If your budget and time allow for it, a maternity photoshoot should be on every mama’s pregnancy to-do list!
Trust me, I know, not many pregnant women actually want to be photographed during pregnancy, especially if they have to do a solo photoshoot. But I hear mamas time and time again say how much they regret not taking maternity photos and how they wish they could turn back time and have them done!
Maternity photos are as much (or more) for your baby as they are for you. If you find yourself on the fence about a maternity photoshoot, just do it, mama. I promise you that you won’t regret it.
Whether you are fully committed to the idea or still trying to decide whether or not it’s for you, come along with me as I cover all the pregnancy photoshoot and maternity photoshoot tips!
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When is the best time for a maternity photoshoot?
The best time for a maternity photoshoot might vary depending on who you ask. The general consensus is that somewhere between 28 – 36 weeks is most ideal for a maternity photoshoot.
You definitely want to make sure your bump has popped enough to really show up in the pictures, but you also don’t want to wait until you are realllyyyy far along and risk being uncomfortable and nothing fitting right.
An experienced and trustworthy photographer can certainly help guide this decision with you.
Deciding when to do your maternity photoshoot is only one small piece to the puzzle. To learn more about maternity photoshoots, including what to wear, photoshoot ideas, and more, read along below!
How to find a good maternity photographer?
It might seem overwhelming to find a good maternity photographer. You might not even know where to start.
Hopefully, you find some of the tips below helpful when navigating this exciting process!
1. Ask for recommendations
Have you had a friend, family member, or coworker give birth recently? If they hired a maternity photographer ask them who they used and whether or not they would recommend them.
I have found word of mouth to be one of the very best ways to get good, honest opinions about things (not just photographer recommendations).
Another way you can poll the community for some recommendations is to post in a local mom’s Facebook group. I’m part of a local moms’ Facebook group in my area, and I know people are posting allll the time asking for recommendations on certain things.
2. Browse their past work
So, you’ve done your research, gotten some recommendations, and maybe narrowed your search to two or three photographers – what now? Now is when I would recommend browsing some of their past work if you haven’t done so already.
Pretty much every photographer I’ve ever known has galleries or albums on their website or Facebook page that you can peruse.
Of course, these are probably examples of some of their best work, after all, they are trying to sell themselves, but at least it should give you an idea of their style and whether or not you find it appealing.
3. Make sure you can get on their schedule
I’m not sure if it’s harder to get an appointment at the dermatologist or on a photographer’s schedule. I’m only kidding about this, well, sort of.
For real though, photographers’ calendars fill up pretty far out so once you have narrowed your search, don’t hesitate to go ahead and get on their schedule!
4. Look at pricing and understand what you’ll get
You will probably find that every photographer offers different options when it comes to packages and pricing.
This information should all be readily available on their website, but if not, make sure you are clear on exactly what you will be getting and for what price before you book your photoshoot!
Some photographers might offer electronic photographs only, some might offer all hard prints, and some may be a combo of both. There might also be limitations on how many different poses you can choose, etc, so just make sure you know what you are signing up for!
5. Check out if they have bundles
A lot of photographers will offer specials or discounted pricing if you purchase multiple packages or bundles.
For example, maybe you want to use the same photographer for newborn pictures once your sweet babe arrives. Look into whether or not you can receive a discounted price for one or both of the photoshoots if you book him or her for both! Catch my drift?
6. Consider DIY maternity photos
If you ask me, and probably most other mamas out there, I think you would find that a general consensus is that you can’t put a price on memories. Photographs are a way of capturing memories and freezing a specific memory so that you can remember it forever.
With that being said, photoshoots can be extremely pricey…and rightfully so. Photographers put a lot of time, love, and effort into editing and perfecting this tangible memory for you. As someone that has done a few newborn shoots for a handful of close friends, believe me, it is a lot of work!
If a professional photographer isn’t in the budget, and it’s not for a lot of people, consider a DIY maternity photoshoot. There are so many fancy phones out there these days that have super high-quality cameras.
What’s more, there are a gazillion apps that allow you to finely edit pictures to your liking. Of course the quality might not be quite the same, but hey, considering it’s free (well, basically), I think it’s a pretty great alternative.
What to wear to a pregnancy photoshoot?
Honestly, wear whatever is comfortable and helps you show off that bump. For most women, this is a dress, but it doesn’t have to be! Flowy dresses are a really good option because they are comfortable and elegant, but will also help show off your bump!
And when you are considering what colors or patterns to wear, I would stick to more neutral, solid colors. You don’t want a loud pattern or super vibrant color to distract or take away from your bump!
Where to buy a maternity photoshoot dress?
There are tons of online boutiques and stores out there that carry beautiful maternity dresses. I’m more of an online shopper myself so that’s probably the route I would take, but it also requires you to shop in advance and possibly order multiple different sizes and styles to make sure you find one that fits.
Pink Blush Maternity has a variety of different styles of maternity dresses for all occasions. Their prices hover right around the $75 – $90 range, which isn’t too bad for a special occasion dress. A couple of other great options are A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood. Both of these sites have a range of dresses, various lengths, styles, cuts, and prices.
I feel confident that you could find the perfect maternity shoot dress at one of the sites mentioned above but if you are really wanting to splurge, Hatch has some really unique and elegant maternity dresses.
And if you are more of a go-into-a-store and physically try-on-the-dress kind of gal, I’ve got you covered too! Gap, Old Navy, Target, Kohls, and H&M all carry maternity clothing.
