You would never know it by looking at Rozina and Able that Sunday’s weather hovered somewhere between miserable and absolutely miserable. Temperatures here in Jacksonville rose to nearly 90 degrees and humidity was at a whopping 80%. Yet when I look at the photos from their maternity photography session I don’t see the heat or humidity affecting either of them. Instead, I see a mother-to-be who is absolutely stunning with her pregnancy glow and a daddy with pure love in his eyes. Rozina and Abel actually have an interesting meet-cute story. Both of them are originally from Ethiopia but somehow managed to meet halfway around the world in Washington D.C. Now they’re here in Jacksonville and thrilled to be expecting a baby girl this July. It’s interesting how life works out, and how a world that can seem so large still makes a way for people to find each other when they are meant to. Rozina and Able were such a sweet and loving couple that I had no troubles getting natural interaction from them throughout their maternity session.

We decided to have their maternity photography session at Washington Oaks Park, another of my favorite photography locations near Jacksonville. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, Washington Oaks is known for its formal gardens, unique shoreline of coquina rock formations along Atlantic Beach and numerous walkways among giant oak trees. Fun fact, this property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington! The shade from the Oaks was the perfect way to escape the scorching sun on Sunday. But it was the lush greenery and expansive gardens that provided the perfect backdrop for Rozina to wear my purple and red maternity gowns. Speaking of which, Rozina absolutely slayed in my maternity dresses! She was such a beautiful expectant mother, I can’t wait to meet her sweet baby girl!