This blog is a location feature for Norfolk Botanical Gardens Maternity Photos.

If you’re looking for a timeless location for Fall maternity photos near Virginia Beach, look no further than the Norfolk Botanical Gardens! As the largest botanical gardens in the state of Virginia, there is a vast amount of variety in landscapes for the scenery for your portrait session. Having so many areas to photograph your family in will lend to us creating truly UNIQUE and timeless images for your family!

Norfolk Botanical Gardens Maternity Portraits

We chose the Norfolk Botanical Gardens for this family and maternity photo session because of the variety in landscapes the park has for a gorgeous backdrop for their photos. We also wanted to plan for outdoors as we knew their newborn photos will be indoors.

With this family booking both maternity and newborn photos with me as their photographer, the difference between the natural light, outdoor photos and the cozy, in-home newborn photos will be a beautiful contrast for their portraits they will have to cherish for a lifetime!

As their baby girl is due on Christmas day (yay!!), we took advantage of the 32 week mark in Mama’s pregnancy to hit the gardens just before peak Fall color changes. With this timing, we were able to capture photos that are reminiscent of both beautiful seasons – Summer and Fall, all before the temperature dropped!

Fall is a very popular time for family portraits, both in Hampton Roads, but also throughout the US! But with that being said, there is something in bloom ALL year round at the gardens so there is plenty of opportunity for scheduling in other months. Their rose garden starts to bloom mid-May so early Summer is a gorgeous time at the gardens. And, they also have Japanese Cherry Blossoms that bloom in the early Spring weeks! 🙂

This gallery features Fall family & maternity photos in the Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Virginia.

Fall Photoshoot Locations in Hampton Roads

As a Virginia Beach maternity photographer, I recommend my clients book their maternity photos during 28-32 weeks gestation. If you schedule maternity photos in this timeframe, you will be still walking around comfortably & have a nice baby bump to show off in photos. In addition, you will still have plenty of time to actually ENJOY your photos before baby arrives!

If you are searching for a maternity, newborn or family photographer in Virginia Beach or surrounding cities, I’d love to be considered! You can find more information on maternity portraits and the CKP experience HERE.

Norfolk Photography Locations

When it comes to finding a location for your maternity photos in Norfolk (or the Hampton Roads areas at large), I highly recommend the Norfolk Botanical Gardens! The gardens make for such a lush, natural environment with tons of variety so your photos will be one-of-a-kind and special!

With it being the largest botanical gardens in the state of Virginia, there is quite the variety in spots to choose for the perfect backdrop for important milestone photos, like maternity portraits, as well as annual family photos.

You do need a photography permit to have your photos taken at the botanical gardens. However, members get 1 free photo session per year with their membership. As a full-service photographer, I help my clients obtain the permit when they wish to have their session here.

You can learn more about the Norfolk Botanical Gardens photography policy here.

Finding the Best Lighting for Your Photos

As a professional photographer, the LIGHT is the most important aspect of our session. I do not shoot sessions in the rain, nor on heavily cloudy days because light is so important to get you the images with the same style you see in my portfolio.

With that being said, I plan visit the session location/park personally about 2 weeks before a session to location scout for what is in bloom. I will also see how the light is coming into those areas of the park at the session time so that I can plan the session flow & can prep my clients accordingly.

Norfolk Botanical Gardens Photoshoot: Session Details

Mom’s dress & styling: each family is personally styled by me as a part of the session experience.

Moms get complimentary access to my Client Closet. The Client Closet is a curated selection of neutral, timeless dresses in a variety of colors and flattering to all sizes.

This dress is from the Chelsey Kraus Photography client closet.

Mom’s hair and makeup: Moms also get complimentary professional hair and makeup as a part of the CKP portrait experience. This Mom’s hair and makeup were styled by Shaelynn with Anywhere Beauty by Shae.

Session Location: Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia

Photographer: Chelsey Kraus, lead photographer and owner of Chelsey Kraus Photography.

Interested in Booking Your Maternity or Family Photos at Norfolk Botanical Gardens?

I’d love to help!

Chelsey Kraus Photography is a full service photographer located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, serving joyful families with an effortless family portrait experience and custom heirloom artwork.

As a Virginia Beach maternity, newborn & family photographer, I take pride in pampering busy Mommas with a joyful, effortless family portrait experience & custom artwork. 

From the first time we chat on the phone about your vision for your family’s portraits, to the installation of your custom artwork in your home; I’ll guide you through the experience to ensure you get beautiful, timeless, joyful images of you and those you cherish most.

My MISSION is to ensure you have tangible artwork to enjoy your memories both today and for the future generations of your family.

Click HERE to message me for more information about securing your own custom portrait experience. You are WORTH it, Mama!! <3