A Roseville Maternity Session with Cathleen, Her Husband & Their Dog

When Cathleen first reached out to book her maternity session at Natalie Vell Studio, she was honest about something I hear from almost every expecting mom: she felt a little nervous about being in front of the camera. She wasn’t sure how to pose, what to do with her hands, or how to make the photos feel like her rather than something stiff and staged. More than anything, she wanted the images to feel natural, soft, and genuinely beautiful — a true reflection of this tender chapter of her life.

If you have ever felt the same way, I want you to know that you are in very good company. The vast majority of women who walk into my Roseville studio for a maternity session have never done a professional photoshoot before, and many of them arrive with the exact same butterflies. Part of my job — arguably the most important part — is to take that nervous energy and gently turn it into confidence. By the end of the session, those first-hour jitters almost always melt into ease, laughter, and a quiet sense of pride.

Meeting Cathleen, her husband, and their sweet dog

Cathleen arrived at the studio with two of the most important members of her growing family: her husband and their beloved dog. From the very first moment, her husband was incredibly supportive — the kind of partner who quietly anticipates what you need, offers a reassuring smile from across the room, and is genuinely excited to be part of the experience. That supportive presence makes a real, visible difference in maternity photographs. When a partner is relaxed and engaged, the expecting mom relaxes too, and the connection between them becomes the emotional center of every frame.

And then, of course, there was their dog — the family’s first “baby” and an essential part of the story we were there to tell. Watching the three of them together, it was immediately clear that this little one had been deeply loved long before the new baby was ever on the way. Their dog wasn’t a prop or an afterthought; he was family, and he deserved his place in the photographs that would document this moment forever.

Why including pets in maternity photos is so special

Including pets in maternity sessions is one of my favorite things to do, and I always encourage families to consider it. For so many couples, a dog or cat is the first creature they cared for together — the first being they fed at odd hours, worried over, and built daily routines around. In a very real sense, pets are often the first “baby” in the family, and they absolutely deserve to be part of the story as the household grows.

There is also something beautifully honest about the way animals show up in photographs. A dog doesn’t know to pose or perform; he simply leans into the people he loves. Those unscripted moments — a nuzzle, a paw on a knee, a contented sigh as he settles between his humans — bring a warmth and authenticity that you simply cannot manufacture.

Pets are often the first “baby” in the family, and they deserve to be part of the story.

Starting with professional hair and makeup

Every full session at the studio begins with professional hair and makeup, and there is a very intentional reason for that. Beyond the obvious benefit of looking polished and camera-ready, the hair and makeup chair is where the real magic of relaxation begins. There is something deeply calming about being pampered for an hour — about closing your eyes, letting an expert take over, and slowly easing into the experience before a single photo is taken.

For Cathleen, this was exactly the gentle on-ramp she needed. By the time her makeup was finished and her hair was styled, the nervousness she had arrived with had already started to soften. She caught her reflection in the mirror, smiled, and you could see her shoulders drop. That quiet, confident exhale before stepping in front of the camera is one of the most beautiful parts of the day.

Professional hair and makeup also photographs differently than everyday makeup. It is designed to read well under studio lighting, to last through hours of movement and emotion, and to enhance your natural features without ever looking heavy or unlike you. The goal is always the same: to help you look like the very best version of yourself, on one of the most meaningful days of this season of your life.

How to pose when you feel nervous in front of the camera

One of the most common worries I hear — and one Cathleen shared openly — is “I don’t know how to pose.” Here is the truth that surprises almost everyone: you don’t need to know how to pose. That is my job. Throughout the entire session, I guide you through every position, every angle, and every small adjustment, from where to place your hands to how to tilt your chin and where to direct your gaze.

I also build the session as a series of small, achievable movements rather than rigid, frozen poses. We flow from one gentle position to the next, and in between I encourage real moments — a glance shared with your partner, a hand resting on your belly, a soft laugh. Those in-between moments are very often where the most stunning, emotional images live.

A few simple things that help you feel at ease

• Breathe and move slowly. Maternity images are meant to feel calm and dreamy, so there is no rushing — we take our time.
• Trust the guidance. If a pose feels a little unusual, it often looks elegant on camera. I will always show you previews so you can see it for yourself.
• Bring your person. Having a supportive partner, friend, or family member in the room makes everything easier and warmer.
• Let yourself feel it. The quiet, tender feelings you have toward your baby are exactly what we want the camera to capture.

What we captured: solo, with her husband, and with their dog

Throughout Cathleen’s session, we captured a beautiful variety of images so that she would walk away with a complete, layered story of this chapter. We began with portraits of Cathleen on her own — quiet, elegant images that celebrated her, her glow, and the strength of carrying new life. These solo portraits are something so many moms treasure later, because they are a rare, intentional celebration of the woman at the very heart of the story.

From there, we moved into images of Cathleen with her husband. We let their natural connection lead — foreheads touching, hands cradling her belly together, the kind of soft glances that say everything words cannot.

Then we welcomed their dog into the frame, and the whole energy of the room lifted. There is a particular kind of joy that arrives when a beloved pet joins the picture, and those frames became some of the warmest and most genuine of the entire session.

What to wear to a maternity session

Wardrobe is one of the questions I am asked most often, so here is some guidance that applies far beyond this single session. The right outfit should make you feel confident and comfortable while flattering your beautiful bump. A few principles that consistently photograph well:

• Flowing fabrics. Soft, draping materials like chiffon and jersey move gorgeously and hug the belly in all the right ways. Form-fitting gowns show off your shape; flowing dresses add a romantic, ethereal feeling.
• Solid, soft tones. Neutrals, warm earth tones, and gentle pastels keep the focus on you and feel timeless rather than trendy.
• Coordinated, not matching. If your partner is joining, coordinate within the same palette instead of matching exactly.
• Bring options. Many clients love changing between a fitted look and a flowing gown to add variety to their gallery.

Behind the scenes: capturing the story on video

Alongside the still photography, we documented behind-the-scenes moments throughout the day — the hair and makeup process, the candid laughter between setups, and video footage that captures the atmosphere of the session in a way photographs alone cannot. There is something truly special about being able to look back not just at the final images, but at the feeling of the day.

This kind of behind-the-scenes video has become one of my favorite parts of the experience to offer. It tells the story of this exciting chapter in motion — the small gestures, the warmth, and the love that surrounded Cathleen as she prepared to meet her baby.

The final reveal

By the end of the session, all of Cathleen’s nerves had completely disappeared. She and her husband were genuinely amazed by the experience, and they loved seeing how the final images came together — the soft light, the tender expressions, the joyful frames with their dog. What began with a little anxiety about posing ended in confidence, laughter, and a deep sense of connection.

That arc — from nervous to radiant — is exactly why I do this work. These photographs will forever remind Cathleen and her family of the anticipation, love, and excitement they shared while waiting to meet their baby.

Maternity photography in Roseville & Irvine

Natalie Vell Studio proudly serves expecting families with maternity, family, and newborn photography from our studios in Roseville and Irvine, California. Every session is designed to be a relaxed, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable experience — complete with professional hair and makeup, gentle posing guidance from start to finish, and a warm welcome for the whole family, pets included.

If Cathleen’s story resonates with you — if you are expecting and dreaming of images that feel natural, elegant, and deeply personal — I would be honored to capture this chapter for you. The best sessions are typically booked between 28 and 34 weeks, when your bump is beautifully round and you are still comfortable enough to move and enjoy the day.