When, Where, and How Much of Maternity Pictures
There are a million questions that pop in your mind when you hear the words maternity pictures.
Pregnancy is such a special time in your life. If you are a new mother, you are just learning what it means to parent another human being and put someone else before yourself (boy is it hard!)
In this article, I am going to take you through the what, when, and how much of maternity pictures and answer all your burning questions. If you don’t see your question answered in this article, leave it below for the millenni-mom community to help.
The very first question a pregnant mom wants to know is…
What week is best for maternity photos?
Maternity photos are usually taken in the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy (3rd trimester) or between 32-35 weeks of your pregnancy when your belly has filled out and you are almost ready for delivery! It can be taken any time of year depending on where you live and when you are giving birth.
If you have a complicated pregnancy, multiples pregnancy, or are at high risk of delivering early you may want to go ahead and take pictures between 6 and 7 months.
If you don’t wait long enough your stomach may not have a round shape and if you wait too long your stomach may be too heavy or you may just not be in the mood to take great pictures.
You can also consider documenting your pregnancy for each trimester. Take pictures in the first second and third trimester and display them as a tri fold so family and friends can see your progression into motherhood.
Something to think about for deciding when you should do your photo shoot is how safe do you feel moving around a photo location or studio?
How comfortable do you feel showing your body to the world. The time that you feel best in your skin is when you will make beautiful photos.
You should also keep in mind if you would like to show off your pictures at your baby shower. Ask the photographer how soon you will get the pictures back and plan your shoot around the date of your baby shower or vice versa.
There is no best season to take maternity pictures. Every mom is pregnant at different times and all of the seasons can be very memorable and special to take photos.
Where is the best place to take maternity pictures?
When deciding where to take your pictures think about places that are dear to you and or your spouse. You even have the option of a combination of locations depending on your package or who is doing your pictures.
Maybe it’s the place he proposed. Maybe it’s at the beach when you first told him you were pregnant. Maybe you are the outdoorsy type who wants to be in the mountains.
If you like the opportunity to do anything with multiple backdrops, maybe you’ll fancy a studio for your shoot. The sky is the limit.
I was able to do a few frames in the studio where we were able to play with textures, filters, and backdrops and then we went to the park where we did a few outside shots in nature. I really enjoyed being able to do both an inside and outside photo shoot.
Here is the best month to take pictures as well as locations based on the season.
Deciding where to take your photos can be just as exhausting as when to take them. You can take maternity photos literally anywhere!
| Season | Best Month | Best Location | Best Props | Best Pose |
| Winter | December | In the snow with a forest or mountain back drop | Christmas bells
Baby booties |
Playing in the snow |
| Spring | March | In a field of flowers | Flowers or flower crown | Running through a field holding partners hand |
| Summer | June | Beach in the sand | Sea shells, writing in the sand | Laying in the sand |
| Fall | October | By a river or waterfall | Ultrasound, pumpkin | Sitting |
Winter: Winter can make for gorgeous pictures. Since winter includes major holidays, this would be a good time to include Thanksgiving and Christmas locations, such as a Christmas tree farm.
You may also want to go to places you would go as a kid maybe to a Christmas light exhibit or park with great Christmas decorations. If you live in a place where it is likely to snow. Wait for a snowy day with fresh powder and find a location for a winter wonderland.
If you don’t want to go the holiday route other options include: In the forest. In the mountains. In the park. At the house.
Spring: Spring is a wonderful time of year when all living things come back to life. Take advantage of this moment by bringing in a natural backdrop. This may involve a field of flowers to remind you to stop and smell the roses. Maybe outside of a cute flower shop in the city.
You could possibly have a big oak tree in your yard or your grandma’s yard (she won’t mind). Find a beautiful river or bridge to stand on. The weather is starting to change and feel more comfortable so feel free to try something different for your maternity pictures.
Summer: Time to let loose and let your tummy hang out! You can take some really cute pictures in the summer. Do you love the water? Take pictures walking down the beach in your bikini. Don’t be shy to show off your baby bump. Make a splash in the water at your local YMCA or personal oasis.
My husband and I went on a baby moon in Costa Rica before I gave birth and I always regret not taking professional maternity pictures while we were there. The more tropical, the better! Just be careful if you live in a climate that is very humid.
You do not want to be outdoors for too long so consider doing most of your pictures inside.
Fall: Fall is my favorite time of the year. It is not too hot or too cold. I like to call it Goldilocks weather. This is the perfect time to take pictures at your local pumpkin patch! May mothers take pictures comparing their stomach to a pumpkin.
You can also decorate a pumpkin with the due date of the baby and take pictures with you and the father holding it.
Maybe you want pictures on a hay ride at your local fall festival. Try to switch it up, most photographers are very flexible and love the opportunity to be creative.
By now you may be thinking.
Why should I even do a maternity photo shoot? Can I do my own maternity photo shoot?
A maternity photo shoot is merely a means to document your pregnancy and have memories to show your child and family when they are older. You can definitely do your own photo shoot. Technology is so vast the camera in your pants pocket can do wonders! Or you can get a more professional camera, like this one.
Take your time to research poses and get a friend or family member to take the pictures for you. This is an inexpensive way to still get the memories and you can easily print out larger photos at your local store or online at places like Shutterfly.
How much does a maternity photo shoot cost?
A photo session can cost anywhere from $79 from places like JC Penney Photo Studio to $600 for a professional private photographer. Not including the sitting fee or session fee.
This fee is the additional fee usually charged per person for the use of the studio, equipment, or packaging of the session.
Make sure you understand all of the cost and fees associated with your shoot. Many times things like multiple locations or multiple outfit changes can cause extra fees to be added on. Also the more people or props involved, the more expensive.
Eplain your budget to the photographer before you get there and let them explain what you can expect before you waste your time and energy on something you can’t afford or are not willing to pay for.
When, where, and how much you have to dish out is half the battle for the perfect maternity shoot.
Where are you thinking of taking your maternity pictures Leave it in the comments below.
