Maternity & Family Photos in Palos Verdes: A Spring Session with Wildflowers and Big Sister Moments

Palos Verdes • Los Angeles • California

Stephanie Ip Photography

Posted on April 5, 2025

Helpful Tips

📍 Palos Verdes, California
📆 April 5th 2025 ☀️ Sunset at 7:16pm
🌡️ Clear sky but slightly windy weather
🎬 Start time at 6pm

A Spring Maternity Session in Palos Verdes: Celebrating Baby #2 with Big Sister Vienna

There’s nothing more special than when a client returns to document a new chapter in their family’s story. This maternity session in Palos Verdes was just that — a beautiful continuation of a journey I first captured two years ago for Vienna’s dreamy unicorn-themed sixth birthday party. Fast forward to now, and she’s on the brink of becoming a big sister!

This session was intentionally low-key, just the way Mom described it. She wanted something heartfelt, not fancy — just a way to remember this moment in time before their second baby arrives. And honestly, it couldn’t have turned out sweeter.

Reconnecting with Familiar Faces

Photographing Vienna again was such a joy. She’s around six now, full of personality, and it was beautiful to see her excitement about the new baby. Her bond with her mom during this session was especially touching — from sweet snuggles to playful giggles, their connection really came through in every frame.

Dad joined for a few moments, too, but this session leaned heavily into mom-and-daughter memories. Sometimes families don’t regularly do professional photos, and that’s totally okay — it just means we take a little extra time to help everyone feel comfortable. And within the hour, we found our rhythm.

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The Location: A Serene, Breezy Park in Palos Verdes

Spring in Palos Verdes can be unpredictable, especially with wildflowers. Last year’s bloom was incredible, but with less rain this season, we weren’t sure what to expect. We scouted a few ocean-view locations, but the magic really happened at a green hillside park the mom had mentioned.

The rolling hills surprised me with pops of blooming lupine, and as golden hour crept in, the wind gave the session a soft, organic vibe. We draped a white backdrop over a tree near a sloped field to add something extra and unique — a nod to Pinterest inspo the mom had shared with me during our planning call.

Outfits, Wind, and Real Moments

Mom came prepared with two outfits: one 2-piece set to show off her baby bump, and a flowy dress that moved beautifully in the breeze. The wind was definitely a factor that day (classic Palos Verdes!), but we worked with it, letting it add movement and softness to the images.

One of my favorite moments? Seeing Vienna light up as she got to pet our dog Shabu, who came along for the ride with Bryan. It’s those little, unexpected in-between moments that end up making the session feel more like a memory than a photo shoot.

Maternity and family photos in Palos Verdes park with wildflowers and windy hills, featuring mom and daughter embracing — A springtime maternity and family session in Palos Verdes celebrating baby #2 with big sister Vienna

The Takeaway

This shoot reminded me why I love photographing growing families. It’s not just about getting the “perfect” posed shot — it’s about holding space for connection, laughter, and change. Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, every chapter deserves to be celebrated.

I’m so grateful to work with families who trust us to capture these moments in an honest, heartfelt way. And I’m already looking forward to seeing them again — maybe next time with two little girls running around!