Sometimes my couples ask for a more “rustic” vibe for their signature session and I am happy to oblige! The only problem is, in San Diego, you’ve basically got one of two options: Old Poway Park (which, let’s be clear, I ain’t hating on), or to go out east to the real farmland of San Diego. Both options are good options, but sometimes we need to cleanse the palate. That’s why I was so excited to take Amanda, Chad and Alex to our local, historical ranch for their maternity session.

Amanda and Chad are close family friends of mine so I was delighted when they wanted to book a maternity session with me. The two of them are just the sweetest and seeing the way Chad loves Amanda’s son, Alex, gives my step-mama heart all the feels. Being in a mixed family can be complicated, unclear, and filled with a wide variety of emotions so, to see Chad take on his role of partner, father, and step-father with such joy just melts your heart in ways you didn’t know it could. The soon-to-be-four of them couldn’t have looked any better for their rustic maternity session, and the sun in all it’s golden hour glory came to play.

Amanda and Chad decided on an outfit change which was such a fun mix-up for their session. They got to do all the fancies and then slip into something a little more everyday. I’ll tell you, I always tell my clients to just go for it when it comes to wardrobe, and that’s because if you think about, how often do you get to dress to the nines and have professional photos taken of you? But Amanda and Chad’s outfit change just felt so…them. It was a sweet and cozy fall ending to a magical afternoon, and if you ask me, the sun wasn’t the only radiant thing we saw that evening. Amanda looked beautiful as ever and I cannot wait to meet baby girl!

Check out their sneak peek below:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I wanna hear from you!

Which do you prefer for your next family session? Super fancy or more casual and everyday? Also, do we love this rustic location or do we love it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear from you!

xo,

Jess