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!
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!