Nara & Thiago: A Carvins Cove Sunset Maternity Session

7/26/2017

"Photography is a feeling," Nara said to me when we met back in May. As someone who also studied journalism, Nara wanted photos that would tell a story and capture true emotion.

This girl is speaking my language! I thought to myself. I was so excited to create beautiful images for her and her husband — but I also felt a lot of pressure. We were so in tune with our ideas on what compelling photography should be, and I definitely wanted to deliver.

To prepare for our session at Carvins Cove in Roanoke (my first time shooting there!), I thought hard about how I could bring out real feelings and those storytelling images I love so much. After all, Nara and Thiago have quite the story...

They've known each other since they were kids, when they were placed in the same class at their school in Brazil. He's been in love with her since he was 10, but she never felt the same way until Thiago moved to the United States for college. When he left, Nara realized she loved him as much more than a friend.

Eventually, they started dating, and Nara moved the U.S. to be with Thiago. They got married at the courthouse, then had a big ceremony and celebration in Brazil with their friends and family.

I wanted to capture their love story and all the stories to come — the ones with their baby boy.

So throughout our session, I'd ask Thiago to tell Nara things that he loved about her and things that would make them both laugh. I'd ask them questions about their baby, who soon began wiggling during our photos.

Without pausing, Thiago would start speaking to her in Portuguese — and she would immediately light up. Though I didn't know the words, I fully understood just how much these two loved each other. They've already spent most of their lives together, which I think is so sweet and amazing.

When I look through these photos, I can see a deep friendship and love that outshines even the gorgeous sunset we watched on the water.

I'm so excited to share this session and can't wait to meet their baby boy soon!