When To Take Maternity Photos

A maternity photo session is an amazing way to document your pregnancy journey into motherhood. It captures your special moment, experiences, and where you are now. Through your maternity photos, people will see how incredible your body is and what it is capable of.

Feeling unsure about when to take Maternity Photos? The standard time-frame for taking professional maternity photos is in the third trimester of your pregnancy, between 30-35 weeks.

However, every woman’s pregnancy journey is different and there are no absolute rules against doing your photo session outside of this recommended timeline. Read on as I share with you few tips to keep in mind on choosing the right time to show off your baby bump.

When To Take Maternity Photos?

The best time to schedule your maternity picture session is in your 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. During this period, your belly will have a nice round shape during this time frame, perfect for taking photographs.

If you’re counting by weeks, schedule the photo session when you’re around 30 weeks pregnant. Your maternity photo might be uncomfortable if you take it after your eighth month of pregnancy.

You don’t want to take photos when your belly is feeling too heavy, usually after 35 weeks. If you’re looking to use your maternity photos for your custom baby shower invitations, you can take your photos as early as 28 weeks.

This will allow you to use the pictures at the very start of month eight for your baby shower. Although, usually baby showers occur during the 6th or 7th month, you can still host your baby shower a few weeks late if your maternity photos are a must-have for your invites.

When To Take Maternity Photos With Twins

If you’re expecting multiples (Twins or Triplets) you should schedule your maternity photos during your second trimester. Your belly will be well established during the second trimester since you’re carrying more than one. Having your maternity photo session this period (At 24 weeks) makes you feel comfortable and be able to move around with ease.

Maternity Photo Tips

There are few tips to keep in mind when planning out your maternity photoshoot. If you are you taking shots around Christmas or New Year’s? Or spring period? This will help you decide what sort of backdrops and decor to use for your photo.

However, unlocking that perfect maternity outfit ideas, location, decor ideas, and photo ideas to get that perfect pose, follow these simple rules to make sure your photos are timeless.

Avoid wearing large and distracting patterns.
Opt for natural light instead of using a flash.
Make sure your belly is moisturized.
Avoid messy or complicated backgrounds or backdrops.
Only take ‘Straight On’ shots if your baby bump is pronounced.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing right before your session to avoid marks on your belly.
Work with your photographer ahead of time to come up with a concept.

As an expectant mom, you want to be completely happy with your maternity photos. Although sometimes it can be a bit difficult to wait until the end of your pregnancy to capture your belly, it is best advised you stick with the suggested time frames above so your photos don’t seem off.

If you feel good during your maternity photo session, it is expected your maternity photos will be everything you dreamed about. Do not forget to pick enough of your favorite photos to send out in your baby announcements as well!

Read Also: How To Hide Pregnancy For 9 Months

Top 10 Maternity Poses You Should Take

1. Beach Beauty

The beach is a great location for basically any photo, including maternity photos. This pose is Pretty, peaceful, and romantic with dramatic colors.

2. Heart Hands

Show that little princess growing inside love with a heart sign.

3. Simple Silhouette

There’s so much beauty in the shape of a pregnant woman’s body, and the simple black and white silhouette of this photo is the height of elegance.

4. Big Sister/Big Brother Bonding

Older kids can’t wait to see their siblings arrive, so be ready to capture the excitement before any rivalry sets in!

5. Pretty Props

A cute picture of a pair of baby shoes, paired with that beautiful bump, might be the perfect picture.

6. All In The Family

How cute! Taking a perfect family maternity picture with lots of love. All those sweet kisses for that one lucky baby in there.

7. Counting Down

This is a beautiful sweet photo highlighting the ages of both big sis and baby-to-be, absolutely amazing.

8. Lil Pumpkin

Right! Your baby bump is about the size of, well, a pumpkin. So, if you happen to be pregnant in the fall, head to the pumpkin patch for a cute, sweet photo of your growing belly bump.

9. The Name Game

When you want to signal friends and family in on the name of your little one, do it with style with the help of a chalkboard sign.

10. Don’t Forget Fido

If you have a dog, you have no reason to leave out the furriest member of your family.

Situations That Could Make You Consider Taking The Picture Sooner

Below are a few situations that could make you want to consider having your maternity session outside of the 30-35 recommended time-frames.

When There Are Safety Concerns

If maternity photos are important to you, you may want to have them taken outside the recommended time-frame if you are having a high-risk pregnancy to avoid overexerting your body late in the pregnancy.

While your photographer will always be sensitive to your energy levels during the shoot, you know your body better. Monitor how you feel before the weeks leading up to your shoot. If you feel unsure and uncomfortable, like you want to push up the date, contact your photographer to see if it’s possible.

When You Have Scheduling Conflicts

Don’t allow your busy schedules to keep you from celebrating this precious moment in your life. If you won’t be available for your maternity session between 30 and 35 weeks of your pregnancy, then we suggest doing it earlier.

By trying out certain poses and angles, lighting, and clothing choices, your maternity photographer will know how to emphasize and draw focus on the belly. So even if your baby bump isn’t as big as you initially wanted it to be for the photo session, you’ll still get the results you were envisioning.

When You Love The Look Of Your Body Earlier In The Pregnancy

Some moms to be may plan their maternity session for the recommended timeframe, but because they feel they’re growing faster than expected, they may wish to change their session to an earlier date.

Every woman’s pregnancy and body is unique. If you want to laud and celebrate your pregnancy at 25 weeks, do it! There isn’t any hard and fast rule to this art and this experience. Just do what makes you happy!

Take-Home

Maternity photo sessions are all about capturing the incredible development with your body, it’s all about life and connection. So, what to take maternity photos is when you feel it is the right time when you feel good and comfortable.

However, while we say 30-36 weeks is the perfect time to take maternity photos, it may not be the best time for you. Therefore, it is all up to you to know when you want the photos taken but I do suggest scheduling the photo session earlier rather than later.

If you enjoyed this article, share it with your other entire mom to be friends! Still, need to know more? Learn When To Start Wearing Maternity Clothes

In This Article