booking studio & outdoor experiences
Welcome! I'm so glad you're here!
Whether you’re counting down the days until you meet your baby or chasing after toddlers, or watching them grow into their own, this season you’re in—it matters. As a mom of four, I know just how fleeting these moments can be. That’s why I’m passionate about helping you press pause and preserve the beauty of it all, before it changes all over again.
When you invite me to help you remember these moments, you’re not just checking photos off a to-do list, you’re preserving the heart of this season for years to come. With over ten years of experience in maternity, newborn, and family photography in the Toledo, Ohio area, I’m dedicated to creating images that are as timeless and meaningful as the moments they reflect.
My sessions are relaxed, joyful, and built around connection, so what we capture is real. The kind of images that tug at your heart now and become even more cherished as the years go by.
Let’s start dreaming about what your family's story could look like.
Imagine looking back at your photos and feeling the joy, the love, and the connection all over again. that's what I aim to capture—the real, candid moments that make life beautiful, but with a touch of romance, magic, and fun. Your photos will do more than capture a moment; they'll unlock the love you feel, evoking all the emotions you experience about your family each time you look at them.
"a game changer"
"One of the most unexpected (and appreciated) parts of the experience was the styling consultation. We’ve never had a photographer offer that before, and it was such a relief not to have to stress over what to wear. Cynthia made sure we looked amazing in every shot, and her thoughtful guidance brought out the best in our family photos.
She’s also fantastic with kids! While she clearly has a plan, she’s so flexible and knows exactly how to adapt to how everyone is feeling, which made the session feel relaxed and fun. Her photos are simply stunning—she made us look more beautiful than we ever imagined.
We highly recommend Cynthia to anyone looking for a photographer who goes above and beyond. We’ll definitely be booking with her again and again!
G Family
When you invite me to help you remember this chapter for your family, you receive more than just beautiful photos, you get a completely stress-free experience.
From the moment your session begins, there’s no pressure for perfect smiles or stiff poses. I follow your kids’ lead, allowing them to play, explore, and just be themselves. Whether it’s picking flowers, running through tall grass, or snuggling in close, we’ll go with the flow and create space for real connection and genuine moments.
And we both know that planning what everyone is going to wear can be one of the most stressful parts. That’s why I offer a complimentary one-on-one styling service to help you feel confident and prepared. I’ll pull together pieces that reflect your vision, whether from your own closet, new finds, or my curated client wardrobe. You’ll receive a collection of coordinated looks that photograph beautifully and feel like you.
From start to finish, I’ve got you, so you can focus on soaking up this sweet time with your family.
"she made me feel beautiful"
"I can't thank Cynthia enough for my maternity session. She made me feel truly beautiful, which is something I haven’t felt in a long time. The entire experience was so special—taking time to do something just for me was exactly what I needed. Cynthia has such a gift for making you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, and I’ll cherish these photos forever. I highly recommend her to any mom looking to capture this important time in a way that feels both empowering and meaningful."
H Family
My love for photography grew when my daughter Ava was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I wanted to capture her every moment and have a way for her to always be with me. Looking at those photographs now helps our family in so many ways. Without our photos of her, the pain of losing her would hurt even more.
Ava taught me so much about life in her short five years and one of those things was the value of photography. It is something we don't think about until the years have passed and the moments that we are living today are nothing more than memories.
I have been given a gift to share with you that allows me to capture everything about your family you want to always hold on to. If you want photographs that highlight your family's love, connection, and the beautiful details of your children that will soon change, then I am the photographer for you!
Learn more about my photography journey and The Gold Hope Project , a non-profit that we founded in Ava's memory here.
featured sessions
"no forced poses—just natural images"
"Cynthia was incredibly easy to work with! I loved that we didn’t have to force a lot of poses—she guided us naturally and let everything flow, which made our family portraits turn out AMAZING. Her styling for the session was even better than I imagined, and she worked with me to explore alternatives, helping bring our vision to life. I highly recommend Cynthia to anyone looking for a photographer who truly captures the heart of your family."
S Family
what would you like to do next?
Cynthia Dawson Photography is a Toledo Ohio Newborn, Maternity, and Family Photographer. She serves the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan areas including Toledo, Sylvania, Maumee, Holland, Perrysburg, and Oregon with high-quality, heirloom newborn, maternity, and family portrait sessions. Get the details about a session with her here.
