Filoli maternity session with a toddler in Woodside, CA

If you’re planning maternity photos at Filoli and have a toddler, you might be wondering how it will actually go. This beautiful garden estate is one of the most popular locations for maternity sessions in the Bay Area, and it works surprisingly well for families with young children.

Why Filoli is the perfect location for maternity photos with toddlers

As a Bay Area maternity, family, and newborn photographer, Filoli is one of my favorite locations to photograph maternity sessions and family sessions. The grounds offer a peaceful, natural setting that changes beautifully with the seasons, making it ideal for maternity photography and family sessions. Additionally, the grounds feel contained and calm, which allows toddlers to explore while still staying close. There’s no pressure for them to sit still or “perform”—they can wander paths, peek into garden corners, and stay engaged in a way that feels natural.

Another reason Filoli works so well for maternity photos with toddlers is the incredible variety. Within a short walk, you’ll find manicured gardens, tree-lined paths, open lawns, and seasonal blooms. That variety keeps sessions visually interesting while also giving toddlers new things to discover, which helps the entire experience feel more like an outing than a photoshoot.

What it’s like bringing a toddler to a maternity session

As any parent of a young child knows, toddlers can be wonderfully unpredictable. It’s normal to wonder how your child will do during your Filoli maternity photo session—but you don’t need to worry. My approach to Filoli maternity photos with toddlers is designed to feel relaxed and flexible, allowing for short attention spans, plenty of movement, and space for your child to simply be themselves.

Rather than focusing on rigid posing, I gently guide families into natural, movement-based moments—walking together through the gardens, cuddling, or interacting in ways that feel easy and familiar to your child. When toddlers are free to explore, they stay engaged—and that’s when the most genuine, joy-filled images happen.

Filoli is especially ideal for maternity photos with toddlers, with winding paths, open spaces, and endless little details to discover. Exploration becomes part of the experience, not a distraction from it.

I’ve been photographing my own family here for years, and it’s a regular stop on our weekly “adventure days.” My children love exploring the walled garden, searching for newly blooming flowers, collecting sticks and rocks along the paths, and finishing our visits with a scone from the café. It’s a place filled with personal memories—and that sense of ease and connection naturally carries into every maternity session I photograph here.

Tips for planning your Filoli maternity session

What to Wear for Your Maternity Photos

Soft, flowy dresses and a neutral color palette photograph beautifully at Filoli, complementing the natural tones of the gardens without competing with them. For partners, slacks paired with a simple collared shirt create a timeless, cohesive look that balances well with more relaxed maternity styling.

Once you book, I’ll send over a detailed style guide to help you plan your outfits, and I’m always available to offer personalized guidance so your family’s wardrobe feels coordinated, comfortable, and true to you.

Best time of day for photos

Filoli is open from 10am–5pm, with a special members-only hour at 9am on weekends. Because of these hours, golden hour sessions aren’t typically possible for most of the year. I personally prefer scheduling maternity sessions in the morning when the light is soft and the gardens feel especially calm, though afternoon sessions can work beautifully as well. I generally recommend avoiding midday, when the light is harsher and the gardens tend to be more crowded.

Filoli tickets

During certain seasons, weekend tickets can sell out. It is important to book your tickets ahead of time for your Filoli maternity session to ensure access to the gardens on your desired date.

Tips for a smooth maternity session with a toddler

Focus on Real Moments

This is your time to put your phone away and simply be with your family. While we’ll capture a classic, everyone-looking-at-the-camera photo, the heart of your session is in the in-between moments—the way your child reaches for you, the laughter, the natural connection you share.

Before your session, I take time to learn more about your family so I can gently guide you into moments that feel natural and true to you. Whether you’re walking the gardens at Filoli, holding your toddler close, or letting them explore by your side, the focus is always on capturing your family just as you are.

Taking Breaks Is Part of the Process

We’ll follow your child’s lead and pace throughout the session. If they need a snack, a cuddle, or a little reset, we’ll simply pause—no pressure, no rush. Those breaks are a natural part of photographing families with young children.

They also create a beautiful opportunity to capture a few quieter moments, whether that’s just the two of you together or a few images focused on you as a mother. Some of these in-between pauses end up being the most meaningful images of your session at Filoli.

Bring Snacks

Non staining snacks (cheese and pretzels opposed to berries as an example)

Planning Your Filoli Maternity Session

While Filoli is beautiful year-round, each season brings different blooms—and many of them are fleeting. If you have a specific look in mind, timing can make a big difference.

I’m always happy to help you plan around what’s currently blooming and recommend the best timing for your Filoli maternity session, so your photos reflect the season in a way that feels just right. The best time to take maternity photos is typically between 28-34 weeks.

View another Filoli maternity photography session. View a bump to baby experience.

If you are looking for a Bay Area maternity photographer, take a look at my maternity portfolio and contact me to discuss your ideal maternity session. Follow me on instagram to see my latest work!

Bay Area Filoli Maternity Photography

Rebecca Pattison Photography specializes in newborn, maternity and family photography. Based out of Alameda, California, I cover the San Francisco Bay Area and often shoot at Filoli.

I believe in creating a fun, relaxed photography experience that celebrates the radiant glow of pregnancy. Maternity sessions are magical. By capturing the heartfelt connections that make this fleeting time so special, I help you preserve the excitement so your family can revisit this chapter for a lifetime.

Connect with Rebecca