When Is the Best Time to Take Maternity Photos?
One of the first questions I hear from expecting moms is, “When should I schedule my maternity photos?”
For most pregnancies, I recommend having your maternity session between 27 and 32 weeks.
That tends to be the sweet spot: your belly is beautifully defined, but you're usually still comfortable enough to move, pose, change looks, and actually enjoy the experience.
But there's a little more to it than simply picking a week on the calendar.
Why 27–32 Weeks Is Usually the Sweet Spot
By around 27 weeks, most moms have the beautiful, round belly we want to showcase in maternity portraits.
At the same time, you're not quite at the very end of pregnancy, when swelling, fatigue, discomfort, and the general feeling of okay, I am DONE being pregnant can start setting in.
And because my sessions involve more than standing in one spot and smiling at the camera, comfort matters.
We'll create different looks, change wardrobe, adjust lighting and sets, and I'll guide you through your posing from head to toe. You absolutely do not need to know how to pose — that's my job — but I do want you to be comfortable enough to move with me.
For most women, 27–32 weeks gives us the best balance.
Every Pregnancy Is Different
That 27–32 week recommendation isn't a hard rule. If you're expecting twins or multiples, for example, we may want to photograph you earlier. The same can be true if your doctor expects an earlier delivery or you know you'll be more comfortable scheduling sooner.
And if you're already past 32 weeks and suddenly thinking, Wait... did I miss my chance?
No.
Please don't decide that on your own and give up on having maternity portraits. Reach out. Depending on your pregnancy and my availability, we may still have plenty of time to create something beautiful.
Don't Wait Until 27 Weeks to Book Your Session
This is probably the biggest misunderstanding about maternity-session timing.
27–32 weeks is when I recommend being photographed — not when I recommend starting to look for a photographer.
If you know you want maternity portraits, start planning earlier.
Booking ahead gives us more flexibility with your session date, and for my full-service maternity clients, the experience begins well before portrait day.
We'll plan the direction of your session, talk about the kind of images you're drawn to, choose wardrobe and styling, and create something that actually feels like you.
You're not showing up and choosing a dress from a rack five minutes before we start.
There's intention behind it.
What If I Have No Idea What to Wear?
Good.
Seriously. You don't need to have that figured out before you contact me.
One of my favorite parts of the process is styling my clients.
My Carrollton studio has a wardrobe and accessories available for maternity sessions, and we can create everything from something very simple and timeless to a much more dramatic, editorial look.
You also don't have to arrive knowing what will photograph well on your body.
That's part of what I'm here for.
We'll look at what you love, what you're comfortable showing, the overall feeling you want from your portraits, and build your looks from there.
What If I've Never Done a Photoshoot Before?
Most of my clients haven't.
You don't need to know your angles. You don't need to practice poses. And you definitely don't need to spend the week before your session studying Pinterest trying to figure out what to do with your hands.
I guide you through everything.
Where to put your feet. Where to put your hands. How to position your body. Where to look. What to do with your chin.
The tiny adjustments are my job.
Your job is to show up.
When Should I Actually Contact a Maternity Photographer?
Earlier than you probably think.
If maternity portraits are important to you, I recommend reaching out during your second trimester rather than waiting until you're ready to be photographed.
That doesn't mean we'll photograph you immediately. It simply gives us time to reserve the right date and plan everything without rushing.
Then when you reach that beautiful 27–32 week window, we're ready.
Planning Your Dallas Maternity Photoshoot
My maternity studio is located in Carrollton, Texas, and I photograph expecting moms from throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
My full-service maternity experience is designed so you don't have to figure all of this out yourself. Professional hair and makeup, personalized styling, access to my studio wardrobe, multiple looks, fully guided posing, and professional retouching are all part of the experience.
Because maternity photography shouldn't feel like another thing you have to organize before the baby arrives.
You just need to show up.
I'll take care of the rest.
If you're expecting and wondering when we should create your maternity portraits, 27–32 weeks is our goal — but let's start planning before then.
