Photographer in Phu Quoc | Natali Stelmakh

Maternity photoshoot at Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay

Real maternity photoshoot at Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay, with indoor portraits, tropical rain and sunset photographs on Bai Dai Beach.

This maternity photoshoot at Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay was arranged for a couple visiting the island from India during their babymoon. They wanted natural photographs together, individual pregnancy portraits and a playful series connected with the baby they were expecting.

The two-hour session took place on 17 August between 4:20 and 6:20 pm. It began inside the hotel, continued on Bai Dai Beach and briefly moved into a beachfront café when a tropical shower reached the resort.

Starting with toys and children’s artwork

The session began in the children’s activity room at Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay. The couple had received permission from the hotel to photograph there and wanted to use the space for something light-hearted. Large soft toys, children’s drawings and colourful handmade decorations created a playful setting. The couple could sit together, interact with the toys and enjoy the slightly unexpected surroundings without treating the room like a formal portrait location. These indoor photographs introduced the idea of becoming parents without relying on traditional maternity poses. They also gave the gallery a cheerful beginning before the session moved outside.

Bai Dai Beach, rain and a change of clothes

After the indoor series, the couple walked down to Bai Dai Beach. Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay stands in the Ganh Dau area on the north-western coast of the island, with direct access to a long stretch of sand.

The first beach photographs were taken beside the water while there was still plenty of daylight. The couple walked along the shoreline, stopped for closer portraits and included an ultrasound image in several frames. A tropical shower interrupted this part of the session. Everyone moved into the beachfront café while the rain passed, and the couple used the pause to change their clothes. Several photographs were taken inside the bar. Its sheltered interior and open view towards the beach created a quieter mood than either the children’s room or the shoreline. The rain did not stop the session. It simply added another setting.

Returning to the beach for an August sunset

Once the rain eased, the couple returned to Bai Dai Beach in their second outfits. The light had become softer, and warm colour was beginning to appear near the horizon. The final beach series became the visual centre of the gallery. It included wider photographs beside the sea, close portraits of the couple and individual maternity images against the evening sky. The waves brought movement into the frames, so there was no need to hold every pose. Walking, turning towards each other and pausing close to the water suited the conditions better than a rigid sequence of positions. The schedule was chosen specifically for an August session. Sunset on 17 August was close to 6:20 pm, which made a 4:20–6:20 pm photoshoot suitable for finishing beside the sea. The same time should not be copied automatically for another month. During November and December, sunset in Phu Quoc can be close to 5:40 pm, while in January it is often around 6:00 pm. Weather also matters, since clouds and rain can change the light even when the calculated sunset time remains the same.

A relaxed two-hour maternity session

Before the shoot, the couple shared several portrait references through WhatsApp. These helped establish the mood they preferred, but the photographs were adapted to the hotel, the weather and the way the couple naturally interacted. The session included time for short pauses, a change of clothes and an unexpected rain shower without feeling rushed. This was particularly important during a pregnancy photoshoot, when comfort mattered more than following a fixed list of poses. The completed gallery contained 60 retouched photographs. A selection gallery was uploaded the following day, and the final images were completed after the couple chose their favourites.

“We had such a lovely experience with Natali for our maternity shoot in Phu Quoc! ❤️ She was so warm, patient and genuinely considerate throughout the shoot, especially keeping my comfort and pregnancy in mind. We absolutely loved how the pictures turned out- she captured this special phase so beautifully and naturally. Would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a maternity or travel photographer in Phu Quoc!”

Prachi Mathur, Google review

Two hours is a practical duration for couples who want to use several areas of Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay. It allows time for indoor photographs, Bai Dai Beach, an outfit change and natural pauses if the weather shifts. Permission for indoor hotel spaces should be confirmed with the resort before the shoot. The exact starting time should be calculated for the month, expected sunset, weather and the areas the couple would like to include.

Current options are available on the photoshoot packages and prices page. Couples planning a similar session can check availability on WhatsApp and include their hotel, preferred date and length of stay.

Another real resort session can be found in the babymoon photoshoot at Andochine Resort. It follows a different route and remains focused on the couple’s babymoon experience at that resort.

Location

Location: Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay
Address: Bai Dai Area, Ganh Dau, Phu Quoc Special Zone, An Giang Province, Vietnam
Coordinates: 10.317188, 103.857040
Time: 4:20–6:20 pm

Photographer: Natali Stelmakh
WhatsApp: +84 368 141 900
phu.quoc.foto@gmail.com