Finding out you are expecting a child and watching your body change as your baby grows inside you is a magical experience. As your belly gets bigger so does the excitement that you feel as your due date comes closer. And pretty soon, you will be preparing to welcome your little one in to the world. You’ll be buying little clothes, setting up the nursery and packing your hospital bag. In an instant, your whole life will all be about this little person, totally consumed by the newborn bubble .
Now, wouldn’t it be nice to own the spotlight before your life makes a 360-degree turn? Well, you can do exactly that by having your maternity photos professionally taken before baby arrives. A maternity photo session is a great way to document your journey into motherhood. It can capture your story, experiences, and where you are now. Through your maternity photos, you can show how incredible your body is and what it is capable of. More importantly, these photos capture such a special moment in your life, allowing you to look back and enjoy them in the future. This is where I can help you.
I have been taking photos of soon-to-be mothers for years now and absolutely love watching them come to life, glowing, in front of my camera. I can help you choose the perfect location around Sonoma County or the Mendocino Coast.
Don’t know when to schedule your photo session? Let me help you. Here are a few tips on choosing the right time to show off your baby bump.
When Should You Take Maternity Photos?
I always say, the best time for maternity pictures is when you feel good and are still feeling comfortable. In most cases this is during your 7th or 8th month of pregnancy, between 30-36 weeks. During this time, your belly will start to be nice and round and generally will not have dropped down too far yet which makes your belly appear higher.
The start of your third trimester is the perfect time for a maternity photoshoot. If you decided to schedule your photos sooner, just consider the size of your belly and if you are happy with the size of your bump. On the other hand, if you schedule your photoshoot at the last minute or around your due date, you may find that you start to feel uncomfortable and tired. You also need to be mindful that babies sometimes make an unexpected “early” arrival. I have had past clients miss out on capturing their pregnancy due to their baby arriving a few weeks early so I find it’s always best to be prepared!
Not all Pregnancies are the Same
Generally, the 7th or 8th month works for most soon-to-be-mums. However, since every woman and pregnancy is different, this may not work for you. The best time for a maternity session still depends on you and how you are feeling. So to know if you are ready to face the camera, pay close attention to the changes in your body and your growing baby bump. Whether this be your first baby or your 10th, every pregnancy is different. You may have felt amazing at 36 weeks with your first baby but second time round you may have a totally different experience. It’s best to make the right choice for you and I suggest that when you are feeling good, that’s when you reach out to book your session.
When to book maternity photos when expecting twins or triplets
Another exception is if you are expecting twins or triplets. If this is the case with you, I suggest you schedule your maternity photoshoot earlier. If you’re left pondering about what week to get your maternity photos taken, I suggest around your second trimester or at 20-24 weeks of pregnancy. This is because your baby bump will be well established by your second trimester if you are carrying more than one baby. You will generally also still be feeling good and comfortable, and can still freely move around. Generally most multiple pregnancies will deliver earlier so you should also consider that when booking your photoshoot.
Think you are ready to schedule your maternity photo session? The head over to my contact page and send me a message! I can guarantee you an easy and fun experience where we just hang out and shoot those stunning photos you have always wanted 🙂
