I absolutely love doing maternity photography in VA, there are so many beautiful places to get incredible photos! I shot this session the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in Aquia Landing, in Stafford. So many people were there, I mean it was PACKED! The weather in the park was gorgeous, not too hot and not too cold!
The day of the session was so sunny and beautiful, which might explain why the park was so busy! I had never seen this location so full of people. Every beach cove had at least six families, it was complete chaos!
We started the session off along the rocks. There was a grassy section of beach with some trees for a backdrop, as well as some picnic tables. That little rocky outcrop with the river in the background was the only open space with a little shade to work with! We got a few pictures in that spot, and then we moved on to a patch of long grass. I had to edit out a few football games in the background, but the light was good there, so we got some great photos anyway!
After that I really wanted to snap some photos of Annette on the beach. The beach was in full, blazing afternoon light and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. So, there was nowhere to hide! I took a couple of pictures there, but the light was so awful and intense that it was casting crazy shadows on Annette and her husband's faces, so we moved down the beach. We passed the time by practicing poses until the light was a bit more workable!
We worked our way down the beach, until we came back to the first cove which was much more shaded. When we reached that cove, I had finally found my spot! We were about three feet from someone's picnic blanket, but it worked out in the end.
After the family-type photos we got into the more experimental, fun stuff! I snapped a few shots of the couple with their feet in the water, and then Annette and I got right into it! The water came up to my waist, and I loved every minute of it. I brought Annette into waist depth and those photos were my absolute favorite from this session! The lighting was perfect, the water was so blue, and Annette was stunning! Such a fun session and I love everything e captured!
The park was busy, but the photos were worth it! I'm so grateful that I got to do Annette's maternity photos, she was great to work with and such a beautiful expecting momma!
If you or a friend need maternity photography done in VA, especially the Stafford area, please contact me for more information!
