Maternity Photography Session Guide: Explore The Best Maternity Shoot Ideas
Pregnancy is a special time in your life, full of nervousness & excitement, incredible changes and giddy anticipation. Even when it seems like you are losing control over your body, it is actually doing an amazing job at growing a brand-new, tiny human who you can’t wait to meet!
One of the best ways to celebrate and honor your body during this special life event? With endearing maternity pictures that you and your family can look back on and cherish for years to come.
Maternity photography is such an endearing opportunity to showcase your adorable baby bump and capture your inner glow right before the arrival of your little munchkin! So, if you are looking for some of the best pregnancy photoshoot ideas, please keep reading.
When Is The Best Time To Schedule A Maternity Photoshoot?
Although there’s really no “right” time to start gathering maternity photoshoot ideas and plan yours, you should schedule a photography session when you are able to flaunt your adorable baby bump.
Naturally, the best time for a unique maternity shoot is the beginning or midway of your third trimester. Many maternity shoot experts suggest waiting until you’re 30 to 35 weeks along. This is when your baby bump becomes round and picture-perfect but not quite at the point of feeling overly bloated.
What To Wear For A Unique Maternity Shoot?
You can have a maternity photoshoot done in a variety of ways.
Some people like to get all fancy, get their hair and makeup done and dress up in a robe left open or tied above their bump for the occasion. Others prefer to be more comfortable and choose to wear clothes that make them feel relaxed by pulling off a cute bralette and pair it up with non-maternity jeans left unbuttoned.
Many expectant moms choose to go for an oversized men’s shirt left unbuttoned to flaunt their pregnant belly. On the other hand, others like to capture their body wearing very little at all.
So, it’s totally up to you what you decide to wear. You can choose to wear whatever you like for your maternity photos as long as your clothing doesn’t distract the image. By this, we mean avoiding bright colours, stripes, dots, plaid, logos, etc. and keeping your outfit simple yet gorgeous.
Indoors Maternity Photoshoot Ideas
Do you find yourself cozy and more relaxed from the comfort of your home? Or, are you feeling unwell nearing the end of your pregnancy and want to avoid the hassle of travelling for your maternity pictures? No matter the reason, there are tons of indoor maternity shoot ideas you can pull off without stepping out:
1. Silhouette
Silhouettes are a wonderful way to take maternity pictures while conveying emotions without showing too much. They often stand out from the crowd and strike the perfect balance between revealing and concealing.
Silhouetting helps pregnant women capture their bumps while preserving their privacy and creates a sense of mystery in the photos. So, if there’s a big enough window in your room, stand against it to go ahead & get the beautiful curves of your pregnant body captured by creating a silhouette.
2. In the Baby’s Nursery
By the time you schedule your maternity photoshoot, your nursery designing process should have been completed. So, before your bub arrives, use your nursery as a glorious location to do your in-home pregnancy photoshoot. You can either sit on the ground in front of the crib or pose with the baby’s toys or clothes for some cute photographs.
3. On the Couch
If you want to have a casual, cozy maternity photoshoot, try getting clicked on a comfy couch for capturing those emotional moments. You can pose while reading a book or with your partner, embracing your baby bump.
4. With a Prop
Props not only add a perfect dimension to your photoshoot but also bring more meaning and depth to your photos. Choose any spot in your home and pick a significant prop, such as the baby’s shoes, and get your baby bump clicked.
5. Comfort on the Bed
Before you give birth, you don’t only want to capture your baby bump but also the warmth, comfort, and rest you are taking in the last few weeks of your pregnancy. So, your bed is undoubtedly one of the best spots for photography, especially if you want to make your shots as true to reality as possible.
When clicking photos in bedroom, try diffusing the light to exude a soft look. For posing, you can sit cross-legged in the center of the bed and cup your belly with your hands, lying fully on the side.
6. Facing the Window
Who said the window is a great spot for silhouettes only? You can capture a very elegant and dramatic image near the window by facing it. Add white curtains, shoot closer to soft noon light and caress your bump for an awesome shot.
7. Milk Bath
When shooting indoors, how can you miss the bathroom? Milk bath pregnancy photoshoots have become really popular after all that love on social media. Plus, they look really chic and feminine.
Don’t worry – you don’t need gallons of milk but pour a bit of it into the water and make it look creamy by using food coloring and powders. Go ahead to add some flowers for extra interest and dimension. Don’t fill the bath tub to the brim and make sure your belly is clearly visible.
