San Jose Maternity Photographer | San Jose and Bay Area Maternity Photographer

San Jose Maternity Photos

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! Today I want to feature this beautiful sun-soaked maternity session photographed in San Jose, California. This was the last maternity session I photographed in 2020. From the minute I met this couple, I could tell they were kind, sweet, thoughtful people. We'd only been photographing for about 10 minutes when I paused and said, ”I can tell there's a lot of love between you.” They were gentle, patient and attentive with one another, and I know they'll be wonderful parents and just a few short months!

This gallery was photographed at sunset in one of my favorite hillside locations near San Jose. This session was scheduled on a Sunday in December. Sometimes on weekends especially in the late Fall some locations can be crowded so I recommend families to arrive early to secure parking. At this location, we walk up a sloping hill but stop to take pictures along the way so it doesn't feel too tiring, especially for pregnant mamas!

This mama did a beautiful job dressing herself for her maternity photography session. She chose a light, natural, flowing wrap gown that is very flattering. Ironically this is an identical dress that I also have in my Client Closet. My clients can borrow this dress in a size medium, with a the soft pink color, and also a size large in a natural nude color. I love this dress because you can wear it before, during and after pregnancy!

When to Shoot Maternity Photos in San Jose

When scheduling maternity photos I recommend booking a session around 30 weeks along. Some mommas tell me they want to wait to schedule their photos as late as possible because they want a nice big bump for their pictures, but I encourage scheduling photos in the second trimester because mama will have a little more energy for walking around to take pictures. Also, some babies make their debut a little early, so it’s best to leave plenty of time just in case!

My maternity photos, like most of my sessions, are scheduled at sunset because the light is the most beautiful then. I will work with you to recommend locations in the Bay area close to you. Be sure to let me know in advance if you are looking for rolling hills or perhaps the beach for your photos!

I know how to work efficiently during a photoshoot, but I really prefer to take my time when photographing sessions. As you can see in this gallery the light changes significantly throughout the hour, and we would’ve missed that gorgeous glow if we’d only done a twenty minute mini-session. By slowing down we capture more versatility in the locations, posing, and lighting. This way, the whole experience feels more natural, unrushed, and unforced, and we increase our odds of capturing the sweetest moments!

Photography Information

This session was photographed on a Canon 5D Mark IV, with a Canon 85mm 1.4 lens and a Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens. All photos were edited in Lightroom and Photoshop by hand.