The Gillespie Family Maternity Session
about the session
I am so honored and excited to introduce you to the Gillespie family. I met Thomas and Kaylee in the Fall of 2019 as Thomas started the MBA program at BYU where my husband was finishing his second year. I was president of the Spouse’s Association which gave me the opportunity to get to know Kaylee pretty well, and I am so glad we did because I was then able to be there for her during this extra sweet maternity session.
Kaylee is not only an amazing mom but is passionate about helping others. She has spent countless hours serving the community with clothing drives, helping bring dinners to those who were sick, and was always looking to be a light for others. She loves photography and so we would chat about camera, lighting, and all things business, which is what we ultimately bonded over.
When they had found out that they were expecting baby number three...and four...they were thrilled! A few weeks before our shoot to celebrate their twin babies, Kaylee found out one of the twins had passed away. She was heartbroken. The whole family was. After some time had passed, she reached out and asked if we could do something special to still celebrate both her babies. I whole-heartedly said yes.
As I watched them walk up to me with two blue balloons, was heart-wrenching because I knew only one balloon would be going home with them that day. We started the shoot by getting family photos altogether, trying to ignore what was coming. Finally, we were ready.
We took photos of the family with their 2 balloons, one for each twin. Then, when Kaylee was ready, she released one balloon into the sky. Tear brimmed eyes watched as that blue balloon sailed closer and closer to heaven. Everything felt quiet and still as the family hugged each other and they talked about how they knew they’d see Baby Brother in heaven one day.
This location took place at Mehraban Wetlands Park, which is tucked in this random neighborhood in Sandy, UT. It’s a hidden gem and a favorite place of mine to shoot, especially when I’m working with children because the lake is home to lots of ducks. It’s so fun to capture parents with their kids watching and feeding the ducks. It creates a really calm and safe atmosphere so families can be more connected and more themselves while I photograph them. It was especially nice to have the ducks there during this shoot to brighten the mood.
As mothers, we’re supposed to be strong. If a pregnancy doesn’t go as planned, we’re expected to bounce back and continue on as if nothing happened. Taking this time to honor this family’s loss was so beatiful. So sad, but so beautiful. They had a loss and I was so so so honored to be trusted to document part of their healing, their faith, and their love.
fast facts
This was the most special maternity shoot I have ever had the privilege to photograph. It will likely always be my most cherished photoshoot memory.
I love this location for families because it has ducks, which makes for really fun and natural family photos.
This family was so strong and brave to photograph this very happy, but equally sad time in their lives. I am so grateful they did.
