A Laguna Beach maternity session was already going to be beautiful. But this one was something else entirely.

Bella, Tyson, and their daughter Kaya brought me to a hidden cove that I won’t be sharing the location of — because it’s theirs to keep, and honestly it felt like a privilege just to be there. Turquoise water, dramatic rock formations, palm trees overhead, and this feeling that we had somehow ended up somewhere far from Southern California. It didn’t feel like a photo session. It felt like a day trip to a private island.

Bella is the kind of person who was made to be photographed in water. She floated, she played with Kaya, she leaned into her husband — and the whole thing had this effortless, mermaid-in-her-element quality that I couldn’t have directed if I tried. Since the location was so naturally stunning, we just let it lead. No posing, no fussing, just the three of them moving through this incredible space while I followed.

The shots of Bella floating in the cove with her bump above the waterline are some of the most unique maternity images I’ve ever made. The turquoise water against the rock, the palms in the background, the overcast light keeping everything soft — it all came together in a way that felt genuinely otherworldly. Kaya splashing around in the background of half of them only made it better.

This is one of those sessions I’ll think about for a long time, because it reminded me that the best locations are often the ones that aren’t on any list. Laguna Beach has no shortage of beautiful spots, but this hidden cove was in a league of its own. If you’re curious about exploring the area, Visit Laguna Beach is a great starting point — though the best spots, as always, are the ones locals know.

Bella, Tyson, and Kaya — this gallery is as special as the place you took me. Thank you for sharing it.

If you’re expecting and looking for a maternity photographer in the San Diego or Laguna Beach area, let’s connect.

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