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One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FL

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The One Year Milestone Session: Why It's Worth Getting the Whole Family In Frame

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

You made it. A whole year of sleepless nights, first foods, first steps (or almost-steps), and somehow it already feels like it happened in the blink of an eye. That first birthday is a big deal — and not just for your baby.

It's a milestone for all of you.

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

For a recent one-year session, we didn't head to the beach or even a park. We stayed right in the family's backyard — a gorgeous spot with the kind of soft morning light you can't fake. Mom and Dad were there. Big brother, who has fully settled into his role as chief entertainer and protector, was there. Grandma came too, for a three-generation photo with her daughter and granddaughter that made everyone a little teary. And because no family session is complete without chaos and joy in equal measure, their brand new puppy made an appearance as well.

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography
One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

Don't count out your own backyard

If you've got a yard with pretty light — even just one corner of it — that might be all you need. We're not talking about a perfectly manicured lawn or a Pinterest-worthy patio. We're talking about light. A softly shaded spot, a little open sky, some greenery. That's what makes a session feel warm and natural instead of staged. Home sessions also mean your one-year-old is in their own space, which usually means a much happier, more cooperative baby than dragging them somewhere new during nap-adjacent hours.

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

This is a family milestone too

It's easy to think of the one-year session as "the baby's photos." But by the time year one rolls around, your whole family has changed. Big brother isn't just a sibling anymore, he's a caretaker, a comedian, a shadow. You and your partner have survived (and honestly, thrived through) a year that asked more of you than almost any other. That deserves to be documented, not just baby's first steps.

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

Bringing grandma in on it

One of my favorite parts of this particular session was getting three generations in one frame: grandma, mom, and that sweet one-year-old girl, all together. If you've got a grandparent who'd love to be part of the day, bring them along. I don't charge extra for grandparents to join a session, so there's no reason to leave them out of the memory-making.

One Year Milestone Family Session | Orlando, FLCopyright Kimberly Tank Art & Photography

Ready to capture your own family's first year?

If you're expecting, or have a newborn at home, and you love the idea of documenting this entire first year,

I'd love to talk with you about what a Milestone Membership could look like for your family. Space is limited.

BOOK YOUR MILESTONE YEAR HERE

Questions first? Reach out with the form above — I answer everything before you commit to a thing.

Serving newborn and family photography clients across the Space Coast, Brevard County, and greater Orlando area.

Riverfront Maternity Session at Rotary Park Suntree | Space Coast Photographer

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Casual Doesn't Mean Boring:

A Riverfront Maternity Session at Rotary Park Suntree

Not every mama-to-be wants an underwater session or a glamorous flowing gown floating in the surf. And that's exactly as it should be. I carry a variety of gown styles precisely so we can find your style — but sometimes the right fit isn't a gown at all. Sometimes it's a favorite dress or outfit, golden light, and someone you love standing next to you. This session at Rotary Park at Suntree is exactly that kind of beautiful.

Water, Without the Beach

If the beach isn't really your thing but you still want that soft, reflective water backdrop — the Indian River is a great alternative. You're on the water without being at the beach, and the surrounding plant life at this spot in Suntree gives us so much more to play with than sand and shoreline ever could. We can frame you through branches, tuck you behind tall grass, use the natural layers of green to add depth and interest you just don't get anywhere else. Every session here ends up looking a little different, because the park itself keeps giving us new textures to work with.

And if even a park setting doesn't feel like "you" — we can bring the session home. Literally. I've photographed sunrise maternity sessions right in a client's own backyard as well as in the nursery, like this riverfront session at home in Melbourne. Wherever you feel most like yourself is where these photos should happen.

What They Wore

Since this session landed in November, mom chose two long-sleeve looks — a relaxed teal maternity dress for movement and easy laughter, and a long-sleeve, open-front chiffon white gown for something a little softer as the light dropped low. Dad wore a simple grey button-down that paired easily with both.

If a casual dress still doesn't feel like your style, that's more than welcome too — plenty of clients wear something entirely their own. Whatever you choose, I help with outfit planning ahead of time so nobody's guessing the morning of.

