We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Henderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, let’s jump right in. What are you most passionate about? Why?
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am most passionate about my maternity photography, and for a reason most may not guess; my husband. Yep! My husband! You see, while I was pregnant with our children, he made me feel like the most gorgeous woman in the entire world. I’d often get the most amazing compliments, and he never let me feel less than beautiful, while I was watching my body ever changing. It was an experience I will never forget, and one that I treasure so much. So now, when I meet an expecting mama, I make sure she knows how beautiful she is, even if she cannot see it or feel it at the time. By the time we are done with our shoot, and her images are delivered, she truly sees herself for the queen that she is. Pregnancy and motherhood is hard on women, watching their bodies change and embracing those changes can be hard, but I am here to tell you that no matter what, these changes are incredible and so beyond beautiful. The mamas who grace my camera, I want to make sure they leave feeling incredible, and the experience they receive from my shoots are one that create a new internal conversation with themselves, and that they see their beauty with their own eyes too!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My photography, oh goodness… How do I explain this? Its real, its raw and messy and uncut, and just feeling it straight from the heart. I love the little details that are often overlooked, and missed. In my maternity shoots, it can be something as small as how the smallest strand of hair delicately falls across an expecting mama’s face, and instead of asking her to move it, I ask her to think about her growing baby, and what he or she will look at, and that response is absolutely everything to me. I have had a few moments I am absolutely proud of. Hearing from clients who have followed me from my early years, into the present who have saved and waited to be able to book with me because they love my work! Knowing that someone chose me, for their amazing moments in their life, the ones you want to forever cherish, is humbling, and it just makes me so incredibly grateful. Learning that my work is easily recognizable by the rich colors and shadows, and the label of “mood maternity photographer”, all brought a smile to face. I never thought in a million years, it could be like this! This is forever an ever changing journey, and I have had to make myself standout while still being true to my style and what I love. I decided to make a decision to specialize in a specific area of photography, which alone was absolutely terrifying. The self doubt weather I could make it on just my maternity and newborn work, was HUGE. Nonetheless, I took that leap of faith and went for it. It couldn’t have been a better decision! It has truly brought me so much happiness, and made me fall in love with what I do more, each day. Everyday I just keep going, keep striving to be better than I was the day before. I invest in my craft, and continue to look for learning opportunities, and I think that is most important, allowing room for growth and forever having an open mind! To everyone out there, telling your story is a part of telling mine. Creating your memories in a way you never thought you’d see, let me do that for you. Telling your story is what I do, and what I love, and without yours, mine would have never started!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You can’t really find my favorite places on a map! They exist in the feelings they bring. I’d take all the backroads with the windows down, blaring some 90s country on the radio, and letting the wind just take away every little worry! There’s this massive antique shop, that my husband of all people introduced me to years ago, that we would definitely visit. The trinkets and treasures there are endless. You never know what you might find that triggers some sort of nostalgia. My little town is just that… Little. You blink and you’ll for sure miss it, however being a small town, it has that small town charm. Eatery’s that everyone knows you by name, and your favorite lunch, hangouts that still exist from your own childhood, and things that make you want to settle in a small town!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My incredible little tribe, I cannot thank you enough. My husband, I owe most of the credit to. He is always there to help push me out of my own comfort zone, and is ALWAYS in my corner! My children, they were the sole inspiration for starting this business, and I am grateful to have them remind me daily that this journey is more than worth it. Without you guys, this wouldn’t be possible! I love you guys!

Website: www.alaynewadephotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alaynewadephoto

Image Credits
Anna House Brittani Webb Faybia Bryzmialkiewicz Kaitlyn Tanner Sydney Curry Tate Power Emily Ayers Meghan Vice