New Jersey is known for it’s beautiful coastline. Those that live in New Jersey are lucky enough to have a plethora of beaches to spend a day or a weekend at. One of my favorite sessions to do at the beach are maternity sessions. In this blog, I’ve offered 3 ideas to help plan the perfect New Jersey beach maternity photo session. If you don’t know me already, I’m Danielle! I’m a family and maternity photographer in New Jersey. I hope you enjoy these 3 ideas!

New Jersey Beach Maternity Idea # 1 – Go out at Golden Hour!

When heading out on your maternity session, make sure your photographer is scheduling it at golden hour. Golden hour is about one hour before the sun sets. This is especially important when booking a beach session because there aren’t many shaded areas at the beach. The last thing you want is to take your photos when the sun is too high in the sky. This causes a lot of unwanted shadows and harsh lighting on your face. This type of lighting isn’t very flattering. There is nothing more beautiful than capturing your maternity photos with the sun setting in the background.

New Jersey Beach Maternity Idea # 2 – Head Towards Sand Dunes + Rocks

When booking your maternity session, make sure you find a beach that has plenty of sand dunes and large rocks (like on a jetty.) The reason is because they make beautiful backgrounds. I know that the water and sand is enough of a beautiful backdrop; however, having something like a grassy sand dune can make a very dynamic photo. It also adds some variety to your poses. I always have my maternity mamas sit on the rocks or step into the grass on the sand dune. This creates some really nice composition and adds a unique element to the photos.

New Jersey Beach Maternity Idea # 3 – Get in the Water!

I know I know! The water is cold and wet. But a photo of a pregnant mama in the water is just soooo stunning! If you can, try booking your session later in the summer or even early Fall when the water temperatures are so much warmer. One of my favorite locations to do water sessions is at Sandy Hook because it has the bay which is always a bit warmer than the ocean. Of course, get in the water at the very end of the session so you don’t have to walk around in a wet dress! If you do plan on getting in the water, I would recommend a light and flowy dress. You don’t want anything too heavy because you don’t want to feel weighed down when you are in the water. If you are not a fan of being wet and cold, a water session might not be for you. However, I do suggest that you put your fears aside and go for it. You won’t regret it!!

There you have it! I really hope these 3 ideas will help you with planning your New Jersey beach maternity session. If you liked the photos you saw and are interested in booking a beach session; feel free to reach out. You can fill out my contact form here. If you’d like to see more of my work, head on over to my website at daniellestiophotography.com or give me a follow on my Instagram. I’d love to connect!