Everything You Need to Know About Your Maternity Session
Pregnancy is one of life’s most beautiful and fleeting seasons.
It can feel like the days are long and the weeks are endless, yet somehow, before you know it, your tiny baby is in your arms and your beautiful baby bump is only a memory. A maternity session is about celebrating this incredible journey and preserving the anticipation, excitement, and love that surrounds your growing family.
If you’re wondering how to prepare, I’ve gathered some of my favorite tips to help you feel relaxed, confident, and absolutely radiant.
When Should I Schedule My Maternity Photos?
Timing is everything.
The ideal time for maternity photos is generally between 30 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, which typically falls at the end of your second trimester or the beginning of your third trimester.
By this stage, your beautiful baby bump is usually nice and round, but you’re often still feeling comfortable enough to move around and enjoy your session.
I don’t recommend waiting until the very end of pregnancy. Babies have a wonderful habit of making their own schedules, and sometimes they decide to arrive early. Additionally, many moms experience increased swelling and discomfort during the final weeks of pregnancy.
Scheduling your session a little earlier allows us to capture this season while you’re still feeling your best.
What Should I Wear?
The most important rule?
Wear something that makes you feel beautiful.
Maternity sessions are the perfect excuse to embrace a little extra elegance. Some of my favorite looks include:
- Long, flowing maxi dresses
- Dresses with soft trains
- Form-fitting gowns that beautifully showcase your bump
- Flowy skirts paired with simple tops
I recommend keeping patterns to a minimum and choosing timeless pieces with simple details. Soft fabrics and elegant silhouettes help create images that feel classic and effortlessly beautiful.
Some of my favorite places to shop for maternity dresses include:
- Baltic Born
- Lulus
- PinkBlush
- A Pea in the Pod
- Hatch
- Joyfolie
- Shein
No matter what you choose, confidence is always the most beautiful thing you can wear.
How Should I Dress My Family?
Planning outfits for a maternity session is very similar to planning for a family session.
The key is to coordinate, not match.
Choose a color palette and weave it throughout everyone’s outfits rather than putting everyone in the exact same color.
I love soft, neutral tones such as:
- Cream
- White
- Beige
- Soft gray
- Khaki
- Muted pastels
- Earth tones
Keeping patterns simple allows the focus to remain on your connection and your growing family.
When it comes to dads and little boys, simplicity works beautifully. Khaki pants paired with a white, gray, or navy shirt and brown shoes create a timeless look that photographs wonderfully.
And one small tip—if possible, skip the tennis shoes. A simple dress shoe or sandal tends to create a more polished and cohesive look.
How Do I Pose for Maternity Photos?
This is one of the questions I hear most often, and the answer is simple:
You don’t have to worry about it.
I will guide you every step of the way.
But if you’d like a little secret beforehand, remember these two things:
Hold your belly.
Bend the knee closest to the camera.
That’s it.
You can gently cradle your bump with both hands underneath, or place one hand on top and one hand underneath. Both options beautifully highlight your baby bump and create natural, flattering poses.
The rest? Leave it to me.
What Happens During the Session?
You’ll receive a wonderful variety of images throughout your session.
We’ll capture:
- Individual portraits of you and your bump
- Sweet moments with your spouse or partner
- Family photographs if you already have children
- Natural interactions and candid moments
My goal is never to create stiff or overly posed images.
Instead, I encourage you to relax, laugh, hold hands, cuddle your little ones, and simply enjoy being together.
Because while we’re documenting your pregnancy, we’re also capturing something even bigger—the love and anticipation of the family that’s waiting to meet someone very special.
Most Importantly… Enjoy This Season
Pregnancy is beautiful, emotional, exciting, and sometimes exhausting all at once.
You are growing an entire human being, and that alone is remarkable.
Take a moment to slow down and celebrate it.
One day, your little one will look at these photographs and see the place they were loved long before they ever arrived. And years from now, you’ll be grateful you paused long enough to remember exactly what it felt like to carry them beneath your heart.
