This chapter of life is such a whirlwind of emotions, joy, and anticipation. It is a huge journey of transformation for every parent. And even though the days may feel long, the year will fly be SO quickly. The powerful journey of pregnancy soon becomes the life-changing journey of baby’s first year. There are SO many milestones to be captured here, both for you as an individual; for your family as a unit; and for your sweet Little One, too!

In this blog post I will be sharing everything you need to know about capturing maternity photos, especially in a gorgeous outdoor location. Read along to see my tips, tricks, and FAQ’s about Maternity photos.

I know so many mamas who have told me about getting caught up in life and routines and the understandable whirlwind of life, and suddenly it's been years and years since they had proper family photos made. Just snapshots. Usually on an iPhone, these days. And even more commonly--and tragically? Mama is never in the photos. She's always the one holding the camera.

Natural family photography in Palo Alto, San Francisco Bay Area Family Photos

If you love golden hills and warm, sun-drenched light in your family photos, then Fall in California is the best time of year to capture that! This beautiful location in Palo Alto involves a short walk up to the top of the hill to see rolling grasses surrounding you on all sides. This is a beautiful location in the winter too when the grasses are green!

You’re officially on the calendar for a beautiful family portrait session. Yay! Here’s a comprehensive checklist that will walk you through every step of the portrait process to help you feel confident and prepared for your session.

These photos were taken on a warm, cloudy day, before sunset, with a Canon Mark IV and a 50mm lens. Iris & Lace Photography serves the Silicon Valley, South Bay, Palo Alto, and San Jose region of the SF Bay Area. I specialize in families and couples, including maternity, lifestyle newborn, and engagement sessions.

One of my favorite things about being a family photographer is that I get to witness and capture beautiful couples in their new roles as parents. These sweet parents were so obviously dedicated and loving to each other, and seemed so effortless in their role as new parents to this sweet baby boy. Their home was decorated with beautiful photos of their wedding and their adventures, and now, my heart is overflowing with joy as they will be decorating their home with photos of this new stage and journey in their lives.