When Should I Book a Maternity Session?

Regina Chose to Book a Maternity Session with Us That Reflected Her Unique Style and Vision

A Maternity Session is one of my favorite types of sessions to book! I know not all women have the same experience, but for me personally, I adored being pregnant. Celebrating this motherhood journey with my clients, whether it is their first baby or their fifth, is so special to me! I am a big believer that pregnancy is something to celebrate, and pregnant mamas deserve to be pampered along the way. A maternity session is a wonderful way to do both.

So what does booking a maternity session look like? Let me answer a few of those questions while sharing one of my most recent maternity sessions.

When Should I Book a Maternity Session?

In my experience, the best time to book a maternity session is between 30 and 36 weeks. By waiting until your 3rd trimester (around 7-8 months), you can be sure your belly will be nice and round. That is not to say you can’t go closer to your due, but there are a few drawbacks. Most women tend to get more uncomfortable the closer they get to their due date and the closer to the due date, the closer you risk going into labor before having your session.

Of course there are always exceptions. If you are carrying twins or other multiples, it is best to move your session to earlier in your pregnancy, typically between 24-30 weeks. You may also have personal reasons for wanting to move your session sooner. If you are wanting to travel for your session, have other medical reasons, or just have a specific idea in mind, you can always discuss it with your photographer and choose the timing that works best.

Create a Vision for Your Session

Just like any professional photo shoot, you will want to talk with your photographer and create a vision for your session. This will affect everything from the location to your clothing choice. Most people have a level of expectation of what their photos will look like, so be sure to communicate that with your photographer and anyone else involved in the session. Ask yourself what you envision for this session. Will it be just you or the whole family? Do you want soft, feminine portraits? A fun, whimsical experience? An edgier, boudoir session? Are you wanting multiple looks or outfit changes?

Regina’s session is featured in this post and she had a very specific vision for her session. She wanted studio portraits with crisp, classic lighting. Bold colors that enhanced her beautiful skin tone were also an important part of the session design. She also wanted a location that was comfortable and easy to access. For her wardrobe, she wanted a more editorial look. We rented a couple of gowns from Lady May’s Frocks and Frills for her session. She brought her own props and accessories to match her wardrobe.

Location and Wardrobe

Once you determine the vision you have for your session, you can choose the other important elements. Location is probably the most important choice (after choosing your photographer.) Regina’s photos have their own unique vibe because she chose a more industrial studio space versus an outdoor location. We offer portraits both outdoor, in studio, and travel for specific locations.

After choosing your location, you can choose your look. You can dress up or be more editorial, or be more casual. Whatever you choose, comfort is very important. If you have something you are dying to wear, but is not very comfortable, bring a second outfit you can change into. If you aren’t sure, flowy dresses are a classic maternity session look, but don’t feel like you have to be limited to only that. I always recommend professional hair and makeup. You deserve to be pampered during this season of your life and this is a great opportunity for just that. You will feel more relaxed, confident, and prepared for your session.

What do I bring?

After booking your session based on how far along you are and have decided your location and look, you can then decide if you want to bring anything (or anyone) along with you. You are more than welcome to have this session be all about you, especially if your shoot is more of a boudoir session. If you choose to bring along your partner or other children, make them aware they may not be in every photograph. For very small children, it is more than okay to bring along things to make them feel more comfortable and keep them busy in between shots. Regina wanted a few shots with her young son and while her husband came with her, we only included his hands in a few close up shots.

You may also choose to bring along certain props such as an ultrasound photo, baby shoes or clothing, or any other elements you want to include in your shoot. These are always welcome and we love to incorporate any unique elements that are important to our clients.

A few must-haves we always suggest: Your wardrobe, any accessories that you will wear, comfortable clothes and shoes to change into when the session is done, water and snacks, and a small fan.

What do I do with my photos after?

Maternity photos can be very private and intimate for the mother. Not everyone wants to share these images online, and that is okay. Some clients want to share their whole gallery – that is okay, too! What nobody wants is to create these beautiful images and have them just sit on a hard drive somewhere and never be enjoyed. So what do we suggest? Here are a few ideas: