WS
san clemente • cajulie irene
Photography
Photography
for the woman who is become a mother
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Pregnancy is extraordinary. The way your body changes, the way your whole life is quietly reorganizing itself around a person you haven't met yet. It is one of the most powerful things a woman will ever experience.
And it passes so quickly that most women can't fully picture themselves pregnant even a year later. That's what these portraits are for. Not a keepsake for the baby book. A real portrait of a woman in one of the most remarkable chapters of her life.
Julie Irene Photography's San Clemente studio is designed for this kind of image. Controlled light, thoughtful wardrobe, and a session pace that let's you exhale. You don't need to know how to pose. You just need to show up.
Before your session, we connect to talk through your vision, your timeline, and anything on your mind. You'll receive a styling guide and have access to the studio wardrobe. Nothing is left to chance on the day of your shoot.
Your session takes place in the San Clemente studio — a calm, private space with beautiful natural and controlled light. Plan for one to two hours. We'll move through looks at your pace. If you want your partner or other children present, that's an option too.
Within a few weeks of your session, you'll come in for a private artwork reveal. You'll see your images for the first time in a curated slideshow, and we'll talk through how you want to display them — whether that's a wall portrait, a framed collection, or a finished album.
• san clemente, ca •
Most women who book a maternity session here haven’t been professionally photographed since their wedding or senior portraits. Many tell me they feel awkward in front of the camera or aren’t quite sure what to do with themselves — and that’s completely normal.
That’s why every session is fully guided from start to finish. From wardrobe styling to posing, my job is to help you feel comfortable, beautiful, and taken care of throughout the entire experience.
These portraits aren’t about looking “perfect.” They’re about preserving a season of life that changes so quickly. Long after the pregnancy is over, these images become a reminder of the anticipation, connection, and beginning of everything that came next.
If you’ve been considering a maternity session, this is your sign not to wait until the moment has already passed.
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BEST TIMING - 30 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Earlier or later? Reach out - we'll talk through your options.
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LENGTH - One to two hours in studio or on-location. Pre-session consultation included.
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LOCATION - Either in-studio at San Clemente luxury portrait studio or on-location within 30 miles of San Clemente. Serving all of Orange County.
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WARDROBE - Access to studio wardrobe of 75+ dresses included.
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INVESTMENT - Session investment begins at $395. Artwork and collections available at your ordering and design appointment.
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MATERNITY + NEWBORN - Most clients book both sessions together during pregnancy. Strongly recommended - newborn availability is limited.
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"I absolutely loved my maternity and newborn EXPERIENCE AND photos.
JULIE IRENE was amazing every step of the way"
LAUREN • IRVINE, CA
Between 30 and 36 weeks is the sweet spot for most expectant mothers. The belly is beautifully full and round, but you're still comfortable enough to move freely in the studio and try different looks. Some moms closer to 37 or 38 weeks have had equally beautiful sessions — reach out and we'll talk through your timeline together.
You don't need to go shopping. Julie Irene Photography maintains a studio wardrobe of flowing gowns, fitted dresses, and draped fabrics specifically chosen for maternity sessions. You'll also receive a full styling guide before your session. If you have something meaningful you want to wear — a robe, a partner's shirt, something personal — bring it. Some of the most striking portraits come from those moments.
Absolutely. Partner images and sibling moments are some of the most cherished from a maternity session. We'll plan for a portion of your time to include whoever you want in the frame, and make sure there are also portraits of you on your own — because this chapter is yours too.
Yes, and this is strongly recommended. Newborn sessions are best held within the first 5 to 14 days after birth, when babies are sleepiest and easiest to work with. That window goes fast. Booking both sessions during your pregnancy means your newborn spot is secured before you're fielding middle-of-the-night wake-up calls. Many clients receive a discount when booking both sessions together — reach out for current availability and details.
Most expectant mothers book during the second trimester — around 18 to 22 weeks. This gives plenty of time to plan your styling, secure your preferred session date, and ensure there's no rush. If you're further along, reach out right away and we'll do everything we can to fit you in.
