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Category Archives: maternity
Leslie is the fourth in our series of Rainbow Baby Maternity Photography Sessions. We’ll be sharing her heartbreaking history with infant loss and how she became a rainbow mommy. If you missed the first post with all of the Rainbow Mommies, you can catch it here.
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Leslie Writes:
We are having a Boy! Brooks is due June 17th 2017! Couldn’t be more excited for his arrival! My doctor stated he is already weighing heavier than a normal size baby (which doesn’t surprise us one bit since his sister weighed in at 9lbs 10oz). What can I say? We birth big babies!
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After being married for 2-1/2 years and trying for 2 years, we knew something wasn’t right! After multiple surgeries between my husband and I, we found out we had a 5% chance of having a baby on our own. We finally decided to do IVF. Which is a very heavy burden emotionally, physically, and very costly. We then became pregnant with our first child, Savi! I still felt that our family was not complete and went through the process again. It felt different this time around…and I blamed myself. Sometimes I don’t think they put into consideration of doing IVF and having a toddler. When I found out after waiting patiently for 10 days again…which to me is the worst part of it…they told us we were pregnant again. Words couldn’t describe the happiness we felt after all the negativity I had this time around! I then had come back for another blood test and my doctor called me over the phone that I had miscarried. To go through everything and to be told your pregnant, then tell your closest family and friends you’re pregnant, and then to hear such devastating news. I can’t describe the emptiness you feel. Then to see others you are close to stating they’re pregnant, it’s a very mixed emotion to be so happy for them and be so sad inside. It hit my husband worse than it did me at first, so I set my feelings aside and tried hard to be there for him. I then ran my first ever Mini Marathon for my rainbow baby and some of my friends’ rainbow babies! I tried to focus on something positive instead of drowning in my own sorrow! Not that I didn’t have bad days. My unborn child was to be born in October 2016. God had a plan for me, but I just didn’t know it yet. In October of 2016, the same month of my child should be born, I was pregnant with my Rainbow Baby Brooks through IVF! I know one day my child in heaven and I will reunite and I will get to hold them in my arms.
When you grow up people talk about ways of preventing getting pregnant. They don’t really talk about how hard it can be to get pregnant and how often people have miscarriages. I feel this event will help all women with different stories show and help others who have had a difficult time and shows them they are not alone.
I feel alot of people don’t talk about it and are unaware. They also don’t know how to approach people that have had a miscarriage. Some just don’t even know what a rainbow baby is! I go through still to this day (and it has been over a year now) that I did something wrong or should have done something different. I then just try to lift it up to God, knowing He already knows my story and is still writing it. Leaving it in all His hands. It’s made me different in an aspect of letting go knowing I’m not in control. I feel through this it has made my marriage stronger as well as leaning on my husband and him leaning on me.
I feel if someone has not gone through this situation they really don’t know what to say. If they have gone through it then it has been very comforting to talk to someone who has gone through the same emotions. Just being there and listening is what a person needs more than anything! If I could give any advice to a momma that is going through what I’ve went through, it would be to stay strong, have faith, and to talk about it! If you keep it all in it’s just not good for the soul!
I want to pray for everyone that they find that completeness that makes your family whole. Each of us have a story to tell but its what you do next that will define you and keep you going. May peace be in your heart, mind, and soul.
If you’re looking for a Fern Creek KY Rainbow Baby Maternity Photographer, please get in touch via the contact form or send an email to Hello@jlritt.com. You can also book online here.
More about the photographer:
Jennifer Rittenberry Photography has been photographing clients throughout the greater Louisville area since 2010. She is a published artist in Beauty & Lifestyle Mommy Magazine and Newborn Photographer Magazine as well as named 2016 Parent’s Choice Award winner for her portraiture. In 2013, she focused her client base to Newborn and Maternity as she created a niche for herself after mentoring with three of the nation’s leading photographers in these industries. She has spent countless hours on continuing her education and sharpening her skills each year with the sole purpose of creating beautiful artwork for her clients to share with their families and preserve as precious heirlooms for generations to come. Located in Central Kentucky, her residential studio is in the heart of Mount Washington; only minutes outside of Louisville. Jennifer Rittenberry Photography session fees can be found on the website but detailed pricing and availability may be requested by email using the contact form.
