A Magical Maternity Session at the Lavender Fields of Mona, Utah
Capturing the glow, the anticipation, and all the tender moments in between as you prepare for the beautiful journey of motherhood.
Few things in life are as powerful as the bond between parents-to-be and the excitement they feel when preparing to welcome a new life into the world. Capturing this emotion on camera, especially in a setting as beautiful as the Young Living Lavender Field in Mona, Utah, is a privilege. For this particular maternity session, the soon-to-be mom wanted to ensure that her little girl would always know just how much she was wanted and cherished, even before her arrival. This intention, combined with the breathtaking backdrop of lavender blooms, created an unforgettable and magical session.
The Beauty of the Location
The Young Living Lavender Field in Mona, Utah, is a photographer’s dream. The expansive fields stretch as far as the eye can see, lined with neat rows of soft purple blooms that give off a delicate, calming fragrance. In the early morning light, the lavender fields take on an otherworldly glow, making them a perfect location for any photoshoot, but especially one as special as a maternity session.
The beauty of the location is not just in the flowers themselves. The mountains in the distance rise majestically, providing a dramatic yet serene backdrop to the rolling fields. As the sun slowly rises over these mountains, it casts a warm, golden glow across the landscape, illuminating the lavender blooms and creating a dreamy atmosphere. The combination of the natural beauty of the lavender fields and the emotional connection between the expecting couple made this shoot feel like a fairytale.
Photographing in lavender fields presents its own unique challenges and rewards. The color palette alone—a mix of soft purples, dusty greens, and vibrant blues from the sky—creates a painterly effect in the images. For a photographer, this is a gift, but it also requires careful planning to ensure the colors pop without overwhelming the subjects of the shoot. Thankfully, on this day, everything came together perfectly. The natural beauty of the setting, combined with the love radiating from the couple, made for some truly magical moments.
One of the things that made this session particularly special was the emotional connection between the mom and dad-to-be. It was clear from the beginning that this shoot wasn’t just about taking beautiful photos, but about capturing a moment in time—a moment where they could celebrate the new life they were bringing into the world. The love they had for each other and their excitement about becoming parents was palpable, and it came through in every shot.
Prepping for the Session: Making a Vision Come to Life
Behind every magical photoshoot is careful planning and collaboration. For this session, we began by creating a vision board. This helped us to map out every detail and ensure that the photos would reflect the family’s vision. A vision board is an essential tool in the photography process because it allows the client and photographer to align on aesthetics, emotions, and the overall feel of the shoot. We discussed everything, from the colors and tones to the mood and emotion that they wanted to convey in the photos.
The soon-to-be mom had her heart set on wearing a flowy, ethereal dress that would complement the beauty of the lavender fields. After discussing various options, we decided on a soft, neutral-colored gown that flowed beautifully in the wind. The dress had an elegant yet relaxed feel, which matched the vibe of the location perfectly. It was the ideal choice for a maternity session, as it allowed her to feel comfortable while still looking stunning in every shot. The dress’s movement in the gentle breeze added a dreamy quality to the photos, making it feel like she was floating through the lavender fields.
For the dad-to-be, we selected coordinating colors that complemented the soft hues of the lavender and the gown. His attire was simple and understated, allowing the focus to remain on the love between the couple and the beautiful surroundings. Coordinating outfits is always an important part of any photoshoot, as it ensures the subjects stand out while still blending harmoniously with the environment.
A custom-made bouquet was also part of the shoot, adding an extra layer of beauty and personalization. The bouquet featured soft florals in shades that complemented the lavender fields, tying everything together. This small detail may seem insignificant, but it played a crucial role in the overall aesthetic of the shoot, creating a cohesive and polished look.
One of the most touching and personal elements of the session was the inclusion of the baby’s ultrasound. Carefully encased in a protective cover while not taking photos, this tiny image of their baby girl served as a tangible reminder of the new life they were preparing to welcome. Incorporating the ultrasound into the photos added a deeply sentimental touch and made the session even more meaningful. It was a beautiful way to celebrate the baby’s impending arrival and to capture the love and anticipation that the parents felt.
the best time to do take photos at the young living lavender fields in mona
In photography, timing is everything. The quality of light can make or break a photoshoot, and in this case, we planned the session to coincide with the best possible light—just after sunrise on July 13th. While sunrise was officially at 6:11 AM, the sun didn’t rise above the mountains until around 6:50 AM. The cloud coverage, after the sun came into view, provided us with soft diffused backlighting.
Photographing during this early morning window allowed us to avoid the harsh, direct sunlight that can be difficult to work with later in the day.
The few moments right after the sun peaks over the mountains are magical, especially when you’re shooting in a location as beautiful as the lavender fields. The golden light bathes everything in a warm glow, enhancing the natural beauty of the surroundings and creating a soft, romantic feel. On this particular day, we were fortunate to have some cloud cover, which further diffused the light and made it even softer. This gave us the flexibility to capture a wide range of shots, from wide-angle landscapes that showcased the beauty of the lavender fields, to intimate close-ups that highlighted the parents-to-be.
One of the challenges of shooting in direct sunlight is managing the intensity of the light. In cases where the light becomes too harsh, we used a few professional techniques to control it. One such technique is the 45-degree rule, which helps to keep the sun on the back of the subject while keeping it out of the frame. This not only prevents the sun from overpowering the image but also ensures that the subjects are evenly lit, with no harsh shadows. On this day, the light was perfectly diffused, allowing us to let the sun peak into the frame.
The Importance of the Golden Hour
The “golden hour” is a photographer’s favorite time to shoot. It occurs shortly after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating a soft, warm light that is perfect for capturing beautiful images. For this session, we chose to shoot in the early morning golden hour, to ensure the mountains would be the background while also having the subjects backlit from the sun.
Golden hour light is soft and flattering, making it ideal for capturing natural, candid moments. It has a way of enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape while also highlighting the emotional connection between the subjects. In this case, the golden light bathed the lavender fields in a warm glow, making the colors more vibrant and the images more romantic.
Another advantage of shooting during golden hour is that the low angle of the sun creates long, soft shadows, which add depth and dimension to the images. This helps to create a more dynamic and visually interesting composition, which is especially important when shooting in a location as vast and expansive as the lavender fields.
A Session Full of Love and Magic
This maternity session was so much more than just a photo shoot—it was a celebration of love, anticipation, and hope for the future. Every element, from the flowing dress to the custom bouquet, to the inclusion of the baby’s ultrasound, worked together to create a session that was not only beautiful but also deeply meaningful. The connection between the parents-to-be was undeniable, and their love for each other and their baby girl radiated through every image.
For anyone considering maternity photos, this session serves as a reminder that with the right preparation, timing, and location, you can create images that are not only stunning but also filled with emotion and meaning. If you’re looking for a photographer in Utah to capture your own magical moments, I’d love to help bring your vision to life.
