The Perfect Time of Year for a Maternity Photoshoot
Fortunately for this client, her pregnancy was timed just right to have her maternity photoshoot during peak fall. Not only did we have beautiful weather for her session, but gorgeous colors and scenery. We took some time to decide the perfect location, but ultimately she chose Deer Creek Orchard in Cottage Grove, WI. She explained to me that she and her family live close to the orchard and often visit to pick up some locally grown apples.
We started the session walking through all the rows of apple trees. The light was beautifully peaking through all the leaves. This pregnancy was my client's second, so her 2 year old daughter was also part of this photoshoot. She was very happy to show off her "cheesing" skills.
I'm obsessed with willow trees
Before my clients arrived to the session, I had a brief tour from one of the Deer Creek Orchard staff. She told me some of the best spots for photos, which I really appreciated! She pointed out a big willow tree in a clearing at the end of a path. Willow trees have been my favorite ever since I was a kid. There's just something a little extra magical about them. As a photographer now, I think they also add that extra magic to photos.
One image I knew I had to get during this session was a fully body shot with my client's beautiful dress flowing in the wind. We managed to get the exact shot I had envisioned right under the willow tree. I love how not only is her dress flowing, but all the willows too.
The best moments to capture are the real ones.
It was a bit of a walk between two of the photo spots. On our way we passed by a few pumpkins that were for sale, and had some fun picking them up and even doing a little dancing. We also had some fun moments of play between toddler and parents, and these are some of my favorite pictures from the session! I was happy I was able to capture these moments for this family, since a photographer isn't always right there to record these special moments between family members.
Sheep make a great way to entertain toddlers.
Even though this little toddler had lots of fun cheesing for the camera and playing with her mom and dad, her capacity for taking more pictures was reaching it's end. That's why I decided to save the best part for last, looking at all the sheep! One area of the orchard was a big red barn next to a gated area with sheep. The family had fun looking at them, and I was even able to sneak in some more photos of just Mom and Dad while the toddler was still entertained. I thought these were so pretty and would look perfect in a barn themed nursery!
Overall, Deer Creek Orchard was a beautiful place for photos. They were super easy to communicate with, making planning the session a breeze. The permit fee was $50, which is super reasonable considering all the beauty you are able to utilize for your pictures! I'd love to utilize this space again for future family sessions, seniors, or more maternity pictures!
