Let’s capture your body in all its glowing glory.
When you’re eight months pregnant, your body is a divine definition of nurture, love, and the magic of new life. It’s also the perfect time to document this powerful moment with a maternity photography session in our Sydney studio.
The last month of your pregnancy is when you’re brimming with excitement, about to meet the newest member of your family. Our maternity photography sessions are soft yet strong, empower both mother and child, and promise a treasured keepsake of this beautiful moment in your journey to parenthood.
Lion & Cub Photography is based at Tortuga Studios, one of Sydney’s longest-standing creative collectives in the Inner West. The St Peters studio is a spacious 90sqm blend of natural light, industrial charm, and beautiful professional lighting setups… and it’s right across from the greenery of Sydney Park, Alexandria. So whether you want cosy studio magic or outdoor adventure, you’ve got options.
Women love working with me because:
You’ll walk away with a set of digital files and perhaps some timeless artwork that documents and celebrates your family exactly as it is. There’s no perfect moment to do this.
There’s only now.
We start with a planning chat to get to know you. We also plan the look and feel and discuss what to wear. We discuss the timing for the photoshoot, such as sunrise or sunset or late morning if you prefer.
The styles of maternity photography we offer are:
Located in the heart of Sydney’s Inner West, my St Peters studio blends urban edge with creative charm — the perfect backdrop for your family, newborn, or fine art portraits.
Whether you want something classic and elegant, modern and editorial, or a little more sensual and intimate. I will shape the session around your comfort level and personal style. I’ll guide you with gentle direction (you never need to know how to pose), so you can simply relax and feel held through the experience.
And if you’d love to include your partner, children, or the whole family, you absolutely can. Some of the most beautiful moments happen when little hands cuddle in close, siblings whisper secrets to your belly, or your partner wraps you up like you’re already a family of three or more. Bring your fur baby along if you have one! Your session can be just for you, or a celebration of everyone who already loves this baby.
Lion & Cub Studio sessions include family, maternity, newborn, The Cub Chronicles, pets, couples and creative fine art portraiture for business, brand and boudoir.
Sunset sessions are pure golden-hour romance.
This is where the light turns dreamy, the world slows down, and everything feels a little more cinematic. We’ll chase that warm glow as the sun drops low, creating images that feel soft, radiant, and unmistakably powerful.
Sunset sessions are ideal if you want something a little more dramatic and emotive, envision glowing skin, flowing movement, silhouetted shapes, and those breathtaking “pause and feel it” moments. It’s the perfect mix of natural beauty and artistic storytelling.
Whether it’s just you, you and your partner, or the whole family along for the adventure. Sunset maternity sessions have a way of capturing not just what this season looks like… but what it feels like.
I offer beach family sessions at some of Sydney’s most stunning locations, including: Bronte Beach, Maroubra Beach, Milk Beach and Clontarf.
Park maternity sessions are relaxed, playful, and beautifully natural.
Set among Sydney’s open green spaces, these sessions are all about connection — gentle movement, fresh air, and that effortless glow that comes from simply being present. We’ll capture a mix of softly guided portraits and real moments in between… the laughs, the cuddles, the quiet pauses where you just breathe it all in.
These sessions are perfect if you love a more organic, lifestyle feel with rolling hills, trees, and plenty of space for little ones to explore. If you’re bringing children along or dogs along, they can run, climb, cuddle in close, and just be themselves, while I create art from the magic of your real family rhythm.
It’s maternity photography that feels light, free, and full of heart.
Whether you’re drawn to the polished, editorial beauty of the studio, the relaxed, playful feel of the park, or the dreamy golden glow of sunset, your maternity session can be styled to match you. No matter which you choose, you’ll be gently guided every step of the way — with heart, artistry, and a whole lot of love.
Our 60-minute shoot focuses on connection and storytelling. I’ll guide you gently but keep things spontaneous as the best photos happen when you forget the camera is even there.
A few weeks after your session, you will receive your viewing-only online gallery. This is where you choose your ten images. Simply download the ten photos included in your Cub Collection fee with the option to upgrade your digital file collection.
If you are committed to wall art or an album, we’ll get together for your reveal and ordering appointment — a relaxed slideshow where you’ll see all your images come to life. Prefer to do it from home? No problem! We can do it via Zoom. I’ll guide you in selecting portraits that work beautifully together as a series, or help design bespoke albums and wall art that brings your family’s story into your home.
Whether you’ve pre-booked the Cub Collection (the photoshoot and ten edited high-resolution images) or are choosing individual artwork to proudly display in your home, I’ll make the process easy, fun, and inspiring — helping you pick the images that truly capture your family’s personality. You will have received the price list and product guide for wall art and albums before the session and after the photoshoot so you can think about what you would love to invest in.
Deposit information
At the time of your booking, a non-refundable deposit of $200 is required for family, maternity, pet and couples sessions to secure your date. This is required within 48 hours, and if not paid, your scheduled date and time will be forfeited. Your remaining package balance is due no later than a week before our scheduled photo session.
Pregnancy is just the beginning. The Cub Chronicles is our signature journey that captures three unforgettable chapters — maternity, newborn, and family — so your images grow with you as your baby becomes a tiny person with a big personality.
It’s the easiest way to create a cohesive collection of artwork over time… and the kind of story your child will one day thank you for.
Most sessions run for 45–60 minutes. It’s the perfect amount of time to capture a mix of standing and reclining portraits and natural moments — without it feeling too long for you.
You can choose from:
If you’re unsure what suits your priorities best, I’ll guide you to the perfect location.
Arrive dressed in a long flowing dress so you have no underwear or jeans marks. Here are some ideas for what to bring:
If you are struggling with syling, I’ll help you choose outfits that feel cohesive, flattering, and still totally you. You will receive a Client guide and What to Wear guide here.
I’ll guide you gently the entire time with demonstrations and also a mood board to refer to. Even if you normally hate being photographed, you’ll feel confident and supported. I have a daybed for when you need to lay down and also beautiful chairs to sit in for certain poses.
I recommend between 28-34 weeks. You will want still feel the glow, be comfortable and not too tired or overwhelmed. The last few weeks of your pregnancy, you might be madly cleaning, nesting or just lying around waiting!
Your session includes the Cub Collection:
✅ 10 fully retouched portraits included in your $890 session.
You’ll also receive a gallery of your best images (often 80+) where you can choose your favourites and upgrade only if you’d like more.
Yes, absolutely.
Most families upgrade once they see their images because they fall in love with more favourites than expected.
The Pride Collection includes:
✅ 25 portraits total
✅ Matching black & white versions included (timeless, editorial, beautiful for framing)
That’s what the Legacy Collection is for as it includes all final images (80+).
It’s the best value and the ultimate “no regrets” option.
Yes. Every portrait you receive is professionally edited in my signature style:
No harsh filters. No plastic skin. Just your beautiful body, as you are.
Nikki has up-to-date vaccines for covid, whooping cough and has a current working with children check.
If the weather isn’t suitable, we’ll reschedule or switch to a studio session. Easy and stress-free.
Your gallery is typically ready within 2–3 weeks (often sooner in quieter periods). If you have a special deadline (birthday, Mother’s Day, etc.), tell me and I’ll do my best to help.
Booking is simple:
Send me a message and let’s create portraits that feel like you — joyful, connected, and beautifully timeless.
P.S. If you’d love to capture maternity + newborn + family as a complete story, ask about The Cub Chronicles — our signature portrait journey.
