Maternity Photos with Frankie+Brad

Frankie + Brad · Waiting on Baby

Every photographer has a place they keep to themselves. Mine is tucked away somewhere outside of Santa Barbara, and I only take my clients there. When Frankie and Brad told me they wanted insane golden hour and beautiful beach shots, I knew exactly where we were going.

I won't tell you where it is. But I will show you what it looks like at golden hour.

The session

We met about an hour before sunset, when the light starts to soften and turn warm. Frankie was 37 weeks along.

I knew we were going to have a good time when Brad mooned the camera within ten minutes of the session starting. (Not pictured).

I love that this spot gives couples room to breathe. There's no one walking past and no crowd watching, so it's easy to forget the camera is there. I guided Frankie and Brad through a few simple poses, then let them wander, talk and just enjoy each other. Some of my favorite images came from those in-between moments, when they weren't thinking about photos at all.

As the sun dropped, everything glowed. We finished with a few portraits of Frankie on her own, splashing in the ocean.

Why I love maternity sessions

Pregnancy goes by both slowly and all at once. A maternity session is a chance to pause for an hour and remember what this season felt like, the anticipation, the closeness and the excitement of who's coming next.

For Frankie and Brad, this was the first chapter. A few weeks later, I got to photograph their baby's first days at the hospital. You can see their Fresh 48 session here.

Frankie and Brad, thank you for trusting me with such a special time. It was an honor to be there.

Planning your maternity session?

The best time for maternity photos is usually between 28 and 36 weeks, when your bump is round and you're still comfortable walking around. I photograph maternity sessions on the beach, in wildflower fields, along the bluffs, and yes, at my secret spot too.

Inquire about your maternity session.

<3 Missy