When to Take Maternity Photos - A Complete Guide to Planning Your Maternity Photo Session

While pregnancy has its ups and downs, capturing these milestone moments with a professional photographer is totally worth it. It may sometimes feel like a long 9-month stretch, but in reality your pregnancy will go by in a flash. Maternity session photos are definitely ones you will cherish forever. And when your baby grows up you can pass these photos along through the generations.

I've combined my own personal experience from two pregnancies along with my photographer’s expertise to bring you solid advice that's been proven to bring out the best in a maternity photoshoot. As you plan for your first photo session, follow these simple steps to ensure the best experience and photos possible.

How Many Months Pregnant Should You Be for Your Maternity Photo Session?

Every woman's body is different and our bumps begin showing at different stages. You want a clearly defined baby bump but you don't want to push it off too much towards the end. For one thing, you may go into labor very early and miss your opportunity. Not to mention the fact that pregnant women tend to really pack on the extra pounds during the last month.

For your first pregnancy you may not have a super full baby bump until 7 months pregnant. By my second baby I had a very big baby bump at 6 months pregnant. When planning to schedule your maternity session, your sweet spot will most likely be between 7 months and 8 months pregnant.

Our Top Tips for a Successful Maternity Photoshoot

Hiring a Professional Maternity Session Photographer

My most import tip for your photo session is to invest in an experienced and talented professional photographer. If you've never hired one before, you may have initial sticker price shock at their rates but trust me, it's worth it! Make sure you thoroughly look over their portfolio and ask lots of questions before you begin working with them.

If being able to look through raw proofs is important to you, make sure you have that conversation before you book. Every photographer has a different work process and this may not be something they offer. For me, having a first look gives me a chance to select my favorites and takes the guessing work out for the photographer.

Ask your photographer if you can have both digital and printed copies of your images. Often times digital images will have watermarks which is fine as long as it doesn't disrupt the image. If you ever share on social media, make sure to properly credit the photographer.

Pinterest Inspiration for Your Maternity Photos

In preparation for your maternity session photoshoot, create a mood board with maternity photos that inspire you. If you search "maternity photos" you will see thousands of high quality results. Get a feel for the type of style that you like, this is your photo shoot and it should be tailored to your taste. Share a few of them with your photographer beforehand so they can understand the vibe you’re going for.

Where to Buy a Maternity Gown for a Photoshoot

The maternity dress you select for your photo session will really set the vibe for the photos. Most women opt for long and flowy maxi gowns that make you feel like an etherial goddess.

My top recommended online shopping websites for photoshoot maternity gowns are:

Wear Skin Tone Matching Nude Undergarments

Many maternity dresses have an element of sheerness to them, even when you don't intend for them to be sheer. Make sure you have a bra and panties that matches your skin tone and has no patterns. The camera will pick up things you wouldn't expect and the worst thing is to look at your photos afterwards and realize that your hot pink panties are showing through your dress.

Plan Out the Location and Lighting

If you are unfamiliar with the fundamentals of photography, all you need to know is that lighting is EVERYTHING. Make sure your photographer is shooting either very early in the morning or around an hour before sunset to get that perfect dewy glow. Harsh lighting is the worst thing a pregnant woman needs during maternity photos.

Regarding the location for your maternity session, it’s important that you select a place where you feel comfortable. Preferably it’s a spot where there’s not a lot of people walking around and you can have some privacy. It can be tough to take photos with strangers watching you.

Steam Out Your Maternity Dress

The smallest details can sometimes make a big difference in photos. Make sure your dress has been steamed or ironed to remove all wrinkles before the shoot. If the fabric is especially prone to wrinkles, I don't recommend wearing it on the drive over. Slip into the dress upon arrival.

Nails for Maternity Photo Session

Making sure your nails are either freshly painted or bare is also very important because you will have many close-up images of your hands holding your belly. Chipped nail polish is an unsightly distraction and can take away from the image's quality.

Prepping the Night Before with Plenty of Sleep

Make sure you drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep the night before your photo shoot. Dehydration and fatigue will show up on your face and it will make your session feel more like a drag than a fun time. Believe it or not, posing for photos for a couple hours can really tire you out. You'll need your energy to keep the momentum going!

Taking Relaxed and Candid Maternity Photos

As a blogger I've spent many hours in front of the camera but I still get a little tense and stiff at the beginning of a photo shoot. The best photos come from genuine and spontaneous moments, which means your favorite snapshots will happen when you're relaxed and having fun.

Best Side Profile Maternity Photo Poses

With a big baby bump, you want to find the most flattering angles that highlight the bump and still gives you a shape. Often times a straight on photo of a pregnant woman just makes her look boxy and bulky. Holding your belly with your hands helps to define the shape. Look through your inspiration board and find flattering poses. Practice at home in front of the mirror, seriously!