There’s a certain kind of magic in announcing a new life during the height of summer. The air is full of light and promise, the evenings are golden, and everything around us feels like it’s blooming. In a season that already holds so much beauty, adding your growing family to that narrative feels not only natural—but deeply powerful.
Announcing your pregnancy or celebrating your baby’s arrival doesn’t have to mean balloons or props or Pinterest checklists. In fact, the most moving announcements I’ve photographed were rooted in simplicity, honest emotion, and thoughtful connection to the season and the family’s story. Summer offers a beautiful, uncomplicated backdrop to create images that don’t just say “we’re expecting” or “our baby is here,” but show how that moment feels.
Why Summer Just Works
When families come to me wanting to create baby announcements—whether it’s their first, their fourth, or their long-hoped-for rainbow baby—they’re not just asking for a photo. They’re asking for a way to mark something real. Something sacred. Summer lends itself to that naturally. There’s warmth. There’s movement. And most importantly, there’s light—literal and emotional.
Pregnancy sessions in summer feel relaxed, intimate, and open. We don’t need to rush before a snowstorm or navigate muddy paths or layer up in bulky clothes that hide your bump or your baby. Instead, we find soft grass, golden skies, a quiet park trail, or a quiet stretch of lake and create images that breathe with the moment.
If your baby has just arrived, summer lets us step outside without worry. We can photograph you cradling them under the soft shade of trees or laying side by side on a light muslin blanket. These sessions never feel like staged photoshoots. They feel like glimpses into your new rhythm of life—and that’s what makes the images timeless.
Outdoor Ideas That Feel Like You
The most impactful baby announcement photos are the ones that reflect your real life. Sometimes that means including an ultrasound tucked into your pocket as you walk through a sunlit field. Other times it’s holding a pair of tiny baby shoes in your hands while the wind moves softly through your dress. It could be your toddler gently pressing their ear to your belly in the grass while you both smile at something only the two of you can hear.
You might want something subtle—a shared glance, a belly cradled in golden light, a peaceful moment sitting together by the water. Or you might be ready to say it loud and clear with a custom sign or joyful reveal. Either way, the story comes from you. My job is simply to help guide it into the light.
One of the most moving outdoor baby arrival sessions I photographed last year happened just after a long-awaited adoption was finalized. We planned a session with the family under a blooming tree at dusk. Nothing flashy, no signage—just arms wrapped around their child, eyes full of gratitude, and laughter echoing between frames. They sent out the photos with no caption, and everyone understood exactly what it meant.
How We Make It Personal
From the moment you inquire, we’ll talk about what feels authentic to your journey. Every family is different, and there is no right way to announce a baby. Some clients want to include their other children or even their dog. Some want the session to be just the two of them, holding space for the change to come. Others want to bring in elements of culture, tradition, or faith that reflect their story more deeply.
You might be early in your pregnancy and want to keep things subtle. Or maybe you’ve just welcomed your baby earthside and want to capture those first few weeks before the haze of newborn time fades. You might not feel like posing—and that’s okay. My sessions are gentle and guided, never stiff. I’ll help you feel confident and relaxed, and we’ll let the session unfold naturally.
There’s no pressure to perform. If you want to talk about how you’re feeling and let that emotion guide the photos, we can. If you’d rather keep it light and joyful, we can do that too. What matters most is that we build the session around what this moment means to you.
Styling for Summer Announcements
Wardrobe plays a quiet but important role in how your photos feel. You don’t need to dress up for anyone else—this isn’t about a costume. It’s about what makes you feel good in your body, in your season, and in your family.
Light, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal. I often suggest soft, earthy colors that complement the tones of the outdoors—gentle greens, warm neutrals, dusty rose, faded blues. Dresses that move, shirts you can roll up the sleeves on, bare feet on the grass. For babies, soft wraps or simple outfits keep the focus where it belongs—on them.
If you need help choosing pieces or coordinating looks, I’ll be there to walk you through it. Some clients send me photos of what they’re considering, and we work together to create a look that fits the tone of the session. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Not Just an Announcement—A Keepsake
The photos we create during your baby announcement session won’t just be for Instagram. These images become keepsakes. They get printed. Framed. Tucked into memory boxes. Sent to grandparents. Shared quietly with loved ones who know just how much this moment means.
One client told me their favorite image from their announcement session now sits on their child’s nursery shelf. Not because it was perfect, but because it was the beginning. That’s what this session is about—marking the beginning. Honoring the quiet shift your family is undergoing. And doing it in a way that’s timeless, beautiful, and real.
