NORFOLK, VA MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER
Catherine Holmes Photography
the magic that is motherhood.
Your maternity session can be more than a beautiful photograph of your growing belly.
It can feel like a painting. A dream. A world created entirely around this version of you.
I create fine-art maternity portraits in Norfolk, Virginia for mothers who want something imaginative, intentional and a little outside the ordinary, serving Virginia Beach and the greater Hampton Roads area.
There is no single way maternity photography is supposed to look.
Maybe you imagine yourself surrounded by flowers. Draped in layers of fabric. Standing inside something dark and dramatic. Soft, glowing and ethereal. Regal. Romantic. Surreal.
Or maybe you have an idea floating around in your head that you haven't quite figured out how to describe yet.
Bring me that.
We'll take the feeling, colors, wardrobe, inspiration and little pieces of your vision and build something from them.
We’re not recreating a maternity session you’ve already seen.
We’re creating the one you wish existed.
MATERNITY REIMAGINED.
Maternity Portraits That feel otherworldly
My maternity sessions begin with a little bit of imagination.
Not a pose list. Not a formula. Just a question:
What kind of world do you want to step into?
Maybe it’s filled with flowers and soft light.
Maybe it feels like an old painting come to life.
Maybe it’s rich with texture, movement, color, or something strange and beautiful that only makes sense in your head right now.
That’s enough.
Together, we’ll take those fragments: the dress, the fabric, the mood, the colors, the tiny details and turn them into something you can actually step inside.
The goal isn’t simply to photograph your pregnancy.
It’s to make this chapter feel a little more magical than real life.
Your Maternity Experience,
Together we'll shape the wardrobe, styling, set design and creative direction that bring the idea to life.
02 — Create It
About
You'll choose your favorite portraits from your proof gallery, and each final image will be professionally retouched and finished with the painterly, fine-art feeling that defines my work.
We start with inspiration. Tell me what you've imagined, what colors you're drawn to, how you want your portraits to feel, or simply send me the collection of images currently living in your camera roll.
01 — Dream It
When session day arrives, you don't need to worry about poses or what to do with your hands. I'll guide you through the entire experience while giving you room to simply exist inside what we've created.
03 — Step Into It
04 — Turn It Into Art
- Professional Hair & Makeup: A little less getting-ready stress before you step in front of the camera.
- Client Closet: Access to maternity-friendly gowns, fabrics and styling pieces selected with photography in mind.
- Creative Direction: We'll plan the overall vision together, from inspiration and color to styling and mood.
- Guided Posing: I'll guide your posing and movement throughout the session so you never have to wonder what to do.
- Custom Set Design: For sessions that call for something more elaborate, we'll build around the concept rather than forcing your idea into an existing setup.
- Professional Retouching: Every selected image is carefully finished while preserving the things that make you look like you.
what's included in your Maternity session
You Deserve to Exist in the Story, Too.
So much of pregnancy happens while you're thinking about someone else.
The appointments. The preparations. The names. The nursery. The tiny clothes waiting for someone you haven't even met yet.
Your maternity session gives you a moment to remember the person at the center of all of it.
Not just the belly.
You.
The version of you carrying an entire new chapter.
And whether pregnancy has made you feel powerful, tender, uncomfortable, amazed, exhausted (or somehow all of those things at once) you don't need to feel any particular way before you're worthy of documenting it.
I had a phenomenal experience with Cat from inquiry through completion of the project! Cat was quickly responsive and very intentional about bringing my vision to life! Her energy and enthusiasm made this such a fun and memorable experience. She gave great feedback and the studio space was very welcoming. I'd work with her again in a heartbeat!
KRISTEN EVERETT
testimonials
Cat was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her attention to detail and love for her job is outstanding. She made me feel so comfortable while in her studio and her work is truly art!!!!! I would recommend her to anyone who is looking to have her style of pictures taken. Her work is very whimsical and makes you feel like you’re in a magical place when you look at the pictures she takes. I would go to her 1,000 times over.
VICTORIA SEALY
testimonials
Working with Cat was honestly magical. She created one of my favorite photoshoots ever — every image felt dreamy, elegant, and intentional. She has such an artistic eye and a clear vision, and somehow turns ideas into something even more beautiful than you imagined. Every shoot with her feels like stepping into a dream she carefully brings to life. Not only is she incredibly talented, but she also makes you feel comfortable, confident, and effortlessly beautiful in front of the camera. Truly an artist in every sense — would absolutely work with again 🥰
KAREN LUONG
testimonials
When Should You Take Maternity Photos?
Most maternity sessions are photographed between approximately 28 and 34 weeks, when your belly is beautifully defined but you're typically still comfortable enough to move through a portrait session.
Every pregnancy is different, though. If you're carrying multiples, have a higher-risk pregnancy, or simply want to photograph earlier, we'll plan around what makes sense for you.
I recommend reaching out earlier in pregnancy so we have plenty of time to dream up your concept and reserve your session date.
Norfolk Maternity Photography FAQs
I recommend reaching out as early as possible so we have plenty of time to dream up your concept, plan wardrobe and styling, and reserve the best date for your session. Most clients book during their second trimester, but if you're farther along, don't panic & reach out and we'll see what's available.
Yes! I have a client closet with maternity-friendly gowns, fabrics, and styling pieces available for sessions. We can talk through what fits your vision during the planning process.
Yes, professional hair and makeup can be included with your maternity experience. It's one less thing for you to worry about on session day, and we'll make sure the styling works with the overall concept we're creating.
Absolutely. Your session can be centered entirely around you, or your partner can join for part of the experience. We'll plan their wardrobe alongside yours so everything feels cohesive with the final concept.
I assume that you may prefer not to have your images featured on my website or social channels. However, if you happen to love some of them and are comfortable with it, I would be delighted if you'd permit me to share them. It's entirely your decision, but it's worth noting that many of my bookings come from the inspiring stories of women who are proud to share their images, motivating others in the process!
Yes! I occasionally offer themed mini experiences throughout the year for certain months. I also offer a mini session experience year around that includes 10 images, a 30 minute session, and make up. It can only be booked on the Renaissance Daydream set up. No exceptions.
Yes! All sessions require a deposit, and then the remainder can be financed either in house, or by utilizing AfterPay. In house interest free payment plans can be broken into monthly payments as low as $100! Once you complete your plan, you’ll receive your images, video, and prints depending on the package you chose.
Packages start at $1,350 and require a $250 nonrefundable deposit to book!
Maternity Photography in Norfolk & Hampton Roads
Catherine Holmes Photography is based in Norfolk, Virginia and welcomes maternity clients from throughout Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News.
Clients also travel from throughout Virginia for creative and fine-art maternity photography experiences.
