April 13, 2020 update: I’ve revamped this post with new details, locations and brand new photos! Enjoy!
There are two questions on every mama’s mind when she schedules any session, but particularly for maternity and family photos: what to wear and where to photograph the session.
Sometimes location is more important than wardrobe, like when couples want to make these special memories at a sentimental place. More often, though, mamas just want to look incredible and meet in a quiet, beautiful spot to celebrate their babies and families. I send clients a questionnaire to help determine the perfect location for them.
There are a few things I consider when making location suggestions. Most importantly, I want to ensure we’re meeting at a peaceful location without a lot of crowds. I want clients to feel comfortable and enjoy their time together without lots of people around. This makes for a more relaxed session where we can take our time celebrating baby or your family!
I also look for places that have a variety of backgrounds. While you, hubby and the baby bump (or kiddos) are the most important part of any photo, having a gorgeous background adds to how much you’ll love your photos! I deliver photo galleries with lots of variety so that you can decorate all the walls in your home with these sweet memories.
Today I’m sharing some of my most favorite spots for incredible maternity and family photos in and around The Woodlands, TX.
The Houston, TX White House
When I’m looking for a spot for a mama who wants a quiet place to celebrate her family, this is the first place I suggest! It’s gorgeous and peaceful, making it perfect for maternity, family and even outdoor newborn sessions (when the weather is suitable for tiny babies). No matter what time of year it is, the landscape is stunning and green, with flowers often in bloom, too.
A dominant feature here is an old, beautiful building that photographs like a dream. It boasts a wide front porch, romantic balconies and a carefully tended garden out front that includes knock-out roses and other bright flowers year-round. There is also a pond nearby, along with lots of trees. I’ve never met a mama or family that didn’t fall in love with this location right away.
I love that it offers places for littles to run and play, as well as smaller areas that are perfectly suited to a romantic couples session. {Featured above: Alexis’ sweet maternity session and Brandy’s perfect family session}
Mercer Arboretum
This is my absolute favorite place for maternity sessions! Mercer Arboretum is a botanical garden with endless amazing places to photograph. I could schedule a different session here every weekend for a year and never get sick of it. Mercer works equally well for couples and families; it’s rare to be there without other photographers working with their clients. If possible, I suggest clients schedule their sessions on a weekday for a more private, enjoyable experience.
It’s stunning here during every season – yes, even when it’s cold! – and especially when it’s overcast. That’s a huge reason why I love it so much – it works for practically every kind of mama and her idea of the perfect maternity photos.
The top maternity session featured above celebrates Hannah and David as their wait to meet their daughter, due April 2020. This early March session was shot on a mostly overcast day, with an occasional peek from the sun. I absolutely adore how Hannah just pops off the photo in this stunning red gown (it’s one of many in my client closet, exclusively for client use!).
We met on a Monday morning and we were virtually the only guests at the arboretum that day. In fact, if you take a look at that first photo of Mercer above, you’ll note that it’s just this adorable couple and a stunning landscape. You’d never get that shot on a weekend, without having to do lots of heavy editing to remove people in the background. {Also featured: Cathy’s romantic couples maternity session}
Alden Bridge Park
This is a popular spot for photos because the trees are especially breath-taking in the spring and the fall. The above session features Mary and her sweet family of five. This fall mini session is one of my favorites of all time! Mary did such a wonderful job coordinating outfits that just shine with the fall-colored leaves.
This location is wonderful because are so many places to shoot within easy walking distance. In fact, you’ve even got your choice of two pretty bridges, both of which are perfect for couples and families.
Alden Bridge Park is one of several beautiful spots in the area that I choose for mamas and families that want a woodland-themed session.
The Woodlands Waterway
The options are endless for maternity photos at The Woodlands Waterway. Nature-themed or urban, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. There are some iconic spots, like the tunnel with mosaic tiles near The Goose’s Acre, as well as some hidden gems. You can get a downtown, chic feel to your photos without that drive down I-45. This is another location where a more casual wardrobe can work really well!
I suggest meeting here for an early morning session or during the golden hour in the evening. It helps keep crowds to a minimum, which makes for a more relaxed session. The light is so beautiful here both times of day. {Featured top: Amy’s mini maternity session, featured middle: Megan’s bright, happy family session, featured bottom: Shara’s sweet maternity session}
Endless options for lovely photos and memories
A key part of designing a beautiful maternity or family photos for my clients is the session questionnaire I send to everyone. This is your opportunity to tell me about your vision for your maternity or family session. Are you dreaming of a sprawling botanical garden filled with beautiful flowers, trees, shrubs and other lovely features? Or, do you have a gown in mind where The Houston White House’s huge front porch is a perfect fit to celebrate your baby?
No matter what you’re looking for, there is definitely a gorgeous location in our area that will be a perfect fit! I love working with clients to identify an ideal spot for a dreamy session that turns into happy memories for her family. Clients are primarily concerned with meeting in a pretty place, but I’m also thinking about how much walking they’ll have to do there, if parking is relatively close to the venue and easy to find. I also tend to suggest places with quick access to restrooms, which is great for changing outfits and breaks for littles during family photography sessions.
You don’t have to stick with well-known places for your maternity or family photo session, though. When you’re making plans for special photos, sometimes the best place is a spot that has sentimental value to you. Where is that place that brings a smile to your face when you think about it? It could even be your home! Can’t you just imagine precious photos in your baby’s nursery, seated in that glider where you’ll nurse your little one to sleep? We can make a magical photo session happen together anywhere!
Which of these spots is perfect for you and your family?
