From Bump to Baby: Creating a Visual Legacy of Your Pregnancy Journey

Dreaming of making pregnancy photos for yourself?

Becoming pregnant is only temporary. It feels like such a long nine months when you’re in the thick of it. But suddenly you blink and your baby is here. And if you blink again…

You miss it.

There’s no way to get those moments back.

Sure, your baby will be tiny and cute and sticky-handed for a while. But they won’t be nestled safely in your belly telling the world that they’re growing day by day.

That’s why expert maternity photography exists.

Maternity photo shoots are some of the most popular and rewarding services photographers offer. Help expecting parents preserve a major milestone that only happens once in their lives.

Ready to learn how to prepare for maternity photos?

Table of Contents

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Why investing in maternity photos is more important than ever
When to book your maternity photos session
How to find the perfect maternity photographer for you
Best ways to prepare yourself for maternity photos

Let’s dive in!

Why you should invest in maternity photos

Wait…

Let’s back up for a second.

I know birthing humans totally transforms your body. And your emotions. All of it is overwhelming and raw. And that cute baby bump signaling to the world that a new life is growing inside of you? Temporary.

Many mothers regret not taking the time to capture that special season of pregnancy in an elegant way. Building a maternity portrait gallery creates a visual memoir of how pregnancy really looked and felt. The anticipation. The connection to your baby. The glow.

72% of maternity clients reported that connection and authenticity are what they care about most nowadays over posed photos and props.

Maternity photography is about freezing real moments that tell the story of you becoming a mom. Whether that’s through snuggling your belly. Capturing the excitement in your partner’s face. Or simply rocking sweats and having a thoughtful moment alone.

Children love looking back at photos of their moms pregnant with them when they grow up. Grandmas hang them up in their living rooms and cherish them. These moments would be forgotten over time if they weren’t for maternity photos.

When to book your maternity photo shoot

Timing is everything when it comes to maternity photos.

The best time to take maternity photos is typically between 28-34 weeks pregnant. Your bump is perfectly rounded but you can still move around easily.

Here are a few reasons why this timing is ideal:

Mom is able to comfortably show off her bump
You generally have more energy the further along you are
Pregnant ladies can still pose how they’d like
There’s still time left before baby decides to arrive

Book further in advance than you think you need to. The popular photographers book up quickly. You don’t want to wait until you’re halfway through your pregnancy to find someone. You may be stuck with who has the opening.

78% of parents love including siblings and partners in their sessions. Book sooner so you can ensure everyone’s schedules align.

Keep seasonality in mind if you want to take your photos outdoors. Spring and fall will give you the best light. There’s nothing worse than trying to hide sweating during summer sessions. Winter also isn’t ideal because of chilly temperatures.

How to find the perfect maternity photographer

Maternity photographers are not created equal.

When searching for a photographer to help you capture this beautiful time in your life, there are a few things to consider. Candidly, a pretty portfolio really isn’t enough.

The best photographers know how to make their clients feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful during their session.

As you peruse photographers, take note of who:

Has experience shooting maternity sessions. When photographers shoot pregnancies regularly, it shows in their work. They know how to pose their clients to flatter pregnant bellies. They understand water levels may be low and need to accommodate more breaks. Their previous clients will have babies now because they knew what they were doing back then.

I know how to work with you. Maybe you want natural photos, or something more editorial. Maybe you need time to debate outfit choices with your partner. Maybe your son needs Momma’s undivided attention every two minutes. Your photographer should know how to adapt to your needs.

Offers hair and makeup services. Many maternity photographers offer rentable wardrobes, and will even have someone come to do hair and makeup for you prior to the session. Taking care of these details yourself can add stress. Let the pros handle it, and focus on being mama.

Ask you questions. Maternity photographers who want you to have an effortless experience will ask you tons of questions upfront. They’ll want to know what your vision is. What makes you comfortable? What you absolutely want included in your session.

Here are some red flags to avoid as you search:

Photographers that rush you during the consultation process. Those who don’t have direct answers about their process. Anyone that won’t show you recent client galleries or references. This is a huge moment for you and your family. You deserve to trust the photographer you choose to document it.

Tips for rocking your maternity photo session

There’s nothing moms hate more than hearing how to “prep” for photos.

But please trust me. Doing a few things ahead of your session will allow you to look and feel your best.

Start by drinking a ton of water in the week leading up to your session. Proper hydration will leave your skin looking dewy and baby soft.

Outfits can make or break your photos. Tighter fabrics that accentuate your bump are going to photograph better than oversized blazers that drown it. Stick to neutral, solid colors rather than busy patterns.

Need some more tips? Here you go!

Get a mani/pedi the day before or day of.
Don’t experiment with new skin products that your skin hasn’t seen before.
Bring multiple outfits to change into.
Nail down locations and time of day that you’d like to shoot.
Don’t forget to get plenty of rest the night before!

You don’t want to be exhausted during your session. Maternity sessions can take anywhere from 1-2 hours. Being well-rested will be reflected in your facial expressions and posture.

Try to think of any special props you want to include. Baby shoes, ultrasound photos, special pieces of jewelry. You get the idea. This is your time to customize your session and make it unique to you.

Try to have your partner get ready too. If you’re both wearing solids, you can play around with colors. If you’ll be shooting outdoors, you don’t want one of you wearing shorts and the other pants. Share your clipboard with each other!

Finally, arrive at your session early. Stressed-out moms do not equate cute maternity photos. Give yourself enough time to get ready and have your photographer help with touch ups before they officially start shooting.