The pink salt lake at Alviso Park is one of the Bay Area’s most magical hidden gems. With its blush-colored water, white salt beaches, blue skies, and tall green grasses, it offers a stunning and cinematic backdrop for maternity photos that feel timeless, emotional, and deeply personal.
To make the most of this one-of-a-kind location, here are some tried-and-true tips to ensure your maternity photos are as phenomenal as they deserve to be:
1. Lighting is Everything: Use the Softness of Natural Light
To capture the lake’s natural beauty—and your own glow—plan your session for early morning or golden hour (the hour before sunset). The light during these times is soft and flattering, creating dreamy tones on both skin and landscape.
Use multiple lighting angles throughout the session to add variety and depth:
- Backlighting (sun behind you) creates a soft rim of light around your hair and bump, adding a gentle, ethereal glow.
- Front lighting (facing the sun) brings out the vivid blue sky and softens shadows on the face, perfect for joyful or serene expressions.
- Side lighting works beautifully for a bit more contrast and shape—especially when paired with natural movement or wind-blown fabric.
2. Focus on Real Connection, Not Posing
The best photos are the ones that feel like you. Rather than stiff poses or awkward instructions, we’ll focus on your real emotions and connection. That might look like:
- Quiet, tender moments with your partner
- Joyful laughter as you walk barefoot along the salt trail
- Taking a moment to breathe in the view, hand on your belly
- Gentle embraces, wind in your hair, eyes closed, just being present
These in-between moments—the real ones—are where the magic lives.
3. Dress for the Setting: Neutral, Flowing, Coordinated
Because the location is already full of soft color, choose outfits that complement rather than compete:
- Neutral tones like cream, beige, white, sage, or soft blush are perfect against the pink lake, blue sky, and white salt.
- Avoid loud patterns or neon colors that may distract from the scenery.
- Flowy fabrics photograph beautifully here—especially in motion. Long dresses that move in the wind create beautiful lines and emotion.
- If you're including your partner or kids, opt for coordinated tones rather than exact matching.
I’m always happy to help with styling or suggest dresses from my client closet that suit the space.
4. Composition Matters: Variety Tells the Full Story
A truly memorable gallery includes a mix of shots and perspectives:
- Wide shots that show the full landscape and sky
- Close-ups of your belly, hands, or emotional expressions
- Detail shots of jewelry, textures, or feet in the salt
- Creative angles, like shooting from above, below, or using the reflection in the water
These layers help tell the story of your session in a full, artistic way—and help you relive the feeling of the moment every time you look back.
5. Bonus Tips for a Smooth Session
- Bring water, especially for warm evenings.
- A towel or wet wipes are helpful if you walk barefoot.
- If you’re including kids, bring a snack or small toy to keep them happy and relaxed.
- Trust the process, even if it feels a little windy or quiet—those elements often lead to the most poetic frames.
Let’s Capture This Beautiful Season
The pink salt lake is truly a special place, and your maternity session here can be more than just photos—it can be a memory in itself. If you're ready to create something cinematic, meaningful, and uniquely you, I’d love to be part of it.
Contact Me to get in touch, share your vision, and let’s start planning a session you’ll never forget.
