I always mention to my clients that just past sunrise and just before sunset are some of the best times to shoot. The light is soft and beautiful. And particularly with mornings, you get to avoid all the tourists and crowds at all the popular spots. Understandably, most opt for the latter as no one wants to be in front of the camera that early! Yet, Julia, who is about 8 months into her pregnancy, is one brave soul who agreed to an early morning shoot. I was pretty excited! Julia wanted her maternity session to be relaxing and set in nature. She and her husband, Rubem, decided on the Conservatory Water in Central Park, a lovely free form pond that is frequented by ducks, and surrounded by statues dedicated towards children's story time - perfect! When I arrived at 7AM for our session, there were only a few joggers and dog walkers in sight, but otherwise it was absolutely peaceful and tranquil. The sun was still low in the sky, and the pool of water had a soft glow. Julia and Rubem are a beautiful couple, and I feel blessed to have been able to capture this moment of them just before the arrival of their first baby. Here are some of my favorite photos!