"But I Won't Know What to Do" — Every Dad, Ever

I hear this from almost every partner before a session: I don't know how to pose. I'll just be standing there awkwardly.

Here's the truth — you don't have to know. That's my job.

I guide every single pose, tell you where to put your hands, how to hold her, when to look at each other and when to look at the camera. And then I get you moving — walking together, swaying, laughing at something silly I said just to catch that unscripted moment in between.

So if you're the nervous partner, here's my advice: just love on your person. Hold her close. Make her laugh. Forget the camera's even there. I'll handle the rest.

Does this sound like the kind of session you'd want?

This season of your life — this exact chapter — only exists for a little while. Sessions are limited. I'd love to make photos like these for you and your partner.

BOOK YOUR MATERNITY SESSION

Questions first? Reach out with the form above — I answer everything before you commit to a thing.

Big Brother Joins Underwater Maternity Session | Space Coast FL Photographer

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Big Brother Energy: Including Siblings in Your Underwater Maternity Photos

Pregnant mom in pink lace maternity gown underwater with flowing pink chiffon fabric, Space Coast Florida

There's a moment in every underwater maternity session where the water goes still, the light catches just right, and everyone in the pool forgets the camera is even there.

For this session, that moment came twice. And both times, it came from a five-year-old.

Underwater maternity portrait, pink chiffon fabric flowing around mom in lace dress

Meet Our Big Brother

Some kids tolerate the water. This one lives in it. He was ready to get in before we were, didn't want to get out at any point, and completely unbothered by the idea of swimming right up to his mama's belly to say hello to his baby sibling.

That's not nothing. Underwater sessions ask a lot of little bodies — hold your breath, find your mark, do it again for the camera, do it calmly. But when a kid genuinely loves the water, you stop managing behavior and start capturing joy. As long as your kiddo can swim on their own, hold their breath underwater, preferably open their eyes in the water, and take direction well, we can let them join your underwater session.

Big brother kissing mom's belly underwater, pink lace maternity photography Florida

Underwater maternity photo, mom in pink lace dress, Space Coast Florida photographer

Look One: Pink Lace and Chiffon

We opened in a soft pink lace gown, the kind that photographs beautifully on land but needs a little help to really move underwater. Lace holds its shape more and doesn't drift as much. So we paired it with flowing pink chiffon fabric, layered in alongside the dress, to get that dreamy, weightless motion lace can't give you on its own.

We also did some without it, keeping to the simple silhouette of this pregnant momma in the water. While adding extra flowing fabric is beautiful and gives a more ethereal feel to the images, it also can have a mind of its own and make some poses more complicated. That's why we'll so some with and without it.

Pregnant mom underwater in pink lace gown, maternity portrait

Pregnant mom swimming underwater in pink lace gown, maternity portrait

Look Two: Bright Yellow and Bare Belly

For the second half of the session, we switched things up completely — a bright yellow swim coverup, open at the belly, paired with yellow chiffon fabric for the flowing effect we loved in look one. Against the blue of the pool, that yellow popped. It's one of those color pairings that just works underwater in a way it never could on dry land.

This look also let us shoot the belly itself, bare and beautiful, with nothing between mom and the water. And once again, big brother found his way in — another kiss on the belly, this time pulled in even closer, hugged right up against his mom. If the first kiss was sweet, this one was pure tenderness. (Scroll all the way to the bottom for the brother shot!)

Underwater maternity session, yellow chiffon fabric against blue pool water, Florida photographer

Bare belly underwater maternity portrait, mom in yellow with floating chiffon, Space Coast

Why This Combination Worked

A five-year-old who's fearless in the water is a fantastic start. But what made this session work wasn't just comfort — it was a kid who could take direction, hold still when it mattered, and read the room enough to know when a moment called for stillness instead of splashing. That combination — water-loving and coachable — is what turns a good underwater family session into a great one. It's worth thinking about honestly before deciding whether your own little one is ready to join in.

Either way, sessions like this one are exactly why we love what we do. Two looks, two colors, one baby on the way, and a big brother already showing us exactly what kind of sibling he's going to be.

