Okay, real talk — before we’ve even had our first conversation, I already know you’ve been on Pinterest.

Don’t be embarrassed! I do it too. You’ve got a whole board going. You’ve saved the golden-hour field session with the flowy dress and the perfect light, AND the studio setup with the cream linens. You’ve screenshotted your best friend’s session from last October and probably already texted her asking where she went.

Here’s the thing: by the time we get on a call, most moms have already made up their mind. They’ve decided. Outdoor. Indoor. Done. And I love that energy because it tells me you’re excited and you care, which is EVERYTHING. I’m going to bring this conversation up early. Like, first-thing early. Before you’ve locked anything in.

Why Do Moms Already Have Such a Strong Opinion?

Honestly? Pinterest. And your friends. And the time of year you happen to be pregnant. That’s basically the holy trinity of maternity session opinions.

Here’s what Pinterest leaves out: that sunset session you saved? Shot in October, perfect golden hour, 72 degrees, zero wind. That dreamy indoor portrait? Shot in a carefully styled studio with controlled light and a photographer who knew exactly what she was doing. Both are absolutely achievable. Both are stunning. But neither photo comes with a caption that says “we rescheduled this twice” or “her feet were killing her by minute 20.”

I want your session to look magical because it WAS magical. I work really hard behind the scenes to make it look effortless. That’s my job! I want you to know that we are going to create something so gorgeous and timeless you can look back years from now and still remember.

How do you decide on a studio or outdoor session?

Here’s the honest truth: the best location for your session has almost nothing to do with which style looks better on Instagram.

It has everything to do with YOU. Specifically:

How far along you’ll be. This is a big one. Maternity sessions are typically done between 28 – 32 weeks. That might not be something that works for you. You might have them taken at 36 weeks. Standing on uneven ground in heels while the sun is setting and everyone is waiting on you sounds like a lot. Indoor sessions are so much more comfortable in those final weeks. They have a controlled temperature, a bathroom two steps away (wildly underrated as a pregnant human), and a couch to sit on between setups. Your comfort is non negotiable.

How you feel about things being unpredictable. Outdoor sessions depend on weather, light, and the universe cooperating. Most of the time they do! But if checking the forecast the night before gives you anxiety, indoor is going to feel like a deep breath. And you deserve to actually enjoy this experience.

What you want to wear. This one surprises people! Flowing gowns look stunning in a field AND draped across a bed by a window. I make them work wherever we are. However depending on the location there could be areas where the dress could get caught and we need to make sure that you are safe!

Your schedule and how flexible it is. Do you have other kids? A partner who barely gets a day off? Outdoor sessions run on golden hour time. If we push back 30 minutes, the light is gone. Indoor sessions give us way more wiggle room, which honestly just makes the whole day feel easier.

What happens when we do decide?

Once we decide on location, everything else gets so much easier to figure out.

Wardrobe clicks into place. Timing makes sense. We know what we’re planning for and what our backup looks like. But if you hire a photographer who skips this conversation and you just show up having decided based on a Pinterest board without talking through these pieces first…that’s where things can go sideways.

When my moms show up to sessions they are prepared. The know exactly what is going to happen. I leave no stone unturned and I ensure that you are comfortable and have an amazing session. I do this I want you to feel taken care of from the very first email I send you, not just the moment you’re standing in front of my camera.

Why bring all this up?

Because I’ve been you! I’m a mom. I know what it’s like to go into something with a vision locked in and then realize midway through that you maybe should have thought about a few other things first. When you are pregnant you’re already managing SO much. The last thing I want is for your maternity session to be one more thing that feels stressful or uncertain.

So I ask a lot of questions. How has your pregnancy been? How are you feeling physically? What does your schedule look like? What do you want to feel when you look at these photos ten years from now? I want to understand your full picture, not just the aesthetic you pulled from Pinterest (though I want that too, obviously), but the emotional one. The one where you look back at these images and feel like that was exactly right.

That’s the conversation that shapes everything else. And I’m not just asking to be nice — I genuinely want to know. I’ll talk to literally anyone, and I will absolutely make you laugh at least once before we hang up.

Let Me Be Very Clear: There Is No Wrong Answer

I love outdoor sessions. I LOVE them. Some of my absolute favorite images I’ve ever taken were shot outside with nothing but natural light and a mom who trusted the process.

And I love indoor sessions just as much. The intimacy, the softness, the way a well-lit room can feel like its own little world. There’s something so intentional and luxurious about them. I use Spark Studios in Huntington Beach for my sessions and it is quite honestly one of the dreamiest locations.

Both are stunning. Both are worth every penny. I don’t have a preference. I promise you that. What I DO have a preference about is making sure YOUR session is perfect for YOUR pregnancy, YOUR body, YOUR life, and YOUR vision. Not your friend’s. Not what’s trending this week. Yours.

And the only way we get there is by talking it through together — before you’ve bought the dress, before you’ve committed to anything, before the stress has a chance to sneak in. We figure it out with all the information on the table and your experience at the center of every single decision.

That’s always the goal. That’s why I do this the way I do. If you want an outdoor maternity session and a studio newborn session that is awesome as well! I LOVE newborn sessions in studio. You can check out one of my blog posts here on how they are so special.

Now let’s go make something beautiful. 🤍

Thinking about booking a maternity session? I’d love to connect and figure out exactly what’s going to be perfect for you — reach out and let’s chat! Be sure to get in touch with me and SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION!

FAQ: Maternity Sessions

What should I wear for an indoor maternity session? Honestly, this is one of my favorite things to help with! Once you book your session I will send you a full styling guide. Also, I’m always a text away if you’re standing in a dressing room going “…is this it?”

What if I don’t love the way my bump looks? First of all you are growing a human and you are GLOWING, whether you feel like it right now or not. Second, that’s literally what I’m here for. My job is to find your angles, use light in a way that makes you feel like yourself, and make sure you walk away absolutely obsessed.

How far along should I be for my session? The sweet spot for most mamas is 28 – 32 weeks. Your bump is beautifully round and full, but you’re not yet in those final “please just get here” days (no judgment — we’ve all been there). That said, every pregnancy is different and we can absolutely work with your specific timeline. We’ll figure out what makes the most sense for you on our call.

What if I have other kids? Can I include them? YES. Siblings in maternity sessions are some of the most emotional, precious moments I’ve ever photographed. We’ll talk through timing so the kids are at their best and I’ll make sure the session flows in a way that doesn’t feel like herding cats. Even if it turns into herding cats a little. That’s honestly kind of the magic.

What happens if I go into labor before my session? Life happens! Babies are notoriously bad at following schedules (spoiler: this doesn’t change once they arrive). If you go into labor before we shoot, we’ll figure it out together. Newborn sessions are also something I offer, so there are options no matter what. You will not be left hanging!