A Summer Maternity Session at Cantigny Park | The Conroy Family

I met up with Ariel and Ethan at Cantigny for their maternity session, and it felt extra special to be back there with them. Ariel and Ethan are one of my sweet Watson couples, and I have been lucky enough to photograph so many beautiful pieces of their story. I photographed their engagement season, their wedding day, and now here they are, getting ready to welcome Baby Conroy.

We went back to Cantigny for their maternity photos, which is actually the same place we photographed their engagement session a few years ago. I always love when a location already means something to a couple. It made this session feel like such a sweet full-circle moment. This session also came with a little bit of Midwest summer drama. We had already rescheduled once because of the weather, and on the day of their new session, there was still rain on the radar. I was checking it constantly, but it looked like we might have a window during their session, so we decided to go for it.

For the first 20 minutes, it was beautiful. And then, very suddenly, a huge storm rolled through. We made it to the Visitors Center right before the rain really started coming down, and we waited it out while the park cleared around us. The rain lasted about 30 minutes, and as soon as it let up, we went right back out. Cantigny was so quiet after the storm, and we finished their session in the rose garden with the softest light and the prettiest calm after the rain.

I am so glad we stuck with it, because these images are beautiful. Ariel looked absolutely gorgeous, Ethan was so sweet with her, and the whole session felt relaxed, joyful, and so true to them. This session is also part of their Bump to Baby experience, so I get to see them again once their sweet baby is here. I already cannot wait. There is something so special about photographing this waiting season and then being welcomed back into those brand-new newborn days.



Ariel and Ethan, thank you for trusting me with another piece of your story. It has been such a joy to walk alongside you in this season and celebrate this sweet chapter before Baby Conroy arrives. I’m so happy for you both and excited to see you again soon. Now grab a blanket and snuggle up… your sneak peek is live.