My Favorite Maternity Photo Locations around Richmond

I’ve been focusing (pun intended) on more in-home family photography and newborn photography around Richmond lately, with your home being the comfortable backdrop for fun and/or cozy photos of your family together.

But there’s still one type of photography that I still love to do in parks around Richmond, and that’s maternity photography. There’s something about being out in nature that really highlights a maternity session for me.

Today’s blog is a short list of my favorite maternity photo locations around Richmond. It’s not an all-encompassing list, but it’s a place to start if you’re looking for locations:

Belle Isle

I love to go to Belle Isle, but I especially love it for maternity photos. There are plenty of nooks and crannies on both sides of the island, with the river and pond as backdrops. It’s pretty easy to make it look like nobody else is in the area, even with lots of people around. It’s also good in all seasons, with the tall grass that green in summer for a vibrant look, and brown in winter for a more neutral background.

Forest Hill Park

Forest Hill Park is also on my "nature and lots of photogenic spots" list. My favorite parts of Forest Hill are the rock walls, both natural and man-made, and the lake at the bottom. Forest Hill is especially perfect in the fall, but it's really great during all seasons, too. If walking the giant hill isn’t your jam right now, we can park at the top and stick around the bridge area, or we can park at the bottom and wander the paths under the trees.

Pump House Park

While Pump House Park may not be great for small children (my anxiety around the open edges of the canal - lawd), if you’re a couple looking for photos for your first pregnancy, this is a great spot. I actually did my own photos here when I was pregnant with Asa, and have come back with clients for the water and natural elements and the gorgeous light in the late afternoons, particularly in the fall. This spot is slightly less photogenic in the winter, when the water is down to a trickle and is less “feature” and more “distraction.”

Deep Run Park

Deep Run is perfect for families with kids. The paths are paved and even, there’s lots of places to roam and run, and the boardwalk has railings so you can enjoy the space without worrying about safety.

Downtown

I know downtown doesn’t scream “nature,” but hear me out. When I want photos that are more distinguishably "Richmond," I like to go downtown. Shockoe Slip's cobblestone streets have a really beautiful, romantic vibe, and I love searching for old architecture and hard edges to provide contrast to the softness of a maternity session.

There are tons of other maternity locations around Richmond, but these are just a few of my favorites. Oh, and you know what else still makes for a great location? Your yard.