Who knew soybean plants would be such a perfect backdrop to this dreamy summer maternity session in St. Albans, Vermont? There is something so special about documenting life’s most memorable experiences in the places that are most important to you—and digging into where those places may be is one of my favorite things to do with couples before their maternity session.

On this hot summer day in St. Albans, Vermont, I met Seth and Mallory at her family’s farm, and we spent the evening running through the fields, sitting next to the pond, snuggling with their pup, and documenting their final month of waiting for two to become three. (Or, four to become five if you count their two pups, which I always do). 

Fleeting Moments of Motherhood

I’ve known Seth for almost ten years and have thought of him as a little brother for most of that time. Watching him meet, fall in love with, and start a family with Mallory has been beyond special, and I was truly honored that they asked me to play a small part in their story. (I just tried to Google a less cheesy way to say “honored” but couldn’t find any suggestions I liked, so here we are!). 

I LOVE watching close friends become parents—especially since I’m in a season of life when that monumental change still feels so fresh. Although small belly kicks have become toddler feet smacking me on the couch to the Bluey theme song, I still remember the excitement, slight anxiousness, and the literal feeling of movement inside my body so acutely. 

Helping mothers document such a fleeting time of parenthood is one of the things I love most about what I get to do.

St. Albans Maternity Session Outfits

Most couples choose one or two outfits for their session to provide a different look and feel throughout the images. Mallory started in her blush-colored dress which popped so nicely in the green of the soybean plants. Seth’s shirt was just enough of a blue-green that it stood out from the plants and complemented Mallory’s dress.

After we ran in the fields, played with the pups, and did a bit of dancing (how could we not give her a spin in that dress?), Mallory changed into a simple, tight black dress that showed off her bump and provided some variety for their final gallery. 

Choosing outfits is one of the most fun parts of the planning process. But it can easily become one of the most stressful… if you leave it to the very last second or do what I did before my own maternity session and go down a Pinterest rabbit hole of options that leave you SO overwhelmed, you don’t even know where to start.

I love working with couples to help narrow down a few options that complement each other and the location. I also provide a Maternity and Family Session Guide with outfit best practices, curated Pinterest boards for inspiration (keyword: curated), and my favorite places to shop! I also love to text, FaceTime, and voice message before a session to help you choose between your options and ensure you have outfits you’re excited about.

Movement and connection are at the heart of every single session together. My number one piece of advice for planning your maternity session outfit is choosing something that feels like you and that you can move comfortably in.

Locations in St. Albans for Maternity Sessions

This soybean farm is special to Seth and Mallory and provided various backdrops for their session. The fields themselves, a barn, an old camper, and a pond to name a few. I love locations like this that allow us to document different areas without having to travel far (or, at all) to get from one ot the next. It also provided the perfect spot for their two pups to run, chase, and swim.

We chose to photograph a few hours before sunset—just before golden hour—since it wasn’t a particularly sunny day, and we wanted the ability to play with some light and shadow as well. 

Although this was a private property, there are so many gorgeous places in and around St. Albans for maternity and family photography. Hard’ak, the Maquam Wildlife Refuge, Kill Kare State Park, and the Rail Trail are some easily accessible spots. I have a few additional places I love to take clients that are outside the norm and not open to the general public.

I also recommend considering your own home for your St. Albans Vermont Maternity Session as this is where you spent most of your time growing your little one, and it is likely where you’ll do early labor (check out a storytelling in-home maternity session here!).

St. Albans Vermont Maternity Session Cost

Maternity session costs can differ from photographer to photographer and depend on many factors like session location, photographer experience, package offerings, and if you need additional hours to achieve your vision.

It is so common to think that photography involves hiring a stranger to photograph you for an hour, getting your images, and then moving on with your life. But I want it to be so much more than that. I believe that a final gallery that transports you to the season of life you want to remember and that you love starts from the moment you reach out, through the planning process, and beyond final gallery delivery. Learn more about investing in a maternity session together here!

View Seth and Mallory’s final gallery here!