You are welcome to connect with Jennifer Rittenberry Photography by following my work on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER so you can be the first to know about any upcoming portrait specials, mini session events, and other news!
We have MOVED! New studio opens on May 1, 2017 and will be located at 1200 North Bardstown Road – Suite E, Mount Washington, KY 40047. Get in touch at (502) 523-2180!
Amanda is the third in our series of Rainbow Baby Maternity Photography Sessions. We’ll be sharing her heartbreaking history with infant loss and how she became a rainbow mommy. If you missed the first post with all of the Rainbow Mommies, you can catch it here.
Amanda Writes:
My precious little miracle is due to be born on May 1st! I’ve always had a girls name picked out, inspired by my grandpa and grandma, but was stumped when we found out we were expecting a handsome little boy! After a lot of thought we decided on Rowan! The middle name is proving to be the real challenge and we are currently going between Wells and Jackson!
My journey to become a mommy started about 4 years ago. I never could have imagined what the next 4 years of my life would bring when we decided to start trying for a family. It was fun and exciting at first, but after about 6 or 7 months I started to worry. Why wasn’t it happening? But then my doctor said it takes the average women 12 months to conceive, so we tried to put our worries aside and enjoy the ride. But month after month came and went. I ended up changing doctors and starting fresh. Immediately my doctor saw that something was wrong and I underwent a minor surgery and was sent to a fertility specialist.
The next 2 years or so were spent going back and forth to the RE’s office and lots and lots of fertility drugs. Between many cancelled cycles, we underwent 7 IUI’s (Intrauterine insemination) and 1 failed round of IVF. In October of 2015 we decided to take a break and step away for a bit. We were emotionally and financially drained. During all that time I never saw a second pink line. We were devastated. In May of 2016 we decided to start over with a different fertility clinic for one final try. This was it, we had 1 chance and we were going to do whatever it took to help our chances.
In July of 2016, we started our 2nd IVF cycle and we transferred 2 beautiful 3 day embryos. I felt good about it, but I was scared to be too excited. I was so used to to disappointment at that point. I had actually seen my very first pink line on a pregnancy test the month before after a cancelled cycle, but it ended up being a very early miscarriage. I was crushed of course, but it gave me my first glimmer of hope. So 1 week after our embryo transfer I took an early pregnancy test ( the one thing they tell you NOT to do but I couldn’t wait any longer) and was shocked to see a light pink line. You didn’t even have to squint to see it! I couldn’t contain myself and made my husband come look to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. It was there, that beautiful pink line!
As I cried tears of joy I realized that I had to wait one more week before I could go take my blood test. It was the longest week of my life, but I continued to test every morning, and watched as that pink line grew darker and darker each day. This was it and I couldn’t believe it! My HCG blood test came back with a high number and I was elated! I secretly hoped that both embryos had implanted, but never in a million years did I actually think that would be the case. At my 6 week 5 day ultrasound all of my dreams came true. 2 beautiful little heartbeats were detected and everything looked great! I was going to be a mom!!!
The next few weeks were like a dream as I carried my 2 biggest secrets. I felt great and couldn’t be happier! When I went in for my 9 week follow-up ultrasound the doctor showed baby “A” and it was magical. He kind of looked like a tiny gummy bear. But then he moved the wand over to where baby “B” should be and my world was shattered. There was no heartbeat and the tiny lifeless gummy bear was smaller than baby A. Sometime between 7 and 9 weeks I had lost my baby, and I didn’t even know it. I didn’t feel any pain, I didn’t bleed, nothing. How could I not know that my baby died inside of me? I laid on the table and cried. The doctor told me there was nothing I could have done, and it was probably chromosomal. But nothing he or anyone said was going to bring my baby back and take the pain away. I felt ashamed because I was still carrying one beautiful baby, but I couldn’t make myself be happy. I felt lost and broken, but most of all scared. I wouldn’t experience a typical miscarriage. The doctor warned me that I may have some bleeding, but more than likely my body would absorb the sack and most of my lifeless baby. Anything left would come out when I delivered baby “A.” I couldn’t actually enjoy my pregnancy until I was about 20 weeks or so. I worried every moment of EVERY DAY that I might lose my baby. It was hard to be happy knowing that I lost his brother or sister, but eventually I allowed myself to feel happiness. I knew that my little baby was up in heaven with my grandmother, and that brought me comfort. I’m carrying my rainbow baby, and I couldn’t be happier!
I wanted to be a part of something that helped raise awareness to a sensitive subject that affects so many women and families. So many suffer in silence, and I hope that by talking about it, more women will see that they are not alone. I think that miscarriage, infertility, and anything that has to do with pregnancy that doesn’t end with a happy ending is kind of Taboo in today’s society. It’s almost as if you’re not supposed to talk about it, and it’s a dirty little secret that you have to carry with you. In the last year or so I’ve seen more and more people opening up about their experiences, and I hope it continues. I’ve been very open and honest about my loss, but I see the uneasiness in people when I talk about it, and I hope that more awareness will help people understand it better.
Losing my sweet little baby is the hardest thing that I have ever experienced. It changed me, but it made me stronger, and more grateful for this sweet little baby inside of me. The pain never goes away though. I think about that tiny beating heart everyday. I think about the first ultrasound and the joy I felt when I found out I was carrying twins. I lost my sweet grandmother in February of 2016 and she always said that she would do anything she could to help me have a baby. And when I saw those 2 babies on the ultrasound, I knew that she had a hand in it. I’m comforted knowing that she’s watching over my beautiful baby in heaven, and I thank her everyday. Most people don’t know what to say or do when I tell them I lost one of my babies. Some say the worst thing, “at least you still have 1”, but most just say I’m sorry or try to tell me a story about a cousins best friend who lost her baby. But mostly I see the same uneasy look on face after face.
I’ve had a few friends that have lost babies, and I’ll be completely honest when I say that I had no idea what they were going through before I experienced my own loss. I am guilty of saying the same things that would upset me with my loss. There is really nothing anyone can say that will make it better and take the pain a way. For me, I found it to be most comforting when family and friends just offered a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen. I didn’t want advice, I didn’t want to hear I’m sorry over and over again, I just needed someone to be there. Just letting me know you’re there when, and if, I wanted to talk about it was everything to me.
It’s ok to be sad, and it’s ok to talk about it. All those emotions you felt will always be there. But along the way, I hope you find peace in knowing you’ll meet your little love again one day. Don’t feel ashamed, don’t feel like you have to hide your pain. Be proud that you were able to be a mommy to that beautiful baby. It doesn’t matter how long you carried, losing a baby is devastating and life changing. But don’t let it break you, cherish the time you had, and allow it to make you stronger and help others that are struggling.
I personally want to thank Amanda and her willingness to open her heart and share it so freely with me, and now every single one of you. Our hope in sharing her story is to raise awareness about infant loss, miscarriage and still birth. Throughout this series you will read other heartbreaking stories as this, but the focus is on the strength these women have, their beauty and hopefulness for a bright future with their rainbow babies. I pray that each of these pregnancies results in happy and healthy babies!
Photographer Challenge!
I would love nothing more than for this concept to catch on in other cities and states with photographers to bless rainbow mommas! Not only does it create a sense of community, but it gives back with you sharing your talents with your fellow community members. So, if you take me up on my challenge, please hashtag #RainbowBabyMaternityEvent so I can follow your adventures, too!
If you’re looking for a Louisville KY Rainbow Baby Maternity Photographer, please get in touch via the contact form or send an email to Hello@jlritt.com. You can also book online here.
More about the photographer:
Jennifer Rittenberry Photography has been photographing clients throughout the greater Louisville area since 2010. She is a published artist in Beauty & Lifestyle Mommy Magazine and Newborn Photographer Magazine as well as named 2016 Parent’s Choice Award winner for her portraiture. In 2013, she focused her client base to Newborn and Maternity as she created a niche for herself after mentoring with three of the nation’s leading photographers in these industries. She has spent countless hours on continuing her education and sharpening her skills each year with the sole purpose of creating beautiful artwork for her clients to share with their families and preserve as precious heirlooms for generations to come. Located in Central Kentucky, her residential studio is in the heart of Mount Washington; only minutes outside of Louisville. Jennifer Rittenberry Photography session fees can be found on the website but detailed pricing and availability may be requested by email using the contact form.
You are welcome to connect with Jennifer Rittenberry Photography by following my work on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER so you can be the first to know about any upcoming portrait specials, mini session events, and other news!
Located at 268 Deer Park Way, Mount Washington, KY 40047. Get in touch at (502) 523-2180!
Amanda is the second in our series of Rainbow Baby Maternity Photography Sessions. We’ll be sharing her heartbreaking history with infant loss and how she became a rainbow mommy. If you missed the first post with all of the Rainbow Mommies, you can catch it here.
Amanda Writes:
We are due with our rainbow baby on Oct 4,2017. I just found out this week we will be having another little boy and so excited. No names currently, since the husband still thinks he wants to wait to find out the day the baby is born.
Our story started with pure happiness in finding out, back in Oct 2015, that we were pregnant with our 3rd baby. Only to find out a few short weeks later that our happiness and excitement would now be turned into tears and questions of why. We found out Nov 2015 that at around 8 weeks we had lost the baby with no indications as to why or what had happened. After going through the miscarriage, the daily thoughts of baby and grieving knowing I will never meet this child i had once carried, we decided our family is complete and we would be finished having babies. Well God had other plans for us, and bigger plans for our family, as now I am pregnant with our amazing rainbow baby only roughly 2 years later.
I wanted to be apart of this Rainbow Momma event to bring awareness to the effects of miscarriage and losing a child no matter the stage of pregnancy. Losing a child at 8 weeks or 32 weeks, or anywhere in between, effects a mother and she thinks about that child though most people may not have known they even existed then or now. I personally believe that the current stereotype towards miscarriage and rainbow babies is that they should not be spoken of and that people are to grieve in silence over the loss.
I think about our loss just as much now 2 years later as I did the day the told me the baby had no heartbeat. It’s incredibly hard to wrap your mind around the fact that you carried a child, but God had other plans and meeting them will just have to wait. It affected our lives to the point we said we would be done having children because I didn’t think I could go through a miscarriage and the feelings that came with it again. Once I found out I was pregnant with my rainbow baby, I couldn’t help but pray everyday that this baby stays with us and is healthy. As excited as I was to be pregnant with our rainbow baby, we decided not to announce the pregnancy until very recently to make sure we didn’t have to relive the pain of when we lost our baby in 2015. The pain of losing a child (yes even at only 8 weeks) never leaves a mother’s mind. As a mother I constantly still feel the pain I felt the day I heard the words “No Heartbeat.” It’s something that will always stay with you, and though most people may never know our baby existed, it did to me.
One response I constantly receive (about my loss) is ‘well at least it was early on in the pregnancy, that makes it easier.’ Another one is ‘it was just not meant to be at that time.’ It doesn’t matter when in a pregnancy you lose a child, that was still your child. Nothing about losing a child is easy and the fact that people believe that losing a baby earlier than later is easier just shows how much miscarriage is misunderstood in society. My advice (to other rainbow moms) would be speak of what happened and let people know you are hurting. The stigma that we are supposed to be silent and act like nothing happened is a thing of the past. It’s okay to hurt and it’s okay to grieve.
One last thing I would like to share and see change is more people are speaking out about miscarriage and rainbow babies; they are looking for support. These people are not speaking out to be criticized or to be asked why they would ever publicly post or speak about losing a child, they are doing so looking for comfort and to know they are not alone. Lets support each other, not make people feel they should grieve in silence alone.
