There’s nothing like a day by the creek in the Austin area. In the mornings, it’s quiet and crisp, and in the early and late summer it’s a cool relief from the heat of the coming day. I love doing sunrise maternity photos for this reason. It is beautiful, and it is far more comfortable for everyone. When you are 8 months pregnant, comfort can be hard to come by. This session from 2022 was one of those great mornings where we all had fun and took some awesome photos.
Sunrise at Brushy Creek with Jordan and Robbie
Meet Jordan and Robbie, the couple of the day at this throwback photoshoot! We took so many great photos in Brushy Creek Park.
Because it was so early in the morning, the light was casting dramatic shadows. This allowed me to capture dynamic maternity photos that worked well in both color and black and white.
We were able to take rich, interesting portraits and close-ups alike, and the morning light worked so well with this white maternity gown. It gave these photos a glow quality.
Capturing Couples Together at Maternity Photoshoots
Most couples I work with have a natural charisma with one another that is readily apparent in person. But when you’re taking photos together, it is the job of the photographer to capture that!
Why do we include the partner in maternity photos? I always leave it up to the client as to who they want to include in photos. But the non-pregnant parent is also really important to the pregnancy journey.
For two-parent maternity households, if the client is open to it, I do like to take some time to celebrate them both. Mom is usually the star of the show, but that doesn’t mean that her partner isn’t integral to the pregnancy!
As far as charisma goes, it was easy to capture theirs! Jordan and Robbie were so sweet with one another.
You’ll get to see it later in action, but Robbie’s support of Jordan was palpable throughout the photoshoot, whether it was taking direction for poses or physically helping to throw the train of the gowns.
I loved having the chance to capture these moments of togetherness for them before the baby comes in such a beautiful place.
Solo Maternity Photos at Brushy Creek Park
You know me, though. I’m a sucker for those woman-empowering solo maternity photos, so we made sure Jordan got her spotlight before the sun came up over the park.
Jordan looked lovely in these photos, her gorgeous dark brown hair contrasting the greens of the park and colors of her maternity gowns.
Of all these gowns, I think I really enjoyed the way she wore the black one! Black is not always a traditional color for maternity photoshoots, but she made it look very classic, or, as the kids are saying now, very demure.
If you follow this blog, you know that one of the tricks we do to get trains flying during photoshoots is to have someone throw the train and I edit them out afterward. A big thanks to Robbie for being my secondhand man and assisting with that!
Jordan, of course, didn’t need a bunch of post-edit tricks to highlight how beautiful she was. She naturally radiated throughout the photoshoot, and it was a delight to work with her.
By now, the baby-to-be in these photos is about two years old. I hope Jordan and Robbie can use these photos to think back to this pivotal moment in their family’s journey!
Common Questions About Sunrise Maternity Photos
Are sunrise maternity photos worth the early alarm?
In Texas, yes. The light in the first hour after sunrise is soft and directional in a way you cannot recreate later in the day, and the park is empty so nobody is walking through your frames. Jordan and Robbie’s gallery is the argument. Every one of those glowing backlit frames came from being there before the sun cleared the trees.
What time would my session actually start?
It moves with the calendar. In summer we are shooting by 6:45am, and in winter closer to 7:45am. I send you the exact call time once we pick a date, and I always build in a few extra minutes so you are not rushing.
Is Texas heat a problem for outdoor maternity photos?
It is the main reason I push sunrise. A 9am session in July is miserable when you are carrying a baby, and it shows in the photos. At sunrise it is twenty degrees cooler and you can actually enjoy yourself, which is the whole point.
How far along should I be for an outdoor session?
Between 28 and 34 weeks works best. Jordan was right around eight months and had no trouble with the short walks between spots. If you are carrying multiples or already uncomfortable, we go earlier and keep the walking to a minimum. More on timing here.
What should I wear for a sunrise session?
Flowing fabric is the move, because morning light comes through it. Jordan wore white, red, and black, and the black was the surprise favorite. You are welcome to shop my studio client closet, which has maternity gowns in a range of sizes and colors.
Where do you shoot sunrise maternity photos near Austin?
Brushy Creek Sports Park in Cedar Park is my go to, and it is where this session happened. The creek, the wooded paths, and the railroad bridge give us three completely different looks without much walking. Tell me the feel you want and I will point you to the right spot.
Ready to see this light for yourself? See what a session runs, then book a consultation with me.
