Three years of photographing this family meant I knew exactly where to find the light at San Rafael Open Space. We started on the hillside overlooking the valley (the parents holding their daughter between them, the second pregnancy still new and tender). There’s a difference between photographing a family the first time and the second. You know their rhythms. You know how they move together.

Two women hold their young child between them, gazing across a sprawling valley dotted with homes and distant hills under soft afternoon light

Two adults and a young child stand together on a tree-lined path, the person on the left beaming at the camera while holding the child in denim

A pregnant woman in white holds hands with a young child in denim along a shaded eucalyptus-lined creek path, dappled sunlight filtering through tall trees

Pregnant woman with curly hair stands centered on a sunlit dirt trail between towering eucalyptus trees, wearing a cream top and taupe cardigan, gazing softly toward the camera

Pregnant woman in profile gazes downward, cradling her belly with both hands, warm golden light illuminating her curled hair and peaceful expression

Pregnant woman with curly hair smiles warmly while cradling her belly beneath towering eucalyptus trees, golden afternoon light filtering through the canopy

Pregnant woman in white linen sits cradled by golden grasses, her bare belly glowing in warm afternoon light while her partner's arm tenderly wraps around her shoulders

Pregnant woman in white linen shirt cradles her belly while seated in golden dried grasses, hands gently framing her abdomen with tender reverence

Pregnant woman in white crop top cradles her belly while sitting among golden dried grasses, her partner's hand resting on her leg in tender connection

Pregnant woman crouches on a dusty trail between eucalyptus trees, cradling her belly with a contemplative gaze toward the distant hillside

Film changed everything about this shoot. I shot it all on Portra, and that grain, that warmth, it matched what was actually happening. The eucalyptus trees towering over the creek path, the golden grasses, their daughter’s joy when she spotted flowers. The pregnant belly cradled in soft hands, her partner’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. These aren’t staged moments. San Rafael Open Space just holds space for families to be exactly as they are.

Two women and their young child walk hand-in-hand down a sunlit dirt path lined with towering eucalyptus trees, mountains visible in the distance

Woman in neutral tones cradles her young child in denim on a sunlit path, both gazing downward with gentle expressions

A young family walks together down a sun-dappled dirt trail, with a toddler leading ahead while parents hold hands behind, mountains visible through the tall eucalyptus trees

A family of three laughs together on a sun-drenched hillside, one mom holding their young child while the other beams beside them, golden afternoon light washing across the rolling landscape

A family of three walks hand-in-hand down a sunlit dirt trail through tall eucalyptus trees, with the child lifted mid-stride between the two adults

Two parents swing their toddler between them on a sunlit tree-lined path, genuine joy radiating across all three faces

Two women lift their curly-haired toddler between them, all beaming with joy in a sun-dappled forest of tall pines

Two women guide a curly-haired toddler along a sun-dappled trail beneath towering eucalyptus trees, their genuine smiles radiating joy

Two parents lift their curly-haired daughter onto a felled tree trunk, her joyful smile radiant against towering eucalyptus trees and dappled afternoon light

Two adults and a toddler sit together on a log beneath hanging eucalyptus branches, smiling warmly at the camera in golden afternoon light

The light started turning honey-colored as we wrapped. Their daughter ran ahead on the trail while the parents walked behind, holding hands. I’d photographed them with their firstborn years ago. Now here they were, ready to do it all again. I’d love to be there for the newborn session.

An adult carries a delighted toddler on their shoulders along a sunlit path, sprawling oak trees and golden hillside creating a warm, natural backdrop

A curly-haired child in denim jogs along a dusty trail, grinning over her shoulder amid tall eucalyptus trees and golden dry grass

Toddler in denim dress gazes upward while holding an adult's hand beneath blooming white flowers and golden hillside grasses

Pregnant woman with curly hair smiles over her shoulder in a sun-dappled eucalyptus grove, wearing a taupe cardigan over white maternity dress

Pregnant woman with curly hair smiles warmly while cradling her belly, standing on a sunlit forest trail lined with towering eucalyptus trees

Three siblings sit together on a weathered log beneath drooping eucalyptus branches, their genuine smiles and relaxed poses glowing in warm afternoon light

Pregnant woman and young daughter walk hand-in-hand down a sunlit forest trail, both smiling warmly at the camera

Expectant couple shares an intimate moment beneath hanging willow branches, their genuine smiles and close embrace framed against sun-dappled countryside

Pregnant woman in white linen leans against weathered eucalyptus trunk, gentle smile, dappled afternoon light filtering through hanging foliage

Expectant couple walks hand-in-hand down a sunlit forest path, her joyful expression captured mid-glance toward the camera

Maternity Session at San Rafael Open Space — Marin County · October 25, 2024