Celisa Hidalgo Maternity Session | Cosumnes River Preserve

Some sessions come together in unexpected ways—and often, those are the ones that feel the most meaningful.

Celisa’s maternity session began as a family session that had been generously donated for a local school fundraiser auction. When Celisa reached out and shared that she was expecting, we decided to thoughtfully shift the session to focus on this special season of anticipation while still keeping the heart of the experience centered on family.

With her husband Jose and their son Julian by her side, we chose Cosumnes River Preserve for a relaxed, natural setting that allowed us to slow down and capture this chapter just as it was—simple, connected, and full of love.

A Simple and Meaningful Maternity Session

For this session, we stayed mostly in one area of the preserve, letting the soft fall light and natural surroundings set the tone. Keeping everything simple allowed the focus to stay where it mattered most—on Celisa, her growing bump, and the family bond already so strong as they prepare to welcome a new baby.

Maternity session collage of Celisa Hidalgo with her husband and son at Cosumnes River Preserve

Celebrating the Bump

Celisa absolutely glowed during her maternity portraits. Her dress beautifully highlighted her bump, and the natural light filtering through the trees created such a soft, flattering look. These quiet moments allowed her to fully embrace this season—one that goes by so quickly

Expectant mother posing alone during maternity session at Cosumnes River Preserve

Together as a Couple

Capturing Celisa and Jose together was such an important part of this session. The connection between them felt effortless, and their joy was unmistakable. These images reflect not only the excitement of welcoming a new baby, but also the partnership that continues to grow right alongside their family.

Expectant couple sharing a moment during maternity session at Cosumnes River Preserve

A Family Preparing for a New Addition

Julian was very much at the heart of this session. While he’ll soon be stepping into his role as a big brother, what stood out most was how naturally he fit right into the family dynamic already. These images capture the closeness they share as a family—exactly as they are in this moment.

Family maternity portrait with parents and young son at Cosumnes River Preserve

Genuine Moments and Big Smiles

This image is one of my favorites from the session. The genuine smiles and Julian’s laughter perfectly reflect the joy and connection within their family. Moments like these are a reminder that maternity sessions don’t need to be complicated—they just need to feel real.

Relaxed family maternity photo with laughter during session at Cosumnes River Preserve

Why Maternity Sessions Like This Matter

Maternity sessions aren’t just about documenting a pregnancy. They’re about preserving a fleeting season—one filled with anticipation, change, and love. Capturing these moments as a family before a new addition arrives creates something truly meaningful to look back on in the years to come.

Portrait of Elk Grove photographer Shawn Spencer holding a camera, smiling warmly, with a pink heart graphic and black background design for blog signature
 

To see other maternity sessions see below:

Shawn Spencer

I’m a Portrait Photographer Servicing Elk Grove California and the greater Sacramento area.

https://www.shawnspencerphotography.com
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