Every time a new client reaches out to me, I feel like I get to start a brand new little story.
When Lilly told me she wanted a beach maternity session and that she was expecting a baby girl, my brain immediately started going. Pink. Sunrise. Flowing dress. Painted backdrop on the beach. Something dreamy, feminine and a little different.
That is probably my favorite part of being a Palm Beach maternity photographer. I love beautiful photos, of course, but I also love creating. I am always dreaming up something new, especially when a client gives me a little inspiration to run with.
A Pink Sunrise in Palm Beach
We decided to do Lilly and Christian’s maternity session at sunrise, and Palm Beach really showed off for us that morning.
The sky turned the dreamiest shades of pink, which honestly could not have been more perfect for a baby girl session. Sometimes you plan everything and then nature gives you an extra little gift.
Lilly looked absolutely unreal in her gown.
We started right on the beach with simple maternity portraits by the water. I wanted those images to feel soft and romantic, without doing too much. Beautiful light, movement, connection between the two of them and that incredible sky behind us.
Sunrise is one of my favorite times for maternity photos in Palm Beach because the light is so soft and the beach feels completely different before the day really starts.
It is quiet, peaceful and a little magical.
Bringing a Painted Canvas to the Beach
Then we pulled out something I had been really excited about — a painted canvas backdrop.
I had pictured this in my head from the moment Lilly told me she was having a girl.
I love when maternity photos can be more than just “stand here and smile.” I wanted some of the images to feel almost like paintings.
We put the canvas right on the beach and started playing.
And funny enough, the canvas ended up being useful in a way I hadn’t even planned. As the sun started getting stronger, it actually blocked some of the direct light and gave us beautiful shade.
So now we had this artistic backdrop AND perfect light.
Sometimes the best things on a shoot happen because you just start experimenting and see where it takes you.
We moved it around, changed angles, let the fabric and dress move, and created some of my favorite images from the entire session.
Palm Beach Clock Tower Maternity Photos
Of course, once we were already in Palm Beach, I couldn’t resist taking a few photos by the Worth Avenue Clock Tower.
I have probably photographed this area over a hundred times by now, so at this point I am always challenging myself to see it differently.
Different angle. Different crop. Different way of using the architecture.
I never want to make the same picture over and over just because the location is familiar.
The Clock Tower is such a Palm Beach staple, though, and I love having at least a few images that immediately say PALM BEACH.
Especially for a maternity session like this one where we were mixing soft beach photos with more editorial images.
Worth Avenue Maternity Photos
To finish the session, we headed over to a few of my favorite spots on Worth Avenue.
Worth Avenue has so many little corners that photograph beautifully. You can go from classic Palm Beach architecture to hidden courtyards, textured walls and elegant storefronts all within a few minutes.
For Lilly’s session, I wanted the locations to fit the feeling we had already created.
Dreamy. Timeless. Romantic. A little surreal.
Not too posed. Not too perfect.
Just beautiful.
I love that we were able to create such different looks in one morning while still having the whole gallery feel connected.
The pink sunrise, the beach, the painted canvas, the Clock Tower and Worth Avenue all somehow worked together.
When Should You Take Maternity Photos?
One of the questions I get asked a lot is when to schedule maternity photos.
Usually, somewhere around 28–34 weeks works really well. Your belly is beautifully defined, but you are hopefully still comfortable enough to walk around, move and enjoy the session.
Of course, every pregnancy is different.
If you already know you want maternity photos, I always recommend reaching out earlier rather than waiting until the last minute. That gives us time to talk about wardrobe, location and any fun ideas you may want to create.
And I LOVE when someone comes to me and says, “I have this crazy idea…”
Those are usually my favorite sessions.
Creating Maternity Photos That Feel Personal
I really don’t want every maternity session I photograph to look exactly the same.
Some women want something very natural and simple.
Some want glamorous.
Some want romantic.
Some want art.
And some want all of it.
That is where the fun is for me.
I want to hear what you are imagining and then build on it. Sometimes it starts with a dress. Sometimes a color. Sometimes a location. Sometimes it is just a feeling.
For Lilly, it started with one thing: she was having a baby girl.
And somehow that turned into this entire pink, dreamy Palm Beach morning.
I was so happy with how these photos turned out, and I think Lilly and Christian were too.
Congratulations to both of them as they wait for their baby girl.
I feel incredibly lucky every time someone chooses me to photograph such an important little chapter of their life.
And I especially love thinking that one day their daughter may look at these photographs and see how excited and in love her parents already were before they even met her.
If you are looking for a Palm Beach maternity photographer and want something beautiful, creative and a little different, I would love to dream something up with you.