Outdoors Maternity Shoot Ideas
If you are more interested in natural lighting, fresh air and gorgeous scenery, you must consider these outdoor pregnancy photoshoot ideas to capture your maternity pics.
1. In a Park
A photoshoot set outdoors is an effortless way to get beautiful pictures without much posing or dressing up. A park offers a picturesque background with bright hues and stunning details for maternity pictures without the need for any extra elements to complete the picture.
2. In The Backyard
Why go to the park if you can capture yourself celebrating the glory of parenthood in your own backyard? Try getting clicked around sunset and experiment with different poses and props to click stunning shots. Wrapping your hands around your belly is a great pose for clicking in your backyard.
3. Bring In Some Flowers
You can also use flowers as hand props and get your baby bump captured across the street, nearby a lake or even in your backyard.
4. Sunset Maternity Shoot
What’s not to love about a maternity photo shoot at sunset with beautifully pink or dramatically red sky? Take inspiration from this pic and create something similar to cherish your bump for a lifetime.
5. Near the Seashore
Maternity photos near the seashore look really adorable and don’t really require much props or elements.
6. Hit the Street
If you live far away from a fancy location or if you’re an urban dweller wanting to embrace your city streets for your outdoor maternity photoshoot, just go to the street and click some nice photos. If you can manage to get textured backdrops like concrete and metal, trust us, your street style photographs will turn amazing.
You can click a solo photo holding your baby bump.
Another cool idea is to get your partner involved.
7. Pose Against A Graffiti Wall
Posing against graffiti wall is really popular amongst today’s youth and it’s all over Pinterest and Instagram. So, why should pregnant women not do the same?
Maternity Picture Ideas with Family
If you are a parent already, don’t forget to make your maternity photos a group event. Include your partner, parents and/or soon-to-be older siblings. Here are some amazing family maternity photoshoot ideas you are sure to love.
1. Make it a Monochromatic Affair
One of the simplest ideas to execute, wear the same colors but try to opt for muted or light shades, and simply pose with your bump.
2. The Older Sibling Near Your Baby Bump
Including your first child in your maternity shoot makes it even more special. As an idea, you can bring your older child near your baby bump and get a hearty picture clicked.
3. Baby Touching Your Pregnant Belly
Older kids are really excited to hold their little sibling. So, ask them to hold your preggo belly to capture their excitement!
4. Older Kid Kissing Your Baby Bump
Be sure to capture your older kid before the arrival of another one and for the perfect pose, you can make them kiss your growing bump.
5. Matching Bumps
This idea is really cute if you have a toddler waiting to be an “older” sibling. You can capture a sweet shot by replicating this sweet photo where a pudgy toddler belly rests on mom’s pregnant bump.
6. Heart Hands
One of the best family maternity photoshoot ideas is to show love to the little one growing inside you by making hearts with each family member’s hands.
Maternity Photoshoot with Husband or Partner
If you are looking for a unique couple maternity photo idea, there are plenty of ideas you can take inspiration from.
1. Partner Kissing Baby Bump – Silhouette
We know we’ve suggested silhouetting already but involving your partner at a scenic location like this looks even nicer.
2. Hand-In-Hand, Together
If you are looking for an easy breezy, natural pose for your pregnancy photoshoot, just walk together holding hands and rest one of your hands on your baby bump.
3. Embracing Each Other
Another natural shot to capture this remarkable moment in your life is to ask your partner to hold you close from behind.
4. Belly Kiss
Belly kisses are the most common while clicking maternity photos but you can make them unique with a gorgeous location, nice outfits and natural expressions.
5. With Confetti & Balloons
Confetti, balloons and happy, exciting smiles really make a unique couple maternity photo idea for pregnancy announcement.
6. With the Ultrasound
Why look for other props when you have the baby’s first ultrasound to spread the news?
7. Go For The Close Up
If you don’t want to take full-length photos or reveal yourself much, close-ups also make a nice choice.
8. Take Photos With Your Surrogate
If you are not pregnant yourself but there’s a surrogate involved, you can still take beautiful maternity photos. Focus on your hands entwined in your surrogate’s—and of course, that beautiful baby bump.
Summer Maternity Picture Ideas
If yours is a summer baby and you’re looking for incorporating the bright season in your photos, here are some nice ideas for you to check.
