When my husband and I discovered we were pregnant with our first child, we knew we wanted to take a babymoon. Mexico with its art, cuisine, culture, and beaches instantly became our choice, and we researched hotels. I was craving a very artsy experience, and we found Xcaret Arte online. It was amazing to see you could do courses such as pottery, painting, tapestry, and all-inclusive Michelin-star restaurants.
When I looked up Playa del Carmen resort and saw how gorgeous it was, I knew I wanted to do a maternity photoshoot there. I looked up photographers and Jorge's work kept popping up for me. His photography style was a stand-out - natural yet curated. Everyone looked incredible and the backgrounds were stunning. I booked him for our trip with stars in my eyes.
We got to Xcaret Arte and the shoot was scheduled for the end of our trip. We enjoyed the food, the incredible infinity pool, and relaxing at the resort. We did a pottery class, and a painting class, and went swimming in the river.
Our favorite restaurant was Tah Xido, which had Asian Teppanyaki along with A La Carte sushi and seafood. We also loved the tasting menu at the fusion restaurant Chino Poblano. The staff at the resort was amazing, and the decor and architecture were next level.
For all our classes and restaurant reservations, we had to book with the concierge ahead of time. To have an external photographer come, we also had to pay a vendor fee along with a day pass fee. It ended up being quite expensive.
When we got to Playa del Carmen, the beach was closed, due to unsafe conditions. I wanted to honor my pregnancy on the beach, and staring into the dangerously beautiful waves felt like a snapshot of the journey into motherhood.
The waves surge unhinged, yet never lose control. The moods of the tides, the hormonal changes I have experienced in my body, and my emotional state. The vast ocean holds so much power, and recklessness, yet calm and knowing.
The journey into motherhood has felt like 9 months of rapid evolution, It's a journey so hard to comprehend, and I know I will never be the same person I was before pregnancy.
By the day of our photoshoot, we were able to walk onto the beach for the shoot. Jorge did a fantastic job, making us feel so comfortable and natural. He knew his angles and lighting, and I could tell he had been doing this for YEARS with his comfort and ease, along with positive energy. He has true artistic energy and I would trust him to take any situation with a camera and find a way to make it beautiful.
Overall, we had a once-in-a-lifetime trip and honored our baby girl with the ocean, good food, and memories we will never forget. We also have Jorge's beautiful pictures to always bring us back.
- M & K
Location: Xcaret Arte.
