The Best Place to Take Maternity Photos in Orange County (It’s Not the Beach)

My own maternity photo session was three years ago now, and it feels like a lifetime away. In my photos, I remember holding my belly and wondering: What will she be like? Well, fast forward almost three years and my daughter has exceeded my wildest dreams. She’s grown into a bubbly, outgoing toddler who sings to strangers at the doctor’s office, asks to FaceTime all her family members to ask about their day, and calls me “girlie.”

I can’t wait for you to meet your baby, too. This season of waiting and wondering is indescribably special. Before all the adorable family photoshoots in your future, let’s talk maternity sessions.

My style as an Orange County maternity and newborn photographer is a bit unconventional compared to the highly styled beach and studio sessions you see in our area. I offer maternity sessions for those of us who want something more low-key but still artful, meaningful, and memorable.

I’ll walk you through:

• The best place to take maternity photos in Orange County

• When to take maternity photos during your pregnancy

• What to do during a maternity session

• What to wear

• My style as a documentary & lifestyle maternity photographer

Best Place to Do Maternity Photos in Orange County, CA

As an Orange County maternity photographer, I have always been a huge fan of doing photos in your own home. Being in your space makes you automatically more comfortable and relaxed, which translates to photos where you look like yourself. That applies to kids too, if you have any already!

Having been pregnant, I feel extra strongly about doing maternity photos at home-- for one, you’ll have a bathroom nearby so you can pee as many times an hour as you need to 🤣 You don’t get that at Laguna Beach! 

But mostly, I love capturing the home that you’re going to be bringing the baby into. This is where they’ll spend the first precious months of life. This is the doorway you’ll walk them through for the first time. This is the home where you’ll see them take their first steps and try their first solid food (for my daughter, it was steak-- never forget). Doing an in-home maternity shoot creates an instant heirloom you’ll cherish forever.

Personally, we’ve recently moved out of the home where we raised our daughter for her first two years. The photos I have of her in our old house are even more special now than ever before. My daughter even requests to see them when she misses the house. I had no idea they’d become a comfort to her. Who knew!

And the best part is, you don’t have to prep too much-- open up the blinds, clear the main surfaces of clutter, throw on your favorite outfit, and you’re all set.

When to Do a Maternity Session

I recommend doing maternity photos around 30-34 weeks. Your bump will be showing but you’ll still be comfortable enough to move around. I have clients choose to book a newborn session at the same time-- here’s a guide on when to take newborn photos, with examples of babies week-by-week, to get a feel for timing.

What to Do During a Maternity Photo Session

Let’s do what you actually do! Rather than posing you on a Southern California beach or on a cliffside at golden hour, I focus on natural lifestyle photography, where I enter into your everyday routine with you and celebrate what makes you unique. Maybe you and your partner are eagerly awaiting your first baby, or maybe you’ve done this before and have other kids who will be joining you for the session. I’ll capture what’s meaningful to you about this exact season.

For your in-home maternity shoot, you can go through your usual morning routine, play with your kids or pets, cuddle with your partner, finish a project for the nursery, or drink a beverage in your backyard. There are tons of options. We will work together to come up with a creative maternity photoshoot idea for your unique at-home session. 

What to Wear During a Maternity Session

I love helping my clients decide what to wear for their photo sessions. My main vibe: Wear something you love! Something that feels like you.

Pregnancy can be a tough time for clothes. I did a lot of Nuuly clothing rentals during my pregnancy, especially for events and photos. I have clients who love to treat themselves to something new for a photo session, and I have clients who show up in sweats because that’s what they wear every day. 

Since pregnancy can already be a time of feeling unfamiliar with your body as it changes rapidly, wear whatever helps you feel like yourself, whether that’s leggings, a tight dress, or unbuttoned jeans.

Book Your Orange County Maternity Session

If you want to capture your pregnancy season in an artful, relaxed way without having to go to a separate location, let’s talk! 

My favorite thing to do as a professional photographer of 20 years is maternity photography, family photography, and newborn photography. I’m a mama myself who knows how fleeting every moment feels, from pregnancy to postpartum to every milestone to come. Even though I show my work in galleries, it’s photos of my daughter that have become the most important to me. I’d love to capture these sweet days with your baby-to-be.

I can come to you in cities across Orange County, California, like Anaheim (my new home base!), Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Brea, Costa Mesa, Yorba Linda, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach.

I also love Los Angeles (former resident of South Pasadena and the Valley!) and can come to you anywhere in LA for maternity sessions, family sessions, and newborn sessions. You’re worth the drive :)

Let’s get your in-home documentary-style maternity session on the books. Set up a call with me here and we can get to know each other!