Motherhood Photography in the Valley
Gold Coast & Byron Bay Creek Sessions
When I first started photography, I remember searching for those “perfect” dry golden fields I’d seen other photographers use. Back then it felt like the thing to do. But here, it never really made sense.
But after moving to Murwillumbah, surrounded by mountains, creeks, and subtropical forest, those fields started to feel out of place. The landscape here is never still, it shifts with the seasons. Mist rolls down from the ranges, creeks sparkle in the sunlight, and everything grows wild and green. Over time, I’ve learned that leaning into this beauty creates images that feel rich, natural, and deeply rooted in this place. The beauty here doesn’t need to be stripped back or simplified. It’s at its best when it’s celebrated in all its richness.
Motherhood, too, feels this way to me. Messy, layered, tender, and wild, it isn’t polished or posed, it’s full of texture and life. Photographing women with their children in these vibrant spaces has become one of my favourite things. There’s something about being held by the land that brings out a softness and strength all at once.
The Beauty of the Valley
Maybe my love for these kinds of places was planted long before I ever picked up a camera. My favourite childhood movie was FernGully. I watched it over and over, completely enchanted by its magical rainforest world. The colours, the trees, the way nature felt alive and breathing, it shaped the way I see beauty.
Now, living in the valley, surrounded by mountains and creeks, I feel that same sense of wonder. Even when I step into a creek bed or walk beneath towering trees with a mother and her child, it’s as though I’m stepping into that story again.
There’s something magical about the way the valley holds a family. The way greenery softens skin tones, the way light filters through the canopy, the way every image feels alive.
These places aren’t just backdrops, they become part of the story. A baby nestled against their mother under tall trees. A toddler reaching for wildflowers. A mother holding her little one close as the breeze moves through the leaves.
Creeks and Waterfalls in Spring & Summer
As the days grow warmer, the creeks and waterfalls around Murwillumbah, the Gold Coast, and Byron Bay become my favourite places for motherhood sessions. Cool, shaded, alive with colour—they feel like a refuge.
There’s a quiet magic in these spots. The sound of running water, the hush of leaves, it’s as if the world slows down, leaving space for connection.
Here, mothers get to simply be. Holding, playing, or pausing in the moment, without pressure, without perfection. These sessions are less about the “perfect” portrait and more about preserving how it felt to be in this chapter.
Timeless in Nature
This spring and summer, let’s meet at the creeks, the waterfalls, the forest paths. These are the places where the air is cool, the light shifts softly through the trees, and the sounds of water and birdsong wrap around us. They hold a calmness that lets mothers slow down and just be with their children. And unlike the dry, open fields that rely on golden hour, here there’s no need to wait until sunset. The light is magic at almost any time of day, especially in the mornings, when it filters gently through the canopy and everything feels fresh and alive. These lush pockets of nature give us so much freedom. Whether we wander slowly, pausing to soak it in, or let little ones splash and explore, the photographs we create in these spaces always feel both vibrant and timeless—rooted not just in your story, but in the land that holds it
Ready to plan your session?
If you’re searching for a family photographer in Byron Bay, or you’re based on the Gold Coast and dreaming of photos that celebrate the beauty of our tropical home, I’d love to capture it for you. From quiet motherhood moments to playful family adventures, these lush landscapes are the perfect setting to tell your story.
Want photos that tell your story? Let’s make it happen
