Preempting the Florida rain.
Some sessions just seem meant to happen, and this maternity session at Guana Preserve in Ponte Vedra was one of them. It was actually my third maternity session at Guana Preserve in Ponte Vedra Beach that week, and while Sunday’s forecast called for steady rain, everything worked out perfectly. At the very last minute—literally the day of—we were able to move the session to the evening before, which meant skipping the rain and catching the preserve in that soft, glowing golden hour light that makes Guana such a magical place for photos.
The Fog had lifted.
After a week of heavy evening fog along the coast, the sky finally cleared just in time for this session. A soft, warm ocean breeze drifted through the preserve, and the tide happened to be unusually low—something that doesn’t always line up at Guana. With the shoreline typically a bit choppy, the calmer water and exposed sand created a rare opportunity to capture some beautiful, serene images right along the edge of the water.
One Pose, Endless Possibilities
A single pose can create so many beautiful variations. By simply changing angles, softening a smile, or looking back over your shoulder, we can capture several natural moments that each feel a little different while keeping everything relaxed and effortless.
Chasing the Light
As golden hour settled in, we played with the sunlight peeking just behind the subject. Positioning the light this way creates that soft glow and gentle rim of light around the hair and shoulders, adding warmth and depth that makes the moment feel even more magical.
The Crows Nest
One of my favorite traditions during sessions at Guana Preserve is ending at the tall boardwalk lookout—sometimes called the “crow’s nest.” From the top you can see both the Atlantic Ocean and the sweeping salt marsh, making it one of the best sunset views near Jacksonville. It’s the perfect final stop to pause, take in the scenery, and capture a few last photos with an incredible backdrop.
About Guana Preserve
Guana Preserve in Ponte Vedra is one of the most beautiful natural backdrops near Jacksonville, especially during golden hour. With the sun dropping low over the marsh and shoreline, the light creates a warm glow that adds depth and softness to maternity photos while highlighting the peaceful coastal landscape that makes this location so special.
Posing Prompt 1
This starts out with a simple "Stand behind her, and kiss her on the side of the head with your eyes closed." After that, ask her to raise her right hand and grab his neck.
Posing Prompt 2
Start with "walk holding hands towards the camera slowly, then "okay look at each other and smile," and finally "go in shoulder to shoulder and kiss"
Posing Prompt 3
After turning dad around- "wrap your arm around her" and then "hook your arm up towards his shoulder" Get variations by having her rest her head on his shoulder.
You Can’t Be a Poser About Posing
The ability to quickly guide clients into natural, flattering positions comes from years of experience behind the camera. That experience means we can move smoothly through a variety of poses and angles, creating a full gallery of beautiful images in a short amount of time while keeping the session relaxed and fun.
An Incredible Season of Life
My goal during every maternity session is to create images that reflect the quiet intimacy and beauty of this season of life. Becoming parents is such a meaningful transition, and I aim to capture the connection, anticipation, and tenderness between couples as they prepare to welcome their little one.
KNowing your horizons
When shooting along the shoreline, being mindful of the horizon makes a huge difference in how the image feels. Rather than shooting straight out toward the water, I often angle down the beach so the horizon stays clean and natural while also adding depth to the scene. This simple shift helps avoid awkward lines behind the subject and creates a more dramatic, layered look with the shoreline stretching into the distance.
Mirror, Mirror.
With the tide so low, the shoreline created a beautiful mirrored effect as small waves continued to wash in and lightly wet the sand. That thin layer of water turns the beach into a natural reflector, softly mirroring the sky and surroundings. As blue hour approached, the smooth reflections helped isolate the subject and gave the images a calm, almost dreamlike feel.
Looking forward
With my calendar filling up with maternity sessions in the coming weeks, I’m feeling incredibly grateful to play even a small role in such a meaningful season of life for so many families. It’s always an honor to document this moment of anticipation and excitement, and I’m looking forward to meeting more wonderful parents-to-be and capturing the beauty of their journey into parenthood. If you’re interested in scheduling a maternity session of your own, please click here to inquire .
