Baby Girl Maternity Photography | Boston Family Photographer
Most established photographers have a half dozen locations that they always suggest to clients. Ones that they are familiar with, know how to wrangle the light in, know their prime spots. While I have this list for clients who want suggestions, I also always encourage trying a place that is meaningful to their family. When this maternity client brought up the idea of using Medfield State Hospital for their photography session, I was initially quite surprised! Nothing about abandoned mental institution screams “we’re having a baby to me” ….or does it? (hahah). Medfield State Hospital was closed in the 90s and the grounds were reopened to the public from sunrise to sunset. My clients told me that for several years, their family has been tapping maple trees on the property for their family business and how the grounds were a place they frequent each sugaring season.
I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous pulling up to the grounds right before sunset. I knew many horror movies were filmed on the property and the whole history of the grounds made my skin crawl just a little! The grounds were still and quiet…and amazingly beautiful. All my creepy feelings melted away when this adorable couple stepped out of their truck with the warmest smiles and the cutest baby bump! Having property experts as my tour guides was ideal as they led me to the most idyllic parts of the property. We began at the rear of the property where it abuts the Charles River. The sky was moody and grey but it really added to the overall feel of the location!
From there, we walked to the inner campus of the Institution. Looking at the abandoned buildings and the cages that people used to be kept in made me simultaneously sad, glad that we have made progress as a nation since these properties were active, and also think about how much work we still need surrounding supporting mental health. We ended our session in a field along the hiking/walking trails on the property just as the sun dipped below the horizon. These two claimed they were awkward in photographs but proved that totally wrong….see below ;). Can’t wait to share photographs from their lifestyle newborn session next!
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