Audra and Kyle’s Summer Maternity Session in Hancock, Michigan
Audra and Kyle’s maternity session took place in early July, in the middle of summer in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They were expecting their first child, a baby boy, and wanted photos that beautifully documented that season of their lives.
Before the session, Audra and I met briefly at a coffee shop. She brought a few inspirational images and shared the general aesthetic she was curious about. It already aligned well with how I photograph and wouldn’t be a departure from my editing style. She mostly wanted to confirm that the outfits she had chosen and the field on their property would support that look. The location and outfits you choose can significantly affect the overall aesthetic of your photos. Once we talked it through, we both felt confident this session would photograph beautifully.
The session itself took place on their private land in Hancock, which naturally fit her vision.
Choosing to Photograph on Their Own Land in Hancock
Audra and Kyle decided to have their maternity session on their own property. The field behind their house offered open space, tall grasses, and a mix of natural textures that worked well for a summer maternity session.
We stayed within that one location for the entire session. Rather than moving around a lot, we worked through the space slowly, paying attention to the different backdrops this location offered. Grasses, uneven ground, and small pockets of wild growth helped create visual variety without needing to travel to multiple locations.
Outfits, Florals, and Visual Direction
Audra came into the session with ideas of how she wanted to look and feel in her photos. She had two outfit options she was excited about, both chosen to highlight her maternity belly.
She also brought a bouquet from Calumet Floral. The flowers were a mix of soft, wild-style blooms. She wanted the option to incorporate them in case the field didn’t have much floral texture at that point in the season.
As it turned out, the field did have its own mix of grasses and natural growth, which paired easily with the bouquet. We used the flowers throughout the session, sometimes more prominently and sometimes more subtly, depending on the moment.
The choices she made — outfits, florals, and location — all supported the same overall look without feeling forced.
Planning Tip: Bringing Inspiration Without Overthinking It
Some clients have a hard time describing what they’re drawn to, so showing your photographer inspiration images can be helpful. In Audra’s case, those images were used as a reference point, not a template.
She wasn’t asking for anything to be copied exactly. Instead, the images helped guide a conversation about general tone, softness, and styling. Once we confirmed that her ideas aligned with how I photograph, the rest of the session planning stayed straightforward.
Inspiration can be helpful when it’s used as a starting place rather than a checklist. It gives us a shared visual language without setting unrealistic expectations. From there, the focus stays on creating something that fits the location, the season, and the people involved.
You don’t need a full board or a detailed plan. A general direction is often enough.
Photographing Together During a Maternity Session
Kyle was present for much of the session, and the two of them were comfortable being photographed together as they shared a few sweet moments and poses. I gave prompts and light direction as we moved through the field, and they were open to trying new poses even when it wasn’t something they could see in their mind’s eye right away.
We referenced the inspiration occasionally to make sure we weren’t missing anything she had hoped for. Still, most of the session unfolded very naturally with prompts flowing from how Audra and Kyle moved and interacted. The focus remained on documenting this stage of their lives, especially Audra’s pregnancy.
Planning Tip: When You Have a Clear Aesthetic in Mind
Coming into a session with an aesthetic in mind can be a great place to start. You don’t need every detail figured out, but sharing what you’re drawn to helps shape the conversation early on.
In Audra’s case, she knew the general look she was excited about and trusted me to help interpret that within the setting she had chosen. That kind of trust makes room for collaboration. It allows us to focus on creating images that feel aligned.
If there’s something you keep coming back to visually, I always want to hear about it. We can talk through how it fits with the location, the season, and my approach to photographing sessions, and make adjustments where needed. When there’s openness on both sides, the process tends to feel clear and enjoyable from start to finish.
Planning a Summer Maternity Session in Hancock, Michigan
If you’re planning a summer maternity session and thinking through location, outfits, or overall aesthetic, I’m always happy to talk it through with you.
Some sessions start with a strong visual idea. Others start with a place. Either way, the goal is the same: to document this season clearly, honestly, and in a way that feels true to you.
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