I have to say, I have the best husband in the world who is willing to let me photograph every little moment in ours lives. So it was a no brainer that we would photograph our own maternity photos! He willingly got dressed up and went on a short hike with me to the White Mesa in Albuquerque New Mexico, our former home.


New Mexico is not a state that many people think about but since living there, I now call it a hidden gem. The beauty here is unreal. You might think New Mexico and instantly think desert. While yes, there are some desert areas (especially further south) you also have the White Sands, the plains, the Mountains, and no matter where you are you can see for miles and miles. I am so blown away by this state and always think about how lucky I am to have started my photography journey here.


As you scroll, you will quickly understand why this spot is called the White Mesa. The beautiful rock formations are white in color and so quaintly hidden around the bend of the trail.


-Rae

Pregnant couple holds hands in golden desert landscape with colorful badlands hills during maternity photo session.
Expecting couple in desert landscape pictures with woman in gold dress and man in white shirt embracing against mountain backdrop.
Pregnant couple embracing outdoors in desert landscape, woman in gold maternity gown, man in white tee and black jeans.
A couple stands in a romantic embrace on a desert hillside, with the woman wearing a flowing gold dress.
Couple embracing in front of dramatic white rock formation in an arid desert landscape.
A couple in romantic pose against white limestone cliffs wearing a gold dress and white shirt in desert landscape.
Couple posing in front of white rock formations, woman in gold gown, man in white shirt, maternity photo shoot.
Couple in romantic desert engagement photo with woman wearing gold dress standing against white rock formation backdrop.
Pregnant couple poses in white rock canyon, woman in gold gown, man in white tee and jeans, cradling baby bump.
A couple shares an intimate moment against white rock formations with the woman wearing a flowing gold dress.
A couple shares an intimate moment against white rock formations, with the woman wearing a flowing gold sequined gown.
Couple sharing a tender kiss during a golden maternity photoshoot in a sandy desert landscape.
Couple poses on white rock formation, woman in gold maternity gown cradling baby bump, man in navy pants embracing her.
A romantic maternity photo shows an expectant couple in intimate embrace against a textured beige rock formation background.
A couple sits intimately together on white rocks wearing casual attire and a flowing gold dress for a romantic photoshoot.
Pregnant woman in gold lace gown reclining on white sand dunes for a serene maternity photo shoot.
Someone in a flowing beige dress reclines gracefully against white sand dunes in an ethereal desert photoshoot.
Pregnant woman in gold lace gown reclines gracefully on white sandy rocks during an outdoor maternity photo session.
Expecting mother in flowing beige lace gown poses on white textured background during maternity photoshoot.
Expectant mother in a flowing gold lace gown reclines on a white textured surface in an ethereal maternity photo.

My knew that I wanted a neutral and natural backdrop for our maternity photos. My original plan was to head to the White Sands National Park. However, it is about a three hour drive to the park from Albuquerque and being honest, I did not want to sit in a car that long while 9 months pregnant. The White Sands still remains on my bucket list today. However, I began searching for a closer location and here you have it! This spot turned out better than could have imagined.

A couple shares a romantic moment against a desert mountain backdrop wearing a gold dress and casual attire.
Couple sharing a romantic moment in a golden desert landscape, woman in sequin dress and denim jacket.
Romantic couple sharing a tender moment in a desert landscape, man in white tee and woman in denim jacket.
Couple sharing a romantic moment in a desert landscape, man in white tee and woman in denim jacket.
Young woman in denim jacket and gold maxi skirt smiling outdoors in a desert landscape.
Pregnant woman in gold dress and denim jacket poses on rocky hillside during outdoor maternity photo session.
Woman in gold maxi dress and denim jacket smiling on a desert hillside with vast open landscape behind her.
Pregnant woman in gold maxi dress and denim jacket smiling outdoors in arid desert landscape.
Pregnant woman in gold gown and denim jacket poses on desert hillside under overcast sky.
Couple embracing in desert landscape with rocky hills and dry brush in soft natural light.
Couple embracing in desert landscape with rocky hills, woman in flowing beige gown and man in denim jacket.

I am forever thankful that I picked up my feet and made sure we got these pictures done. I will forever cherish this time in our lives where I carried our little girl and before we even knew what her little face would look like. I have a hard time articulating how special these photos are to me. But after going through it myself, I quickly knew that maternity sessions will always hold a special place in my heart. Carrying those little humans is no task for the faint of heart and I cant wait to make you feel beautiful and have photos that you can look back on and cherish this special time that passes so quickly!


For more information on maternity sessions visit https://www.raephotography.co/weddings-1/  or contact me at  https://www.raephotography.co/contact/