CHOOSING A LOCATION THAT FEELS LIKE YOU
When people first enquire about a maternity session, one of the questions I'm asked most often is, "Where should we have our photos taken?"
The answer might surprise you.
While I have plenty of favourite locations around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens that photograph beautifully, I don't believe the "best" location is necessarily the most popular one. The most meaningful maternity photos are often created somewhere that already feels like home to you.
For some families, that's watching the sunrise on the beach. For others, it's the lake where they walk every weekend, the family farm they've grown up on, or a favourite bush track where they spend countless afternoons exploring together.
For Katherine, that place was the forest.
Why Your Maternity Session Location Matters More Than You Think
Pregnancy is such a unique chapter of life. It's not just about documenting a growing bump; it's about capturing who you are and the season of life you're in before everything changes.
That's why I always encourage my clients to think beyond simply choosing somewhere that "looks pretty."
Instead, I ask them to think about the places that mean something to them.
Where do you feel most like yourself?
Where do you spend your weekends?
What places already hold some of your favourite memories?
When your photographs are taken somewhere that genuinely reflects your family, they become more than beautiful images. They become part of your story.
Katherine's Rainforest Maternity Session in Newcastle
Katherine knew exactly what she wanted.
She has always loved being surrounded by nature, so instead of heading to one of Newcastle's beaches, we chose a secluded rainforest location tucked away among towering trees and lush green ferns.
The moment we arrived, it was easy to see why this place spoke to her.
Birdsong echoed through the forest, soft light filtered gently between the trees, and enormous ferns surrounded us, creating a peaceful, almost magical atmosphere. Despite being only a short drive from the city, it felt completely removed from the everyday world.
One of the things I loved most about this location was its privacy. It allowed Katherine to slow down, relax and simply enjoy the experience without feeling like she was on display.
Those quiet moments often become my favourite photographs.
Without distractions, there's space to breathe, reflect and appreciate the incredible journey into motherhood.
Every location creates a different feeling, and this rainforest brought a sense of calm that suited Katherine perfectly.
Why Nature Has Always Felt Like Home
I think sessions like Katherine's resonate with me because they reflect so much of my own family's life.
Whenever the warmer months arrive, you'll usually find my husband, our three children and I hitching up our little Jayco camper trailer and heading somewhere new for a weekend away.
Sometimes that's the coastline around South West Rocks, Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour, where our days revolve around sandy feet, salty hair and long afternoons at the beach.
Other weekends, we head inland, chasing waterfalls, wandering through rainforest trails, exploring creeks and discovering little farm stays where the kids can run free. Those trips have become some of our favourite family memories.
Our five-year-old and three-year-old are happiest when they're collecting sticks that somehow become "treasures," searching for bugs, climbing over rocks, riding their bikes or splashing through creeks. Every trip seems to bring new adventures, new confidence and new stories to tell. It's something I love watching.
Children have an incredible way of reminding us to slow down and notice the little things.
A funny-shaped leaf.
A tiny mushroom.
The sound of birds hidden high in the trees.
The way sunlight dances through the forest canopy.
I think those adventures have shaped me not only as a mother but also as a photographer.
They've taught me that the places we spend time together become part of our family's story.
Choosing a Location That Reflects Your Family
One of my favourite parts of planning a maternity session is helping couples choose a location that genuinely feels like them.
That might be:
A windswept beach where you spend every summer evening.
Sand dunes you've explored together since before you were married.
A quiet rainforest trail where you love to walk.
A peaceful lakeside spot.
Your family farm.
A favourite camping destination.
Somewhere completely different that tells your story.
There isn't a right or wrong answer.
Your maternity photographs should reflect your life—not someone else's Pinterest board.
Years from now, I want you to look back at your gallery and remember not only how you looked, but how that place made you feel.
Maybe you'll remember the birds singing overhead.
The smell of the forest after rain.
The sound of waves crashing nearby.
Or the excitement of knowing your little one would soon be joining all of your future adventures.
Those memories matter just as much as the photographs themselves.
Adventure-Inspired Maternity Photography in Newcastle
When people describe my photography, they often mention the landscapes.
Whether we're photographing among the sand dunes of Port Stephens, the coastline around Newcastle or hidden rainforest locations like this one, I love allowing the landscape to become just as much a part of the story as the people within it.
The environment isn't simply a backdrop.
It's another character in your photographs.
It creates mood, scale and atmosphere, while helping tell the story of who you are and what this season of life looked like.
Every family is different, and every session should reflect that.
Thinking About Your Own Maternity Session?
If you're planning your maternity session and wondering where to go, my advice is simple.
Don't worry about choosing the location everyone else chooses.
Instead, think about the places that already hold meaning.
Maybe it's the beach where you spend every summer evening.
Perhaps it's a quiet rainforest like Katherine chose.
Maybe it's the lake where you walk every weekend, your family's farm, or somewhere you've spent countless camping trips making memories together.
Those places already tell part of your story.
My job is simply to capture the next chapter.
If you're looking for adventure-inspired maternity photography in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens or the Hunter Region, I'd love to help you create photographs that feel personal, meaningful and timeless—images that reflect not just how this season looked, but how it felt.
Because the most beautiful location isn't always the most famous one.
It's the one that feels like home.