1. At the Beach
There’s just something you cannot ignore about the tranquillity of a beach sunrise or sunset, and the calming waves and rocky boulders in the background.
2. Amidst the Sunflowers
Whether you are looking for a photography idea or a baby shower theme, sunflowers are so cute to be ignored.
3. Have a Bumpy Picnic
Summers are incomplete without picnics. So, why not take advantage of it to click some nice maternity shots?
4. In the Pond
Maternity photoshoot by the river in the water is really in these days. So, are you ready to pull off one?
5. Lay on the Grass
Lay on fresh grass, kiss your partner and ask them to hold your belly.
Winter Maternity Photoshoot
Winter is the one of the nicest times of the year for any type of photography due to its holiday vibes.
1. Out in the Cold
Don’t let the cold keep you inside and get your maternity photo session done out in the snow.
2. Red Riding Hood in the Snowy Woods
If you really want a dreamy maternity photography session, you can stand in a forest and replicate the iconic photo of Red Riding Hood with a hood draped over your face.
3. Exude Some Holiday Vibes
When it’s winter season, everyone is talking about Christmas – and that gives you a nice inspiration for your pregnancy photoshoot. Stand against the best-decorated tree, wear a maternity gown, hold your baby bump and you can even use your ultrasound as a prop.
4. Out in the Streets
You can also wear a gorgeous red velvet gown to flaunt your baby bump out in the chilly winter streets.
5. Bed Belly Hold
If you’re interested in a nice winter maternity photoshoot idea but you don’t really want to go out in the chilly weather, you can use your bed as your location. Thrown in a bunch of throw blankets and pillows, dress up in warm sweaters, hold a cup of coffee, maybe, sit on the bed with your partner and pose with your preggo belly.
6. Kissing on the Park Bench
So, you want a wintry photoshoot but don’t want to go too far away? Just head out to the nearest park bench and have your significant other kiss you from behind as you lean back, making your baby bump pop even more.
Funny Maternity Photoshoot Ideas
If you want your maternity photos to be more on the humorous side, you can put a smile on everyone’s faces by taking inspiration from these photos.
1. Use a Message Board
Use a message board for a funny and lighthearted memo and click indoors or outdoors, however you like.
2. With food
Cravings being an important part of pregnancy deserve to be shown in your maternity photos, right?
3. Play with Perspective
Try getting clicked in the same pose as this – place your partner’s head atop the your body and play with perspective to create a funny shot.
4. Baby is THIS Big
Another funny way to capture your baby bump is by tracking and highlighting your baby’s development in the womb by comparing it with the corresponding fruit or vegetable.
Maternity Photoshoot Ideas with Pets
If you have pets at home, they deserve to be in your maternity photos too.
1. Your Pet Looking Towards You
Get an awe-inspiring shot captured by getting your pooch close to your baby bump.
2. Your Pet(s) Sitting With You
If you want to get clicked as a family, even this simple pose with your pets on your bed will look cherishable in the years to come.
Lastly, Take Some Candids
Remember, you don’t need to pose for all maternity photos. Candid shots are a terrific way to capture your pregnancy, whether you’re relaxing at home or sharing an unexpected chuckle with your spouse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scheduling A Maternity Photoshoot
Here are our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about capturing a pregnant belly.
At what month of pregnancy should you do a maternity shoot?
The ideal time to schedule a maternity photoshoot session is between week 30 and week 35. At this time, you are energetic enough for a photoshoot and there’s lesser risk of the baby being born way before their due date.
How do you style a maternity photoshoot?
To style your maternity photoshoot, determine the style you are more comfortable in. If you want to get on the fancier side, opt for lace dresses or lingerie and pull off the look with stunning makeup and hair. For a relaxed look, you can go for your regular jeans left unbuttoned and pair it up with a cropped top or bralette.
What is the best color to wear for maternity pictures?
You should avoid wearing bright colors with distracting patterns for your maternity photoshoot. Instead opt for neutrals like white, beige, light gray, tan, etc. or pastels like blush, faint blue, coral, and minty teal.
How much should maternity photos cost?
A simple maternity photo session conducted by your average photographer will typically cost between $200 and $500. However, this can vary depending on different scenes, the number of photos, sizes of photos, etc. On the other hand, hiring a photographer with years of experience would likely cost you more than $1000.