A Magical Yosemite Valley Maternity Shoot

This photo session has a special place in my heart. Not only did it take place in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but it also features my lovely wife + our baby-to-be. Also: If you’re thinking about a Yosemite maternity shoot for you or someone you know, get in touch.

So…Surprise – We’re Having a Girl!

It's a girl! Smiling and showing the ultrasound / sonogram — I Dreamed Of This!

Many of you didn’t even know we were expecting. For various reasons, it’s something we wanted to keep a secret. Turns out it’s quite easy to hide a pregnancy when you live deep in the mountains during a pandemic! Haha.

Yosemite Maternity Shoot - El Capitan Pregnancy Silhouette — El Capitan makes quite the dramatic backdrop

Fall Colors For Our Yosemite Maternity Shoot

We were fortunate to have a warm winter this year. I’ve never seen the gold of autumn last so long into December. We found a nice spot with a boulder and some stunning colors.

Yosemite Maternity Shoot - Smiling on Forest Boulder With Fall Colors — Talk about a pregnancy “glow”!

Yosemite Maternity Shoot - Fall Harvest table and chairs

We stopped at a scenic stone bridge along El Portal Road. I am the photographer of course, so I set up a tripod in the road to snap this photo. A couple passing cars made this difficult from time to time!

Couple Fall photo shoot near Merced River

Speaking of stonework, further into the valley we checked out the old LaConte Memorial Lodge. This is a great setting for castle-like photographs.

On the steps of the Laconte Lodge, AKA Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center

I think the shot below might be my favorite of all. The patchy, late afternoon light and autumn leaves create beautiful contrast and drama. This was taken near the road to Ahwahnee Lodge.

Yosemite Maternity Shoot - bathed in forest afternoon light

Into The Snowy Forest…

Again, the great thing about living so close to this National Park is that we could easily make a second trip. Our first one had beautiful colors in the leaves, but no snow.

In her maternity dress, posing with snowy tree trunks near the Merced Sequoia Grove

The second had good snow, but as you can imagine, you have to capture these photos as quickly as possible. Island girls are not used to temperatures like these, especially when you replace a winter jacket with a maternity dress! Haha. She was a trooper, though.

Expecting mother through the forest oak trees

There’s an almost spiritual quality to these Yosemite valley forests. An energy you feel, though is hard to define.

Follow Nathan Allen of "I Dreamed Of This"

Here’s another favorite of mine. It was taken between two majestic pine trees on the bank of the Merced River.

Between the giant, stately trees along the Merced River - Yosemite Valley

A Session @ Evergreen Lodge

Sitting by a warm campfire at Evergreen Lodge - Night Photography

This toasty campfire was a welcomed sight after a chilly day in the park. We warmed our bones and finished up the shoot in this beautiful cabin-style lobby. It’s technically just outside the park, but worth a visit I think.

Posing under the "Game of Thrones" style antler chandelier in the cozy Evergreen Lodge Lobby - Yosemite Maternity Shoot

Also be sure can check out my extensive Yosemite & Eastern Sierra photography.

Oh, and before I forget…this baby was born! Mamma and baby are healthy and well – how’s this for a perfect ending?

Newborn baby with fur rug and deer antlers — My lil’ Filipina Mountaineer

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