Mom in bright yellow swim coverup and matching chiffon floating underwater, open belly maternity portrait, Cocoa Beach

Mom in bright yellow and matching chiffon floating underwater, open belly maternity portrait, Cocoa Beach

Big brother kissing mom's bare belly underwater, yellow chiffon maternity session Florida

Ready to plan your own underwater maternity session on Florida's Space Coast? Get in touch to talk through your vision, your family, and whether a sibling might be the perfect addition to your session. We're just an hour from Orlando!

In-Home Newborn Photography Space Coast | Star Wars Nursery Session

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A Star Wars Nursery Come to Life: A Space Coast In-Home Newborn Session

I love a themed nursery. When else can you take a theme that you love and go all out with decorating a room (unless you had one of the crazy designers on Trading Spaces - who remembers that show?). This one was built with love, one Star Wars detail at a time — and it made for one of the most fun, most them newborn sessions I've had the privilege of shooting this past year.

When this Brevard County family reached out to book their in-home newborn session, they mentioned that they were Star Wars fans. And having previously photographed a newborn of Star Wards fans, I had some ideas. I mentioned that if they had a lightsaber, we could incorporate it into some of the pictures and that I had the perfect wrap to go with it. Little did I know that baby would have his own custom lightsaber with his name on it!

The Details That Make It Theirs

In addition to the custom lightsaber, the family also had a tiny little crocheted Yoda hat that we used for a few photos, including some in his crib, complete with Grogu sheets and a Star Wars mobile. These weren't props I brought in a bag. They were the family's own things — which is exactly what makes a themed session feel personal. We used the props in a few of the images I captured. Just enough to tell the story without letting the theme take over the real subject: this brand-new little person.

Capturing the Nursery Itself

One of the biggest reasons I love shooting newborn sessions in the family's own home is this: the nursery you spent months planning deserves to be part of the story, not just the backdrop you forget to photograph. So before the light shifted too much, we captured baby right there in the room his parents built for him — the one with the details only they would think to include.

Ten years from now, this is the part that will feel like time travel.

And Then, the Timeless Portraits

Once we'd captured the personality and the theme, we moved into the images that never go out of style — because a nursery theme is wonderful, but it shouldn't be the only story your newborn photos tell.

We captured baby on his own, peaceful and unposed, wrapped in blanket full of stars and moons. (Yep, he did that thinker pose below all on his own!) Baby with mom, in that quiet, still-can't-believe-he's-here kind of closeness. Baby with dad, whose hands looked twice their normal size wrapped around this new son. And the whole family together, the three of them, in the home where all of this is about to unfold.

Every newborn session includes both color and black and white versions of your gallery. Newborn skin, tiny features, soft folded-up limbs — so much of it simply looks stunning in black and white. It strips away distraction and leaves just the emotion, which is part of what makes these images feel timeless rather than trendy. You'll get both, so you can choose what speaks to you for each image.

And we can't forget the details! Those eye lashes, tiny fingers and toes, and all of the other little features that change so quickly. The images you look back on in 5, 10, 15 years and wonder how they were ever that small.

The First of Many Sessions Together

This newborn session wasn't a standalone shoot — it's the first chapter in this family's Baby's First Year Milestone experience. From here, we'll capture their son again around the 6-month mark, once he's confidently sitting up on his own, and then again at his first birthday. Family's can also add an additional session to their milestone plan if they want to capture those early smiles and tummy time at 3 months.

As one of my milestone families, they get priority booking for every session in the package, plus a lifetime discount on products and digital images — a small thank-you for trusting me with their whole first year. I only take a limited number of milestone members each year, so every family gets the kind of individual attention and planning a project like this deserves.

If you're expecting, or have a newborn at home, and you love the idea of documenting this entire first year

— nursery, personality, and all —

I'd love to talk with you about what a Milestone Membership could look like for your family.

BOOK YOUR MILESTONE YEAR HERE

Questions first? Reach out with the form above — I answer everything before you commit to a thing.

Serving newborn and family photography clients across the Space Coast, Brevard County, and greater Orlando area.

