A Sentimental Session in Raleigh


While I’m based in Denver now, I had the sweetest reason to travel back home to North Carolina—capturing a maternity session for my brother, Ryan, and sister-in-law, Ally! We chose the Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art, one of my favorite spots in Raleigh, to take advantage of the rolling hills and early fall colors.

A couple shares an intimate moment in a sunflower field during a maternity photoshoot at golden hour.
A couple embraces in a sunflower field at sunset, with the woman wearing a burgundy maternity dress.

A Sweet & Timeless Maternity Session


Ryan and Ally were expecting their first baby, and with only three weeks until her due date, we were cutting it close! (Spoiler alert: baby arrived just a few days after our session—talk about perfect timing.) They were a little nervous since they’re not used to having professional photos taken, but once we got started, they relaxed and had so much fun together.

Expecting couple holds hands in a sunlit field at sunset while wearing a burgundy maternity dress.
A sunset maternity photo shows a couple embracing in a golden field during magic hour.
A couple embraces in a sun-drenched field during golden hour while wearing burgundy and beige outfits.

What to Wear for Your Maternity Session


I have to shout out Ryan and Ally's outfit choices, because they couldn't have been more perfect! I love Ally's bold red dress that highlights her bump, and how Ryan kept it simple with a neutral textured shirt and dark pants. Their color scheme was giving fall in the best way and complemented the background beautifully! They also brought multiple outfit options in case they changed their minds.


For your maternity session, a long dress that accentuates the baby bump in a solid color is a great place to start! Think about the location and time of year, and base your colors off of that. If dad will be included in photos, neutrals are always great - something natural, comfortable, and put-together is perfect to let mama be the star of the show!

Couple holding hands while walking through a golden field at sunset in autumn.
A couple sits together on a wooden platform surrounded by tall grass during sunset as they anticipate their new arrival.
A couple sits together on a wooden deck at sunset, she wearing a burgundy dress against a backdrop of tall grasses and trees.

Walking through the fall colors


Even though we were a couple of weeks ahead of peak fall foliage in North Carolina, the park still gave us plenty of color. The winding gravel paths, tall grass, and golden leaves made for the perfect natural backdrop. If you're planning a fall session, checking a local leaf map can help you time your shoot for peak colors!

A couple walks hand in hand on a rural road at sunset, with her in a burgundy dress and him in casual attire.

Navigating a Popular Photo Location


The Art Museum is a go-to spot for local photographers, so we had to work around a few other photoshoots that were happening. If you’re planning a session at a well-loved location, expect to wait a few minutes for prime spots—but don’t worry, I always have backup angles and spots ready so we can keep shooting while we wait!

Expectant couple walking on wooden boardwalk during golden sunset in outdoor nature setting.
A couple holding hands outdoors during a maternity photoshoot at sunset, with her wearing a burgundy dress.
A couple walks hand in hand on a dirt path at sunset, the person on the right wearing a burgundy dress.

Solo Maternity Portraits


Ally wasn’t too keen on taking too many shots by herself, but we made sure to grab a few! Many expecting mamas choose to have their maternity session completely solo, which I love. Whether you want all the focus on you or prefer to share the spotlight, I’m here to capture whatever feels most authentic to you.

A pregnant woman in a burgundy dress holds her belly while standing on a path at sunset.
Expectant mother in burgundy dress poses on dirt path during golden hour with trees in background.

Golden Hour & Sunset Glow


We kicked things off about 30 minutes before sunset to get that dreamy golden light. As the sun dipped lower, we kept shooting, embracing the softer glow that came after sunset. The result? A gorgeous mix of warm, golden tones and cooler, moody hues toward the end of their gallery.

Expecting couple walking on a dirt path through tall grass at sunset while wearing a burgundy dress and gray shirt.
Intimate maternity photo showing couple's hands gently resting on pregnant belly in burgundy dress.
Expecting couple shares an intimate moment outdoors during sunset maternity photoshoot.

My First Maternity Session—But Definitely Not My last!


I usually photograph couples, seniors, and grads, so this was my first time shooting a maternity session—and I absolutely loved it. Capturing such a special chapter in Ryan and Ally’s life was a dream, and I can’t wait to work with more maternity clients in the future!

Ready to Plan Your Maternity Session?


If you're expecting and want a relaxed, authentic maternity session, I’d love to hear what you're envisioning! Head to my contact page and let’s start planning your dream shoot.