Some photo sessions just come together effortlessly — great timing, an amazing location, and a client who completely trusts the process. Between the gorgeous Missoula fall colors, the Clark Fork River, and the easy connection we had, Tori’s outdoor maternity photos from Kelly Island are some of my favorite to date.
How We Met and Planned the Shoot
I first met Tori and her husband Mike while second shooting a wedding for one of their friends. Tori was pregnant at the time with their first baby, and we ended up chatting about photography and my camera gear. They mentioned they were planning a home birth, and I immediately offered to photograph it (birth photography was something I’d not yet done and I jumped at the opportunity!). A few weeks later, Tori reached out to also inquire about maternity photos, and I was all in!
Tori wanted an outdoor setting for her maternity photos but wasn’t quite sure where to go. Fortunately, the timing of her pregnancy landed her maternity photos right at the peak of fall foliage in Missoula, which was serendipitous! Shortly before the shoot I went on a scouting trip to scope out the fall colors at various locations around town — Pattee Canyon, Council Grove State Park, and Kelly Island. I put together a mini gallery for her and she ultimately chose Kelly Island, which ended up being the perfect spot!
As she later shared:
“I knew I wanted to be in nature and Kelly Island is a special location for our family that we’ve been going to for many, many years. From rafting and fishing and lounging on the beach to now having it as the backdrop for our new little one being welcomed to the world was so special. It’s not a particularly sandy beach so we call it ‘Rock Palace.’ Haha.”
The Location: Kelly Island and the Clark Fork River
Kelly Island gave us a little bit of everything — open space, river access, fall colors, and a nice mix of backdrops. Tori wanted something natural, and the scenery fit the vibe well. We met about an hour before sunset to catch the best light, though it ended up being overcast on that particular day.
Not disappointing were the fall colors that were popping along the river — mid-October has always been one of my favorite times of year in Missoula for photos. One tree, in particular, had the most vibrant orange and red leaves and we used it as a backdrop for some of our favorite shots.
Wardrobe and Special Touches
Tori curated some great pieces for her shoot! She started in some fun striped jeans and transitioned to a beautiful gown she borrowed from a friend who had recently done her own maternity session.
“She was my inspiration to do my own and the dress looked beautiful on both of us!”
The dress flowed perfectly in the breeze and paired beautifully with Tori’s long blonde hair. It’s always fun to play with the fabric and movement of drapey, flowing dresses!
She also brought along some great props to incorporate into her photos — a customized onesie with cute illustrations of their fur babies (two dogs and two cats) that read, “New best friend coming December 2024,” and a pair of tiny baby booties.
A Little Bit of Maternity Boudoir Vibes
As Tori’s first professional photoshoot, and like most people, she was a little nervous at first. But she warmed up fast. Later on in the shoot, after the sun had set and the moon came out, she felt comfortable enough to add a little boudoir twist to her session. She changed into a bra and undies to show off her beautiful baby bump, and the images turned out amazing with the moon rising up over the mountains. We even had some distant fishermen across the river, but they didn’t phase us — she was ok with it and I just edited them out later (thank you Photoshop!).
As a boudoir photographer, I love when clients feel empowered and confident in their bodies. Tori totally leaned into it and her final images are absolutely stunning.
After the shoot, she told me it was the prettiest she’d felt since being pregnant. That kind of feedback means everything.
“I really enjoyed learning how to draw silhouettes with my body with Carin’s direction. At seven months pregnant, the most challenging aspect was navigating the location we chose and keeping my energy up. I think we got some amazing photos in the short time we were out there though!”
And we totally did.
Tori’s Take on the Experience
Here’s a bit of what she shared in her own words:
“Carin made me feel so beautiful and relaxed during my first professional photo shoot. I had never posed for a camera before and even when you feel silly in the moment, Carin has a way of capturing your inner beauty.”
“With a growing belly and changing body, you can be a little guarded with your self-image, but by the end of the shoot, I was standing naked on the riverbank in front of fishermen and absolutely loving it!”
She later turned her photos into a keepsake book for her daughter and framed a few for her nursery. Love that. 💜
FAQs About Outdoor Maternity Photos
When should I schedule maternity photos?
Most people aim for around 28–34 weeks, when your bump is visible and you’re still feeling good physically.
What should I wear for a maternity photos?
Flowy dresses work really well, like the one featured in Tori’s photos above — solid colors are usually better than busy patterns. You want something comfortable that shows off your bump but also lets you move around easily. A tighter, form-fitting dress can also show your curves and baby bump beautifully.
What should I bring?
Any small props that are meaningful — baby booties, onesies, ultrasound photos — plus water and comfy shoes if we’re walking through a natural setting. You could also bring a backup outfit in case we have extra time and for variety in your final images. Layers are great too, especially in fall when the temps can drop quickly.
Where are good outdoor locations in Missoula?
- Kelly Island – Great river access and variety
- Pattee Canyon – Wooded, quiet, and easy to get to
- Council Grove – Beautiful trees and open space, as well as river access
- Blue Mountain – Beautiful views of the Missoula valley, mountain backdrop, and open fields
Got a baby bump and want to celebrate it? Whether you’re thinking rustic, riverside, spring wildflowers, or colorful fall vibes, I’d love to help you plan the perfect outdoor maternity session. Let’s get out and celebrate this wild, beautiful phase of your life!