I personally want to thank Amanda and her willingness to open her heart and share it so freely with me, and now every single one of you. Our hope in sharing her story is to raise awareness about infant loss, miscarriage and still birth. Throughout this series you will read other heartbreaking stories as this, but the focus is on the strength these women have, their beauty and hopefulness for a bright future with their rainbow babies. I pray that each of these pregnancies results in happy and healthy babies!
If you’re looking to have some Rainbow Baby Maternity Photography captured, please get in touch via the contact form or send an email to Hello@jlritt.com. You can also book online here.
More about the photographer:
Jennifer Rittenberry Photography has been photographing clients throughout the greater Louisville area since 2010. She is a published artist in Beauty & Lifestyle Mommy Magazine and Newborn Photographer Magazine as well as named 2016 Parent’s Choice Award winner for her portraiture. In 2013, she focused her client base to Newborn and Maternity as she created a niche for herself after mentoring with three of the nation’s leading photographers in these industries. She has spent countless hours on continuing her education and sharpening her skills each year with the sole purpose of creating beautiful artwork for her clients to share with their families and preserve as precious heirlooms for generations to come. Located in Central Kentucky, her residential studio is in the heart of Mount Washington; only minutes outside of Louisville. Jennifer Rittenberry Photography session fees can be found on the website but detailed pricing and availability may be requested by email using the contact form.
You are welcome to connect with Jennifer Rittenberry Photography by following my work on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER so you can be the first to know about any upcoming portrait specials, mini session events, and other news!
Located at 268 Deer Park Way, Mount Washington, KY 40047. Get in touch at (502) 523-2180!
Heather is the first in our series of Rainbow Baby Maternity Sessions. We’ll be sharing her heartbreaking history with infant loss and how she became a rainbow mommy. If you missed the first post with all of the Rainbow Mommies, you can catch it here.
Heather writes:
I’m due April 1 (so soon!!) with a little boy named Owen Alexander =) Owen is for my Pappaw who raised me (and is the greatest man alive!) and Alexander for my cousin who passed away almost 2 years ago.
My husband and I have been together for almost 10 years now and have a 7 year old daughter named Mollie. Getting pregnant with Mollie was a complete and total surprise (although the greatest one we could have ever asked for!), especially considering we were 19 when we got pregnant and 20 when she was born. I ended up in nursing school as my husband built his business and when the time was right, we figured having another baby would be no problem. We started trying for baby number 2 in January of 2014 and were SO excited in September 2014, to find out we were expecting. We had no reason to believe this pregnancy would be anything less than perfect, so we immediately announced our sweet baby to the world. It was beyond devastating when less than a week later we lost this baby that meant so much to us. Although it doesn’t seem that long to be pregnant and the loss have a huge effect on your life, you so quickly get used to the idea that your family is growing and this person becomes so real to you. Less than 2 months later I found out I was pregnant again, but was very gun-shy and weary and told NO ONE (not even my husband). I just had a feeling something wasn’t right and my suspicions were confirmed when just a couple days later that pregnancy ended, too.
We spent all of 2015 and much of 2016 struggling with infertility and trying to figure out WHY it wasn’t happening. I was diagnosed with PCOS, thought to be triggered by hormonal changes by losing two pregnancies so close together. I then underwent frequent bloodwork, diagnostic testing called HSG (hysterosalpingogram), which costs $1500-$2000 each time and insurance will not cover, even though it’s considered a diagnostic test) and 3 rounds of fertility treatments. The treatments made me MISERABLE, and working full time as a night shift nurse in the ICU at children’s hospital certainly didn’t help. In the spring/summer of 2016 my husband and I made the decision to stop doing anything fertility or pregnant related until after I had been on day shift for at least six months, and then we would consider IVF. I got word in late June 2016 I would be going to dayshift on July 25 and immediately felt such a weight off my shoulders. Night shift is ROUGH, especially with a kiddo at home and frequently being required to stay over in the morning, sometimes until 11-12 and then having to be back that night!
