How to Prepare for a Maternity Photoshoot: 7 Tips for Beautiful Pregnancy Portraits
Simple styling can create some of the strongest maternity portraits. Jeans and minimal wardrobe keep the focus on the shape of the baby bump, while careful studio lighting highlights the curves and details of pregnancy. This type of maternity portrait offers a timeless alternative to traditional maternity gowns.
Planning maternity photos can bring up more questions than you might expect. When should you schedule your session? What should you wear? Do you need a maternity gown? Should your partner be included? What about hair and makeup?
A little planning can make your maternity photography experience much easier. If you're still at the beginning of planning your session, start with my Los Angeles maternity photography guide.
As a maternity photographer serving Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena and surrounding areas, I help expecting mothers plan their portraits before they ever step in front of the camera. You do not need modeling experience or a detailed vision for your session. These seven maternity photography tips will help you decide what matters to you and prepare for portraits that feel like you.
1. Schedule Your Maternity Photos at the Right Time
One of the most common questions expecting mothers ask is, “When should I take maternity photos?”
For most pregnancies, approximately 28 to 34 weeks is an ideal time for maternity photography.
By this point, your baby bump is usually well defined, but you may still feel comfortable enough to move between poses and enjoy being photographed.
Every pregnancy is different, however. Mothers expecting multiples or anticipating an earlier delivery may want to schedule their maternity photos sooner.
It is also helpful to book your photographer before you reach the ideal photography window. Reserving your session in advance gives you time to plan clothing, styling and the overall look of your portraits.
Already past 34 weeks? It may not be too late. If you are comfortable and your photographer has availability, beautiful maternity portraits can still be created later in pregnancy.
2. Decide What Style of Maternity Photos You Love
Before your session, think about how you want your maternity portraits to feel.
Do you prefer:
Simple and timeless studio portraits?
Light and romantic maternity photos?
Dramatic studio lighting?
Flowing maternity gowns?
Fitted clothing that emphasizes your baby bump?
Classic black-and-white portraits?
Bare-belly maternity photos?
Portraits with your partner or children?
Pinterest and other maternity photography galleries can be helpful for identifying what catches your attention, but you do not need to recreate someone else's photographs.
Instead, look for patterns.
You may discover that you consistently prefer simple backgrounds, darker colors, flowing fabrics or photographs with very little styling.
Those preferences are much more useful to your photographer than trying to duplicate one specific image.
3. Plan What to Wear for Your Maternity Photos
What you wear can dramatically change the appearance of your maternity portraits.
A fitted maternity dress emphasizes the shape of your baby bump. Flowing gowns and fabrics can create movement and a softer appearance. Simple clothing can produce understated portraits that keep the attention on you.
And you do not have to wear a traditional maternity gown.
Depending on the style you want, maternity portraits can be created with:
Maternity gowns
Fitted dresses
Flowing fabrics
Simple neutral clothing
Jeans and a simple top
Bodysuits or other fitted pieces
Clothing from your own wardrobe
Some maternity photographers, including my studio, maintain a collection of maternity gowns and wardrobe pieces for clients to use.
That means you may not need to purchase an expensive dress specifically for one photography session.
During your planning consultation, we can discuss which clothing choices will work best with the lighting, backgrounds and overall style of portraits you want to create.
4. Think About Hair and Makeup Before Your Session
There is no requirement that maternity photography has to be glamorous.
Some women want professional hair and makeup and enjoy making the session a complete portrait experience. Others want to look much closer to how they normally look.
Both approaches can photograph beautifully.
The important thing is that you recognize yourself in your finished portraits.
If you plan to make significant changes to your hair, eyebrows, skin treatments or other aspects of your appearance, avoid experimenting immediately before your session. Give yourself enough time so that an unexpected result does not become another thing to worry about.
Makeup for photography can be slightly more defined than everyday makeup while still looking natural.
The goal is not to transform you into someone else. It is to create a polished version of yourself that works well with professional lighting.
5. Decide Who You Want in Your Maternity Photos
Your maternity session does not have to include only Mom.
Partners and children can also be included.
Photographs with your partner document the anticipation you share before your baby's arrival. These can include traditional portraits as well as quieter images focused on connection, hands on your baby bump, and the relationship between you.
If you already have children, including them creates another important record: what your family looked like immediately before the new baby arrived.
Children do not need to participate in the entire maternity session. We can create family and sibling images and then concentrate on portraits of Mom alone.
