Behind the Lens: Intimate. Bold. Beautiful: Ashlee’s Vision for Modern Maternity Photography
For the premiere of our Photographer Feature series, Tinies Magazine Maternity Issue sits down with Ashlee — the creative force behind our feature cover(back).
Cover(Back) Star Feature of Tinies Magazine, Maternity - Sept 2025
For the premiere of our Photographer Feature series, Tinies Magazine Maternity Issue sits down with Ashlee — the creative force behind our feature cover(back) — to explore how she celebrates these moments. From the little touches and soft laughter to authentic connections, she crafts maternity portraits that empower women, capture their confidence, and make each session deeply personal and timeless.
In this exclusive interview, we also hear from mother-to-be Amaya, who shares her experience of working with Ashlee — how the session made her feel celebrated, confident, and radiant, and why this maternity shoot will remain such a deeply personal and cherished memory.
Ashlee Hayden
A mother of four boys with over 14 years of experience, Ashlee has dedicated her career to capturing the powerful, transformative moments of pregnancy and the incredible journey of motherhood. Her work revolves around honoring the elegance of this journey, paying meticulous attention to every detail. From delicate poses to soft, intentional lighting, her sessions are designed to make women feel seen, celebrated, and empowered—creating timeless, meaningful images that reflect the grace and beauty of this extraordinary chapter of life.
Q: What drew you to specialising in maternity photography, and how has your style evolved over time?
Ashlee: I’ve always been captivated by pregnancy and motherhood—the changes, the anticipation, the quiet, intimate moments. Maternity photography allows me to celebrate all of that, and above all, it feels incredibly rewarding to help women who may feel vulnerable in their changing bodies feel beautiful, empowered, and confident.
Over the years, my style has evolved. I still cherish capturing those raw, authentic, lifestyle moments, but I’ve also developed a passion for fine art, editorial-inspired sessions. Whether simple and natural or bold and styled, my goal remains the same: to make every woman feel celebrated, proud, and radiant during this extraordinary stage of life.
Q: This issue features your work on the cover(back). What was the inspiration behind this shoot, and how did you bring that vision to life?
Ashlee: The inspiration for this shoot came from my unique and beautiful niece during her first pregnancy. We wanted to create something bold and deeply personal, blending old Hollywood glamour with modern, witchy vibes and a touch of goth.
To bring that vision to life, we focused on gowns, styling, and lighting that reflected her personality and confidence. Throughout the session, my goal was to capture authentic, powerful moments—celebrating her strength and the magic of this extraordinary chapter in her life.
Q: When planning a maternity session, how do you decide on the style, theme, or setup? Do you lean more on the client’s personality and preferences, or your own creative vision?
Ashlee: When planning a maternity session, I always start with the mom—her personality, her style, and what makes her feel comfortable. I want the session to feel authentic, so we discuss her vision, favorite colors, and any ideas she’s excited about. From there, I weave in my own creative touch—through lighting, wardrobe, and the overall mood of the shoot.
I love blending the client’s dreams with my own vision to create something that feels personal, beautiful, and utterly unique.
Image Copyright @ashleehaydenphotography
I’ve always been captivated by pregnancy and motherhood—the changes, the anticipation, the quiet, intimate moments. Maternity photography allows me to celebrate all of that, and above all, it feels incredibly rewarding to help women who may feel vulnerable in their changing bodies feel beautiful, empowered, and confident. - Ashlee
Q: A maternity shoot is as much about the experience as the photographs. How do you guide mothers-to-be to relax, enjoy, and truly savor the session?
Ashlee: A maternity session is as much about the experience as it is about the images. From the moment a mom-to-be arrives, I aim to make the atmosphere relaxed, fun, and effortless. We take care of every detail beforehand—hair, makeup, and gowns—so she can simply put her feet up, breathe, and enjoy the moment.
During the shoot, I guide her through poses, encourage natural movement, and create a space where she feels safe, celebrated, and radiant. I love capturing the quiet touches, little laughs, and authentic connections that make each session deeply personal. By keeping the mood light, positive, and supportive, moms leave feeling empowered, confident, and genuinely excited about the experience.
I love capturing the quiet touches, little laughs, and authentic connections that make each session deeply personal. - Ashlee
Q: With so many changes happening during pregnancy, many mothers feel self-conscious. What are your go-to tips for helping them feel confident, graceful, and celebrated on the day of the shoot?
AMAYA (Mumma To Be): The day of the photoshoot itself feels special enough to make you excited and radiant—something so few experiences are designed to do during pregnancy. Wearing beautiful maternity gowns, having my hair and makeup done in ways I might never have before, made me feel truly celebrated. Trusting my photographer made all the difference—they genuinely love capturing and honoring women, and it shows. Looking back, I know I’ll cherish these images and feel proud of myself for embracing this transformative, sometimes exhausting, chapter of life.
Image Copyright @ashleehaydenphotography
Trusting my photographer made all the difference—they genuinely love capturing and honoring women, and it shows. Amaya (Mumma To Be)
Q: How did you express your personality, style, or story during the maternity shoot? Were there any special touches that made it uniquely yours?
AMAYA (Mumma To Be): Ashlee never tried to mold me into anything other than myself. She guided me in choosing a statement piece—something created just for the shoot. For someone like me who gets excited about trying on a new outfit, having a unique top or hat that wasn’t already in the studio made the session feel extra special and helped me feel confident and truly seen.
Cover(Back) Model/Mumma To Be - Amaya Cerutti, Photographed by Ashlee Hayden Photography
Newborn photography is certainly a labor of love, and anybody who does it understands the struggle - Stefanie
Q: Looking ahead, what exciting projects, creative directions, or new ventures do you hope to explore in your maternity photography journey?
Ashlee: Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to continue exploring fine art, editorial-inspired maternity sessions. I love the challenge of weaving together creativity, styling, and emotion to craft something entirely unique for each mother. I’m also eager to elevate the experience further—through imaginative sets, bespoke wardrobe styling, and meaningful details that reflect each family’s story.
Above all, my goal remains the same: to empower women, celebrate the beauty of motherhood, and create timeless images that families will treasure forever.
To know more about Ashlee Hayden, you can check her details:
Website: www.ashleehaydenphotography.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashleehaydenphotography/
Location: San Diego, California, USA
At Tinies Magazine, we are continually inspired by photographers who celebrate the transformative journey of motherhood, and Ashlee does this with unparalleled grace and vision. She blends authenticity, emotion, and editorial flair to create maternity portraits that are timeless, intimate, and empowering. Her work is a testament to the beauty, strength, and resilience of women, and we invite readers to explore her signature approach on her website and Instagram—where every image captures the extraordinary essence of this remarkable chapter in life.
Read this exclusive interview in our magazine, and journey through the work of photographers across the globe—each frame a celebration of creativity, emotion, and timeless storytelling. Order your print + digital copy from below:
By Tinies Magazine in Babies
40 pages, published 09/30/2025
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