Ellie’s maternity shoot at Knole Park was more than just a photography session; it was a day of connection, trust, and celebration of her journey into motherhood. From the very beginning, I could feel the quiet excitement she brought with her. It was as if the open fields and ancient trees of the park became our backdrop to something much deeper—a moment for Ellie to truly tune into the life growing inside her.
A Moment to Pause and Connect
Throughout the shoot, Ellie shared her thoughts about her daughter-to-be, how she felt more connected to her baby simply by stepping away from her daily routine and immersing herself in nature. One of my favorite moments was when we captured her sitting gracefully by the roots of a towering tree, her hands cradling her growing belly. You could see the love and anticipation in her face. The sunlight filtering through the branches felt almost symbolic of the nurturing bond between mother and child.
We moved between scenes, from lying among the fallen leaves to standing tall against ancient trees, capturing the essence of Ellie’s maternal strength and connection to nature. The way she let go of her initial shyness and embraced the beauty of her growing bump was a testament to her evolving confidence.


Empowered in Nature
As we ventured deeper into the park, members of the public strolled by, and at first, Ellie seemed a little self-conscious. But as the shoot went on, I saw her truly come into her own. In one powerful image, Ellie stood tall, her belly exposed to the world, bathed in the golden light of the forest. There was a raw beauty to her pose—standing in nature, both vulnerable and incredibly strong. It was a moment that captured not only her pregnancy but the empowerment she found in it.
One of the highlights of the session was a quiet, intimate moment where Ellie sat beneath the base of a large, weathered tree, her hands resting on her belly, eyes closed, and completely immersed in the experience. This was no longer about posing—it was about feeling. The connection between her and her unborn daughter was palpable, and it was such an honor to capture that emotion in a photograph.


Unexpected Stories and Laughter
The shoot wasn’t just about the stillness of these intimate moments—it was filled with laughter and spontaneity. I’ll never forget the moment an elderly woman stopped to watch us and later shared that she had done a similar photoshoot decades ago. Her story was both touching and bittersweet, as she mentioned regretting that she had destroyed those images. It was a powerful reminder of how important it is to capture these moments, not just for now, but for the years to come.
We also shared more lighthearted moments—like when I found myself climbing up trees to capture the perfect angle, much to Ellie’s amusement. These playful interactions brought a sense of ease to the session, helping Ellie feel more relaxed in front of the camera.

A Journey of Trust
From the start, I wanted Ellie to feel safe and empowered, which meant constantly checking in with her and encouraging movement rather than rigid posing. The day was a bit chilly, so I made sure to offer breaks when needed, but she embraced the experience fully, never hesitating to trust me as I guided her through the shoot.
One of my favorite shots was of Ellie draped in a flowing gown, standing at the edge of an open meadow as the wind softly tugged at the fabric. It was as if she was symbolically stepping into the future, into motherhood, with strength and grace. Her transformation from shy to empowered was evident in every photo we captured that day.



Leaving with Strength and Excitement
By the end of the session, Ellie wasn’t the same woman who had arrived shy and reserved. She walked away feeling empowered by the experience, excited not only for the arrival of her daughter but also to see the final gallery of images. She spoke about how much she had enjoyed the process and mentioned wanting to work together again—a compliment that meant the world to me.
Looking back at the images, I see so much more than just a maternity shoot. I see the story of a woman embracing her role as a mother, finding confidence in her body and her journey. I see the trust she placed in me, which allowed us to create images that will forever remind her of this transformative time in her life.
If you’re considering capturing your own maternity journey, I’d love to help you create a space where you can connect, feel empowered, and walk away with images that reflect the beauty of this moment.