Let me preface this by saying that I love me a good maternity photo session in a meadow. There’s nothing quite as lovely as capturing mama-to-be and daddy-to-be among the wildflowers, patiently (or perhaps, not so patiently!) awaiting their sweet babe’s arrival.
But!
Consider this your public service announcement that just because you live in Minnesota doesn’t necessarily mean you’re limited to that option. (In fact, when you work with me, you’re never limited to much… I will always look for the most artistic, adventurous route available to my couples!)
As you’ll see in this gallery of Tori’s and Brennan’s glowing maternity session at Bde Mka Ska, Minnesota offers so much more than meets the eye, including beachy lakeside scenery and nautical vibes.
Making the Most of the Setting
When I scouted Bde Mka Ska for Tori’s and Brennan’s maternity session, I immediately noticed three things that would make their shoot that much more magical:
- Thanks to the lake’s position on city park land, we would be able to utilize the city skyline for the backdrop. This would equip me to take full advantage of a single setting to capture a bunch of different vibes.
- The lighting was going to be a Minnesota photographer’s dream, backlighting Tori and Brennan from start to finish.
- There was a marina along the pedestrian path of this Chain of Lakes wonder that would, again, make it look like we had shot this session at multiple locations, when really, we could just maximize the environment of the one spot.
When a location has a lot of shifting variables (setting, lighting, etc.) like Bde Mka Ska does on a warm, spring evening, you can bet that I am going to make the most of it, photographing as many settings and scenes as I possibly can while you and your love play in the sunlight.
Mama-To-Be on Bde Mka Ska
And play, they did! With the assistance of my creative prompts to keep them comfortable and at ease, Tori and Brennan were able to really focus on simply being together, exactly as they naturally are.
As the sun shifted around us, transitioning from golden hour to blue hour to sunset, we romped around barefoot, capturing the full extent of joy that comes with bringing another life into the world. (And if you know me at all, you know that I am equally joyful when I am barefoot!)
The sun wasn’t the only thing glowing, though. Tori made the most radiant mama-to-be, absolutely beaming with that almost-a-mama glow. Her multiple outfit changes, all a combination of ivory and denim, perfectly complemented the color of the sky shifting around her, and the smile on her face speaks for itself.
We even had a couple of visitors, with Tori’s and Brennan’s sweet pups making a guest appearance on the Bde Mka Ska marina. Their little family unit is going to get a new member very soon, and judging by these photos, I think it’s fair to say that the doggos are just as excited as the soon-to-be parents.
As you’re planning your own maternity photos, remember that the session can be as creative and whimsical as you want it to be. Capturing what your love feels like (and how your love has created an entirely new human!) is that much more enjoyable when you let the sky (over Bde Mka Ska) be the limit.
