Why The Met Is Such a Beautiful NYC Photo Location


There are so many beautiful places for photos in New York City, but The Metropolitan Museum of Art remains one of my favorite indoor locations for maternity sessions, engagement photos, and portraits. Between the architecture, the soft natural light, and the variety of spaces throughout the museum, it creates such an elegant and timeless atmosphere for photography. Rain or shine, summer or winter, it is one of those locations that always works beautifully.


When we originally planned the session, Shannon was already pretty far along in her pregnancy, and like many expecting moms, how she felt physically changed week to week. We actually had to reschedule a couple of times because pregnancy can be incredibly unpredictable, especially during the final stretch. By the time our session finally happened, Shannon was 36 weeks pregnant and glowing!

Pregnant couple holding hands and walking together indoors in the Metropolitan Museum of Art during a maternity session in NYC.

Photographing Inside The Met


I met Shannon and Andres outside the museum before we headed inside together to start photographing.

One thing I love about sessions at The Met is how cinematic everything feels almost immediately. Even the main entrance and staircases create such a classic New York backdrop without needing much else around you.


We started in the main entrance area before moving into the Egyptian collection, which is honestly one of my favorite sections in the entire museum for photography. The lighting there is incredible. The giant windows let in soft natural light that feels flattering and dramatic at the same time, and the stone architecture surrounding the galleries adds so much texture and depth to photos.


Throughout the session, Shannon and Andres were incredibly sweet together and completely focused on soaking in this season of life together before becoming parents. One of my goals during maternity sessions is helping couples feel relaxed and connected rather than overly posed. I want the photos to feel emotional and intimate while still allowing space for movement and natural interaction. The museum environment actually helps with that a lot because sessions there allow couples to actually do an activity together, like a little date. Shannon and Andres also picked the Met for this reason -- they'd been on dates there many times and the museum is a special place for them.

Black and white maternity photo of a couple embracing in the Greek gallery of the Met Museum in NYC surrounded by classical sculptures.

A Meaningful Session Before Baby Arrives


After photographing in the Egyptian wing, we also spent time in the Greek collection, which happens to be one of Shannon and Andres’s favorite parts of the museum. The lighting in that area is equally beautiful with soft illumination coming from above, and the entire space feels calm and timeless. I always love when couples choose locations that already hold personal meaning to them because it makes the gallery feel even more connected to their story.


Even though we did not have a huge amount of time during the session, we were still able to capture such a beautiful variety of portraits throughout the museum. Honestly, I could spend hours photographing at The Met and still discover new corners that work beautifully for portraits.


The versatility of the Met galleries is one of the reasons I recommend it for maternity sessions, engagement sessions, and even solo portraits in NYC. It offers elegance, warmth, incredible lighting, and a really timeless atmosphere that never feels overly trendy. Most importantly though, it allows people to slow down a little and actually enjoy the experience together.


Shannon and Andres’s session felt calm, intimate, and full of anticipation for the next chapter of their lives. It was such an honor documenting this season for them before they welcome their baby.

Pregnant couple holding hands in grand museum hall with arched ceilings, woman in sage dress, man in tan jacket.
Black and white photo of a couple kissing inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art under grand arched ceilings.
Expecting couple holds hands and smiles at each other while walking through a sunlit museum hallway.
Happy couple posing for maternity photo, woman in floral dress cradling baby bump, man in tan jacket smiling.
Expecting couple holds hands walking through sunlit museum atrium with large windows.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple sharing a tender moment, with the man gently holding the womans pregnant belly.
Pregnant couple sharing a tender kiss in a sunlit museum atrium, woman in sage floral dress cradling her baby bump.
Black and white photo of a pregnant couple holding hands and smiling in a museum gallery.
Expectant couple kissing intimately as man gently holds pregnant woman's baby bump in a bright museum setting.
Expecting couple posing by large window, woman in floral sage dress cradling baby bump, man in tan jacket smiling.
Pregnant couple sharing a tender kiss while sitting together near large windows in a maternity photo session.
Black and white maternity photo of a smiling couple sitting together, the woman in a floral dress cradling her baby bump.
Smiling pregnant couple embraces near tall windows inside a bright museum gallery.
Smiling expectant couple gazing at each other lovingly, man's hand on pregnant belly, surrounded by museum artifacts.
Black and white maternity photo of a couple smiling at each other, man gently holding pregnant woman's belly outdoors.

Interested in a photoshoot at the Met?


If you are looking for an NYC maternity photographer to capture this precious and fleeting time in your life, I'd love to chat! Drop your contact info and when/where you are thinking of having a maternity session and I will get in touch within 24 hours!