this session almost didn't happen



Originally, we had agreed on a date in December; L was due in early January, and I always prefer to schedule maternity sessions earlier so my clients aren't so pregnant it's uncomfortable to move around. Buuuut of course, mother nature had other plans for us, surprising everyone with a holiday downpour of severe rain & thunderstorms. We pushed the date a week ahead, thinking the storms would have passed by then...only to be proved wrong, again, as the entire coast got drenched once more.

Third time's the charm, right?


Thankfully, the winter storms passed by long enough for us to finally get together for our session. With all the extra rain, the redwoods were extra lush & green, truly a gorgeous backdrop for these two who were ever so patient & flexible with our scheduling.

Before the storms, we had settled on a location in Felton (Henry Cowell, my beloved) but since we had to post-pone & thus got closer to L's due date, we decided to pivot to a location new to me--Reinhardt Redwoods Regional Park. I've spent my fair share of time in the Bay between San Francisco & Oakland, but never found myself in the ~nature-y~ parts. It's easy to forget that Oakland is bordered by amazing expanses of wilderness like this, transporting you to a completely different world outside the city.


Also, something that really stood out to me here was that there was a designated 'creative space' within the park, a sectioned off grove of redwoods specifically catered towards photographers. As someone who works in state parks frequently, I thought this was genius. With social media, the beauty of places like this are constantly on display & bringing in new visitors daily--a blessing and a curse as photographers fill up busy trails or influencers damage wildlife for a single shot. I will always, always be a respectful human (leave no trace!) but I just really loved that there was a more secluded space for me to take my clients that was still beautiful but not in the direct path of hikers going about their business. Not all parks may have the space to accommodate this, but I think it's amazing nonetheless.

Two people in light colored clothing practice martial arts moves together in a sunlit forest setting.
A couple embraces in a sunlit redwood forest, with the woman wearing a flowing white maternity dress.

 

dreamy - romantic - ethereal

like a page out of pride & prejudice

L studied creative writing in college & spends her free time antiquing first-edition books, so of course one had to tag along for the session. As a fellow book lover, I was obsessed. Being outdoors is one of their favorite things to do as a couple, which is why they had chosen the redwoods--a place they could easily find themselves in on a weekend. C doted over L the entire session, from making sure she was comfortable to bringing her water when she needed it. These two were truly the sweetest.

 

A couple shares intimate moments in a sunlit forest setting wearing coordinated white and beige outfits.
A series of black and white photos showing a couple in vintage clothing walking together in a garden setting.
Sunlit forest scene with two figures in white clothing creating a dreamy atmospheric moment.
Romantic forest photoshoot with sunbeams streaming through tall trees as a couple embraces in white attire.
A couple shares a romantic moment in a sunlit forest setting during their wedding celebration.
A couple in white wedding attire embraces while walking through a sunlit forest path.
A couple sits together on a fallen log in a dreamy black and white forest setting.
Close-up detail of hands holding a brown leather Bible against a white dress in soft natural light.
A couple in light colored clothing sits intimately on a fallen tree trunk in a sunlit forest.
A black and white romantic portrait of a couple sharing an intimate moment outdoors.
A couple shares intimate moments in a forest setting wearing light colored clothing.
Close-up of hands wearing engagement rings with a vintage book and plaid fabric in the background.
Artistic forest photography series showing intimate moments between two people in white attire.
A couple dances together in a sunlit forest clearing in black and white.
A couple in white and beige dance together in a magical forest setting with streaming sunlight.
A couple dances together in a forest setting with dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.
A person in a flowing white dress stands in dappled forest sunlight with hands on their belly.
Couple in a romantic forest photoshoot among tall redwood trees with sunlight filtering through.
Intimate romantic moment captured in soft lighting with plaid sweater and white dress details.
A tender black and white photograph captures an intimate moment between two people in soft lighting.
A couple in white attire shares a romantic moment among tall redwood trees.
Person in flowing white dress sitting thoughtfully against a redwood tree in dappled forest light.
Expectant mother in flowing white dress poses against redwood trees in dappled forest light.
A dreamy black and white forest scene with sunlight streaming through tall trees creating dramatic shadows.
Dreamy forest engagement photos with sunlight streaming through tall redwood trees.
A sequence of ethereal dance movements captured in a sunlit forest with figures in flowing white garments.
A couple dances joyfully between tall trees in a sunlit forest.
A romantic forest photoshoot featuring a couple in light-colored clothing among towering trees.
Couple shares tender moment among towering redwood trees with sunbeams filtering through forest canopy.
Romantic dance sequence photographed in black and white among tall forest trees with dramatic lighting.
A couple embraces tenderly in a sunlit forest while wearing matching light-colored outfits.
Black and white surveillance camera footage showing a person moving through what appears to be a dark hallway.
Close-up shot of hands with wedding rings resting against white fabric.
A couple shares an intimate moment while resting against a tree in a black and white forest scene.
Intimate forest photography session with couple embracing among towering redwood trees.
A person in a flowing white dress poses gracefully among tall forest trees in golden light.
Woman in white dress twirling in black and white forest photography.
A person in a white dress twirls playfully in a sun-dappled forest setting.
Black and white photos capture intimate moments between two people among towering redwood trees.