What they have in the physical stores might vary slightly from place to place but those are great places to check out!
Pregnancy photoshoot ideas
So you have your photographer and your dress (or outfit), now you just need some photoshoot ideas. If you hired a professional photographer, you can absolutely pick their brains about some of their favorite ideas, tips, and tricks. In fact, that’s part of their job, so ask away!
Here are some ideas that are worth keeping in mind as you plan your maternity photoshoot:
1. Do it at a place that’s special to you
Consider doing your photo shoot at a place that has significant meaning to you. Maybe it’s where you and your partner met, where you got married, or just somewhere that’s special to you for other reasons.
Doing your maternity photoshoot, or any photoshoot, at a place that’s special to you can add so much value to your pictures.
2. Take it outside – no matter the season!
The lighting, the scenery, the beauty, need I say more? It’s pretty hard to beat the outdoors as your background for a photoshoot.
I didn’t come here to say that you can’t have beautiful indoor pictures, all I’m saying is that there is so much natural beauty and natural lighting that’s close to impossible to imitate with lighting and cameras.
3. Have a lifestyle shoot in your home
I totally get it, outdoor photoshoots certainly aren’t for everyone. This especially holds true if you live in certain climates that get super hot or super cold at certain times of the year. You can have some really beautiful pictures done inside your home too!
One potential option for an in-home photoshoot would be to do a lifestyle shoot. A lifestyle shoot aims to capture little snippets of your family in action, inside your home. It might include a combination of posed and candid pictures.
A lifestyle shoot can also be great if you have older children or even furry children that you want to include in some of your pictures.
4. Take pregnancy photos in the nursery
What a sweet memory to have…maternity photos taken inside your baby’s nursery. I know a lot of mamas that like taking some of their newborn pictures inside baby’s nursery, but it can be a great setting for some maternity photos as well.
One day down the road, you just might wish you had pictures of your little one’s nursery, so tell that photographer to snap away!
5. Incorporate your fur babies
Incorporating your fur babies in your photoshoot can be a total game changer and something I feel certain you won’t regret! Maternity and even newborn photos with your fur babies create memories that can be cherished for a lifetime.
And think of all the wonderful stories you can share with your human baby about your fur baby (babies) down the road.
6. Use baby accessories in your photos
There are all kinds of baby accessories and props you can use to help spice up your maternity shoot. Here are some items that have historically been pretty popular to use in maternity photoshoots:
- Ultrasound photos
- Special baby blanket or quilt
- Coming home from the hospital outfit
- A monogrammed outfit
- A pair of baby shoes
7. Do some couples maternity photos
Go ahead and make your partner get in at least a couple of the pictures. I know, I know, you are the main attraction here, but having your partner in some of them can make for some incredibly special memories.
And if you have any older children in your family make sure you snap a few with them too. Precious memories frozen in a frame for you to cherish forever!
8. Don’t forget some solo pregnancy portraits too
Well, of course you have to get some pictures of just you and your bump too! After all, that’s sort of the whole point of a maternity photo shoot anyways, right?! I know a lot of mamas, especially pregnant mamas, don’t love the idea of having to pose, by themselves, and be the “star of the show”.
Hear me out though, you won’t regret it. Sure, it might be awkward or uncomfortable at the moment, but you are going to want these pictures one day! And not only are you going to want them, but they will also mean more to your little one than you know.
9. Capture your pregnant silhouette
I feel like this has to be one of the most common poses for maternity photos – and if you have ever seen them then you certainly know why – absolutely breathtaking!
A silhouette really allows the camera to not only capture but to also highlight the shape and beauty of your bump. Once you see this particular pose in action, you will very quickly know why it’s a common recommendation of maternity photographers.
Some women prefer taking silhouette pictures of their bare belly with some kind of flowy, open dress while others prefer a more form-fitting dress that hugs their belly.
Your photographer can also play around with the lighting so that your silhouette appears dark against light in the background. The options really are limitless. I’ve yet to see a silhouette maternity picture that wasn’t absolutely stunning!
10. Embrace your body
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Let the camera capture your confidence and the love you have for your bump. Not only the love you have for your bump, but the love and respect you have for the incredible work your body is doing – growing and supporting life.
Remember, bumps come in all different shapes and sizes. No bump is better or more beautiful than another, they are all unique and special in their own way.
Take this opportunity, in front of the lens, to really and truly embrace your body for these memories that you, and your baby, will cherish forever.
Related Reading: When Do You Start Showing in Pregnancy? All About Your Pregnant Belly
More pregnancy photoshoot and maternity photoshoot tips
I hope this article has provided you with more information regarding maternity photoshoots than you could ever need!
If you don’t take anything else from this article, my biggest pieces of advice are to wear something comfortable and just be yourself. Wearing comfortable clothing will make it easier for you to relax, be yourself, and ultimately enjoy the results of your photoshoot!
And at the end of the day, remember that this is supposed to be fun, so don’t put any unnecessary pressure on yourself! You are totally going to rock it, mama, and be so incredibly thankful that you have this little piece of your pregnancy to hold on to forever.
Cheers to an even better birth, mama!
Interested in learning more about other fun things you can do during your pregnancy?
Make sure you take a peek at some of my other resources below!
- Planning Your Babymoon
- 8 Fun Things to do During Pregnancy: Don’t Skip These Mama!
- Pregnancy Travel Tips: How to Make Travel Safe and Fun While Pregnant!
