Maternity

Some sessions feel like hanging out with friends you just haven’t met yet. This was absolutely one of them.

Erin and Willie met me at Old Borges Ranch for their Walnut Creek maternity session on a beautiful afternoon and from the moment we started shooting we were laughing. That’s the best kind of session — the kind where the joy is completely genuine and completely effortless, and all I have to do is point the camera at it.

First Time Parents, Golden Hills & a Walnut Creek Maternity Session to Remember

Erin was 28 weeks and absolutely glowing — relaxed, easy going, and completely at ease in front of the camera in a way that not everyone manages, especially for a first time mama. She and Willie had a natural comfort with each other and a shared sense of humor that made the whole session feel light and fun. We chatted between shots about life, work, and the enormous thing that was about to happen to them — and somehow that conversation made the images better. When people are genuinely enjoying themselves it shows up in every frame.

Erin works in tech — something we had in common from my previous career — and there was something easy about that shared language and the way it broke the ice immediately. By the time we were twenty minutes in it felt less like a maternity session and more like a walk with people I already knew.

Old Borges Ranch — A Hidden Gem for Walnut Creek Maternity Photography

Old Borges Ranch sits at the edge of the Shell Ridge Open Space in Walnut Creek and it is genuinely one of the most beautiful and underused photography locations in the East Bay. The golden hills that roll out behind the ranch create a backdrop that feels sweeping and cinematic — particularly in summer when the California hills turn that iconic warm gold that photographs so beautifully against neutral outfits and soft light.

In winter and early spring the hills turn green briefly, offering a completely different and lush backdrop that works beautifully for maternity sessions. It’s the kind of location that changes with the seasons in a way that keeps it feeling fresh every time I visit.

The ranch itself has a sweet, relaxed energy — there are a few animals on the property which makes it a lovely option for families with young children who might need a little entertainment between shots. And the connection to the Shell Ridge trail system means there’s variety built right in — open hillside, shaded trail, ranch backdrop — all within easy walking distance.

For Walnut Creek maternity sessions specifically, the rolling hills and open sky create a sense of space and freedom that is hard to find anywhere else in the East Bay. Erin and Willie against those golden hills at 28 weeks — it was exactly the right setting for exactly the right moment.

28 Weeks — The Sweet Spot for Maternity Photography

Erin’s session is a great example of why I recommend the 28-34 week window for maternity photography. At 28 weeks the bump is beautifully present and visible — unmistakably pregnant — but there’s still enough comfort and energy to move through a session with ease. Erin had no trouble moving through the trails, laughing freely, and being completely present for the whole session. That ease shows up in every image.

If you’re planning your maternity session and wondering when to schedule, the full breakdown is in my Bay Area Maternity Photography Guide (coming soon).

Walnut Creek Maternity Photographer — Serving the East Bay & Beyond

Old Borges Ranch is one of my favorite Walnut Creek locations for maternity sessions — and the surrounding East Bay has some genuinely beautiful outdoor settings that are worth exploring. The hills, the open space, the variety of backdrops available within a short drive — it’s a part of the Bay Area that photographs beautifully and deserves more attention than it gets.

If you’re looking for a Walnut Creek maternity photographer, I’d love to work with you. I serve expecting mamas throughout the East Bay including Walnut Creek, Danville, Lafayette, Alamo, and beyond. You can read more about maternity sessions on my maternity photography page or explore some additional Bay Area maternity sessions here and here.

Ready to Book Your Walnut Creek Maternity Session?

If you’re expecting and dreaming of something relaxed, joyful, and set against the beauty of the East Bay hills, I’d love to document this season for you. Get in touch to check availability.