Diana + Chad Beach Maternity Session

A sunset beach session at Palm Coast, Florida

I hope everyone is doing well during this unprecedented time. I can’t believe it’s been 6 months since we’ve basically been in lock down in our home and neighborhood. 6 months!!!! During this time, my youngest has graduated high school and has now started college - at home and virtually. My baby sister had a beautiful baby boy - he’s been a lifesaver! In the spring a few of my regular clients contacted me about doing some “socially distanced” sunflower and at home in the backyard sessions. Those came out nice and albeit I was very nervous in the beginning - they ended up being a lot of fun and got me out of the house.

I made the decision this summer to not take on any new clients and only schedule sessions with current clients that have already had a session with me. My style of photography is very hands on and since I’m staying with the CDC Guidelines of staying at least 6 ft. apart - the experience would not be the same for new clients. To be honest, I would simply be too uncomfortable trying to navigate a new family masked and from 6 ft. apart. So, until there is a vaccine - I will only be seeing existing clients.

So, Diana and Chad contacted me this summer with the wonderful news that they are expecting again. I have photographed their first two maternity sessions - the first one in the wildflower field and the second at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. We wanted to go somewhere new for this session and thought the beach would be a great idea. It would get us out of Gainesville and out in the fresh seabreeze air! I don’t normally schedule beach sessions but was up for the challenge. Thanks to the recommendation of St. Augustine based photographer, Josh Haltman, we found the perfect beach. We had a lovely time - the beach was amazing and it was not too crowded at all.

I’m thinking of scheduling Beach Mini Sessions this fall for my current clients that want something different for this year’s holiday photographs! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! In the meantime, enjoy these photographs of Diana and her beautiful family at the beach - stick around for the slideshow at the end and see the entire session.

Stay safe and healthy my friends! - Laurel

Check out the bird in the background - I swear it’s real!


Diana and Chad’s adorable little girls came along too. I just loved the dresses and how the match with Mom.

Photography by Laurel Housden Photography of Gainesville, Florida www.laurelhousden.com