How and When to Start Planning Maternity Sessions
As with any major new life chapter, there’s a million things to plan (including photos), and maternity is no different.
Hi, I’m Sydney Rose Portraits, your Greenville SC photographer capturing quiet, honest moments at any time in your life, and today I’m going to tell you everything you need to know so you can plan the best maternity session for you! No heavy lifting required, you’re already growing a whole nother person.
First steps and things to consider
Consider your own limitations when planning and choosing a photographer. Every mom-to-be is different, and going to have different energy levels depending on what trimester they’re in and if this is their first pregnancy or not.
As I always say, photoshoots can be what you need and what you make them. If you’re lacking time and energy, consider a low maintenance studio session where you won’t have to move around much. If you’ve always wanted something a little more creative and *dramatic*, make sure you evaluate how you feel fulfilling that vision as your pregnancy progresses. What type of shoot you want is going to go into determining the best photographer for you, what location you want to utilize (which could also mean travel), and if you’re going to need to buy an outfit or props for the shoot.
When looking at photographers, look into how they work with their clients and look for past reviews. You don’t need added stress or anxiety about your session when you’re in the third trimester.
Look for photographers (like me!) who offer intimate maternity photography focused on connection.Ask if they have experience doing maternity sessions, and listen to how they’ve handled them.
One of my favorite maternity shoots was with my friend at a local studio. She and her partner met my fiancée and I there, and we had an amazing session focused on them and on her as a first-time mom.
At the end of the session, we planned to grab some dinner together before heading home. She and I, of course, did a bathroom stop on our way out of the studio, and the boys went to the cars. While we were in the bathroom, A looked at me at the sinks and said, “I don’t think we can go to dinner anymore.” Having never been pregnant, it took a second of confusion before it dawned on me that she was going into labor.
She smiled and said that she had felt a little water towards the end of the session. Quickly and calmly, we went into labor mode and called the doctor, because they weren’t supposed to be born for another 2-3 weeks! The doctor said to come on in, so her partner drove her straight to the hospital. My fiancée and I went over to their house, let the dog out, and delivered their go bags.
About 6 hours later, they had their little guy safe and sound, and we had a whole new story to add to their maternity chapter!
So, you assume something will not go exactly as planned, and you build around that, just like a wedding day! This looks like: padding time so no one feels rushed, having backup locations in case of weather or lighting changes, building flexibility into posing depending on how you’re feeling that day, and checking in constantly instead of pushing through discomfort. Pregnancy is unpredictable. Good sessions aren’t about controlling everything, they’re about adjusting well and making it look good!
Planning your maternity shoot
You don’t need to feel perfect to book the session. No one ever feels 100% like themselves during pregnancy, and that’s okay. The photos are about presence, not perfection, and they’re going to be a visual reminder of this incredible chapter in your life. When the baby comes, someday you’ll be able to show them these photos, and that’s the most important part.
Simple is better. Clean pieces in neutral tones will age better than trendy or overly styled outfits, and we don’t want to draw too much attention away from you and your bump! Flowy robes, a cute pair of unbuttoned jeans, or even a tighter-fitting dress (if you don’t want to show skin) are all great outfit options that will be easy, effortless, and stand the test of time. We can always do a pop of color for the gender if you’d like, or introduce cute props like a little pair of shoes or ultrasound photos.
It’s also important to book and plan early — earlier than you think you need to. The best photographers (and the best light, locations, and seasons) book out weeks or months in advance.
I typically recommend scheduling maternity sessions between 28–32 weeks for the most comfortable experience and a beautifully defined bump.
Most women are still relatively comfortable moving and standing at this stage of the pregnancy since they’re usually past the early pregnancy fatigue and before the final stretch of discomfort and the “get this thing out of me” stage.
If the due date is over the summer and you’re planning an outdoor session, I might suggest aiming a week or two earlier because of the potential for heat and we want you feeling your best! We could also consider a morning session or studio for cooler temperatures if you will be farther along in the summer.
Reminders for during your maternity shoot
Comfort is the priority.If you don’t feel comfortable with ANYTHING during the session, or even when planning, please communicate! I won’t make you wear a showy outfit if that’s not who you are. I won’t make you do a pose that is super uncomfortable with where you are in pregnancy right now.
Your body is changing and you have a whole different center of gravity and mass right now, so not every pose and thing will work for every parent. Your energy matters more than your outfit and the vibes. If you feel rushed, uncomfortable, or self-conscious, it shows. If you feel supported and taken care of, that shows too, and that’s what we will make happen.
This session will be different, and that’s ok! I will pose you much differently during this session than I could for a usual couples or portraits session. We’ll use natural things like walls, partners, or seated positions to reduce strain while keeping movements slow and intentional. We will do all of the standing poses at once and then all of the seated poses so we aren’t getting up and down the whole time as well. Lots of small shifts: turning the body slightly, soft hand placement, relaxed posture. Nothing extreme, nothing performative. Love in real light, and real connection over posing.
