Tips on Preparing for Your Maternity Photo Session

Tips on Preparing for Your Maternity Photo Session

Bringing a baby into the world is a wonderful life event that should be captured. It’s a time you are going to want to remember and share with your little one once they are a bit older. If you are thinking about or have recently booked a maternity photo session then the below tips on preparing for your maternity photo session should come in handy!

1. When to schedule your session

Schedule your session when you hit your second trimester. It’s best to have your session between 29 and 34 weeks or so, as your tummy should have popped and have a beautiful shape. By booking your maternity session during this time you are also past the discomfort and bloating that happens earlier in the pregnancy.

2. Moisturize

We know how important it is to moisturize those knees, elbows and belly but we recommend you do so 1 – 2 hours before the session to avoid any shininess or sticky clothes. You should also avoid wearing any tight fitting watches or bracelets that might leave marks on your skin.

3. Get a manicure

Treat yourself to a neutral or light colored manicure 1 – 2 days prior to your maternity session so that you can take some beautiful shots with your hands on your tummy.

4. Props

Props for a maternity session are not necessary, but if you already have some cute baby items such as shoes, hats, toys, blankets or onesies, bring them along as they can make for adorable props. The same applies to family heirlooms. If you have a special locket or photo that you would like to use, bring it along too.

More and more moms are using their ultrasound photos in their photo sessions. If you aren’t too sure whether you want to use it or not, bring it to the shoot anyway and decide on the day.

5. What to wear

I can help with this one! SWP has a client closet that has been curated with expecting and new moms in mind. Come on down to the studio a couple weeks before your session and try on some dresses. If you decide to find something on your own, that’s fine too!

Take the time to pick the right outfit for the maternity shoot. You should of course be comfortable but make sure that your clothing doesn’t detract from your tummy’s shape and your natural glow. Avoid large, bold patterns or clothing that is too loose. Empire waists, drawstrings, flowing tops and wrap dresses are perfect for enhancing your shape.

Here is an entire blog post dedicated to what to wear for your maternity session. You can also check out this Pinterest board for some inspiration.

Once you hit your second trimester, contact the SWP studio and we can have you come on down for a consultation. Here we will discuss the options for your session – do you want an outdoor or in studio session, what do you want to wear, what do you want to do with your portraits, etc.

We will go over all the details and pricing so you can get exactly what you want from your session! The consultation is one of our most important meetings, so I never skip out on this.

I hope these tips on preparing for your maternity photo session helped you! If you want more tips on your maternity session, leave a comment or message me. I’d be happy to share more!