Planning your session
When is the best time to take maternity photos?
For most pregnancies I recommend photographing at approximately 28 to 32 weeks. At that stage the belly is usually beautifully defined while most women still feel comfortable changing outfits and moving between several poses.
Both halves of that sentence matter. Earlier and the shape is not yet unmistakable; later and the session becomes harder work than it needs to be.
Why not earlier
Earlier than that window the belly often photographs as a soft curve rather than a clear shape, particularly in a first pregnancy. The portraits are still lovely, but they read as portraits of a woman rather than portraits of a pregnancy.
Why not much later
Later than the window most women tire faster, and a session involves standing, changing, and holding positions. Nothing about it is unsafe — it simply costs you more energy for the same gallery.
If you are already past the window, book anyway and say so. The session is planned differently: fewer changes, more seated and supported poses, more breaks.
Reserve earlier than you need to
You do not need to wait until you reach 28 weeks to contact the studio. Reserving earlier gives you a better chance of a preferred date inside your own window, which is a narrow one — four weeks, on a calendar that is also being filled by other people's four weeks.
A $399 deposit reserves your date, and the balance is due on the day of the photoshoot.
Special cases
- Twins: plan earlier than the usual window, because the shape arrives sooner and comfort changes faster. Tell the studio when you enquire and your date is chosen around your pregnancy rather than a general rule.
- A pregnancy your doctor is monitoring closely: book earlier in the window rather than later.
- You want newborn photographs as well: mention it when you book so both sessions can be planned together.
- You are already past the window: still worth doing, with a session planned around sitting and resting.
Weekdays are worth asking about
Booking Monday through Friday adds two extra edited images at no additional cost, with code WEEKDAY2. If your window allows a weekday, it is the easiest thing you will do all pregnancy for two more finished portraits.
Frequently asked questions
For most pregnancies, at approximately 28 to 32 weeks. The belly is defined by then and most women are still comfortable moving between poses.
Earlier than your window. Reserving ahead gives you a better choice of dates inside those four weeks.
No. The session is planned differently, with fewer changes and more seated poses, but it is still worth doing.
Usually earlier than the standard window, because the shape arrives sooner and comfort changes faster. Mention it when you enquire so the date is chosen around your pregnancy.
A $399 deposit. The remaining balance is due on the day of the photoshoot.