When You Want to Do Something a Little Different for Your Maternity Session

This one started as a tiny idea.

The kind you save on Pinterest and think, that could be fun… but I’d want to make it my own.

Not perfectly styled. Not overly planned. Just a starting point.

I had this vision of something playful, a little nostalgic, and centered around the real, everyday moments that make this season what it is.

So I reached out to Sierra. And she was immediately in.

Not just for a session, but for a fun afternoon of laughing, snacking, and just letting things unfold.

These are the kinds of sessions I love most.

The ones that don’t feel overly structured. The ones where we start with an idea… and then let it become something else entirely.

We started with a location idea: Swig. If you’ve ever been, you know, it’s simple.

A basic storefront. Nothing overly designed or distracting.

Which made it perfect.

A clean backdrop. Soft light. Space to just exist without overthinking it.

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Before anything, I went in and talked with the manager.

I wanted to make sure we were respectful of the space, that it was okay to shoot there, and that we could incorporate their drinks into the session.

I told them I’d be purchasing items, keeping things low-key.

And they were so kind about it. They lit up at the idea of the shoot and gave us a yes without hesitation.

There’s something really special about that, when a space welcomes creativity like that.

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Okay, back to the fun part.

When I asked Sierra what she had been craving lately, she didn’t even hesitate. “Sour candy.”

COMPLETELY ADDICTED 🤭.

It seemed like the simplest decision ever, as Swig had just introduced their Sour Patch drinks for the season. It was one of those instances where everything fell into place perfectly.

The idea, the location, the craving, it all came together in a way that felt effortless.

From there, we didn’t overthink it.

We ordered drinks. Grabbed candy. Opened packages and didn’t worry about the mess.

At some point, the candy ended up scattered across the floor. Wrappers half open.

Drinks sweating on the table.

And instead of fixing it—we leaned into it.

Sierra sat on the floor at one point, just laughing, mid-snack, completely relaxed.

Later, she leaned back against the wall, taking a sip, one hand resting on her belly without even thinking about it.

There were no big directions.

Just small ones, here and there: stay there for a second, take another sip don’t move yet

And everything else just… happened.

That’s what I’m always chasing in these sessions. Not perfection. Not a checklist of poses.

In-between moments, the ones that feel like something you’d actually remember later.

The way your body naturally settles. The little habits you don’t even notice.

The way you laugh when you forget someone’s watching.

Maternity doesn’t have to look one way.

It can be soft and quiet.

Or playful and a little messy.

Or built around something as simple as what you’ve been craving lately.

It can look like a blue slush and sour candy.

It can look like sitting on the floor instead of standing in a field.

It can look like you.

If you’ve been thinking about maternity photos but haven’t quite connected with what you’re seeing out there… this is your reminder that you don’t have to follow a template.

We can start with an idea, even one pulled from Pinterest and turn it into something that actually feels like your story.

Something relaxed. Something honest. Something you’ll recognize when you look back on it.

These are the sessions I love. The ones where we create something together that feels a little unexpected…and completely real.

So if you’ve been sitting on an idea, big or small, saved or half-formed—this is your sign to bring it to life.

You can reach out here or send me a message, I’d love to start planning it with you.