A maternity session at Arabia Mountain that grew from comfort, trust and a willingness to try something new

Planning the Session

The Burtons are preparing to welcome their first baby, and from the start, I wanted this session to feel like theirs.

Through a few easy emails and texts, mom shared that she was most comfortable in black — which I completely understood (I live in all black, too). Still, she was open to stepping a little outside her comfort zone for photos that felt a touch more styled but still true to her. That kind of trust and openness means a lot.

In return, I expanded the session beyond the usual — adding a second location and time for an outfit change so she didn’t have to choose between what felt most like her and what might photograph beautifully in the setting sun. Sessions like this are never one-size-fits-all. We plan them together, adapting as we go, with enough flexibility to create something that feels completely custom and just right for that one family, in that one season.

First, the Field 

We started in a quiet field nearby with her wearing a simple black dress — relaxed, easy and beautiful. Then we packed up and headed quickly up the road to one of my all-time favorite spots: Arabia Mountain.

I popped up a quick changing tent for mom to jump into an olive green, full-of-fabric dress … right in the parking lot (we’ve all done the parking lot change, right?). She was a trooper … y’all changing in a pop up tent into 100 miles of fabric while pregnant is no small thing. 

Magic on the Mountain

We stopped at mossy patches, rock ledges and wherever the light felt right. They brought sonogram printouts and tiny baby shoes. Other hikers paused to offer congratulations.

There were dad jokes, wind-blown fabric moments (shoutout to dad for being the dress tosser), and so many little in-between glances that made everything feel natural and full of joy.

Takeaways

This session was a reminder of why collaboration matters so much. When a client trusts me enough to try something new — and I trust the process enough to bend the usual plan — we make space for real, honest magic.

It’s never about doing the most; it’s about creating something that feels like you, and letting the session stretch and shape itself around that.

What Made It Extra Special

The Burtons were one of the first families to book what’s now called The Becoming Collection (formerly Bump + Baby bundle) so I knew I’d get to see them again soon — this time with a precious baby in their arms.

Sessions like this remind me exactly why I do this work: not just for the photos, but for the connections and the full story that unfolds over time.

From golden hour to newborn snuggles — Part Two is on its way, and it’s every bit as sweet.
If you love the idea of documenting both bump and baby, The Becoming Collection might be the perfect fit and you can learn a little more about that HERE.