The studio is based in San Clemente, and clients regularly travel in from throughout Orange County — Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, and beyond. The studio experience is worth the drive. If you have questions about travel, just ask.
The first 14 days. Book during pregnancy to secure your spot before baby arrives.
Sitter sessions, cake smash, and first-year collections as your baby grows.
See the full range of Growing Families portrait sessions available at the studio
Julie Irene Photography, a luxury portrait studio in San Clemente, California. Newborn, family, maternity, headshots and personal branding for Orange County
san clemente, ca
This is what an extended family session actually looks like before you see the final images.
Two strobes on the beach are a must with this many people if you plan on getting that gorgeous sunset perfect. Twenty-some people in eucalyptus trees requires hauling some stools.
Then you have me trying to get everyone to look the same direction at the same time, which never happens.... but good thing I know how to head swap!
Swipe to the last slide.
That`s the part they actually hang on the wall.
#extendedFamilyPhotography #SanClemente #OrangeCountyPhotographer #familyportraits #southOC
Yesterday I took a mental break. I’ve been dealing with some perimenopause symptoms for the last few years and the worst part of it all has been my sleep.
2am. Wide awake. Again.
my mind goes from thing to thing – nothing important, not one clear thought I could actually grab onto. I’m laying there doing breathing exercises, hoping that will help but sometimes that just makes me more aware that I’m still awake. My heart’s going a little faster than it should be. I’ve read enough about cortisol at this point to understand why, but understanding something and being able to fix it are two different things.
I have been doing everything. Functional medicine appointments, every few months, bloodwork, daily workouts because they’re supposed to help, supplements I could fill a small cabinet with. I just received a cooling mattress pad last week in hopes that will help as well. I cut off all caffeine after 10 AM. Even warm showers at night. Next step I’m gonna consider acupuncture.
Some months are great. Then all of a sudden weeks will go by without one good night sleep.
The thing that nobody told me about Perry menopause is that it’s different for everybody. Nobody hands you and manual, and most of the advice you get doesn’t actually apply to you.
I’m figuring it out. Slowly. Some nights are better than others.
If you’re in the same place, I generally love to know what’s helping you. I’m sharing this for another reason then I know I’m not the only one lying awake at 2 AM doing math and how many hours of sleep I can still get.
The women who book She Means Business sessions are usually the ones who have been doing kick ass things for years and still don`t have images that show for it.
They`ve got speaking gigs, writing books, and clients who trust them — and a headshot from 2016 they`re quietly embarrassed by every time they have to use it.
The session is a full day at my San Clemente studio. Hair and makeup. Multiple looks. Behind-the-scenes footage they can use for their businesses. A feature in the She Means Business Orange County magazine at the end of the campaign. As well as an invitation to the campaign-end Gallery Exhibition.
We still have space for 17 more amazing women. If you`ve been meaning to do this, this is the one for you!
Link in bio to start the conversation.
Summer is almost upon us. This is the time of year the whole family may actually be in the same place.
Cousins running around and having fun. The grandparents getting all their hugs and snuggles in with the grandkids. Someone is grilling and there is always that one complaining about the sand or heat. And sadly, nobody has thought about portraits — because why would they? The moment feels infinite.
It isn`t.
I`ve been photographing families for almost 20 years, and the sessions I think about most are the extended family ones. Not because they are the most complicated to coordinate (they are), but because I feel they are the most important. From personal experience I had these done before my father passed and those photos I treasure the most.
If your family is together this summer, it`s worth a conversation with everyone to make it happen.
My studio is in San Clemente. Sessions booked by retainer, and summer fills faster than people expect. If you`ve been thinking about reaching out, the sooner the better.
This studio session brought four generations into one room. The daughter who organized it got everyone together before her niece flew back to Idaho with a baby due in June. Sessions like this don`t happen on accident. Studio or beach, the harder part is getting everyone in the same place. If yours is going to be in one place this year, this is the kind of session it makes.
#sanclementephotographer #orangecountyfamilyphotographer #extendedfamilyphotos #fourgenerations #studioportraits
