My First Click: A Maternity Session That Inspired a Photography Business

Welcome to my very first blog post — a special one that’s been sitting in my heart for a while. I wanted to share the story of the very first photography session that sparked everything: my business, my passion, and this beautiful journey I’m on today. It was a maternity session for someone near and dear to me — my cousin. I had no idea at the time that this one shoot would change the course of my life.

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The Backstory

During her pregnancy, I spent almost every day with my cousin. We were always sharing laughs, food cravings, and long talks about the baby on the way. They knew I had taken my sister’s graduation photos and dabbled in taking makeshift studio shots for a t-shirt business I was running at the time. So it just made sense that they asked me to do their maternity shoot.

I was flattered… and terrified. At the time, I was shooting on a hand-me-down DSLR, stuck in auto mode, and honestly had no idea what I was doing. But I had a vision — and I poured everything I had into it.

I shot on an old Nikon D5200 (I think!) and spent the days leading up to the shoot scrolling through Pinterest for pose inspiration. I was nervous, but also calm — because it was my cousin, and I wanted to make something special for her. I just really, really wanted the photos to be good.

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The Day of the Shoot

They took me to a beach they loved — a quiet, peaceful spot where they often watched the sunset together. The sky was clear, the air was calm, and there was this quiet excitement between us as we got started.

When the sun began to set, I remember the way the light hit just right, forming beautiful silhouettes of the two of them with the baby bump perfectly highlighted. I got so excited — I could feel the creative energy taking over.

I also struggled a bit trying to get some front-lit shots because the sun was so bright and low — they kept squinting, and I didn’t really know how to work around harsh light back then. But despite that, we made magic.

All three of us were buzzing — it was my first “real” shoot, and their joy about welcoming their son felt contagious. That’s when my cousin told me, “You should really do this for real.”

And in that moment, something clicked. The nickname she always called me — “Dessy” — would become the name of my future photography business.

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The Aftermath

When I got home and looked through the photos, I remember feeling frustrated. The shots facing the sun didn’t turn out how I imagined. But when I started editing the backlit silhouettes… the excitement came rushing back. They felt alive — soft, glowy, and full of love.

My cousin loved them. The silhouette shots quickly became a favorite with everyone who saw them.

That night, I delivered the gallery — and made my photography Instagram account. That’s when I knew: this wasn’t just a hobby anymore.

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Lessons Learned

That first shoot taught me so much — not just about photography, but about myself.

Technically, I learned to trust my eye even if I didn’t fully understand the camera yet. Creatively, I realized how powerful it is to prepare — studying poses, choosing a great location, and thinking ahead made a huge difference in how confident I felt.

And most importantly, I learned how beautiful it is to work with people — to witness their joy, capture it, and freeze it in time.

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The Spark Becomes a Flame

After that, I started booking more sessions — $50 shoots to build my portfolio and learn as I went. I still remember the mix of excitement and imposter syndrome I felt with every session. Honestly, I still feel a little of that today.

But looking back at that first shoot reminds me of how far I’ve come — not just in skill, but in confidence, creativity, and purpose. That one moment of believing in myself (and having someone else believe in me too) changed everything.

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Reflections and Gratitude

Today, Studio Dessy exists because of that one afternoon on the beach.

I’m endlessly grateful to my cousin for trusting me, encouraging me, and being a part of my beginning. I wouldn’t be here without her.

If you’re reading this and thinking about your own “firsts” — the first time you did something scared, something new, something meaningful — I hope this inspires you to reflect, honor it, and maybe even share it.

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Let’s Stay Connected

Thank you for reading my story. If you want to see how far I’ve come since that day or are looking for a photographer to help capture your story, you can visit my portfolio here.

I’d love to hear about your “firsts” too — drop a comment, follow along on Instagram, or share this post with someone who’s starting their own journey.