A couple of weeks later we spent a fun, kid free weekend at the lake with some friends (the first time we had done anything without our daughter in forever). On July 23 we were at our own lake house with some family when I had a sudden NEED for brownies and told everyone I was running to the store for some mix. While I was there something inside of me was telling me to get a pregnancy test, just in case, which I fully expected to be negative (like always). I was BEYOND shocked when those double lines showed up and I will NEVER forget yelling for my husband (who didn’t know I was even taking a pregnancy test) and the look on his face when I showed him the test. The line was so faint I was having a hard time believing it was real so I ran upstairs to show my mother in law and ask her what she thought, and she had such a hard time seeing the line she insisted we go back to the store and buy more tests. We went back and bought multiple tests in every brand and sure enough, every single one was positive! To say that night was incredible would be a huge understatement! I was still really apprehensive though, especially during the first trimester when I struggled with bleeding issues, but I am now 38.5 weeks and have finally allowed myself to accept the fact that we really are welcoming our sweet little boy into the world soon.
What made you want to be a part of this event? And, what do you feel is the current stereotype or stigma towards infant loss or Rainbow Babies / Parents?
One of the greatest things to help me get through my first miscarriage was the sheer amount of women that reached out to me letting me know I wasn’t alone. Friends, family, coworkers, women from church, literally dozens of people that I never even knew had experienced this loss reached out and shared their stories with me. It was so comforting and empowering to know that I WAS NOT ALONE! I want to let other women know the same and to let them know that it’s okay to talk about it and it’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of (as I know of women who have felt that way), and to let them know that while no one may be able to understand their exact feelings and struggle, there are people out there that can empathize and share their hurt.
To be honest, until it happened to me I just didn’t understand why it was such a big deal, especially loss in early pregnancy. I genuinely believe that’s how many people out there feel; it’s one thing if it’s a baby you can hold and have already brought into this world, but in utero the loss was something to just “get over”. I don’t think anyone intentionally thinks these things, it’s simply something you can’t understand until you’ve been there.
Daily life for Heather:
I frequently think about my two babies I lost, especially around the times I found out I was pregnant and the times they would have been due. As time has passed it has certainly gotten a lot easier and the pain is a lot more dull where it once was sharp, but it’s something you will NEVER forget. My losses have also had a huge impact on my current pregnancy; I’ve spent the last 8-9 months having a hard time allowing myself to believe that this was truly going to happen. After experiencing loss you just expect it to happen again, and not constantly feeling as though this baby is just another dream that’ll slip away. My losses have also helped me cherish every moment of this pregnant and every moment I get with my 7 year old daughter. These children are such precious gifts to me.
“Oh gosh I’m so sorry” (is the most frequent response she hears). And when we were struggling with infertility after our losses SO many people would tell us “well at least you already have Mollie!” Well yes, that’s true, and while we are incredibly blessed and lucky to have her that doesn’t mean our family didn’t still feel incomplete. There was a definite hole there that gave us an acute sense that something was missing. I believe most people’s hearts are in the right place, it’s just hard to know the “right” thing to say until you’ve been there.
How would you like to see people responding in the future? What can they say or do to be more sensitive to your loss(es)?
More than anything I would like to see more acknowledgment. Please acknowledge the fact that these babies did exist (and still do in our hearts) and don’t just pretend like it never happened. I understand how uncomfortable it can be, but these babies were (and are) real to us. Also, I never came closer to hitting someone than when they would say “well at least it happened early and not too far in to the pregnancy” as if the attachment were any less real. Please don’t try to write off a loss as if it were no big deal; although everyone handles it differently it is devastating nonetheless.
If I could give any advice to a rainbow momma, it would be “YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!” Reach out, seek help, speak to those that have been through. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor how you are feeling, not just physically but emotionally, so they can do their best to help meet your needs. I also want to make it clear that your journey does NOT end here; in the moment it feels as though nothing will ever feel normal again and you can’t move on, but I promise your story still has many more chapters!
