There is something almost unfairly beautiful about a golden hour maternity shoot.
The warm light. The open countryside. The way the sun drops low and turns everything, the fields, the trees, and yes, your bump, completely golden.
If you’ve been scrolling through maternity photography on Instagram and found yourself stopping every time one of those dreamy outdoor shots comes up, this post is for you.
I’m Lucy, and I’ve been photographing families across Yorkshire for over five years. Golden hour maternity shoots are one of my absolute favourite things to do – and I want to tell you exactly what to expect so you can turn up feeling excited rather than nervous.
What actually is golden hour?
Golden hour is the window of time just after sunrise or just before sunset when the natural light is at its most magical. It’s warm, soft, flattering, and it makes everything glow.
For maternity shoots, I always shoot in the evening – that last hour or so before the sun goes down or first thing in the morning, just as the sun rises. The light at that time of day does things that no studio lighting can replicate.
It’s genuinely breathtaking, and I say that as someone who has stood in a field at sunset with a camera more times than I can count.
When to book your golden hour shoot
The sweet spot for a golden hour maternity shoot is between 28 and 32 weeks pregnant.
At this point your bump is beautifully round and visible, but you’re still comfortable enough to move, walk, and stand for an hour or so without feeling completely exhausted. After 32 weeks, some mums find outdoor shoots a little tiring – though of course every pregnancy is different and we always work around how you’re feeling on the day.
I’d recommend getting in touch as soon as you can, because golden hour sessions book up fast, especially in the summer months when the evenings are long and the Yorkshire countryside is at its most spectacular.
Where we shoot
My golden hour sessions take place in the beautiful natural landscapes on my doorstep – woodland paths and thick trees that look like it was made to be photographed.
Everything is chosen with one thing in mind: making you look and feel incredible in your surroundings. The neutral, natural backdrop means the focus is always on you, your bump, and the connection between you and your growing family.
If you have a specific location in mind that’s meaningful to you, we can absolutely talk about that too. I’m always led by what feels right for each individual family.
What is the vibe?
Completely up to you – and that’s genuinely what I mean.
Some of my clients come to their golden hour shoot wanting something romantic and ethereal. Flowing dresses, soft light, dreamy and still. Those shoots are breathtaking.
Others come wanting something more natural and relaxed. Laughing with their partner, walking hand in hand through a field, stopping to look at each other in that quiet way that only people who are about to become parents really do. Those shoots are breathtaking too – just in a completely different way.
Most couples land somewhere in the middle, and we find that together on the day. There’s no script, no rigid posing, no awkward ‘stand here and smile.’ I guide you gently, I chat to you, I make you laugh, and I capture what happens naturally in between.
That’s always where the best images come from.
What to wear
This is the question I get asked most, and the answer is simpler than you think. But very high level… as don’t worry, you. get a full style guide when you book!
Flow is your friend. Loose, flowing dresses in neutral tones – creams, whites, burnt orange, sage greens – photograph beautifully in golden light and move in a way that looks stunning on camera. I have a full wardrobe at the studio if you’d like to borrow something, with options in all sizes and shapes because I know that finding something that feels comfortable and beautiful at 30 weeks pregnant isn’t always easy.
If you’d rather wear your own outfit, just think soft, simple, and unfussy. Avoid busy patterns or very bright colours – they compete with the light rather than working with it.
For partners, I always suggest something complementary rather than matching. A simple shirt, neutral tones, something they feel good in. Comfortable shoes are a must for both of you – we’ll be walking across a track, not a studio floor.
What about the weather?
Yorkshire weather. I know. I know.
Here’s my approach: I always keep a close eye on the forecast in the days leading up to your shoot, and I’ll be in touch if things are looking tricky. If we need to reschedule because of heavy rain or a sky full of flat grey cloud, we reschedule – simple as that.
A little cloud can actually be beautiful. Overcast light is soft and even and can produce some really stunning images. But a washout isn’t going to give either of us what we want, so I’ll always make sure we pick a day that’s going to do you justice.
What happens on the day
You arrive, we say hello, and we take a moment to just settle in and get comfortable. I’m not someone who throws you straight in front of the camera – we walk, we talk, we find our rhythm.
As the light changes, I’ll gently guide you into different spots and different moments. Some will be with your partner. Some will just be you and your bump, because a pregnant woman standing alone in golden light is one of the most powerful things I’ve ever photographed.
The whole session usually takes around an hour, though as with everything I do, we go at whatever pace feels right.
After the shoot
Once I’ve edited your images, you’ll be invited back to the studio for your reveal – where you’ll see your photos for the first time on a big screen, with a glass of something nice and absolutely no pressure.
Most of my golden hour maternity clients go on to book a newborn session, a sitter shoot, and beyond. Because once you’ve seen what golden light does to your family – you’ll want to come back every year.
Ready to book your golden hour maternity shoot in Yorkshire?
If you’re between 28 and 32 weeks and you’ve been thinking about this – stop thinking and get in touch. The evenings are waiting, the light is glorious, and I would absolutely love to photograph you.
