanted an overall fairy-tale look I wanted to make sure I chose the spots that both really highlighted the spanish moss and the colorful gardens along with the dresses she selected. My Client Closet has over 80 dresses to choose from and many of them have a customizable look and fit. Most dresses can fit a variety of sizes as well so it makes the selection even easier. No more spending money on Amazon and bizarre foreign websites where the quality doesn't live up to the images they show or they get lost in the mail. These dresses are high quality and literally MADE for photographer's sessions and I take the time to wash, sanitize and steam them before each use.  

I'm pretty sure Shelby can rock whatever dress I would have put her in, but this Mermaid style Ariel dress by Chicaboo was STUNNING on this girl. I mean really, have you ever seen anything more gorgeous?

Obviously this flower tunnel at Magnolia is a primary spot to stop but I also love the look of the areas around the main house there. The columns act as their own light reflector so I don't even need an assistant for additional lighting in places like this. The breeze lets the moss sway in the most magical way. 

I always recommend moms choosing a white dress to add to their pick. This will probably the one of few times you get to really ROCK that color in your lifetime with your hair and makeup done. It's so magical looking too.