Expecting Baby Number Four: A Family Maternity Session Full of Love, Muddy Feet, and a Rainbow Baby
This rainbow baby maternity session was one I won’t forget anytime soon. With three busy little boys, muddy feet, a creek adventure, and baby number four on the way, this evening was the perfect mix of love, laughter, and real-life family moments.
Some sessions just make my heart happy, and this was definitely one of them.
This sweet family is getting ready to welcome baby boy number four, who also happens to be their rainbow baby. If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I absolutely love sessions that tell a story, and this one had so many pieces that made it special.
We met at their home in Lebanon, which gave the boys plenty of room to run, explore, and be themselves. As a mom of six, I can confidently tell you that asking little boys to stand perfectly still and smile for an hour is basically a form of torture. Thankfully, that’s not how I photograph families anyway.
A Family Getting Ready for One More Little Boy
Instead, we spent the evening doing what families actually do.
The boys ran through the grass, splashed in the creek, climbed on rocks, picked up sticks, chased each other around, and stopped every now and then to give Mom a hug. In other words, it was a completely normal evening for a family with three energetic little boys.
And honestly? Those are usually the best sessions.
Of course we captured some beautiful maternity portraits too. Mom wore the most gorgeous floral dress that photographed perfectly against all of the greens around their property. Between the soft evening light, the landscape around their home, and all of the excitement surrounding their newest little one, everything came together naturally.
One of my favorite things about maternity sessions with older siblings is that they remind us that a new baby changes life for everyone. This isn’t just a story about a baby on the way. It is a story about three little boys becoming big brothers again. It’s about a family growing. It’s about making room for one more person to love.
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Why I Love Family Maternity Sessions
Family maternity sessions are some of my favorites because they tell a much bigger story than traditional maternity portraits alone.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love beautiful images of an expecting mama. But years from now, these boys aren’t going to be talking about what pose they were standing in or whether everyone was looking at the camera at the exact same time.
They’re going to remember all of this
They are going to remember waiting for their baby brother.
And, they’re going to remember exploring outside, playing in the creek, and spending time together before their family grew by one more little person.
As a maternity photographer serving York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hershey, and surrounding Pennsylvania areas, these are the moments I love documenting most.
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A Rainbow Baby Maternity Session Worth Celebrating
Knowing that this baby is their rainbow baby made the entire session even more meaningful.
For families who have experienced pregnancy loss, welcoming a rainbow baby brings a mix of emotions that can be hard to put into words. There is excitement, gratitude, hope, healing, and sometimes a few nerves mixed in too.
Watching this family celebrate this season together was incredibly special.
You could see how excited these boys already are to meet their baby brother. Every hug around Mom’s belly, every smile, and every little moment throughout the session felt like part of a much bigger story.
As a rainbow baby maternity photographer, these are the stories that stay with me long after the session is over.
The Sweetest Part of This Rainbow Baby Maternity Session
At the end of the session, we pulled out the paint.
If you’re wondering whether this was my idea or the boys’ idea, honestly, it doesn’t matter because everyone was immediately all in.
The boys got to help decorate Mom’s belly for their baby brother, and they took their job very seriously. There were colorful handprints, rainbow designs, plenty of opinions about artistic direction, and paint-covered fingers everywhere.
If you’ve ever spent time with little boys, you already know that giving them paint and a blank canvas usually leads to an adventure. Thankfully, Mom was a very willing canvas
There was laughter, excitement, and more than a few moments where everyone was talking at the exact same time.
In other words, perfection.
For many families, a rainbow baby carries a special meaning. The term “rainbow baby” is often used to describe a baby born after the loss of a previous pregnancy or child. While every family’s story is different, there is something incredibly beautiful about celebrating hope, healing, and new beginnings. If you’re unfamiliar with the term or looking for additional resources, the March of Dimes offers helpful information about pregnancy after loss and the journey many families experience.
These Are the Moments They’ll Remember
Some of my favorite photographs from this session aren’t the perfectly posed ones.
They’re the muddy feet.
The creek water.
The belly painting.
The hugs.
The laughter.
The little moments that happened naturally when nobody was worried about being perfect.
Years from now, these boys probably won’t remember exactly what Mom wore that evening or where everyone stood for a family photo.
But they’ll remember painting rainbows on her belly while waiting for their baby brother.
They’ll remember playing in the creek.
They’ll remember being little.
And those are the memories worth holding onto.
Looking for a Maternity Photographer in York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, or Hershey?
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or your fourth, every family has a story worth documenting.
If you’re looking for a maternity photographer in York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hershey, or the surrounding Pennsylvania area, I’d love to help create images that feel natural, meaningful, and true to your family.
Although this session took place in Lebanon, it’s exactly the kind of relaxed, family-centered maternity session I photograph throughout York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hershey, and surrounding Pennsylvania areas. Whether you’re expecting your first baby, celebrating a rainbow baby, or chasing three little boys through a creek while preparing for baby number four, I love creating maternity photos that feel natural, joyful, and true to your family.
June 2, 2026
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