When Is The Best Time To Take Maternity Photos?
When Is The Best Time To Take Maternity Photos?
Pregnancy is an extraordinary journey filled with anticipation, excitement, and a mountain of emotions. As you navigate through this beautiful journey, one way to celebrate this special time is through maternity photography. The biggest question I’m asked during every maternity consultation is: When should I take my maternity photos? Below you will find a guide to help you capture this momentous period at just the right time.
Truth be told, you have so many more important things to focus on during your pregnancy. This is why it’s important to find the right maternity photographer. Finding a photographer who’ll do more than just take maternity photos will allow you to focus on you and your little one.
What do you think you should do first? Find a photographer? Book hair and makeup? What do you wear to your maternity portrait session and will it even fit in a few months? How big is too big? Questions, questions, questions.
MY ADVICE. PLAN EARLY.
The Best Time To Do Your Maternity Photos Session? 28 -32 WEEKS!
Over the past month, I asked over 100 moms for feedback on their maternity photo session experience. In full transparency, only about 25% of the moms were my clients. The feedback I received was amazing. While the turnout was beyond my dreams, the consistency in answers shocked me.
For most expecting mothers, the best time to take maternity photos is between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. During this window, your baby bump is just right, yet you’re still relatively comfortable and mobile. This stage often provides the perfect balance between showing off your growing belly and feeling good enough to pose for the camera.
EVERY MOM stated if they could do their maternity shoot over, they would do it at 30-32 weeks. Check out some of the feedback below.
SURVEY QUESTIONS
1) Have you ever done a Maternity Shoot? 85% said Yes
2) How many weeks were you at your maternity session? Average 33. Surprisingly quite a few moms did their shoot at 9 months. One mom even went into labor during her shoot!
3) How many weeks do you WISH you were at your maternity session: 28-32 weeks.
Things to consider when booking your maternity photos!
Consider Your Personal Comfort
Every pregnancy is beautiful and unique, but your comfort should be a priority when planning your session. If you’re feeling particularly good and energetic before or after the 28 to 34-week range, that’s perfectly fine! The goal is to capture you at a time when you feel most radiant and at ease.
Factor in Seasonal and Practical Considerations
Think about the season and location for your maternity shoot. While most mothers prefer a studio for their maternity photos, outdoor nature locations are coming back in style. If you’re planning an outdoor session, consider the weather, the heat especially, and how it will impact your comfort. Early spring or late fall often provides beautiful natural light, but be prepared for changing temperatures. For indoor or studio sessions, you have more flexibility with timing and can create a cozy, personalized setting.
Plan Ahead for the Unexpected
Pregnancy can be unpredictable, and you might experience changes in your health or energy levels. Scheduling your maternity photos a few weeks before your due date allows some flexibility to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances. It’s also a good idea to have your session completed well in advance of your due date and baby shower to ensure you have plenty of time to select and share your photos.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Maternity photos are suppose to be more than just documenting one of the most important times of your life. One way to ensure you images are just as amazing as you envision, is planning your session at the right time. During your second trimester reach out to your photographer and start the planning phase. I promise you won’t regret it.