Last week, I met up with Ashly and Ben Cook for their maternity session at Tower Grove Park, and it was such a beautiful evening to capture this sweet season of anticipation. These two are expecting their baby girl in December, and you could just feel the excitement between them as we walked through the park.

Their dogs, Sable and Timber, joined in for part of the session — and they definitely brought the energy! It was so fun watching how much Ashly and Ben adored them. They’re total dog people, and it was clear those pups are part of the family already.

The fall colors in Tower Grove are just starting to turn, giving us the perfect mix of deep greens, golden yellows, and pops of red. The light was warm and soft, and everything about the evening felt calm and happy. Ashly looked absolutely radiant in her emerald floral floor-length dress — it popped beautifully against the bold autumn backdrop.

By the end of our walk through the nature paths, the sun dipped low and wrapped everything in that rich golden glow that makes this season so magical. It was one of those sessions that just felt peaceful and full of joy — the perfect reflection of two people preparing to welcome their little one into the world.