When planning clothing for multiple family members, aim for coordination rather than identical outfits. Simple colors and clothing without large logos or distracting patterns generally keep attention on the people in the photograph.
6. Don't Worry About Knowing How to Pose
Many expecting mothers worry about this more than anything else.
You do not need to know how to pose for maternity photos.
Maternity posing is part of the photographer's job.
Small adjustments in your shoulders, hips, hands, chin and feet can completely change the appearance of a photograph. Lighting and camera angle also affect how your body is represented.
During a professional maternity photography session, you should receive direction throughout the process.
You should not be standing in front of the camera wondering what to do with your hands.
This is also why maternity photographs you see online should be treated as inspiration rather than poses you need to practice at home. A pose that works beautifully for one woman's body, clothing and stage of pregnancy may not be the best choice for another.
Your photographer should adapt the posing to you.
7. Consider Maternity and Newborn Photos Together
If you are planning maternity portraits, this is also a good time to think about newborn photography.
Newborn sessions are often reserved during pregnancy because the traditional window for sleepy newborn portraits occurs shortly after birth.
Planning both sessions before your baby arrives also creates continuity between your maternity and newborn photographs.
Your maternity portraits document the anticipation.
Your newborn portraits document the person you were waiting to meet.
You can coordinate colors, artwork and overall styling between the two sessions if you want the photographs to eventually appear together in an album or in your home.
What Should I Bring to My Maternity Photoshoot?
What you need to bring depends on how your session has been planned.
Your photographer should discuss this with you beforehand, but you may want to bring:
Any personal clothing selected for the session
Appropriate undergarments for your chosen outfits
Strapless or nude undergarments if needed
Comfortable shoes for between setups
Jewelry or meaningful accessories you want photographed
Touch-up makeup
Water
Clothing for your partner or children if they are participating
If your photographer provides maternity gowns or wardrobe pieces, confirm what will already be available so you do not bring unnecessary items.
Studio or Outdoor Maternity Photos?
Both can create beautiful maternity portraits, but they provide very different experiences.
Studio maternity photography offers privacy, controlled lighting, easy wardrobe changes and freedom from weather. Lighting can range from soft and natural-looking to dramatic and sculptural.
Outdoor maternity photography incorporates the environment into the portrait and can be beautiful when the location has meaning to you.
Los Angeles-area outdoor photography can also involve practical considerations such as weather, walking distance, parking, privacy and photography permit requirements at some locations.
When choosing between studio and outdoor maternity photography, consider more than which photograph looks impressive online.
Think about which experience and finished portraits are most appropriate for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for Maternity Photos
When is the best time for maternity photos?
For most expecting mothers, approximately 28 to 34 weeks is an ideal time. Your baby bump is usually well defined while you may still be comfortable enough for posing and wardrobe changes.
Is 35 weeks too late for maternity pictures?
Not necessarily. Many women can still comfortably have maternity portraits created after 34 weeks. Your comfort, pregnancy and photographer's availability are more important than reaching a particular cutoff date.
Do I need to buy a maternity gown?
No. Maternity photos can be created with fitted dresses, flowing fabrics, simple clothing and other wardrobe choices. Some maternity photographers also provide gowns for clients.
Should my partner be in my maternity photos?
That is entirely your choice. Including your partner can document this stage of parenthood together, while portraits of Mom alone focus specifically on pregnancy and the relationship developing between mother and baby.
Can my children be included in maternity pictures?
Yes. Including older children can document your family before the new baby's arrival. Children can participate in part of the session without needing to be present for every portrait.
Do I need to practice maternity poses?
No. Your photographer should guide your posing, hands, posture and expression throughout the session.
Should I get professional hair and makeup for maternity photos?
Professional hair and makeup are optional. Some mothers enjoy a more polished or glamorous look, while others prefer a natural appearance. Choose the approach that best represents how you want to remember yourself during pregnancy.
Continue Planning Your Maternity Portraits
When Is The Best Time For Maternity Portraits?
Read about best practices for the best maternity portrait experience.
Maternity Photography in Los Angeles, Glendale & Pasadena
Learn about studio maternity sessions, wardrobe options, posing guidance and planning your maternity portraits.
When Should I Schedule Newborn Photos?
If you are planning newborn photography too, learn why reserving your baby's first portraits during pregnancy can make scheduling easier after birth.
What Should Parents Wear for Newborn Photos?
Start planning ahead for family portraits during your baby's newborn session.
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