Maternity Photoshoot Ideas & Photography Packages
A maternity photoshoot is allllll about YOU. You get to decide what makes you feel most beautiful and most comfortable. Whether you’re going for extravagant underwater photography or boho photos in a field at golden hour, you get to pick the theme and style of this gorgeous goddess moment. Work with a local photographer to get the professional maternity photography you’ve always dreamed of. Get creative, have fun, and enjoy this time together before your new addition arrives.
When to Do Your Maternity Photoshoot?
Really, you can do your photos anytime! If you’re feeling good and want to capture your pregnancy when you really feel like you are “glowing,” then go for it! These memories are all about you and your growing family.
Between 28 and 36 weeks
Most pregnant ladies choose to do their shoot during this time because the belly has a nice round shape and they still feel comfortable enough to do the shoot. 30 Weeks is the most recommended before the belly tilts downward. If you are expecting more than one baby, take photos earlier, around 28 weeks, to capture a nice silhouette.
Combine Baby Announcement & Maternity Photography
If you want to combine everything into one photoshoot, announce your pregnancy with a professional photoshoot involving maternity photography props or signs to announce your new addition! After you get all the announcement shots, you can continue the shoot to capture some early pregnancy maternity photos. This is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy, and a photoshoot capturing all the emotions is a great way to remember the moment by.
Keep an Eye on the Bump
Every pregnancy is different, so watch how your body develops and make your photoshoot decision accordingly. Most photographers will reschedule if you aren’t feeling great the day before shoot day, they understand!
Gender Reveal Photoshoot Ideas
Gender reveal photos are so popular right now, why not take some awesome photos of you and your partner discovering the gender together – capturing all the raw emotions and excitement in that split second moment. You can find tons of gender reveal maternity photoshoot ideas online – from smoke bombs, to cake smashes, to popping balloons, or even fireworks. After the big reveal, you both can enjoy an intimate maternity photoshoot together. Once you receive your gender reveal photos, you can share your big news on social media or send your friends and family beautiful postcards.
Maternity Photoshoot Outfit Ideas
Choose flattering pieces for your photos that you feel good in!
Flowy Dresses
Dresses that are feminine and wispy, always photograph wonderfully. You want your dress to still cling to your body a little bit. Otherwise, you will hide the belly too much, and you want to look obviously pregnant in your photos.
Second Outfit
Bring a second outfit to create a different style. Don’t be afraid to choose a more fitted piece that shows off the bump.
Steer Clear of Dark Colors
Dresses that are of lighter shades – dusty blue, pink, champagne, white – will show your belly more and look very feminine. On the other hand, darker colors like navy or black will hide the bump. You can also go for bold bright colors! We’ve seen red, yellow, purple, and turquoise.
Show as Much (or as Little) as You Want
A skilled maternity photographer will work with you to understand your level of comfort. One of the popular trends in maternity photography involves flowing fabrics that tastefully cover parts of your body while revealing the rest.
Empire Waistlines
These classic cuts will create a nice silhouette for your pregnancy. This staple and trusted choice will also hide other parts of your body that changed in a way you might not want to showcase.
Bodycon
A modern option is the bodycon dress. You’ll want to take photos in a bodycon when you feel good about your body and want to embrace all the changes. Shoot for around 30 weeks to take maternity photos in a bodycon dress. Since it is a shape that clings to your body, you can go with any color you like!
Peek-a-boo Outfits
Isn’t showing off your belly kind of the point? Maxi dresses that part in front or tops that can be pulled up will make it easy to flash a bit of belly skin. A button-down shirt can also be left open on the bottom half for some photos of the baby bump, then buttoned up for other shots.
How to Find a Maternity Photographer
If you are on the fence thinking about maternity photoshoot ideas, you’re not alone. Pregnancy is uncomfortable – the swollen feet, mood swings, stretch marks, and growing belly – we know that you might not feel like you look your best. However, we’re here to tell you that pregnancy is beautiful, and once you see your photos you will see what everyone else sees – a glowing mom to be.
Pregnancy is Beautiful
Think about it – you have created a human being who is growing and being nourished inside of you. The extra pounds and unpredictable hormones are proof of the miracle growing inside. Even though 40 weeks may feel like forever, it won’t be long before your little one is here, so you will be glad that you were able to document this special and beautiful time in your lives.
