Welcome — and congratulations.
This guide was created to help you feel prepared, confident, and relaxed going into your maternity session. My approach is calm, intentional, and rooted in storytelling. These images are about more than how this season looks — they’re about how it feels.
Please read through this guide at your own pace. Everything here is meant to support you.
Maternity session guide
AGS Photo Art
"Amandarose is everything you could ask for in a photographer. She's very professional, flexible, understanding, creative, she listens and she's thoughtful. She's also a rare find that still enjoys taking film photographs as well. I promise you won't be disappointed to work with her"
- samantha
Your maternity session is a pause — a quiet moment before everything changes.
This is a season centered on you: your strength, your body, your anticipation, and the transition into motherhood. Whether this is your first pregnancy or not, this chapter is brief and meaningful, and it deserves to be documented with care.
My role is to guide you gently, allowing moments to unfold naturally. You do not need to know how to pose or what to do — that’s my job.
I believe in capturing both timeless portraits and the small, real, in-between moments that make your family unique.
What This Session Is About
Many families choose this experience because they want both meaningful photographs and help turning them into lasting heirlooms.
This experience is designed to feel calm, guided, and intentional.
From the way your session is photographed to how your images are preserved, you’ll never be left wondering what comes next. I’ll guide you through each step — including album and artwork decisions — so nothing feels overwhelming or rushed.
welcome
to the cottage
carmel valley
This is our office!
Where your design comes to life!
This is our sweet cottage where we work every day.
5 days aweek, we are designing precious heirlooms for our couples and families, and we are so thankful we get to help future generations see this chapter in your lives.
We’ll confirm the exact location, meeting point, and timing a few days before your session.
Maternity sessions can take place in a variety of settings. Each offers a different feeling:
Beach – soft, open, peaceful, and timeless
Coastline / Cliffs – dramatic, powerful, and expansive
Valley / Fields – warm, earthy, and romantic
Studio – intimate, controlled, and editorial
If you’re unsure which location best fits you, I’m happy to guide you based on the vision you shared in your questionnaire.
Location Guidance
studio or outdoor
"My family had a wonderful experience working with Amandarose. We booked a fim family session with her when we were staying at Carmel Valley Ranch. Amandarose was a pleasure to work with, knew all the great photo taking spots at Carmel Valley Ranch, and charmed my daughter. We were really happy with the final product and have already received so many compliments on our family album. I would not hesitate to book her again!
- sabine
What You Don’t Need to Worry About
• Knowing how to pose
• Looking a certain way
• Being “perfect”
• Having everything planned
• Feeling emotional, tired, or unsure
Your Experience
You’re in good hands.
What to Expect During Your Session
• Sessions are unhurried and relaxed
• I will guide you with soft direction and natural movement
• We focus on connection, stillness, and emotion
• Breaks are welcome, comfort comes first
If a partner or children are included, we’ll ease into combinations naturally so nothing feels forced.
TIMING, LIGHT, WHAT TO WEAR
TIMING and LIGHT
Most outdoor maternity sessions are scheduled around golden hour for the softest, most flattering light.
• Sunset sessions typically begin 1.5–2 hours before sunset
• Studio sessions are scheduled based on light and availability
Please plan to arrive a few minutes early so we can start calmly and unhurried.
WHAT TO WEAR
The most important rule: choose something that feels like you.
In general, maternity photographs beautifully in:
• Soft, neutral tones
• Flowing fabrics that move with you
• Simple silhouettes
• Bare feet or minimal footwear
Avoid:
• Large logos or graphics
• Very bold patterns
• Anything that feels restrictive or uncomfortable
If your partner is joining, coordinating neutrals works better than matching exactly.
Where to Find Maternity Dresses
If you’re looking for a maternity dress and don’t know where to start, these are a few places clients often find pieces they love. You don’t need anything special — this is simply a starting point if you’d like one.
Yew & Dress
(Flowy, romantic styles — great for studio or coastal sessions)
PinkBlush Maternity
(Wide variety, accessible price points)
Ingrid & Isabel – Flutter Maternity Dress
(Classic, timeless option that photographs beautifully)
Amazon
(Helpful for basics or last-minute options — fit and fabric vary)
STORYTELLING + COMFORT
Storytelling Details
Small details often carry the most meaning.
Consider bringing:
• Ultrasound photos
• Heirloom jewelry
• A letter to your baby
• Meaningful clothing or fabric
Nothing is required — these are simply options if they feel right to you.
Your Comfort Comes First
Your comfort is always the priority.
We’ll move slowly, take breaks as needed, and adjust pacing throughout the session.
Please feel free to bring water, snacks, or anything that helps you feel comfortable and supported during our time together.
Preparing Emotionally
You do not need to perform or “look a certain way.”
This session is about presence, breath, and connection. Trust that what feels real will translate beautifully.
If you’re feeling emotional, tender, excited, or even overwhelmed — all of that is welcome here.
resources
If you’d like to explore a bit more or make a day (or weekend) of your session, these resources are here to support you. Everything below is optional — follow only what feels helpful.
My personal recommendations for places to eat, drink, stay, and explore nearby.
A visual guide to albums, folios, and framed artwork — created to help you envision how your images can live in your home long after the session.
hair and makeup, flowers and more!
Preserving Your Images
This chapter exists only briefly.
Many clients choose:
• Heirloom maternity or motherhood albums
• Framed artwork for the nursery or bedroom
• Folio boxes with matted prints
• Keepsake prints for family
If you’d like to explore these options visually, the Studio Shop Guide walks through albums, artwork, and how clients typically choose.
A visual guide to albums, folios, and framed artwork — created to help you envision how your images can live in your home long after the session.
Once your baby arrives, this season often becomes the easiest to unintentionally skip when it comes to printing and preserving images. Time moves quickly, priorities shift, and maternity photographs — centered on you — are often the ones meant to be revisited later but never are.
Thinking about preservation now allows us to photograph with intention and ensures this part of your story doesn’t get lost in what comes next.
artist hand matts. select your favorite images to be hand matted and used to pop into frames or an easel to light up a room!
loose prints or matted prints are perfect for gifts, adding to a gallery wall or putting in a pop in frame.
I love these! What a fun classic way to keep your images in an accordion folio on your mantle, console table or around the house!
Full digital collection from your gallery. Gallery for one year included with download for our families.
boxed prints
Prints
Folios
Digital Collection
These hand crafted frames are stunning to enhance and focus on your art. Select modern to unique I'll help you design gallery walls to love forever.
Family Frames
5x5, 8x8 or 10x10! - these books and albums are the best way to showcase your session. These are our clients favorites!
Albums and books
Next step, what are you going to do with your images?
Where will they live?
the Heirlooms
Gallery Options
Once your images are delivered, you’ll have two ways to preserve and enjoy them. Both options offer heirloom-quality products — the difference is how involved you’d like to be in the process.
The Gallery Shop
(Do It Yourself)
A self-guided option built directly into your online gallery, allowing you to order prints and products at your own pace.
The Studio Shop
(Done-For-You)
A fully guided experience where I curate images, design your album or artwork, and handle the process from start to finish.
Both options are shown in more detail in the Studio shop if you’d like to explore further.