I personally want to thank Heather and her willingness to open her heart and share it so freely with me, and now every single one of you. Our hope in sharing her story is to raise awareness about infant loss, miscarriage and still birth. Throughout this series you will read other heartbreaking stories as this, but the focus is on the strength these women have, their beauty and hopefulness for a bright future with their rainbow babies. I pray that each of these pregnancies results in happy and healthy babies!
If you’re looking for a Rainbow Baby Maternity Photographer, I’d love for you to get in touch with me through the contact page or drop an email to Hello@jlritt.com. If you’re ready to book now, please click here and it will take you to my booking page.
More about the photographer:
Jennifer Rittenberry Photography has been photographing clients throughout the greater Louisville area since 2010. She is a published artist in Beauty & Lifestyle Mommy Magazine and Newborn Photographer Magazine as well as named 2016 Parent’s Choice Award winner for her portraiture. In 2013, she focused her client base to Newborn and Maternity as she created a niche for herself after mentoring with three of the nation’s leading photographers in these industries. She has spent countless hours on continuing her education and sharpening her skills each year with the sole purpose of creating beautiful artwork for her clients to share with their families and preserve as precious heirlooms for generations to come. Located in Central Kentucky, her residential studio is in the heart of Mount Washington; only minutes outside of Louisville. Jennifer Rittenberry Photography session fees can be found on the website but detailed pricing and availability may be requested by email using the contact form.
You are welcome to connect with Jennifer Rittenberry Photography by following my work on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER so you can be the first to know about any upcoming portrait specials, mini session events, and other news!
Located at 268 Deer Park Way, Mount Washington, KY 40047. Get in touch at (502) 523-2180!
Just 2 short days ago we held the Rainbow Baby Maternity Event in Louisville, KY. As you know from my previous post about this event, I had the notion to bless one local mommy that was pregnant with her rainbow baby. I just felt something pulling at me to reach out into the community to do something nice, and this was it. Once I put the call out for entries for this free session, I started reading all of the short backgrounds these women were giving when applying for a spot. I just couldn’t pick ONE person anymore! I felt compelled to do as many as I could, so I settled on the symbolism of 7 mommies to go with the 7 colors of the rainbow.
I had the pleasure of meeting all 7 of the Rainbow Mommies and putting a face to each of their stories. We met at the brand new studio Light Box Louisville, which just finished renovations the night before our shoot! Once all of the introductions were out of the way, we had the hair and makeup artists from The Wave Styling Salon and Spa from Shepherdsville, KY to start working their magic!
The Wave’s styling team made quick work of making each mommy to be feel beautiful after all of their pampering. Here are a few behind the scenes photos of the team in action! Photo credit goes to my assistant, Natasha Clark Photography!
After everyone was camera ready, we handed out the swag bags! These awesome bags were full of newborn & mommy accessories that several generous vendors donated for this Rainbow Baby Maternity Event. Inside there was a custom onsie from Heart & Arrow Boutique with each mommy’s due date on it and read “Rainbow appearing in April!” The owner, Amanda, was ecstatic to donate to this wonderful event because she is also a rainbow mommy, too! I love the versatility for these onsies; you can use them for a pregnancy announcement or even to have your newborn wear in their hospital photos.
There was also a newborn knot beanie with Rainbow stitched into the cap from KNOTS LLC. The owner, Megan, worked extra hard on getting these to me in time to add to the swag bags since we had just connected earlier that week on being a sponsor. These beanies will be perfect for hospital photos as well! Photo credit goes to my assistant, Natasha Clark Photography!
Also included in the swag bags were Gift Certificates to Maggie Mae’s Cafe, a homemade sugar scrub made by Jennifer Norton of Semonin Realtors, a hand etched wine glass by Specially Yours, a dozen fingerprint cookies in rainbow colors from Sweet Stuff Bakery, and discount codes to Basic Invite and Made by Mary. They also received a $100 discount for a newborn session and 20% off of a custom album, if they chose to use me as their newborn photographer! As if that wasn’t enough, they also are getting a FREE 20″ x 30″ x 1.5″ thick canvas of their favorite images from the day’s shoot from Canvas HQ!
