From Bump to Baby: Maternity and Newborn Photography
I love documenting growing families and it is so meaningful to tell the full story—from pregnancy to welcoming a brand new baby. That is why I offer a Bump to Baby photography experience, which includes both a maternity and newborn session.
There is something so special about capturing this season from beginning to end. The anticipation, the excitement, and then finally… the moment you get to hold your baby in your arms. These sessions allow families to preserve not just what this time looked like, but what it felt like.
Pregnancy and those early newborn days pass so quickly, but photographs help you hold onto them just a little bit longer.
The Maternity Session
Maternity sessions typically take place between 28–34 weeks of pregnancy, which is often the perfect window when your beautiful baby bump is clearly visible but you’re still feeling comfortable enough to move around and enjoy the experience.
These sessions are relaxed and celebratory. They’re a chance to slow down for a moment and really soak in this season before everything changes in the most wonderful way.
We’re lucky to have so many beautiful outdoor locations here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I’m happy to help you choose one. If you’re looking for something a little more cozy and intimate, an in-home maternity session is another beautiful option.
For more information, see my complete guide to Bay Area maternity photography.
The Newborn Session
Newborn sessions are typically recommended within the first two weeks after baby arrives, though it’s truly never too late to capture these early days.
These sessions are intentionally relaxed and baby-led. That means we follow your baby’s pace the entire time. If baby needs to eat, be held, or take a little break, that’s completely okay. There is no rush and no pressure.
Some of my favorite moments from newborn sessions are the quiet ones—tiny fingers wrapped around yours, sleepy stretches, and those first snuggly family moments.
When paired with maternity photos, newborn images beautifully complete the story of this special chapter. Learn more about what to expect with my complete guide to in home newborn photography.
The Benefits of Planning a Bump to Baby Experience
Booking a Bump to Baby experience allows you to plan ahead before life gets wonderfully busy with a new baby. Not only does it capture the full journey—from pregnancy to your baby’s arrival—but it also creates a consistent and cohesive story by working with the same photographer for both sessions.
Personally, one of the things I love most about these experiences is getting to know families before their baby arrives. By the time the newborn session comes around, everything feels more comfortable and familiar, which makes the experience even more relaxed for everyone.
Pregnancy can feel long while you’re in it, but looking back it becomes such a short chapter of your family’s story. And those early newborn days—the sleepy snuggles, the tiny stretches, the way your baby fits perfectly in your arms—pass even faster.
If you’re expecting and thinking about documenting this chapter of your life, I would be honored to help you capture your story, from bump to baby. ✨
Supporting Your Body Through Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Documenting this season from bump to baby is something I feel deeply about — and so is supporting your body well through both sides of it. A few resources I recommend to every expecting and new mama in the Bay Area:
Book your pelvic floor PT now, before you think you need it. Waitlists are long and the benefits are real — both during pregnancy and after birth. Level Up PT and Bay Vista PT are both deeply loved by the East Bay Area mama community. If you’re in San Francisco, Leah at UCSF is exceptional. For prenatal massage, Amy Gerard in Alameda has a thoughtfully designed setup that supports pregnant and postpartum bodies comfortably at every stage. For postpartum emotional support, ask your OB for a referral to a postpartum therapist in your network — it’s one of the most meaningful investments you can make in this season. And for movement and community, Jane Austin’s prenatal and mama-and-baby yoga classes are a beautiful way to stay connected to your body and to other women going through the same thing. See this Walnut Creek maternity session for more details on the prenatal resources I recommend.
Piedmont Maternity & Newborn Photographer
Rebecca Pattison is a lifestyle family, maternity, and newborn photographer based in Alameda, California, serving the greater Bay Area including the East Bay, San Francisco, Marin County, and the Peninsula.
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