Family Photos with Multiples | What to Expect | Master Family Photographer - Central Florida

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Family Photos with Multiples | What to Expect

Master Family Photographer - Central Florida

Three almost-four-year-old boys. One very cool seven-year-old big brother. Two moms who love them fiercely. And me, walking backward down a wooded path, camera up, hoping I don't trip on a rock.

This is what a family session with multiples actually looks like. And it is so much better than "everyone smiling perfectly at the camera."

To Pose or Not to Pose

If you have multiple young children, you already know: the odds of the kids all looking at the camera, all standing/sitting where you've asked them to, all smiling, all at the same exact millisecond, can be pretty slim. Sometimes it happens (and I shoot on burst mode to catch it if it does) and sometimes a little Photoshop magic (head swap) can be done.

Here's the thing though — that's doesn't have to be the goal. Chasing that single "perfect" frame is how families end up frustrated, kids end up cranky, and the whole session starts to feel like work instead of joy. I don't photograph my family clients in a studio for a reason. When you have active young kids, being outdoors and filling your session with play and fun is going to give you the kind of photographs that you look back on and smile.

My secret to capturing this one if it's on your dream list? Getting all of the kids to stand with the parents and give me their best race-winning-faces as I count down for them to race to me. That's how I was able to get this one for this sweet family.

LGBTQ+ family with two moms and four young boys on a wooded path

Triplets + big brother racing toward the camera during an outdoor family photo session with two moms

Have a Must-Have List — Then Let Everything Else Be Chaos

Before we even show up, we talk through what you actually need from the session. For most families with multiples who are young, that list looks something like:

The full family together — everyone, in one frame, hopefully smiling at least at each other
Each kid as an individual — their own personality, their own portrait
The kids together, just them — a bond they'll have forever, captured the way it actually feels between them (even if that's mostly wrestling each other right now)
A big group moment — hug, pile-up, chaos and all
Playful, fun moments — kids all running around the parents, tickles, races towards the camera, and sometimes bubbles

Once we know we'll get those, everything in between is free to be whatever it's going to be. And what it's going to be is usually the best part.

Individual portraits of a young boy during a multiples family photography session

What This Actually Looked Like

For one recent session, we started with something simple: everyone holding hands, walking together down a wooded path toward me. No forced smiles, no "look here" — just walking, together, the way they do every day. I caught one frame of all of them mid-stride, hands linked. Then I had the moms stand together and told the kids to race to me and I caught that too — four kids at a dead sprint, big brother in the lead, moms cracking up behind them.

From there we peeled off for individual portraits of each of the four boys — a few quiet minutes with just one kid at a time, where their real personality had room to show up without three brothers competing for the frame. Then the four of them together, just the kids, holding hands and being goofy, as young kid often do. And we ended the way most of these sessions end: one big group hug, everyone piled in, all the goofiness of the day compressed into one frame.

LGBTQ+ family with two moms and four young boys on a wooded path

Realistic Expectations = Better Photos

Here's what I tell every family with multiples before we start: we may not going to get everyone smiling perfectly at the camera at the same time, and that's okay. What we are going to do is make sure everyone is having fun. Genuine joy photographs so much better than a held smile anyway — the real laugh, the mid-run motion blur, the kid who's mid-sentence instead of mid-cheese. Those are the images families want to look back on over the years.

If you've got multiples and you're nervous about how a session will go — please don't be. The chaos isn't something to manage around. It's the whole point.

LGBTQ+ family with two moms and four young boys on a wooded path

Does this sound like the kind of session you'd want for your family?

This version of your family — right now, this year — only exists for a little while.

Sessions are limited. I'd love to make photos like these for your family.

BOOK YOUR FAMILY SESSION

Questions first? Reach out with the form above — I answer everything before you commit to a thing.

How to Get Dad On Board for Family Photos | Space Coast Photographer

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family photos in wooded park in northeast Ohio

How to Get Dad On Board for Family Photos (Without a Fight)

If you're the one who books the family session — and let's be honest, it's almost always the mom — you know the drill. You bring it up. You get the look. Maybe a groan. Maybe, "Do we really have to do this?"

I hear it all the time. And I get it. For a lot of dads, "family photos" means standing stiffly in matching outfits, forcing a smile that never quite reaches the eyes, and counting down the minutes until it's over.

