MATERNITY ~ NEWBORN

Editorial & Fine Art Photography

When is the Absolutely Perfect Time to Take Maternity Photos?

One of the first things my clients ask is when they should take their maternity photos. The simple answer is 32-36 weeks. It’s important to remember though, that it takes time to plan your session. Also, because the window is only a month, you’ll want to book sooner rather than later. Read below to learn more about when to book and when to have your maternity session.

Why between 32 and 36 weeks?

At this point, your bump is prominent. So in maternity photographs, it will be clear you're pregnant. This is also before you reach full term. You want to avoid a maternity session at full term for a couple of reasons:

You will be uncomfortable in those last few weeks
You can go into labor at any point after reaching full term. And once that baby comes, the opportunity for maternity photos is gone.

Both of the above points are important. The look of discomfort does come through in photographs. And maternity poses can be a bit tricky when your center of gravity is off. We also want to make sure that we're not doing anything to induce early labor. Maternity sessions involve a lot of movement, which can move things along if you're close.

Pregnant with Multiples

Another factor to consider is how many babies are in that belly. When you're expecting multiples, of course, the time frame needs to adjust. It means that your bump will be more prominent earlier and you’ll be less comfortable earlier as well. Typically we can move things up a month or so. But it really does depend upon your pregnancy and if we’re talking about twins or triplets.

High-risk Pregnancies

Not every pregnancy is smooth sailing. A high-risk pregnancy can affect your timing. You may need to schedule the session earlier. Or it may just put limitations on the location of the maternity session. Speak with your medical provider first to determine the best course of action. Based on what they recommend, you might need to adjust your schedule. Or you may not. It is all very individual.

When booking your maternity photographer, I recommend bringing up any medical-related concerns. It is helpful for us to know, so we can keep the session as safe as possible.

When is the best time to Book Your Maternity Photographer?

You should book sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the less likely your first-choice photographer will be available. Maternity photography is not as flexible as family photography. If you need to postpone a family photo shoot to later, it usually isn't that big of a deal. You don't have that luxury with maternity photo sessions. For pregnancy photos, you want to make sure you're taking the pictures at the best time for your pregnancy.

You should book your maternity photographer no later than your second trimester. This means that you’ll still have your choice of photographers and session times and dates.

Maternity and Newborn Sessions

If you want to book a newborn session with the same photographer, bring it up as soon as possible. Newborn sessions, due to their need for flexibility, can be even more difficult to book with a photographer. For example, I take half as many newborn sessions as I do maternity sessions because the flexibility a newborn session requires means I can’t book as many.

Important Reasons - Why Should I Take Maternity Photos?

Reason #1: Future Bonding with Your Unborn Child

How many times have you asked your mom/dad/parents about when they were pregnant with you? I will bet that, it’s definitely been a topic of discussion at least once in your life. And it’s probably become even more of a discussion now that you’re pregnant. And why have you asked these things? Because it’s about you, right? It’s a part of your life story that you can only hear from someone else.

When I was pregnant, I asked my mom a lot more about her pregnancy. I wanted to now know the nitty gritty. How did the pregnancy go? Did this weird thing happen in her pregnancy too? And you know what? Maternity photos weren’t a thing then. But aren't stories so much better with pictures?

Stories are how we connect. And we connect even more over stories in which we're invested. And who isn't invested in their own lives? Your unborn child will want to know about the parts of their lives they can't remember. Photos give you an opportunity to flesh out the details. They make your stories more colorful. And they give you both something to hold and share with snuggles. So, while you still can, invest in those future moments. Get the photos that your child will want to snuggle with you to see. Get the photos that your adult child will want to look at as they start parenthood. Invest in those future memories and moments.

Reason #2: Preserve a Testament to Your Motherly Love

A true testament to the love you have for your child is what you are willing to do for them. What you did for them in order to birth them. What you do for them every day to give them the happiest and most fulfilling life possible. What you give up in your life just to make their lives a little easier.

I do feel that a big part of motherhood is sacrifice and being willing to give up everything for our children. Our bodies change for them dramatically to give them life. We risk our lives to give birth for them. And we devote our lives to their happiness.

These sacrifices as moms are a testament to our love for them. And pregnancy is one of the few physical manifestations of those sacrifices. It is one of the few times we can show a picture and say, "see little girl, I love you so much my body made a home for you."

Reason #3: Pregnancy is a Milestone and Worth Celebrating

I’m going to try and get through this section without getting too dark. I think you and I both know that tomorrow is never guaranteed for us or for any of our loved ones. So, it’s important to cherish these days no differently than you would any other day of your child’s life.

But let’s quickly get to the positive side of this. Pregnancy is a huge milestone in your life and a huge milestone in your child’s life. Like your baby’s first steps, this milestone deserves to be celebrated too. It’s their first nine months on this earth. Nine months isn’t anything to scoff at.

Reason #4: Maternity Photos Preserve How Strong and Beautiful You Are

You are beautiful. Your pregnancy is beautiful. And you deserve to be reminded of that.

Life and parenthood are hard. They take their toll. So it’s often forgotten just how amazing you are as a mom.

Reason #5: Representation of Pregnancy Matters

Did you know that prior to Lucille Ball being pregnant in her show, I Love Lucy, pregnant women weren’t shown on TV? The word, "pregnant," couldn’t even be uttered on TV. She fought for it, and because she was Lucille Ball, she got her way. But progress is slow. Pregnant women weren’t allowed near elementary schools for much of the 20th century. Their mere presence was thought to be too scandalous for young children to see. Pregnant women, until recently, were hidden away.

It's a very normal and natural state for a woman to be in. Yet we still don't see pregnant women much, do we? Tell me the last time you saw a pregnant woman in a commercial. Or how often do you see pregnant women on the cover of magazines? It was still a shock when Demi Moore posed pregnant for the cover of Vanity Fair in 1991. And, even after being on the cover, maternity photography still took decades to catch on.

Pregnancy and childbirth are one of the single most transformative experiences for a woman. Yet, how many women are ashamed of the weight they gain? The way their bodies change when they are pregnant? What do they go through to bring a baby into the world?

So take this opportunity and represent. Show our younger generations that the pregnant body is not something to be ashamed of. Show it off! Celebrate it! Cherish it!

I don’t think that pregnant bodies just need to be brought into the light from the shadows. They need to be honored and appreciated for what they are. A sign of strength! We as women are strong, because we’re pregnant. We’re strong because we can do the hardest thing ever, grow and bring forth a human being and be a mother.

Bonus: Pregnancy is a Rite of Passage

Some women feel like pregnant women the second they get a positive pregnancy test. Some don’t feel that way until they start to tell people they are pregnant or until they start to show. Some women feel like moms with that same positive pregnancy test. Some don’t feel like moms until seeing the baby on the ultrasound screen. Or until they are holding their baby in their arms.

Regardless of when those moments happen for you, it’s important to remember that there are two transitions going on here. There are two different identities you will pass through in this journey. And just like every other rite of passage, these deserve to be honored, celebrated, and cherished.