It’s a Way to Celebrate
During the maternity photoshoot your photographer will capture some intimate moments between you, your partner, and your belly. You’ll be able to pretend the photographer is not even there so that you and your partner can enjoy the excitement and anticipation of meeting your baby. A skilled maternity photographer will want to capture real emotions while giving you a little bit of guidance so that the photos evoke everything unique about you and your pregnancy.
Believe It or Not, You’re Going to Miss the Bump!
One day you’ll be able to create a photo album of all your maternity photos, birth photos, and newborn photos. It’s a great way to bundle the year together and capture the glory of motherhood. Later on, a few years later, you’ll be able to show your grown children their first year of life.
How to Pose For Your Maternity Photoshoot
Many maternity photo poses focus on the belly. While these poses are great, it doesn’t mean you can’t get some great photos from the waist up too.
Don’t Focus on the Belly… At First
Your first shots during the shoot should be focused on YOU and your family or partner together. Start with some natural candid portraits to kick off the shoot with nice easy-going energy. There will be plenty of time for belly shots, so the best way to begin a shoot with some candid, more natural movements that aren’t so pregnancy focused.
Shoulders
Make sure you keep your shoulders back throughout your photos, you’ll appear taller and evoke confidence.
Dance!
Dip, spin, twirl – either alone or with your partner – and capture every smile and intimate glance. Don’t be afraid to be silly and have fun with your dance moves! If you are wearing a flowy dress, twirl, and sway to create movement and fun in the photo.
Calm Stillness
Just hold hands, hold each other, pray, and be still for a moment. Your photographer can capture details like your hands and faces and the overall intimate stillness of the moment.
Belly Love
There are plenty of poses to focus on the belly. Cradle your belly while your partner stands behind you, offering gentle hugs and kisses. Make a heart shape with your fingers over your belly.
Take a Walk
Walking adds a natural candid look to your photos. Walk ahead of your partner and hold hands, looking back at them. Walk hand in hand toward the camera, looking toward and away from another. Walk alone toward the camera, smiling and laughing.
Maternity Photoshoot Props
Booking a photoshoot in Cartagena for a bachelorette party is the best way to make sure everyone is in the shot, and you will have a bunch of frames to pick from to make sure you all look gorgeous.
Ideas for the Announcement
If you are doing your maternity photo session in conjunction with your baby announcement or gender reveal, maternity photoshoot props are a fun way to announce the big news!
Some of our favorites props for baby announcements ideas are:
- Custom onesie with cute printed text
- Chalkboard
- Little shoes
- Your ultrasound photo
- Balloons
Gender Reveal Photoshoot Props
There are tons of fun gender reveal ideas! The best pregnancy photoshoot props for taking photos of your big gender reveal moment are:
- Silly String
- Balloons filled with confetti
- Smoke bombs
- Sparklers
- Fireworks
- Confetti Bombs
Classic Maternity Photography Props
For the traditional and classic maternity photoshoot, it is usually best to keep it simple, and focus on how beautiful you are! Go for an elaborate dress that you can interact with during your shoot, it will help keep your hands busy. If you want to incorporate professional pregnancy photoshoot props, some of our favorites are:
- Flower crowns
- Baby shoes
- A memento from when you were a baby
- Toy blocks spelling the baby’s name
Ideas for Maternity Photoshoot Locations
You can do your photoshoot practically anywhere! Whether you are at home in pajamas or going on a babymoon in the Bahamas, your maternity photography should be one hundred percent your style.
If you are considering a babymoon, the most popular places are beach destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, The Bahamas, and Cancun. All-inclusive hotel options are a good choice so that you can simply arrive and relax. While on a babymoon, you can hire a photographer in your destination to capture amazing maternity photos too!
Maternity Photography Packages
Yes, we’ve done many many maternity photoshoots! Our photographers are familiar with all the best spots and poses for glowing maternity photos.
What is included?
The pricing includes photoshoot planning and time with your photographer, photo editing, and an online gallery. You’ll get a private online gallery of all the photos from the photoshoot, and the bride can choose her favorites to download. We recommend letting her do the final selection – it is her party after all! There is also the option to purchase all the photos at a nominal fee. The online gallery can be shared with everyone in your group.
How long is photo turnaround?
Most photos are ready within a week!
Can I purchase prints?
A print of the favorite group photo is an awesome gift for the bride or party favor for the group. We partner with professional labs all across the country and provide top-notch quality at a price that compares to Shutterfly or Walgreens.
