There is something incredibly special about getting to photograph the same couple through multiple seasons of their lives. I photographed these two on their wedding day in February—yes, February of this year—and just a few months later, we were back together documenting their next chapter with a beautiful maternity session at Butcher Jones in Mesa, Arizona.

And honestly? This is one of my favorite parts of being a photographer.

Getting to photograph a wedding and then see that same couple again as they prepare to welcome their baby is such a full-circle moment.

For their Arizona maternity session, we headed to Butcher Jones near Saguaro Lake in Mesa. This location has such a unique combination of scenery with lush greenery, water, sandy shoreline, mountain views, saguaros, and that warm Arizona light.

If you’re looking for a Scottsdale maternity photographer but want something a little different from a traditional desert maternity session, Butcher Jones is such a beautiful option. It gives you the mountains and saguaros that feel unmistakably Arizona while also giving you water, greenery, and almost beachy vibes.

For expecting parents looking for maternity photos in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Chandler, Peoria, or the greater Phoenix area, this is definitely a location worth considering.

A Beautiful Butcher Jones Maternity Session in Mesa, Arizona

One of my favorite things about this Butcher Jones maternity session was how much variety we were able to create in one location.

We started in the greenery, which gave the first part of the session a soft, romantic feel. Mom wore the prettiest blush pink two-piece maternity outfit with a long flowing skirt, and the color looked so beautiful against all of the deep green grass and trees.

We photographed some portraits of her on her own and then brought dad in for some of my favorite images of the two of them together.

I love when maternity photos don’t feel overly posed. There is absolutely a place for beautifully directed portraits, but I also want you to laugh, walk together, hold hands, cuddle, and actually enjoy the experience.

Those little in-between moments are usually some of my favorites.

For a few of her individual maternity portraits, we added tiny pink flowers across her belly. It was such a simple detail, but it completely changed the look of the images and gave us something feminine, playful, and a little unexpected.

Then we changed outfits and created a completely different look without ever leaving Butcher Jones.

Wondering what a maternity session includes? You can view maternity session pricing and details here.

Two Maternity Looks for One Arizona Maternity Session

Her second look was a fitted white maternity dress with beautiful lace detailing. We paired it with a large baby’s breath bouquet, and between the white dress, flowers, greenery, and light coming through the trees, the entire look felt soft and editorial.

This is one reason I love incorporating more than one outfit into a maternity photography session.

Your entire gallery doesn’t have to have the exact same feeling.

A flowing maternity skirt or gown adds movement and can create really romantic photographs, while a fitted maternity dress beautifully highlights your growing belly and gives us a cleaner, more editorial look.

Even something as simple as adding fresh flowers or a bouquet can completely change the feeling of your photos.

The goal is always to create variety while still making the entire gallery feel cohesive.

Why Choose Butcher Jones for Maternity Photos?

Butcher Jones is one of the most unique outdoor maternity photography locations in the Mesa and Phoenix area because you get so many different Arizona landscapes in one place.

There is greenery, mature trees, open grass, sandy shoreline, Saguaro Lake, mountain views, desert landscape, and saguaros.

And then there is the water.

We ended this maternity session down at the lake, and those images are some of my favorites from the entire gallery.

They walked barefoot through the water together with the mountains behind them while her pink skirt moved through the lake. The warm Arizona light reflecting off the water made everything feel soft and romantic.

It almost feels like an Arizona version of a beach maternity session.

For clients looking for a Scottsdale maternity photographer or Phoenix maternity photographer who love water but still want their maternity photos to feel connected to Arizona, Butcher Jones gives you the best of both worlds.

You still have those rugged mountains and saguaros in the background, but the lake and shoreline give the photos a completely different feel from a traditional Scottsdale or Phoenix desert maternity session.

What to Wear for a Butcher Jones Maternity Session

What you wear can completely change the look of your maternity photos, and this session is such a good example of that.

Long, flowing maternity dresses and skirts photograph beautifully at Butcher Jones, especially if we plan to incorporate the shoreline or water into your session. The movement in the fabric creates that soft, romantic look that works so beautifully with the lake and mountains.

Fitted maternity dresses are another beautiful option if you want something a little more elevated and editorial.

For outdoor Arizona maternity photos, I love soft colors, neutrals, creams, whites, earthy tones, subtle textures, and pieces that complement the landscape rather than compete with it.

But that doesn’t mean you have to avoid color.

The blush pink from this session was perfect against the green landscape and looked beautiful in the water.

Most importantly, you should feel like yourself.

Your maternity session should be a reflection of this season of your life, and we’ll choose wardrobe and locations based on the feeling you want for your final gallery.

Ready to book your maternity session? Book here!

Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Paradise Valley & the East Valley

Although this maternity session took place at Butcher Jones in Mesa, Arizona, I photograph expecting families throughout the Phoenix area and East Valley.

I regularly work with families looking for a Scottsdale maternity photographer, Phoenix maternity photographer, Mesa maternity photographer, Paradise Valley maternity photographer, Gilbert maternity photographer, Queen Creek maternity photographer, Chandler maternity photographer, and Peoria maternity photographer.

