Brittany & Brody’s Pregnancy Announcement Shoot at Mt. Bachelor

Each and every story I capture through my photos, whether for weddings, families, seniors, or maternity, is incredibly vibrant. Everyone I serve has such rich, inspiring stories! It’s an honor to get to tell them. Brittany and Brody’s is, of course, no exception. Brittany regaled me with her amazing plan to give her pregnancy announcement to each family member, and I was so in awe of how special and intentional this experience has been for this sweet couple!

Since I could never retell this amazing pregnancy announcement saga on my own with proper justice, I’ll allow Brittany’s words to sweep you along on the adventure!! Every little moment is inspiring for anyone thinking of special ways to announce their own pregnancies, or to just soak up an incredibly heartwarming story this season. 

Settle in with your hot drinks — this is a special one!

Brittany and Brody’s Story

“Brody is hands down the man of my dreams and a constant reminder to myself that I am so thankful I never settled. I never quite understood the term ‘opposites attract’ until our relationship. He is the calm to my crazy, and he is hands down the most competitive person I have ever known! But that’s exactly who we are and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Brody and I grew up both involved in racing. We first met at Eldora Speedway in Ohio back in October of 2016. I had planned the trip to surprise my dad, who was racing that weekend. Little did I know — Brody was also racing that same weekend! He was going to college out there for high-performance motorsports. We met in the infield during a rainout and clicked right away.

On June 23, 2018, Brody proposed under the St. Louis Arch (on my parents’ anniversary!). My mom was also proposed to in the exact same location, so it made the day one to remember forever. Brody put so much thought and love into our proposal and I will forever be thankful.

We got married on December 31, 2019 in downtown St. Louis and have almost been married 3 years. For the past 6 years, Brody and I have taken on the role of Aunt and Uncle to our 4 sweet littles and we have loved every bit of it. We always knew we wanted to take the first couple years of marriage to focus on ourselves and when the time was right, we’d be ready to start a family of our own. With the end of the year coming to a close, we are so excited and extremely blessed for the announcement of our pregnancy, with our baby’s arrival in July 2023!!”

The Pregnancy Announcement — For Brody

Brittany planned out everything to break this incredible news to each family member! Here’s how it went for her husband:

“One Monday he left for work and I immediately ran to the drugstore and grabbed five tests. I was a little nervous of the unknown, but within seconds two pink lines started popping up and, in that moment, I truly have never been more thankful or excited. 

I quickly ordered a cute onesie that read ‘Hello, Daddy’ and printed out a cute sign that read, ‘The only thing better than having you as a husband is our baby having you as their daddy.’ Waiting for him to come home from work that day felt like years had passed! But when he finally pulled in the driveway and walked through the door it was the perfect moment. We both cried, smiled and laughed about all that was to come. This will truly be our greatest adventure.”

The Pregnancy Announcement — For Brittany’s Family

While nothing is sweeter than the joy of telling your partner that you’re expecting, especially if you’ve been waiting for that moment, telling your own parents that they’ll be grandmas and/or grandpas is another joy entirely! 

“Brody and I had planned a trip to St. Louis to visit my family the first week of November, and the timing of everything worked in our favor for the pregnancy announcement. My dad had planned a double date night for my parents, Brody and I, at the Blues hockey game. We figured this would be the perfect time to tell just them! 

The day we arrived in town, I ran to grab a baby onesie and hid it in my purse. As we were walking into the arena, I mentioned I wanted a picture. I quickly ran over to the first young person I saw! And proceeded to tell them, ‘I’m pregnant and going to tell my parents. Can you pretend to take a picture but actually video this for me?’ She was amazing about it! Within seconds I turned to my parents and said ‘I’m pregnant!’ They both were completely shocked and it was the sweetest moment.

Brittany and Brody had the opportunity to tell the rest of the family too, just a little bit later! With sisters and in-laws and all the nieces and nephews gathered, Brittany gave each of the 4 littles a gift. Each received a T-shirt with the words “cousin crew” on it. In the oldest niece’s bag, there was a matching onesie to deliver the pregnancy announcement! All the nieces and nephews are over the moon for the arrival of a new baby.

The Pregnancy Announcement — For Brody’s Family

The time came to share the pregnancy announcement with Brody’s family just a few weeks later! The two (well, three!) flew out to Oregon to celebrate Thanksgiving with Brody’s fam.

“I knew we had to tell them sooner rather than later because we usually start hitting the wineries or breweries very soon while out here! The first couple days, we had planned a trip over to Bend to see the mountains and get into some snow. On our way out of town, we stopped at Brody’s little brother’s new house. It was the same house Brody’s parents first lived in together and where they brought him home from the hospital. We knew right then that would be the perfect time and spot. 

We told his brother we had gotten him an early housewarming gift while all standing in the living room. Brody pulled a tiny stocking with ‘Baby’ written on it, and with the sonogram inside. It took him a few seconds, but then he quickly figured it out and then passed it over to his parents. Everyone cried! It was the perfect start to our visit. This will be their first grandchild so they are over the moon excited.”

Growing a Family

“I can barely find the words to explain how this first pregnancy has made us both feel. One of the most surreal moments was our first doctor’s visit at 7 weeks, where we heard the heartbeat for the first time. Brody grabbed my hand as I was sobbing and we both just stared in awe of this life we had created together. His exact words after were ‘that’s enough to make the world quit turning for a minute.’”

Pregnancy Announcement Photoshoot

Brittany and Brody plan to give their pregnancy announcement to the rest of the world the week of Christmas this year. What better time to shoot some gorgeous photos than in the Oregon snow?! Their engagement session was also in Oregon, so this amazing state is becoming a haven for some super special memories. 

Here’s the kind, thoughtful review they left me:

Bryndle was absolutely amazing to work with. I had actually connected with her through our wedding photographer, who is due with a baby any day. She had mentioned Bryndle recently shot her wedding and lived over where we had rented an Airbnb. I loved the overall style and brightness she brought to her images as well as all the snow which was a must!! I reached out to her with less than a weeks’ notice and she made it happen. We Met up with her at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park right below Mt. Bachelor. When our session started, she turned on Christmas music and I instantly felt like I was transported into a Hallmark movie. It was so magical. She was extremely easy to work with and so personable. We chatted, laughed and smiled a lot. So thankful for the memories she captured and to share them with the world in just a few short weeks!!

Gosh. I could not have been more honored to fit this amazing couple into my schedule to help them give their magical pregnancy announcement! This is the kind of thing I live for as a photographer!! For whatever special occasion you’re planning, reach out to me here to document it.