I love the simplicity and timelessness the studio gives us. But maternity sessions don’t have to happen indoors.
During the warmer months, outdoor maternity sessions offer an entirely different way to document this part of your story – with soft evening light, natural movement, and the beauty of summer surrounding you.
Neither is better. They simply create a different feel.
And for the mom who feels most like herself outside, summer can give us something really beautiful to work with.
Let Summer Be Part of the Story
One of the things I love about photographing maternity sessions outside is that we don’t need to create much.
Summer already gives us a backdrop.
Tall grasses. Soft greens. Trees filled in for the season. Open fields. Warm evening light.
Rather than competing with the landscape, I keep everything else simple. Neutral and softly colored wardrobe choices allow the natural surroundings to add just enough color and texture while keeping you at the center of the photographs.
The result still feels very much like the light, timeless style you see throughout my work – just in a different setting.
A Little More Movement
The studio naturally lends itself to simple, intimate portraits.
Outside gives us a little more room to move.
We can walk through the grass, let your dress catch a little breeze, photograph you from farther away within the landscape, and create images that feel relaxed and natural.
If your partner or children are joining you, that space also gives us an opportunity for more interaction.
A walk together.
Your little one reaching for your belly.
A quiet moment with your partner.
And, of course, photographs focused entirely on you and the baby you’re waiting to meet.
It doesn’t have to feel overly posed or elaborate. And if being in front of the camera is something you’re already feeling a little nervous about, you’re certainly not alone. I shared more about this in Self-Conscious About Maternity Photos? You’re Not Alone, including why you don’t need to know how to pose or feel completely confident in front of the camera before your session.
What About the Summer Heat?
Summer maternity sessions do require a little planning – especially here in Ohio.
Outdoor sessions take place in the evening, when the sun is lower, the light is softer, and we aren’t working in the strongest heat of the day.
I also keep in mind that you’re pregnant. We’re not going to spend the evening hiking from one location to another or expecting you to be on your feet the entire time.
The goal is still a relaxed experience.
And because Ohio weather can have a mind of its own, we’ll always keep an eye on the forecast as your session approaches.
Your Wardrobe Still Matters
Whether we’re in the studio or outdoors, wardrobe is a big part of creating the soft, timeless look you see throughout my photography.
Outside, it’s arguably even more important.
Summer already brings plenty of color – especially green – so I recommend neutrals and soft, muted tones rather than adding more bold color to the scene.
Simple wardrobe allows your surroundings to complement you rather than compete with you.
And depending on your session, you’ll also have access to pieces from my client wardrobe so you don’t necessarily need to purchase something you’ll only wear once.
Studio or Outside? Think About How You Want Your Photographs to Feel
Choosing between studio and outdoor maternity photos doesn’t need to be about which one is better.
Think about what feels most like you.
Studio maternity photographs tend to feel clean, intimate, simple, and timeless.
Outdoor maternity photographs bring in more movement, landscape, texture, and the feeling of the season.
And outdoor sessions don’t have to be limited to summer. If your pregnancy falls a little later in the year, you can see how a completely different season can become part of the photographs in A Fall Maternity Story: Outdoor Fall Maternity Photography.
Some women immediately know which one they’re drawn to.
And sometimes seeing examples of both is what helps you decide.
Either way, my approach remains the same: keeping the experience simple and creating photographs that keep the focus on you, your connection, and this little person you haven’t met yet.
A Different Side of Maternity Photography
I may share a lot of studio maternity work, but I love what summer allows us to create outside, too.
There is something beautiful about taking a season that already feels full of life and using it as the backdrop for a family that’s growing.
The warm light. The movement. The landscape.
And right in the middle of it all – you, waiting for them.