I also photograph maternity sessions throughout:

• Scottsdale
• North Scottsdale
• Paradise Valley
• Phoenix
• Arcadia
• Mesa
• Gilbert
• Chandler
• Queen Creek
• Peoria
• Fountain Hills
• San Tan Valley
• Apache Junction
• Tempe
• and surrounding Arizona communities

Your maternity photo location doesn’t have to be in the city where you live.

For clients coming from Scottsdale or Paradise Valley who want something more natural and adventurous than a studio maternity session, Butcher Jones can be an amazing option.

And for families in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and other East Valley communities, it’s such a beautiful way to get water, mountains, greenery, and classic Arizona scenery all in one maternity session.

When Is the Best Time to Take Maternity Photos?

One of the most common questions I get is when you should schedule your maternity photography session.

For most expecting moms, somewhere around 28–34 weeks is a great window for maternity photos. Your bump is usually beautifully defined while you’re hopefully still comfortable enough to walk around, change outfits, and enjoy your session.

Every pregnancy is different, though.

If you’re expecting multiples, have a history of delivering early, or simply feel like an earlier session would be better for you, we can absolutely plan around that.

I recommend reaching out earlier in your pregnancy rather than waiting until you’re already in that window, especially if you’re hoping for a specific weekend or popular Arizona photography location.

Arizona weather is another consideration. Depending on the time of year, we’ll plan your maternity session around the temperature and the best light so that you’re as comfortable as possible.

Have questions? Inquire here.

Butcher Jones Maternity Photography FAQ

Is Butcher Jones a good location for maternity photos?

Absolutely. Butcher Jones is one of my favorite outdoor maternity photography locations near Mesa because it offers so much variety.

You can have greenery, trees, sandy shoreline, water, mountain views, saguaros, and desert scenery all within the same maternity session.

It’s especially beautiful for expecting parents who love Arizona scenery but want something different from a traditional desert maternity session.

Can we get in the water for our maternity photos?

Depending on current conditions, we can absolutely incorporate the shoreline or shallow water into your Butcher Jones maternity session.

Getting into the lake can create some of the most beautiful images, especially with a flowing maternity skirt or dress.

Safety always comes first, so we’ll choose areas that make sense for your particular session and the conditions that day.

Can my partner be included in my maternity photos?

Absolutely!

I love including partners in maternity sessions. We’ll photograph a combination of individual maternity portraits and photos of the two of you together.

Walking, laughing, holding hands, cuddling, and simply interacting with each other helps create maternity photos that feel natural and connected instead of stiff or overly posed.

Can I bring more than one maternity outfit?

Yes!

More than one outfit is a great way to create variety in your maternity gallery.

For this Butcher Jones maternity session, the blush pink two-piece gave us a soft and romantic look, while the fitted white lace maternity dress and baby’s breath bouquet created something completely different.

You don’t necessarily need multiple locations to get variety. A wardrobe change can transform the entire feeling of your photos.

What should I wear for maternity photos in Arizona?

Flowing dresses, long skirts, fitted maternity dresses, soft neutrals, creams, whites, earthy colors, and subtle textures all photograph beautifully outdoors in Arizona.

I also love incorporating florals and other simple details when they fit the vision for the session.

Ultimately, we’ll choose something that works beautifully with your location while still feeling like you.

Do you only photograph maternity sessions in Mesa?

No! I photograph maternity sessions throughout Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Peoria, Fountain Hills, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, and surrounding Arizona communities.

We’ll choose your maternity session location based on the scenery and overall feeling you want for your photos rather than simply choosing whatever is closest to your home.

Have more questions? Check out my FAQ page here!

From Wedding Photos to Baby on the Way

I still can’t believe I photographed these two getting married in February and we were already back together for maternity photos just a few months later.

Life changes so quickly.

And that’s exactly why I love documenting seasons like this.

Pregnancy can feel long while you’re living it, but in the bigger picture, it’s such a short chapter. Soon you’ll be holding the baby you’ve spent months waiting to meet, and everything will look different.

Maternity photos give you something tangible from the time before that change.

For these two, that meant laughing together in the grass, flowers on her belly, a beautiful baby’s breath bouquet, walking barefoot through Saguaro Lake, and soaking in one seriously beautiful Arizona evening.

Going from their wedding day to photographing them preparing to become parents in the same year was pretty special.

Whether you’re dreaming of Butcher Jones maternity photos in Mesa, a romantic desert maternity session in Scottsdale, an outdoor maternity session in Phoenix, or something completely different, I’ll help you choose a location, plan your wardrobe, and create photographs that feel natural, beautiful, and true to you.

If you’re searching for a Scottsdale maternity photographer, Phoenix maternity photographer, Mesa maternity photographer, Paradise Valley maternity photographer, Gilbert maternity photographer, Queen Creek maternity photographer, Chandler maternity photographer, or Peoria maternity photographer, I’d love to help you document this season.

Your pregnancy deserves to be remembered.

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