Welcoming Sassy & DX’s First Baby
There’s something about maternity shoots that always feels a little different.
They’re softer, slower, and more intentional.
This one with Sassy and DX, who flew in from California, was especially meaningful. They mentioned to me that this is their first child and they wanted to document this season of life somewhere beautiful during their trip here in Korea.
We chose Seoul Forest Park, one of my favorite places in the city to shoot - especially in late autumn.
If you’ve seen our work before, you already know we love Seoul Forest. It’s one of the most versatile locations in the city, and it’s featured in a few sessions you’ll see in our portfolio. It offers open fields, tree tunnels, quiant little pathways, and seasonal color that changes dramatically depending on the time of year. It's also an incredible spot during cherry blossom season.
This day? It was magic.
We met at 10:00AM to avoid the crowds which something I almost always recommend for maternity and couple sessions.
It was late November, toward the very end of 단풍 season, and a little chilly at around 12°C. Honestly, I was expecting a lot more people as Seoul Forest is typically busy during peak fall.
But to our surprise, it was incredibly quiet.
I think most people assumed the foliage had passed its prime.
They were wrong.
The sky was overcast (which us photographers secretly love tbh) and the leaves had deepened into darker reds and rich burnt oranges. Instead of bright, saturated fall colors, everything had this moody, cinematic tone.
For our style at Modu Studios - natural, film-inspired, storytelling-focused - these were absolutely incredible conditions.
If you’re curious about how we approach shoots like this in different parts of the city, you can read more about working with a Seoul photographer here.
We started off doing some of our standard couple poses as you can see in the photos above. After we snapped a few of these, we went to a tree-lined pathway where the red leaves form a tunnel overhead.
When the leaves turn here, it becomes one of the most beautiful places in Seoul.
The deep red canopy overhead paired with the muted sky created the kind of soft light you just can’t fake. No harsh shadows. No blown highlights. Just this even, flattering glow.
Sassy wore a flowing neutral-toned dress that contrasted perfectly with the red leaves. DX stayed simple and classic — which I always encourage for maternity sessions. You want the focus on the emotion and the connection, not overly complex styling.
We kept things natural:
There’s something about maternity sessions that feels more like documenting moments than directing poses.
And that’s always the goal.
If you’re planning something similar, we outline what’s included in our maternity and couple sessions on our packages page, including timing and deliverables.
One of my favorite parts of this shoot was the small personal details Sassy and DX brought with them.
They had:
It might seem simple, but those items changed the entire emotional tone of the shoot. We sometimes advise our clients to bring props like this (especially on themed shoots), however it's ultimately up to them.
When Sassy held the ultrasound against the red leaves, it instantly grounded the session in something real and tangible. You could see the emotion in their faces — this wasn’t abstract anymore. This was their child.
Later, we found one of the most beautiful hidden spots in the park.
We walked deeper into Seoul Forest, toward a quieter section most visitors don’t usually explore.
And that’s where we found it - a narrow pathway completely covered in yellow leaves.
The ground looked like it had been painted gold.
This is why I love Seoul Forest so much as a shooting location. It’s not just one “Instagram spot.” It’s layered and has variety and depth.
In this yellow leaf section, we placed the baby shoes gently on the bench, with Sassy and DX sitting in between them.
It was subtle. It wasn’t over-styled.
But the symbolism was powerful.
That shot ended up being one of my favorites from the day.
If you look through our portfolio, you’ll notice that we love mixing wider environmental shots with intimate close-up, detail shots. Adding another level of cinematography is how we differentiate ourselves from other Seoul Photographers. This session was a perfect example of that balance.
We talk about Seoul Forest often for a reason.
For maternity, couple, and family sessions, it offers:
It’s also large enough that even on busier days, you can find quiet corners.
If you’re considering a maternity or couple shoot in Seoul, Seoul Forest is almost always on my short list of recommendations.
We cover many of our most popular locations in our Seoul photographer guide, including what works best by season.
What stood out most about Sassy and DX wasn’t just the location.
It was their calm energy.
There’s something beautiful about couples preparing for their first child. There’s excitement, yes — but there’s also this quiet reflection.
You can see it in the way they look at each other.
We kept the session unhurried. No rushing. No over-directing.
Just space for them to move naturally.
This is very much aligned with how we approach our couple sessions as well — which you can find more details about on our couples package page.
Maternity sessions often feel like a continuation of that same storytelling style.
People often assume peak fall foliage is the only time worth shooting.
But late November has its own magic.
The colors deepen.
The crowds thin.
The air feels crisp.
The sky softens everything.
That slight chill (12°C that morning) actually worked in our favor. Fewer distractions. More space. More intimacy.
As a Seoul-based photographer, I always tell clients that sometimes the “off-peak” weeks produce the most cinematic results.
At Modu Studios, storytelling isn’t just branding language.
It’s how we shoot.
With maternity sessions especially, the goal isn’t just:
“Here’s a photo of a pregnant couple.”
It’s:
The ultrasound.
The baby shoes.
The way DX instinctively placed his hand over Sassy’s belly.
Those are the moments that matter.
That’s what you’ll see consistently across our portfolio.
If you’re expecting and considering a shoot in Seoul, here are a few simple tips:
We offer maternity sessions as part of our standard packages, which you can view on our packages page.
If you’re specifically looking for a maternity or couple-focused experience, our couples package is often the perfect fit.
Sassy and DX’s session reminded me why I love photographing growing families.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t elaborate.
It was just honest.
If you’re looking for a Seoul photographer who focuses on natural, cinematic storytelling — whether for maternity, couples, proposals, or family sessions — you can learn more about working with us here:
👉 https://www.modustudios.com/seoul-photographer
—
Jack Peneycad
Head Photographer, Modu Studios
Frequently asked questions about our photoshoots. If you have any further questions, you can email us by clicking the button below.
Yes. All Modu Studios photographers (Jack and Jeffery) are fluent in English and have extensive experience working with international couples, travelers, and destination wedding clients in Seoul. They also speak working level Korean.
Professional photography in Seoul typically ranges from ₩300,000–₩1,000,000 KRW depending on shoot length, location, and deliverables. Modu Studios offers transparent packages with no hidden fees and our mid-range prices include cinematic fine editing and location guidance, giving you huge value compared to basic packages. See our list of packages here.
We specialize in couples, pre-wedding, engagement, proposals, travel, and brand photography. Whether you want cinematic city photos or natural lifestyle images, we tailor each shoot to your vision. See our offerings here.
Popular locations include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Ikseon-dong, Euljiro, the Han River, and customized routes based on your style and schedule. We're open to your suggestions as well, if you have a special or specific location within Seoul that you would like to shoot at. We're also open to locations outside of Seoul, however we charge more as it takes more time + travel expensives. If you'd like to book a shoot outside of Seoul, email us at modustudioskorea@gmail.com
We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons such as spring and autumn. For proposals or special occasions, earlier booking ensures availability.
Absolutely. We guide you through poses, locations, timing, and outfits so you can relax and enjoy the experience. Even if you’ve never done a photoshoot before.
We send the sample photos within 48 hours of the shoot. Once you let us know your selections for the finely edited and preset photos, we send the final gallery to you within 5 business days via our Pixieset account.
