Working with this mama for her maternity photoshoot in Orange County was so much fun because she is a long time family friend. I had photographed her older daughter for her newborn pictures so I was excited to photograph this pregnancy. She couldn’t decide between a studio maternity photo shoot and an outdoor maternity photo shoot, so we did both. This was a great opportunity to use the same person to show the difference between the two.
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Studio Maternity Photoshoot in Orange County
We started in my Brea, CA studio, which is ideal for more intimate, styled maternity photos. Whether you want something dramatic, minimalist, or soft and romantic, the studio gives us full control over light and styling.
Semi-Nude Studio Maternity Photography
The first maternity photoshoot took place in my studio in Brea, CA- within Orange County.
To really showcase more of mama’s baby bump, we did a few semi-nude maternity images.
These don’t actually contain any real nudity. They do show a little more skin than a traditional maternity photo shoot. Semi-nude or implied-nude studio maternity images are a beautiful way to showcase your beautiful bump.
Mama is a hair stylist so she came looking fabulous with her hair and makeup done. For my clients who need to be glammed, I have hair and makeup artists that I work with who I love.
Don’t forget, a maternity photo shoot is a great excuse to get dolled up. See more of my maternity work here
I started this shoot with a scarf from my client closet and draped her in it.
I particularly wanted to highlight her beautiful tattoos so we kept it really simple. It’s amazing how a tiny piece of clothing can make such a big impact on an image.
I like keeping things monochromatic in the studio so that the clothing and the backdrop complement each other.
Posing with Confidence
I had the vision of this pose in my mind for the longest time however and she made it look more beautiful.
Most people have never had a professional photoshoot before so it’s normal that posing doesn’t come naturally.
This is where I come in! I know how to pose mom in the most flattering ways to emphasize the best parts of her pregnancy ( and minimize others).
It also may take a little bit of time for mama to warm up in front of the camera, but don’t worry because this is totally normal! I’m here to make you the feel the most comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Maternity Photos with Siblings | In-Studio Session
It was a bonus that mama brought big sister with her.
As she was watching me pose her mom, I asked her if she wanted to put on a princess dress and take pictures with mama and she said she did.
The beauty of having a photography studio full of a huge variety of maternity gowns and children’s outfits is that I can pull from it at any point.
The cream dress that mama is wearing is one of my favorite sweetheart maternity dresses in my client closet from Sew Trendy Accessories.
Big sister is wearing one of my most requested sibling dresses from My darling Emma. You can see more of my client closet in my portfolio section.
Outdoor Maternity Photoshoot in Orange County
Dry Lake Bed Session
For the outdoor portion for this maternity photo shoot, we actually went out to the El Mirage Dry Lake, located in the Mojave Desert.
I have always wanted to do a photo shoot here, but never really had the opportunity so I was beyond excited for this.
I brought a bunch of maternity gowns so mama changed right in her car in the middle of the dry lake bed because there wasn’t any choice.
You want to make sure you know about your photoshoot location ahead of time so that you’re not caught off guard.. Check out my guide to outdoor maternity photography for choosing your outdoor locations pregnancy photos!
I chose to bring maternity dresses that would complement the beautiful desert colors.
First was this mustard off-shoulder maternity gown. I think it looked so beautiful against the color of the dry lake bed.
A tight dress helps show the shape of mama during pregnancy and is always flattering.For example, sometimes a loose dress could make a mama look bigger than she actually is.
Client’s have the option to scroll through my Instagram to look for maternity gowns that I have in my client closet.
Mama had seen this custom dress by Cora and Violet and immediately knew that she wanted to wear it. It’s the most beautiful embroidered lace gown and the best part is that it can fit ANY size because it’s completely adjustable.
We ended the sessions with this mocha lace maternity dress because I wanted to show off more of mama’s tattoos.
You can see how perfectly the dress fit in with one of the tones of the lake bed and mountains in the background. That mocha color really matched the dry sand and blue skies.
Planning Your Maternity Photoshoot in Orange County
Not sure whether you want a studio session or an outdoor shoot? You don’t have to choose. Many of my maternity clients go for both—we start in the studio for a more intimate and styled look and then go to an outdoor location for pretty backgrounds in nature!
When you book your maternity photoshoot with me, I’ll walk you through everything:
The best time to schedule your session (usually between 28–34 weeks)
What to wear (you’ll have access to my full client closet)
What locations work well for your vibe (from beaches to desert spots)
Whether to include family or keep it solo
Hair and makeup recs if you want to treat yourself
Whether you’re coming from Brea, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, or anywhere else in Orange County, we’ll plan a session that’s relaxed, beautiful, and completely customized to you.
Ready Book Your Maternity Photoshoot in Orange County?
If you’re expecting and thinking about maternity photos, now’s the time to start planning! I shoot sessions all over Orange County and offer both in-studio and outdoor options—or a mix of both if you can’t decide.
I’ll help you choose the best location, walk you through what to wear, and make sure you feel totally comfortable in front of the camera.
Reach out here to book your session—I’d love to work with yo
