Get answers to all of your questions here before you schedule your maternity photos!
If you’re expecting, maternity photos should be on your to-do list – especially if you’re a first-time mama! These are images you and your family will look back on for years to come as you remember when you became a mother. This is where the story of you and baby begins, and you’ll love sharing the memories with your child as he or she grows.
When I chat with mamas about maternity photos, there are some questions I get over and over. If this is your first pregnancy, there is so much information to take in. Between doctor appointments, nursery designing, baby showers, childbirth and infant safety classes and everything else that comes with pregnancy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed!
The good news is, having maternity photos taken to celebrate your pregnancy is one of the easiest parts of becoming a mama. I’m sharing the most common questions and answers about maternity photography so you can put your mind at ease when it comes to this one aspect of parenthood!
Q: How do I know when to schedule photos?
A: The first thing I’ll want to know is your due date. It doesn’t matter which trimester you’re in – your due date is what determines when we schedule your maternity photos.
Once I know when your baby is scheduled to arrive, I’ll pull out a calendar and count back to when you’re 28 weeks pregnant. This is usually the earliest I schedule maternity photos, unless you have health concerns that require us to schedule sooner, or if you’re carrying more than one baby.
The sweet spot for maternity pictures is typically 30-33 weeks pregnant. If this is a subsequent pregnancy and you already have at least one child, we may back it up to that 28 week point, depending on how you’re feeling and what your last pregnancy was like.
By scheduling around 30 weeks, we have plenty of time in case you get sick or something comes up and we need to reschedule.
Q: How do I know what to wear?
A: This is the fun part of planning a maternity session! I created a 72-page session guide magazine with a heavy emphasis on what to wear for everyone in your family. It includes my best advice for fabrics, colors and styles that photograph best, as well as what to avoid for your session. Every mama who works with me gets a copy!
This gorgeous session guide takes all the stress out of planning your maternity, newborn and baby photo sessions! Inside you’ll find everything you need to know for the most stunning photos: session timelines, wardrobe guidelines, how I pose couples, families and just mamas, how I work with older siblings, when to expect your photo gallery – and lots more! You won’t find a magazine like this from any other photographer in this area – and you simply can’t plan a beautiful, stress-free session without it!
I encourage mamas to wear a long dress, gown or skirt for at least a portion of their maternity session.
Long dresses are the most flattering option; they elongate your body and highlight your baby bump, on top of making it super simple to pose you in flattering ways during the session.
I have a client closet of gowns, dresses and skirts in case you want to wear something of mine instead of shopping! Most clients wear something of their own, as well as one of my options.
Typically, I recommend 2-3 outfits for maternity photos. This varies a little depending on where we are meeting for photos and if you’re bringing other kids with you. Most locations that I recommend have easy access to a restroom where you can change, or I can bring a pop up tent if needed!
When it comes to footwear, a surprising number of mamas wear heels for photos, and flip flops for walking around. As long as your shoes are photo-ready, they’ll work well for photos. If it’s warm outside, you can also go barefoot for photos!
I refer all of my clients to my favorite hair & makeup team based in Houston; they are amazingly talented and so sweet. Even better, they’ll come to you before your photos so you don’t even have to leave the house!
Q: What should I have my husband/partner wear?
A: My Celebrate Motherhood magazine has a section for dads too with tons of what to wear guidance – and lots of photos so he can see why my tips work so well!
The most important aspect of his wardrobe is that it compliments yours without being distracting. I advise dads-to-be to avoid busy patterns, large logos and bright colors for the maternity session. The focus should be on your bump and you two as a couple, so your color and style selections should coordinate well without perfectly matching.
Q: Can I include my other kids?
A: Of course! My maternity photo sessions include images of the entire family, you and your husband/partner, you with your child(ren) and just you and the baby bump.
I’ll provide plenty of advice about how to dress your older kiddos, down to footwear and accessories to add pop and visual interest to your photos.
Q: I don’t really know where I should have photos taken. Do you have any ideas?
A: Absolutely! After you book your session, I’ll send you a photo gallery filled with images from previous maternity sessions so you can see my favorite locations – and how they look in photos!
We can discuss what theme you want for the session; most moms ask for a location that features lots of green/natural backdrops. Lots of couples also want a spot with some kind of water feature.
Or, if you prefer an indoor session, we can meet at a studio I adore in The Woodlands. There are four lovely rooms to choose from, all with different colors, themes and vibes. Prefer an in-home option? That works too!
No matter what you’re dreaming of in terms of location, we can make it happen!
Q: Do you photograph nude or semi-nude maternity photos?
A: Yes! These sessions are so beautiful, and you’ll feel confident and totally comfortable showing off your perfect baby bump!
I offer nude or semi-nude maternity photos in-studio or in your home. We can shoot an entirely nude/semi-nude session, or mix it up with some clothed photos as well.
If your husband wants to join you for nude/semi-nude photos, that’s fine! He can go down to just jeans/pants for the session.
We’ll walk through what to expect/posing while you’re clothed so that you know exactly what will happen during the nude/semi-nude portion of your photo session. At no point will any of your private areas be photographed. It really is a fun experience – and the photos are always stunning!
Q: What happens if I have my baby before we can take maternity photos?
A: This is why I suggest moms get on someone’s calendar for maternity photography by your second trimester. This will give you and your photographer plenty of time to plan a beautiful session together.
If you happen to go into labor early, or health concerns arise that prevent us from moving forward with your maternity session, we’ll add the time/images from your packages to another session. If you only schedule a maternity session, we’ll transition to in-home newborn!
Sometimes mamas-to-be don’t contact me for maternity photos until late in pregnancy; if you’re 33 weeks or more along, I usually can’t accomodate your request for maternity photos because we won’t have much time to discuss locations, wardrobe, etc. Plus, I prefer to photograph mamas as early as we can to ensure you feel wonderful for your maternity photos; the end of pregnancy can be uncomfortable and make it harder for us to get the photos you’re dreaming of.
Q: What do I do with the photos after the session?
A: I have a section in my Celebrate Motherhood magazine about displaying and gifting your maternity photos!
Lots of people hang up the photos in the nursery; it’s such a personal, lovely way to tell the story of how this adventure begins. We can discuss framed prints, canvases and photo albums too.
Q: What is the scheduling process like?
A: Scheduling with me is quick and simple.
Once you decide you’re ready to book your photos, I’ll send you an email with all of your session documents attached, including a portrait agreement, studio policies, COVID-19 waiver, pre-session questionnaire and your invoice.
You can review, complete/sign and submit everything, including payment, online. For mamas who schedule two or more sessions, I offer a payment plan so that the entire fee isn’t due all at one time. You’ll get a reminder when your next installment is due!
When I have your photo session documents and first payment, I’ll send another email with a timeline so that you’ll know what to expect along the way. We’ll begin immediately looking at dates for maternity photos and discuss wardrobe and location. For newborn sessions, your due date goes on my calendar and you’ll begin getting in-depth emails about what sessions are like, how to design newborn announcements you’ll love, how to dress your newborn, and more!
I’ll also mail your Celebrate Motherhood magazine right away – it will be in your mailbox within a few days!
From there, you’ll get more details via email about how to prepare for photos and tips for a stress-free experience. We can schedule a call any time to discuss your photos, or you can email/text me when you have a question! Most mamas send links to dresses they like for feedback before they order anything for instant peace of mind.
It’s your turn to celebrate the beauty of motherhood!
I’d love to help you celebrate this huge life milestone with beautiful photos and an experience you’ll love! Just head over to my contact page and tell me when you’re due!