So let me tell you a secret: it doesn't have to look like that. And I'm going to tell you exactly how we make sure it doesn't.

family photos in wooded park in northeast Ohio

Why Dads Dread This

Most dads aren't camera-shy because they don't love their families. They're camera-shy because they've only ever experienced posed photos — the kind where you're told to stand here, tilt your chin there, and smile like you mean it. That's an uncomfortable, unnatural thing to ask anyone to do, let alone a guy who'd rather be doing literally anything else.

Add three kids under five into the mix — a four-year-old who's suddenly shy in front of a stranger, and one-year-old twins who have zero interest in sitting still — and it's no wonder dad walks in a little tense.

family photos in wooded park in northeast Ohio

What I Actually Do Differently

I photographed this family in a wooded park — mom, dad, their four-year-old son, and one-year-old boy/girl twins. Dad told me up front: he's never been someone who takes a good natural photo. Smiling on command just isn't his thing.

So we didn't ask him to smile on command. Instead:

We kept everyone moving. Walking down the trail together, dad carrying one twin, mom holding the other, the four-year-old walking in between
hand-in-hand with mom and dad; no one was posing, they were just going for a walk as a family. That's where the real moments live.

I gave prompts, not poses. Instead of "look at the camera and smile," it was "swing your son on the count of three" or "give your little one a kiss." Real actions get real reactions — and real reactions are what make a photo feel like your family, instead of a photo of your family.

I told bad jokes. On purpose. Yes, even for the dads. Especially for the dads. A silly, unexpected joke gets the genuine laugh-smile every time; the one that actually reaches the eyes. It works better than any "say cheese" ever could. In fact, no one is allowed to say cheese at my sessions!

We let the kids be kids. With a four-year-old and one-year-old twins, there was no version of this session where everyone looked at the camera at the same moment smiling perfectly. And that's good — because the in-between moments, the mid-giggle, the twin looking up at mom, the kids mid-sprint down the trail — those are the photos families end up loving most.

family photos in wooded park in northeast Ohio

The Real Secret: Fun In, Beautiful Out

Here's what I tell every family before their session: the more fun you have with each other, the better the photos will be. It's genuinely that simple. My job isn't to make you hold a pose. My job is to give you a reason to laugh, to play, to be a family together for an hour — and to capture it while you do.

Dads don't need to be "good at photos." They just need permission to just be themselves with their kids. Once that pressure's off, the smiles take care of themselves.

family photos in wooded park in northeast Ohio

What This Means for Your Session

If you're the one trying to talk your husband into a family session, here's what I'd tell him directly: this isn't going to be a stand-here-and-smile kind of afternoon. It's going to be walking through the woods or on the beach with your kids, getting roped into a chase, maybe getting laughed at for one of my terrible jokes, and ending up with photos that actually look like him, not a stiff version of him.

That's the difference between photos you tolerate and photos you frame.

Ready to book a family session for your Space Coast or Central Florida family? [Get in touch here] — I'll take care of the rest, jokes included.

*Note: This session was taken in Northeast Ohio where I sometimes travel. I take a limited number of travel sessions so contact me if you're interested.

When to Book Your Underwater Maternity Session in Florida | Space Coast Underwater Photographer

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When to Book Your Underwater Maternity Session

(And Everything Else You Need to Know to Prepare)

Underwater Maternity Photography | Space Coast & Central Florida

You've seen the images. Fabric floating. Light rippling. A belly, round and beautiful, suspended in something soft and glowing and completely otherworldly. And you thought: I want that.

So now you're here, doing what every smart mama does before she books anything — researching. Figuring out the logistics. Trying to understand what "underwater maternity session" actually means in practice, so you know whether it's right for you.

This post is for you. All of it — the timing, the wardrobe, what the breath-holds actually feel like, whether your partner can come in the water with you, and what happens after. By the time you reach the end, you'll know exactly what to expect.

The Timing Sweet Spot: When in Your Pregnancy to Schedule

This is the question I get asked most, and it matters more than almost anything else when it comes to planning.

The ideal window is between 28 and 34 weeks.

