


It’s in this setting that I recently photographed a maternity session that stayed with me long after I packed up my camera. A mother, glowing in that gentle in-between of waiting and becoming, walked slowly along the winding path with her toddler by her side. This wasn’t just a session — it was a quiet celebration of this fleeting chapter of life: one child still small and clinging to mama’s hand, another fluttering quietly inside.
Bryan Park is known for its azaleas — bright, abundant, and timeless. The Azalea Loop offers gently curving paths, tall trees filtering the sunlight just right, and grassy areas perfect for laying down a blanket and simply being present. Add to that the unexpected gift of wild buttercups this year, and the entire area felt like a page out of a storybook.
We let the toddler run barefoot through the grass, his laughter echoing in the quiet morning. He picked buttercups, some too small to hold, some that crumbled in his fist — tiny treasures for the baby on the way. The mother held her belly and smiled, sometimes with that faraway look of someone dreaming ahead, sometimes just watching her little one with full, grounded love.Maternity sessions with toddlers are never still. They are about movement, discovery, and play — mirroring the truth of motherhood itself. But here, in this serene pocket of Richmond, there was space for all of it: for pause and wonder, for the softness of waiting, and for the wild joy of a child who doesn’t yet understand how much life is about to change.
If you’re local to Richmond or visiting during spring, I can’t recommend Bryan Park enough — especially the Azalea Loop in early to mid-April. Come for the flowers, stay for the golden light and open spaces. Whether you’re expecting your second child or simply craving a little escape into nature with your little one, this corner of the city offers more than just a backdrop. It offers a place to breathe, connect, and hold onto the beauty of now.
Serving Richmond, VA and beyond
Meet Anna Dobrovolskaia — timeless, artistic family photography in Richmond, VA, capturing love, connection, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. Specializing in documentary-style newborn, maternity, and family sessions, serving families who value authentic storytelling and heartfelt moments.
Blog

Winter snowy family session at Stay NAMU in Richmond, VA

Beyond Words: Featured in Heartful Magazine & Recognized Among the Best

Top Things to Do in Richmond, VA

Embracing the Essence: The Beauty of an Intimate Motherhood Photo Session | Richmond, VA

Photographing Autism: Embracing ‘Their Own Time and Space’ | Family Photography in Richmond, VA

The Beauty of Newborn Photography: Capturing Fleeting Moments Before They’re Gone | Newbron Photographer in Richmond, VA

Why Family Photos Matter: Capturing the Love, the Laughter, and the Life You Share

Why You Need a Photo Session at Home: Where Your Real Story Lives

Tiny Moments, Lasting Forever: Why You Should Book a Newborn Photo Session

Why Maternity Photos Matter More Than You Think? Maternity Photographer in Richmond, VA

From Phone Photos to Heirlooms: Why Printing Your Family Photos Still Matters

A Dreamy In-Home Family Session in a Historic Richmond Victorian Home | Richmond, VA

Weekday Storytelling Session| Family Session at Maymont Park, Richmond, VA

In the NOW | Raw Motherhood Session in Richmond, VA
