As a Phoenix maternity photographer, I truly believe there is something incredibly special about capturing the anticipation and joy of new parents-to-be. Maternity sessions don’t just freeze time in a beautiful way…they also honor the journey, the strength, and the love behind welcoming a little one into the world. Recently, I had the privilege of photographing Monica and Gopala as they prepare to welcome their first child, and it was such a heartfelt experience.
Monica and Gopala are both physicians. He practices internal medicine and she specializes in psychiatry. Married for five years and together for eight, they are now stepping into their biggest adventure yet: parenthood. From the start, I could see how connected they are and how excited they were to celebrate this season of life together.
For Monica, comfort was key. She chose off-the-shoulder dresses that she felt beautiful in, and they looked absolutely stunning against the Arizona desert backdrop. She wanted a mix of desert cactus scenery and dramatic mountains, so we chose Lost Dutchman State Park…one of my favorite spots because it offers both. We started with soft golden light highlighting the desert landscape, then shifted our focus as the sun dipped lower to showcase the Superstition Mountains in all their glowing colors. With two outfit changes, we were able to create a gallery full of variety…something I love being able to provide during my longer Luxe maternity sessions.
One of the little things I always try to keep in mind with maternity clients is comfort. Knowing that long walks can be tiring, I brought along my portable changing tent so Monica didn’t have to hike back to the bathrooms between outfits. We walked just enough to get those incredible views while making sure she felt at ease every step of the way.
What made this session even more memorable were the conversations we shared as we walked the Treasure Loop trail. With my own daughter’s health journey, we naturally ended up talking about medicine, empathy, and doctors and their bedside manners. I found it fascinating to hear how younger doctors like Monica and Gopala are trained to understand the importance of building trust with patients and that healing isn’t just about treatment plans, but also about human connection. It was an inspiring reminder that the best memories are often made in the moments between the photos.
For Monica and Gopala, it was a mix of desert beauty, mountain drama, thoughtful conversation, and celebrating the joy of expecting their first baby.
If you are expecting and considering maternity photos, I’d love to create a session that feels like you, whether that means the golden desert, green hidden gems around the city, or somewhere meaningful to your story. These are the kinds of memories worth preserving, and I would be honored to capture them for you.