Here's why: before 28 weeks, the belly hasn't fully "popped" yet. These photos are all about that gorgeous round bump, and we want it present and unmistakable in every frame. After 34 weeks, most mamas are feeling more fatigued and less comfortable, and the breath-holds — while short and gentle — can feel harder when you're carrying a lot of weight up front. Plus there's that much more buoyancy in your belly to try and counteract to sink for photos.

That sweet spot between 28 and 34 weeks is when the belly is full and beautiful, your energy is still good, and your body is comfortable enough to move through the water with ease. And while this is the sweet spot, we can do them up to 36 weeks (we don't want to get too close to your due date in case you go into labor early).

Book earlier than you think you need to. I recommend reaching out around 20 weeks (or even earlier) to lock in your session date. Spots during peak season fill up, and you'll also want time to schedule your wardrobe consultation, ideally a month in advance.

Florida's Pool Season: Why Your Due Date and the Calendar Both Matter

Sessions are held April through October at a private pool on the Space Coast, about an hour east of Orlando. This is when the pool water is warmer (at least 80 degrees) and makes for a much more comfortable and natural experience in every way.

If you're due in late spring, summer, or early fall, your 28–34 week window likely falls right in the heart of peak season. If you're due in winter or very early spring, here's what to think about:

A November or December due date means your sweet spot falls in September or October — still within the pool season, just at the tail end.
A later January through April due date means your ideal window falls in November - March, outside the pool season. In that case, if you have access to a heated private pool (or know someone who does), we can sometimes make it work — reach out and let's talk through your options.
If you're sweet spot falls outside of the pool season and you don't have access to a heated pool, that's exactly when the beach is at its most beautiful on the Space Coast, and a beach maternity session is a stunning alternative.

The bottom line: tell me your due date when you reach out, and we'll figure out the timing together.

What to Wear: Your Questions, Answered

First and foremost, not every gown or outfit is suitable for an underwater session, whether that's due to safety or how the fabrics work in the water, or both. So I'm not going to leave this up to you to figure out. I'm going to walk you through this process.

You don't need to find your own outfit.

I have a client closet full of gowns and fabrics selected specifically for underwater photography — chiffon, lace, tulle — in a range of colors. About a month before your session, you'll come in for a wardrobe appointment and we'll choose together. This also gives you time to obtain undergarments you may need for the session (typically nude bottoms and maybe a strapless bra).

But since I know you're going to think about it anyway, here's what works beautifully underwater and why:

Flowing, lightweight fabrics are everything.

The reason underwater maternity photos look the way they do — dreamy, almost surreal — is because of the way fabric moves when it's not fighting gravity. Chiffon and lightweight tulle fan out and float around you in ways that no wind machine could ever replicate. You'll also find that fabric in the water has a mind of it's own!

Color choices:

Pool light is cool and blue-toned. Deep, rich colors — emerald, yellow, burgundy, deep plum — photograph beautifully because they contrast with the water rather than blending into it. Soft pinks, peach, cream, and white can look absolutely ethereal. Black is always dramatic and stunning. If you're going with the black backdrop option, lighter colors, including light blue that doesn't always show up as well with just the pool background, will work really well.

What you don't need:

A swimsuit. Goggles. Waterproof makeup (more on that in a second).

About your hair and makeup:

Your hair will get wet — fully wet — and it will look beautiful. Some of the most striking underwater images feature hair that fans out completely around the subject's face. You want to avoid putting any products in your hair prior to your session as it can affect the water clarity. A little leave-in conditioner is ok if you struggle with tangles. For makeup, 100% waterproof mascara and a a waterproof lip color that you're okay losing in the water are your best bets. Less is more — the water softens and diffuses in a way that's incredibly flattering, no need for any makeup at all if you don't want it. Come feeling like yourself.

What the Breath-Holds Actually Feel Like

I want to be completely honest with you about this, because I think it's the thing that makes people the most nervous.

The breath-holds are short. We're talking 10-15 seconds, depending on what we're doing. You will be dipping below the surface, getting into a pose for a few seconds while I get the shot, and coming back up. That's it. We're going to be doing each pose at least 3 times to make sure we've got the shot (and because the fabric often doesn't behave).

