Dreamy Film Maternity Session at McKinney Falls in Austin

I met Jess and Brandon when they reached out to me to photograph their maternity session. They were just a few weeks away from welcoming a baby boy, and wanted to document the precious, fleeting season of their first pregnancy before it came to an end. As fellow photographers, they envisioned images that felt authentic, creative, and full of heart. We planned a film maternity session with a touch of digital photography, set against the natural landscape of McKinney Falls in south Austin.

Film Maternity Session at McKinney Falls

Jess and Brandon are recent transplants from the West Coast and wanted their maternity session to feel quintessentially Austin. They also envisioned a natural setting that would complement their outfits and reflect their love for the outdoors. I suggested McKinney Falls, a true Austin gem. Even in the gray days of December, the state park offers a variety of beautiful backdrops, from rocky landscapes and a serene creek to an abundance of trees and greenery.

The couple loves fashion and wanted their images to highlight multiple outfits, so they booked a two-hour session. Jess rented several pieces through Nuuly, and I loved the selections she chose. Her white two-piece set and baggy jeans—styled with a cropped peasant blouse and quilted jacket—beautifully showed off her baby bump, à la Rihanna.

I decided at the last minute to bring my backdrop to this session, and I’m so glad I did! We set it up just in time for blue hour and experimented with the flash on my film camera. I couldn’t be more in love with the results—these images were not only a fun creative experiment but also a perfect reflection of Jess and Brandon’s style.

This film maternity session was exactly the kind of shoot I love: unique, inventive, and full of movement. I’m so grateful Jess was able to move around so much at that stage of her pregnancy, and I was beyond impressed when she welcomed her baby boy just three days later. If you’re expecting, I’d love to help you plan an Austin maternity session that reflects your style. Whether outdoors or in the studio, I can’t wait to help you capture this special stage of motherhood. Reach out to book!