A "Hidden Gem" of Jacksonville
Tucked away on Jacksonville’s northside, William F. Sheffield Regional Park is one of those quiet locations that feels like a hidden gem for maternity sessions. With towering oak trees, calm lakes, winding nature trails, and beautiful pockets of soft natural light, the park offers a peaceful setting that feels far removed from the busy city. The open fields and shaded pathways create a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for capturing the calm, joyful anticipation that comes with this season of life. For families looking for a natural North Jacksonville backdrop that feels both timeless and serene, Sheffield Park is one of our favorite underrated spots.
Timing is everything
At Sheffield Park, timing makes all the difference. I like to begin in the open fields while the sun is still high, using the shade from the row of loblolly pines for soft, even light. As the sun starts to drop, we move toward a tucked-away spot near the duck pond, and finish the session at the dock where the lower evening light creates a beautiful, calm glow on the water.
"Candid" posing
Over the past decade, candid-style posing has become one of the biggest trends in portrait photography. Couples walking, laughing, and interacting naturally often helps people relax in front of the camera and creates images that feel authentic and emotional. While those moments are beautiful, I like to keep a balanced approach—mixing candid movement with a few timeless portraits looking straight at the camera. Using this technique I can get so many variations out of a single pose.
moving around the sun
One of my favorite parts of shooting during golden hour is simply moving with the light. By shifting angles and positions around the sun, we can capture different looks—from soft backlight to warm golden rays peeking through the frame. Taking a variety of angles like this creates subtle changes in glow, contrast, and depth, giving the final gallery a beautiful range of light-filled images.
The details matter
Close-up shots are often the ones people don’t expect to love as much as they do. A gentle hand on a baby bump, a quiet glance between parents, or a soft smile framed by beautiful light can feel incredibly personal. Time and time again, clients tell me these detail-focused images end up being their favorites—and they’re often the ones that make it onto the wall at home.
Have a seat
I’ll admit—I sometimes feel a little guilty asking someone who’s 32 weeks pregnant to sit down for a pose. But seated shots often create some of the most beautiful and relaxed images of the entire session. Sitting naturally softens posture, highlights the baby bump in a flattering way, and allows for gentle, connected moments between parents. The results are almost always worth that brief pause.
A Glowing Review:
"We had such a wonderful experience with Thistle Photo Co. for our maternity shoot! From the very beginning, they were incredibly easy to communicate with and always very responsive, which made the whole process feel seamless and stress-free. Scheduling was efficient and simple, and we felt taken care of every step of the way.
During the shoot, Lincoln was so kind and easy to work with. He made my husband and me feel completely comfortable, and it truly shows in the photos. We loved our experience so much and cannot wait for our newborn session with them!
Highly recommend Thistle Photo Co. to anyone looking for a talented and professional photographer who is also genuinely wonderful to work with."- Madison C.
Final thoughts
William F. Sheffield Regional Park continues to be one of my favorite maternity session locations on Jacksonville’s northside. One of the biggest advantages is how peaceful it is—you’re rarely competing with a crowd of photographers all trying to use the same spot at the same time. That relaxed atmosphere makes a huge difference for expecting parents who may already feel a little nervous in front of the camera. The park also has convenient parking and short walking distances to several beautiful backdrops, which is always appreciated during pregnancy. Between the open fields, the pine trees, the duck pond, and the dock, the variety of scenery combined with the soft, dreamy evening light makes it a fantastic place to photograph this special season of life. Maternity sessions are such an important way to pause and capture the anticipation, excitement, and quiet moments before everything changes with the arrival of a new baby—and Sheffield Park provides the perfect setting to preserve those memories.
