When most people think of a maternity session during golden hour, they picture that warm glow flooding across the sky in the final minutes before sunset. While it’s undeniably beautiful, that orange light isn’t actually my favorite time to photograph, and here’s why.
Ideal Outdoor Session Start Time
For a golden hour maternity session, I prefer to begin two hours to 90 minutes before sunset. During this window, the light is still soft and directional, but it hasn’t yet turned that deep, saturated orange. The result? A naturally luminous glow that wraps around mama’s bump beautifully, without heavy color casting that can be tricky to balance in post-processing. It’s the sweet spot! All the magic of golden hour, with none of the limitations.
Laura and Matt’s maternity session in the rose garden was the perfect example of this approach in action. We arrived with plenty of time to settle in, select their wardrobe, and get dressed. The soft, even light made every frame feel effortless and ethereal. The blooming roses created a lush, romantic backdrop that complemented Laura’s gorgeous gowns. Two of which were pulled from my client closet and one that I borrowed for her from Nuuly.* She didn’t have to stress about a single outfit.
Rose Garden Maternity Session
With the sunset on this particular day set for just before 7pm, we decided to meet at this location just before 5pm. All of the images in this post are showcased in chronological order in which they were photographed. You can see how the light changes from the beginning to the end. When we began, I was sure to place Laura and Matt in the pockets of shade to provide contrast. Addtionally, I was careful to not flood my camera with direct sun. As the sun lowered in the sky, I got more creative regarding where I placed Laura and Matt. I stood in places to again avoid direct sunlight with my camera.
If you’re dreaming of a session surrounded by blooms, I’d love to create something just like this for you! My client closet is always available, stocked with maternity gowns in a range of styles and sizes. Looking stunning on your session day has never been easier. Take a look at my portfolio of maternity portraits.
Congratulations, Laura & Matt. Your little girl is so loved already!
Gear used for this session:*
Canon R6 Mark ii camera
Canon RF 28-70 2.0 lens
Edited with The Archetype Process profiles in Lightroom Classic. Retouching in Evoto.
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