Dreamy Sunset Maternity Photography at Smyrna Dunes Park
There’s something magical about a maternity session that takes place during golden hour—especially when it’s at a location as beautiful as Smyrna Dunes Park. For Melyssa and Bryan, this session wasn’t just about capturing their journey to parenthood but also about embracing the quiet, dreamy moments before their first child arrived.
We met for this session just over a month before Melyssa’s due date, but she had a strong intuition her little one would arrive early. And she was absolutely right—her sweet baby was born the day after her birthday, just days after our session. It’s moments like these that remind me how important timing is, and I couldn’t be more grateful we captured these beautiful memories when we did.
Melyssa and Bryan are such a kind and genuine couple, and it was an honor to capture this chapter of their story. When she reached out, I knew right away we’d be a great match because of her laid-back vibe and vision for the shoot. She wanted timeless and natural images that reflected her personality, and that’s exactly what we set out to create.
Smyrna Dunes Park is one of my favorite spots in Central Florida for sessions like this. It’s a no-driving beach, making it perfect for families and expectant mamas to safely roam. The sand dunes are protected and absolutely stunning, creating a backdrop that feels like a serene escape. Add in the boardwalk, wide-open spaces, and pastel skies at sunset, and it’s a dream location for maternity photography.
A fun fact about this spot? Since Florida is so flat, we get to experience sunsets in a unique way—even on the east coast! As the sun dips lower, it lights up the sky with the softest pastel hues, giving everything an ethereal glow. The colors during this session were exactly that—dreamy and calm, just like Melyssa envisioned.
For the session, Melyssa chose a timeless and natural look that perfectly complemented the peaceful surroundings. She wore jeans, a bralette, and an oversized white button-down, keeping it simple yet effortlessly beautiful. To add a delicate touch, she brought along a bouquet of baby’s breath, which added to the dreaminess of the photos without taking attention away from her growing baby bump.
One of my favorite things about photographing Melyssa and Bryan was how natural they were together. My approach to sessions is always to create space for authentic moments by offering gentle guidance rather than moving from pose to pose. Whether it was Bryan gently resting his hand on her bump or the two of them laughing as they walked along the sand path, their connection brought the photos to life.
Golden hour played a big role in the dreamy aesthetic too. The soft light of the setting sun created a warm glow that highlighted every moment, from their quiet smiles to the tiny details, like Melyssa’s bouquet of baby’s breath swaying in the breeze.
It’s always a joy to hear from clients after they’ve received their gallery, and Melyssa’s response was so heartfelt:
"Bryan and I absolutely LOVE these. You captured this moment for us SO well, and I truly appreciate the time we had! These make me feel absolutely beautiful in every aspect, and I just can’t thank you enough for making this moment possible! Bryan wants to thank you for making it fun also!"
Kind words like these remind me how special it is to do what I do. Being able to capture these fleeting moments for parents-to-be is a privilege I’ll never take for granted.
If you’re dreaming of a laid-back maternity session that feels like you, Smyrna Dunes Park is a beautiful spot to create memories you’ll cherish forever. Whether it’s the pastel skies, the peaceful sand dunes, or the joy of this new chapter, there’s something magical about celebrating motherhood in such a serene setting.
I’d love to help you capture your journey! Reach out today to chat about your vision and get on my calendar. Serving New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Orlando, and Central Florida.
