There is nothing more beautiful than creating and growing life. Pregnancy is by no means an easy task, and is certainly worth remembering. Let’s capture the memories of you and your little one before they are Earth side.

How pregnant should I be for a maternity photo session?

I recommend booking your session for when the pregnancy is about 32-35 weeks along for a couple of reasons- sometimes babies love to make an early entrance and that’s ok! Let’s get ahead of it before they beat us in this race. I want you to be comfortable with your pregnancy and feel like your best self. I’ve had clients retain a lot of water weight toward the end of their pregnancies to where they weren’t happy with the amount of swelling in their faces and ended up unhappy with the way they looked.
Maternity sessions typically focus on hands more than other sessions since you’ll be touching your belly, so I recommend treating yourself to a manicure, or just simply spending a little bit more time on your fingernails (and your partner’s). If you or any of your family members plan on getting a haircut or hair dye, try to do it about a week or more before your session to give yourself the time to get used to it, for it to grow out just a little, and to let that dye settle in. 

Props for a maternity session. 

Things to include in your session- props like a pair of shoes, a specialized onesie, a baby book, a toy or stuffed animal (think of something that you can take “before & after” photos- AHHHH HOW CUTE) ultrasound images, signs with a name or an announcement, a flower crown for yourself, a bouquet of dried or fresh flowers. This is not at all a requirement, this is extra and something fun if you have it, but NO STRESS if you don’t (:

Who should be included in the maternity session?

Your other children and pets are ALWAYS WELCOME and encouraged- we love complete family maternity sessions- things to take into consideration when bringing small children is working around their schedule such as nap times and dinner times, and making sure we pick a dog-friendly location which is a simple thing to do so long as we know in advance! Kids may need a little brush or hairspray to fix any last-minute hair fixes, and sometimes some babywipes if they’re eating snacks on the way to the session or have boogs in their nose that appeared. 

Maternity Session Wardrobe Recommendations.

We will discuss your personalized wardrobe specifically for your session- BUT, just to get the juices flowing, here are some ideas!

The most-loved and picked option is a flowing dress that will do a couple of things- first, compliment your belly beautifully, second, flow and create movement- so important, it’ll be comfy and you’ll feel great moving around in it. 

Styling jeans

If you want to show that belly off- wear a cute bra (probably all black, or all white) that won’t distract from your belly. Have an open cardigan, shawl or sweater to drape off of your shoulders. 

• A long-sleeve shirt that buttons up to allow your belly to peek through is cute in between! 
• A flowy skirt and a large sweater is also such a cozy fun option if that’s your style! 

• Overalls may be a fun option with a cute top beneath them!
  

Styling your family members- think of styling the family like styling the centerpiece on a table- you’re the main element and they should be complimentary to you! If you have more than just your partner accompanying you to your photoshoot, I recommend wearing similar colors, or coming up with a color scheme without everyone else wearing the exact same top or dress. Wear the same colors, but perhaps different textures, or shades! 

Shoes 

We love a sandal, something comfy and easy to walk around in that will also go with your outfit. Or, if you are set on a pair of shoes that aren’t necessarily easy to get around in, just bring an extra pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk in, and we will swap them out for the stylish ones once we’re set in place. 

When it comes to the day of your session, we will make the most of it by maximizing our time. I will gladly direct you through your poses during the shoot. I may move you around some depending on the lighting, background, and how much our location has to offer, but my goal is for you to leave feeling beautiful, happy and full of life. The last thing I want you to do is drain you of your energy and make you exhausted.