Losing a partner just two months before the arrival of your second child is a sorrowful ordeal that no one anticipates. In the face of this profound loss, a mother from Mississippi found a beautiful way to honor her late partner through a series of captivating maternity photos.
Jessica Smith had separated from her partner, Marcus, in 2015, but they found their way back to each other and were rebuilding their relationship. Unfortunately, Marcus passed away unexpectedly in January, leaving Jessica pregnant with their second child. They had previously discussed doing a maternity shoot, a dream that Jessica now had to fulfill without him. “We talked about the photo session before he passed away… our first child came into the world early, so we missed that chance,” Jessica shared.
Capturing a moment that included all four members of their family was paramount for Jessica, as she wanted to create lasting memories to honor Marcus for their children. “I wanted to do something special because he’s been there for our son from the very beginning,” she said. Their son, Ethan, was only 4 when his father left this world, and their daughter, Mia, is set to arrive in late March. “At the end of the day, it’s all about memories for the kids,” Jessica emphasized.
To bring this vision to life, Jessica collaborated with photographer Jamie Taylor, who skillfully added Marcus into the images using older photographs. While the main parts of the photos are vibrant and colorful, Marcus’s sections are in black and white, creating a poignant visual homage. “Honestly, I just wanted to make Jessica smile; I wanted her to see the images and be amazed,” Taylor remarked.
The results were breathtaking, resonating with thousands of viewers. The photos went viral on social media, quickly garnering over 100,000 shares globally. Jessica expressed her surprise and gratitude for the national recognition. More importantly, she cherishes these photographs that their children will hold dear forever.
Understanding death can be challenging for young ones, but Jessica found a gentle way to help her son navigate this painful transition. Ethan adored the photos, asking, “Mom, how did you get Daddy in the pictures?” Jessica replied, “Well, he’s an angel now, so we had an angel added to our photos.”
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In summary, Jessica’s maternity photos serve not only as a tribute to her late partner but also as a testament to the enduring love that connects families, even in the face of loss.