Today I’m excited to share Hazel’s maternity photo shoot as she and her husband welcome their new baby into this world! This is Hazel’s second photo shoot with me I’d love to link to her previous session in this post, but much to my disappointment, her boudoir photo shoot is GZ4 classified. You’ll just have to trust me when I say that she has more than a few images I’d love to show off in my portfolio if I could!
The good news is that she said she’d be okay sharing her maternity photos from her session here which I’m super stoked about! We photographed her portraits in the summer at the Sonoma Regional Park up the road from where I live. I love the beauty of our beautiful oak forest!
Preserving This Moment With Your Maternity Photo Shoot
Now that my wife and I have a little creature of our own, maternity photos hit me way harder than they used to. Everything moves so fast once you’re in it—faster than I ever imagined. I’m incredibly grateful I had the mindset to capture my own family’s journey as it unfolded.
It still blows my mind how three months can fly by, and I’ll look back so damn thankful I grabbed the camera and froze a few moments in time.
So when Hazel asked me to do her maternity photo shoot, I felt a little extra pressure—the good kind. I know how meaningful those images can become. My goal with every shoot is to create something their family will treasure for decades.
If I’ve done my job right, maybe some of these photos become the ones their kids or grandkids look at one day and say, “Wow, Mom looked amazing.” That’s the dream.
This Maternity Photo Shoot Styled By Amazon
One of the most common questions I get when setting up a maternity photo shoot is where to find great dresses. These days, most moms-to-be are getting their maternity dresses on Amazon. The variety, price, and convenience are tough to beat.
The current trend leans toward flowy or stretchy, form-fitting dresses—both super forgiving in terms of fit, which helps when you’re ordering online. At the price most of these are listed, it’s probably the most practical choice for something you’ll likely wear just once.
For Hazel’s maternity photo shoot, I found a quiet little spot where she felt comfortable enough to dress down a bit. She brought a sheer blue dress that instantly became my favorite, especially paired with a soft flower crown and some simple lace bottoms. It had this calm elegance that really worked.
I rarely say this out loud, but when a client brings multiple outfits, I usually save my favorite for their second or third change. By then, the nerves are gone, and the real magic starts to happen. That’s typically when I capture the best moments—when you’re relaxed, trusting the process, and open to playing a bit more.
By outfit four or five, energy levels dip. That’s why I aim to hit the sweet spot mid-shoot—when you’re glowing, confident, and in the groove. That’s when I can riff pose ideas like a guitarist lost in a solo, and you’re right there with me.
One of my favorite shots from Hazel’s shoot was completely spontaneous. She was a little unsure about showing her belly, but I really felt the dress called for it. I guided the moment gently, trying to keep it elegant and timeless. It’s not a pose I see often in maternity photos, but it felt right for her—and hopefully, it resonates with other moms too.
Let me know what you think about this maternity photo shoot in the comments. I’ve pulled back a bit from social media lately, which has made me feel somewhat disconnected. It’s bittersweet because I’ve been loving the deeper conversations happening off the grid, but I do miss this space and all of you in it.
Hope you’re all doing well.