Booking your maternity photoshoot is an exciting step, not just because it means you’re getting closer to meeting your baby, but because you’re choosing to pause. To honour this season. To document a time that you’ll want to remember.
Now that the date is in the diary, let’s walk through how to prepare in a way that keeps everything calm, simple, and enjoyable.
1. Choosing the Right Outfit for Your Maternity Photoshoot
Your outfit isn’t just about how it looks in a photo – it’s about how it makes you feel. You deserve to feel comfortable, confident, and like yourself.
Soft fabrics that move naturally tend to photograph beautifully, especially in flowing dresses or fitted knits that highlight your bump. Neutrals always work – think creams, beiges, soft browns – but don’t be afraid to bring a pop of colour if that feels more like you.
One of my favourite go-to looks? Unbuttoned jeans paired with a loose button-up shirt left open at the front. It’s effortlessly beautiful, flattering, and has a quiet intimacy that works so well in photos. I also love a Bimby and Roy set – soft, feminine, and perfect for relaxed, natural portraits in the studio.
Layers like long cardigans, light linen robes or oversized shirts add movement and texture, and help you feel more grounded and at ease during the session.
And if you’re not quite sure what direction to take, I’ve got you. I’ll help you choose pieces that reflect your style and work with the light, setting, and mood we’re creating together.
2. Timing is Everything: When to Book Your Maternity Photoshoot
The sweet spot for maternity sessions is usually between 28 and 32 weeks. Around this time, you have a gorgeous belly, and you’re likely still feeling mobile and comfortable enough to move, sit, and pose without too much effort.
But if you’re reading this a little closer to your due date, don’t worry. I’ve photographed plenty of glowing mums just weeks before baby arrived. The most important thing is that you feel ready.
Whether we’re documenting your first pregnancy or your fourth, this is your moment to slow down and be present with your baby before the world gets busy again.
3. Not feeling your best? You’re not alone.
Let’s be honest, pregnancy is beautiful, yes, but it can also feel hard. Your body is changing rapidly, your clothes don’t fit quite right, and you might be feeling more bloated than glowing.
You’re not the only one thinking, “What if I don’t like how I look in the photos?”
Can I let you in on a little secret? One day, you’ll look back on this version of you and think, “What was I so worried about? I was bloody gorgeous.”
I know this because I’ve been there. And I hear the same thing from so many mums I photograph. What you’re feeling is valid, but it doesn’t have to stop you from showing up.
This is a vulnerable time, and I’ll be there to guide you gently through every moment. Together, we’ll create portraits that feel like you, that make you feel beautiful, and that you’ll look back on with love for the rest of your life.
4. Prepare Your Partner and Children for the Shoot
Wanting to include your partner and children in your maternity session? What better way to honour the beginning of your baby’s story than by including the whole family?
These images won’t just reflect your growing belly – they’ll capture the love, excitement, and connection already surrounding your little one.
For your partner: have them wear something comfortable and neutral that complements your outfit, without feeling too matchy. Think cohesive, not coordinated.
For little ones: let them know ahead of time what to expect, keep their outfits comfy, and if they need a cuddle mid-session, we take a break. Some of my favourite photos come from the candid, in-between moments – the way your toddler tucks into your side, or how your partner rests a quiet hand on your belly without thinking.
The way you love your family is unique, and that’s what I’ll be capturing.
5. Relax, Have Fun, and Enjoy the Moment
This isn’t about forced smiles or perfect poses – it’s about capturing something honest. Something tender. Something you’ll look back on in years to come and feel everything all over again.
I’ll guide you gently through the entire session so you’re never left wondering what to do with your hands or how to stand. My goal is to help you feel calm, present, and genuinely connected to your baby, your partner, your kids… and to yourself.
Because this isn’t just a photoshoot. It’s a way to remember how this chapter felt.
Let’s Capture These Beautiful Moments Together
Preparing for your maternity photoshoot doesn’t have to be complicated. A little thought, a favourite outfit, and a willingness to slow down are really all you need. I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way – from what to wear, to where we shoot, right through to choosing how you’d love to preserve your images after the session.
If you’re ready to document this incredible season with timeless, heartfelt images, I’d love to hear from you.