The pool is shallow enough to stand in at its deepest point. You can always just stand up. And we practice before we ever start shooting — I'll walk you through exactly what to do, how to sink below the surface without it feeling jarring, where to look, what to do with your hands.

Most clients are surprised by how comfortable it is. There's something about the water that changes everything. The buoyancy takes the weight off your hips, your back, your pelvis — all the places you've been carrying extra weight for months. Many of my maternity clients tell me the water is the most comfortable they've felt in weeks.

Every session also includes a lifeguard/safety swimmer on deck for the entire duration. Your safety and your baby's safety are the absolute priority, always.

If you're feeling nervous about the breath-holds: that's completely normal, and it's also usually gone by the time we're five minutes into the session.

Can My Partner Come in the Water?

Yes! Including a partner in the underwater portion of the session adds a layer of intimacy to the images that's hard to achieve any other way. Two people, weightless, holding each other around a baby bump — the images have a quietness and a tenderness to them that I find genuinely beautiful.

Your partner doesn't need any special experience. The same guidance applies: short breath-holds, shallow water, we practice first. If they're comfortable in the pool, they can absolutely be in the water with you. We can also do some images with just you and bring your partner in at certain points — it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Men typically wear khaki shorts and a solid, light-colored button-down that coordinates with your dress choices (like white or light grey).

A note on toddlers and older children: Young toddlers are often not willing to go under the water for photos several times as needed to get full underwater shots with them. We can, however, include them in photos of you holding your toddler above your belly while both your heads are above water. These are a sweet way to incorporate them without them needing to go fully under. Older kiddos who are very comfortable in the water without goggles, love going underwater and can hold their breath, take direction well, and have basic swimming abilities, can often join the session for even the underwater parts. When bringing young children/toddlers to be part of the session, you will need to bring someone who can watch them when out of the pool so we can also get ones with just you and your partner. (Our safety swimmer needs to focus their attention on those in the water and cannot also watch a young child poolside.) If you are considering having your kiddos join for some of the photos, let me know when we have our consultation so we can evaluate if they are ready for something like this.

From Session Day to Your Wall: What Happens After

Once we wrap up, I get to work on your gallery. Every image goes through a careful proofing process, and your full gallery is delivered to a private online gallery where you can browse and choose your favorites from home. If you want help making decisions about what to print, how to size something for a specific wall, or what an album might look like, we can schedule an in-person ordering appointment and I'll walk you through everything.

Then comes the part I love most.

Every single image you order is retouched by hand — by me, personally. Not batch-processed. Not automated. I go through each one with care and intention, refining the light, the color, the detail, until the final result is something worthy of being printed at large scale and hung in your home. No Smurf skin just because you're doing your photos underwear.

Underwater maternity images print beautifully large. There's a quality to the light in these photos — the way it bends and ripples — that reveals itself fully when you go big. A 20x30 platine fine art print, a canvas that fills a wall, a fine art album you'll pull out for your child someday. These images were made to be displayed, not scrolled past.

Ready to Start Planning?

If your due date puts your sweet spot within the April through October pool season, now is the time to reach out — even if your session is months away. Dates fill up, and I want to make sure we have time to do the wardrobe appointment and answer every question before your session day arrives.

If you're not sure whether the timing works, reach out anyway. Tell me your due date and we'll figure it out together.

Contact me here to ask questions or start planning your underwater maternity session. This season of your life only comes around once — and these images will last forever.

Kimberly Tank is a fine art underwater maternity photographer serving the Space Coast, Melbourne, Viera, Brevard County, and the greater Orlando area in Central Florida. Underwater maternity sessions are held April through October at a private pool location.

Kimberly Tank is an award-winning professional photographer in Rockledge, FL, servicing Brevard County on the Space Coast in Central Florida (including Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Merritt Island, Viera and surrounding areas). Using natural light and custom on location sessions, Kimberly Tank specializes in photographing families from babies to seniors and commercial clients, both on land and underwater; providing an exceptional customer experience and helping save you time and preserve this chapter in your life's story. Kimberly Tank is a proud member and ambassador of National Association of Professional Child Photographers.

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