5 Tips For Fall Maternity Portraits in Yorktown Virginia

Fall is here! Pumpkin spice, autumn colored leaves, warm sweaters, and candles that smell like cider donuts… Being pregnant during Fall is one of my favorite things. And you know what’s even better… Fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia! The beautiful fall foliage makes for the best backdrops for photos! Let’s dive into some hot tips that will help you as an expecting mother make the most out of your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia!

Tip 1: Choose the Right Outfit

Choosing the right outfit for your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia can be challenging but with our help, worry no more! As a Virginia native, we know fall weather can change from day to day and range from the upper 70s to the lower 50s. Virginia fall weather can be a huge headache and make choosing what to wear for your session just a little more stressful than it needs to be. Our client wardrobe has tons of pieces that highlight the beauty of fall and still keep the focus on you and your beautiful growing baby.

When selecting colors to wear for your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia, choose colors that complement the beautiful fall backdrop. For our personal editing style, even in the fall, avoiding deep reds, oranges, and strong bold colors will help keep the focus on you and not let what you’re wearing steal the show. I know, I know… it’s fall right?! Bold colors are IN! BUT, to help your portrait session remain timeless, we highly recommend choosing colors like ivory, muted tans, light browns, soft fall florals, blush, and soft sages.

Different fabrics can really make a statement for your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia. A knit dress capturing that growing bump with fall foliage as your background, I can already picture how beautiful it will be! Add in a muted plaid scarf, and your session will be complete. Flowing dresses in the fall breeze are also a beautiful option for your maternity session. Our client wardrobe is full of flowing dresses to complement this special season in your life!

Comfort is key for any type of session but especially for your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia. Because we recommend doing your maternity session between

32-34 weeks, we know that those ending weeks of your pregnancy can be tiring. The last thing you want to be wearing is something uncomfortable. Our client wardrobe has plenty of options that cater to comfort and fit for mamas with growing bumps. As a mom of two, stretchy waistbands are a favorite of mine!

It’s extremely important to choose something that feels right and comfortable for YOU! If you aren’t feeling confident in your clothing for your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia, it may be noticeable, so we recommend spending some time really planning your pieces! Read more here about choosing the right outfits for your maternity session!

Tip 2: Select a Scenic Location | Fall Maternity Portraits in Yorktown Virginia

Fall in Virginia offers beautiful backgrounds for your maternity session. From lush golden fields, long driveways full of autumn falling leaves, and orchards, Virginia has no shortage of idyllic locations for your session!

Some of my favorite locations for fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia are listed below! All three of these locations offer different backdrops to highlight fall’s beautiful features.

• Yorktown Battlefields: Offers miles of lush golden grass that flows when the wind blows and is just gorgeous! Because the battlefields are so large, there are many different scenic backdrops to choose from.
• Lee hall Manison: This location offers a beautiful historic home for your backdrop as well and tree lines and open fields. With white picket fences and a stunning front porch, this is a perfect location for a fall session!

Tip 3: Plan Around the Best Lighting

For our style of photography, to achieve the best lighting for your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia, starting the session around 1.5-2 hours before sunset is ideal for gorgeous warm light. If you want the sun to beam on your hair and highlight your beautiful growing bump, this time of day is going to make it happen. If you have littles joining in on your fall maternity session, I totally get bedtime is around that time where lighting is best. I truly think that getting the kids prepared for your session in advance and adjusting their schedule slightly the day of the session will allow them to have fun!

If we can, I try to avoid midday light unless I know where the session is taking place offers lots of open shade. Harsh midday light can lead to lots of color casting on your skin, shadows, and squinting eyes that isn’t ideal. If our location offers lots of open shade, doing a midday session isn’t too much of an issue and can totally work!

Having your session on overcast days is a hit or miss. Here is my hot tip… if the clouds are dark and angry looking, it is best to reschedule your session. BUT! If the clouds are more of a white cloud, I am totally down to still go forward with a session and will just bump up the time a couple more hours before sunset. With our light and airy style, dark, angry clouds make for dark images that tend to create darker shadows. Lightly overcast days CAN make for soft light and are very flattering for a fall session. Either way, leading up to your session, we will discuss in detail your vision and weather to prepare!

Tip 4: Incorporate Personal Elements

Bringing personal items like an ultrasound, an embroidered blanket, or a monogrammed onesie is the perfect touch to add to your session. Before your session, I send a questionnaire that will ask if you have any personal items you’d like to include so I know beforehand. Adding these special items to your session also adds more posing to your gallery.

We take a lifestyle approach to all of our sessions so we highly encourage you to include your partner and any other children you may have in your session. Don’t worry, of course, we will get tons of solo shots of just you, mama. But, there is nothing more sweet than documenting your first born snuggling up to your belly, awaiting the arrival of their baby sibling! Adding in the whole family really creates a beautiful narrative of your family and makes for the best photos to frame on the walls of your home.

Tip 5: Stay Comfortable and Safe

Staying comfortable during your session is key. Dressing appropriately for the season will ensure you are comfortable and cozy. Adding layers to your outfit such as a scarf or cardigan is the perfect touch for your fall maternity portraits in Yorktown Virginia!

Bringing things like water or warm tea, a blanket, chapstick or lip gloss for touch-ups, and any snacks is very important and highly recommended!

Your comfort and safety are our top priorities and we want to make sure you are comfortable through the entire process. Leading up to your session, we will chat about prepping for your maternity session to make sure you are fully prepared and ready for the day. Taking breaks and hydrating during your session is totally okay. We also recommend resting and relaxing the day of your session to reduce any stress!

Are you ready to book your fall maternity portrait session?