Couples Maternity Portrait at Vinoy Park, St Pete

Just recently, I had the pleasure of conducting a maternity portrait session for a lovely couple, timed to coincide with the ethereal beauty of dawn. As a seasoned photographer, I had learned the hard way that the lighting conditions during sunrise are anything but static. Like a capricious maestro, the rising sun continually changes the orchestration of light, demanding swift adjustments on my part to capture the perfect shot.

I had planned the shoot to take place at the iconic St. Petersburg Pier, a location that offers a stunning backdrop for such momentous occasions. Arriving at 6:30 AM, a good while before my clients, gave me ample time to prepare. However, to my utter surprise, I found most of the Pier cordoned off for a 10K race scheduled for later that morning and a concert festival set for the afternoon.

Not willing to let this hiccup upset our plans, I quickly informed my cients and we decided to relocate the shoot to Vinoy Park, just a quick five-minute drive away. The park, nestled by the water's edge, offered us an equally breathtaking view of Tampa Bay. We parked as close as possible to the water, the sun just beginning to peek over the tranquil waters, painting the sky with hues of gold and crimson.

I directed my couple to kick off their shoes and tread into the shallow waters, their excitement mirroring my own. Quickly, I positioned my strobe on a stand in the wet sand next to them, capturing their glowing smiles as the sky transformed from midnight blue to goldenrod. We were there for no more than ten minutes, absorbed in the mesmorinzing light of dawn over the bay, before we moved to the drier green grass nearby in the park.

Despite the fast pace required by the changing light, I maintained a razor-sharp focus on capturing the couple's joy and anticipation in every frame. Their satisfaction upon seeing the final photos was palpable - stunning, scenic shots that immortalized their growing family against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunrise. And I, once again, was reminded of why I love doing what I do.