
July 15, 2026
Pregnancy is such a beautiful, fleeting season of life. Before you know it, your baby will be in your arms, tiny fingers will be wrapped around yours, and you’ll find yourself wondering how those nine months went by so quickly. What’s even more crazy is how fast those moments turn into toddler moments, child moments and beyond.
A maternity session is more than taking beautiful photos of your growing bump. It is about preserving the anticipation, excitement, and love that already exists before your baby arrives and if it is your first time as a parent, this is your time to embrace just the two of you before everything changes.
As a Ventura County maternity photographer, I love creating natural, timeless maternity photos for expecting parents throughout Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Simi Valley, and surrounding areas. My favorite sessions take place in beautiful outdoor landscapes filled with golden light, open fields, mountain views, and natural textures that allow your family connection to be the focus. If you are looking to see more maternity sessions by the beach, check out this maternity session here!
This outdoor maternity session is a perfect example of the relaxed, earthy, and natural style I love creating for expecting families.


There is something incredibly special about photographing maternity sessions outdoors. It just never gets old looking and holds it’s beauty for life.
Nature creates a timeless backdrop that never feels forced or overly styled. The movement of the breeze, the warmth of the sunset, and the wide-open scenery allow your photographs to feel authentic and connected…this is always how I want my photos to be perceived and remembered and I want you to be able to capture that same timelessness for your family memories.
For families in Ventura County, there are so many beautiful options for outdoor maternity photos, including:
These locations create a peaceful environment where you can slow down and truly enjoy this season before your baby arrives.



One of the biggest things expecting parents tell me before their session is that they feel nervous about being in front of the camera, truly the most common phrase I hear from so many of my clients.
“Will we look awkward?”
“What do we do with our hands?”
“What if my toddler doesn’t cooperate?”
These are completely normal concerns. But please please do not worry, that is why I am here to help you! I will guide you and position you the way that is most flattering. I keep things simple and I want this session to feel fun, relaxed and part of your maternity memories.



My approach to maternity photography is relaxed and guided. I will help you feel comfortable while encouraging natural moments between you and your partner.
Your session may include:
The goal is not perfection when it comes to my sessions. The goal is to capture the love and excitement that already exists and make sure that you can look back and it bring authentic feelings and emotions of that special time in your lives.



Another super common question I receive is when is the best time to capture your maternity photos.
When should I schedule my maternity photos?
The ideal time for most maternity sessions is between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant.
During this stage:
If you are expecting twins or have a high-risk pregnancy, scheduling earlier is often recommended. This can also include second or third etc. time mamas as you tend to show sooner if you’ve been pregnant before.
I always encourage expecting parents to reach out early, especially if you are hoping for a specific season or sunset timeframe.


Your outfit plays a big role in creating the soft, timeless look many moms envision. The colors you wear for maternity photos and any photoshoot change the vibe drastically.
For outdoor maternity sessions in Ventura County, I love:
Long dresses photograph beautifully because they move naturally with the breeze and create beautiful movement throughout your images. I also love a sweater and skirt where you could also add in showing the bump as well.
I am here to help my clients coordinate their outfits, the colors and texture etc. and I am here to help ease the stress of that aspect of the photoshoot. I know how hard it can be to put the right colors together and coordinate everything well. Here is a great blog that helps go over color ideas and coordinating outfits.
This is an amazing dress and color for both expecting mamas with boys or g

Absolutely! 100% . Your maternity session is not just about your pregnancy, it is about your growing family.
Including your partner and children allows us to capture the excitement of this transition and the relationships that already surround your baby. The moments of your children with you and dad and the belly are some of my favorite images to capture.
I love all the in between moments that I happen to catch candidly:
These are the memories you will treasure most and I want you to be able to have these to display in your home for a lifetime.
It is easy to underestimate how meaningful these photographs will become. While you are pregnant, it can feel like you are simply waiting for your baby to arrive. But this season is part of your family’s story. Life gets so busy and you have so much on your list of things to do you often think it’s too much effort but I can guarantee you won’t regret it.
Your child will one day look back and see how loved they were before they were even born. They will see the excitement, the anticipation, and the love that surrounded their arrival. These photographs become a reminder of the beginning of such an amazing (yet challenging at times) but beautiful adventure you are about to take part in.



I photograph maternity sessions throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Ventura, and nearby scenic locations. I love helping families choose a location that fits their vision, whether that is a golden field, mountain landscape, oak trees, or the coast.
Most maternity sessions last around 40 minutes. This gives us plenty of time for a variety of portraits while keeping the experience relaxed and enjoyable and not feeling drawn out.
I provide styling guidance and recommendations to help you choose the perfect outfit for your session. Many clients choose flowing dresses that photograph beautifully outdoors.
Yes! Many families choose to document both their maternity and newborn seasons. Planning ahead allows us to create a beautiful story from pregnancy through your baby’s first days at home. I also give a discount for those that book one of my package options with maternity and newborn sessions included together. You can find out more information here!
As a Ventura County maternity photographer, I feel incredibly lucky to photograph families during one of life’s most meaningful transitions.
Whether you are looking for maternity photos in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Simi Valley, or surrounding areas, my goal is always the same- To create photographs that feel natural, emotional, and timeless. I want you to receive refined high end images but with a session that is fun and relaxed. Your baby will only be this little once. Let’s preserve this beautiful season before everything changes.
If you are expecting and looking for a maternity photographer who specializes in natural outdoor maternity photography, I would love to help create a session that feels true to your family.
Let’s capture the excitement, love, and anticipation of the little one you cannot wait to meet. Let’s connect below!
follow along @laurendixonphotography