Escondido, CA Maternity Session + Erica
Recently, I had the great pleasure of shooting a maternity session, in Escondido, California for my childhood friend, Erica.
Erica Brauer has been in the Los Angeles area since 2001, where she attended USC as an undergraduate, majoring in biology and minoring in theatre. Shortly after graduating she founded a theatre company now known as Above the Curve Theatre, a black box non-profit theatre known for producing quality shows with a minimum participation of 50% females. In 2013, she became a full-time science teacher, and now teaches chemistry at Granada Hills Charter High School. She continues to run her theatre company and perform around the city with other companies as well. In addition, she is involved with a non-profit called buildOn, in which she takes high school students to third world countries to build schools for those less fortunate.
Erica met Ian and his beautiful daughter Avery almost three years ago. Erica and Ian seem quite perfect for each other, as they balance out each other's craziness. Their relationship has already survived Ian's back surgery and other hurtles that many couples do not have to go through so early on, which has only made them stronger together. She has inspired him to go back to school, and he has supported her in her journey to get a Master's in Science Education as well. They love their time with Avery, and have watched her flourish into a sweet, energetic little girl. When Erica found out she was pregnant with one of her own, she was ecstatic. Although not perhaps the way she imagined it would all happen, she very much believes in fate and God's will, and truly believes this miracle was meant to happen right now.
Pregnancy for her has not been the smoothest of processes. Erica was sick for the first 6 months or so, making it difficult to maintain her normally active and healthy lifestyle. She has always been a very disciplined eater and exerciser, but those first few months made it tough. Once that had passed, her pregnancy has been much smoother. Of course there are certain discomforts here and there, but she will cherish the first time she heard his heartbeat, the first time she saw his little nose in an ultrasound, and the first time she felt him kick. She feels lucky to have this experience, and is grateful every day for her little miracle.
** Erica and Ian welcomed Hudson Jameson Cochran into the world at 3:28 PM on January 31st. Erica, Baby Hudson and family are over- joyed and doing fantastic!