After all of the swag bags were opened, we drew for the Deluxe Safari DockATot dock that was donated by DockATot. The lucky winner was Leslie Savko! She’s the lady in mint green in the images above! We then drew for the FREE Newborn Session with my studio, Jennifer Rittenberry Photography! Sheena Ford won this grand prize and will be having her session with me in late June; she’s the lady in the indigo dress in the images above.
Fun Fact about these Rainbow Mommies:
While we were getting hair and makeup done for the 6 ladies that arrived early, they were chatting about what everyone was going to have. All 6 of them were having boys! They even went as far as thinking I may have planned that out, but in reality I didn’t know what they were having until they had already been selected for the Rainbow Baby Maternity Event. As chance would have it, the last lady to arrive was having a girl and ruined their theory. It would have been pretty ironic though if they all had been due with boys. This could’ve made for an extra setup in the day’s events. lol!
Below are the edited group shots of all of these beautiful mommies. Tomorrow I’ll be starting a 2 week series where I’ll be sharing each mother’s story. I want to take time to individually highlight each mother and share her unique experience. Even though they all share the same struggles, I really feel that each story is different and deserves to be heard. My goal for this event was to make these women to not only feel pampered and beautiful, but to know that it’s ok to talk about their losses. I know that the more we shine a light on this sensitive subject, the more awareness we will bring to our community. In turn, they’ll know how to respond when hearing about infant loss through one of their loved ones in the future.
I just want to give another heartfelt thanks to all of the many vendors that donated their time and merchandise to make this Rainbow Baby Maternity Event extra special for these mommies. I could not have done this without you! I would love nothing more than for this concept to catch on in other cities and states with photographers to bless rainbow mommas. Not only does it create a sense of community, but it gives back with you sharing your talents with your fellow community members. So if you take me up on my challenge, please hashtag #RainbowBabyMaternityEvent so I can follow your adventures, too!
More about the photographer:
Jennifer Rittenberry Photography has been photographing clients throughout the greater Louisville area since 2010. She is a published artist in Beauty & Lifestyle Mommy Magazine and Newborn Photographer Magazine as well as named 2016 Parent’s Choice Award winner for her portraiture. In 2013, she focused her client base to Newborn and Maternity as she created a niche for herself after mentoring with three of the nation’s leading photographers in these industries. She has spent countless hours on continuing her education and sharpening her skills each year with the sole purpose of creating beautiful artwork for her clients to share with their families and preserve as precious heirlooms for generations to come. Located in Central Kentucky, her residential studio is in the heart of Mount Washington; only minutes outside of Louisville. Jennifer Rittenberry Photography session fees can be found on the website but detailed pricing and availability may be requested by email using the contact form.
You are welcome to connect with Jennifer Rittenberry Photography by following my work on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER so you can be the first to know about any upcoming portrait specials, mini session events, and other news!
Located at 268 Deer Park Way, Mount Washington, KY 40047. Get in touch at (502) 523-2180!
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Corey - Such a beautiful rainbow mama! I love that she and the others are sharing their stories of hope. Congrats to her on her pregnancy!
Ashley - WOW. Thank you both for sharing her story! I’m so happy for her that she will soon have her rainbow baby in her arms. Gorgeous maternity photos that will definitely always hold a special place in her heart.
Michelle - What a beautiful story of hope and courage in the face of personal tragedy. Congratulations to her on her rainbow baby. She will cherish those beautiful images you have created for her forever.
Charlene - Awe, this post hits home for me as a rainbow mommy myself ♥ Wha a beautiful series and testimony to our lost little babies! These are beautiful photos!
Patricia - Rainbow babies are so special. What a beautiful Maternity photography session. You did a great job of capturing mama’s joy.
Allison - She is a stunning rainbow baby mother to be! I’m so happy that her story is a happy pone and she got the opportunity to participate in your Rainbow Baby maternity sessions.