A few months ago, a couple reached out to me about a Lunar Love photography session. But this wasn’t going to be the typical couples or family shoot I’ve done in the past. They shared their exciting news — they were expecting a child — and together we dreamed up the concept of a maternity moon session. I was immediately in love with the idea.

First Attempts

Our first date was in June. I had the perfect spot scouted: the foothills were alive with wildflowers, and the forecast looked promising. But when I woke up that morning, the sky was covered in clouds. No moon, no magic. I felt terrible, but we rescheduled for July.

The next month, the bachelor buttons were in full bloom, and the days leading up to the shoot looked flawless. Then, as evening approached, clouds rolled in again. Another cancellation. I could hear the disappointment in their voices — and I felt it deeply too.

We penciled in September, though wildfire smoke was a real concern. By then, I’ll admit, I started questioning myself. Was I truly capable of pulling these Lunar Love sessions off? Or had I just been lucky before? I had to remind myself: I can plan the location down to the inch, but I cannot control the weather.

Third Time’s the Charm

By August, I rearranged my schedule for another attempt. The couple was available — and still eager. The days leading up to the shoot were clear and warm (August warm). I knew I needed to find shade for comfort, especially for the expecting mother, while still aligning them perfectly with the moonrise.

That evening, everything came together. We began with classic maternity portraits in the trees near the Military Reserve Archery Range, then moved up the hill for the alignment. I had calculated the timing so that as the sun dipped behind the hillside, the shade from the hillside would cover the couple while the moon would rise exactly where I placed the couple — and it worked. Perfectly. My timelapse shows the moon cresting right above them without a single adjustment needed.

It felt like an absolute win for me and instilled confidence in my ability to capture these

The Reward

Would I have loved for it to work out on the first try? Of course. But the anticipation and perseverance made the final success that much sweeter. This session reminded me why I chase these fleeting alignments: they’re rare, they’re challenging, and when the stars (and moon) align, the result is unforgettable.

If you’d like to create your own Lunar Love session — maternity, couples, or family — I’d love to help you capture your story under the rising moon. Let’s connect.