Maternity photography: What to expect and how to prepare

When to Book

The ideal window for maternity photography is 30–36 weeks of pregnancy — the bump is fully rounded, movement is still comfortable, and there is enough time to allow for reschedules if needed. I recommend booking when you reach 20–24 weeks, particularly for sessions in popular spring and autumn periods where dates book 6–8 weeks in advance.

If you're already beyond 36 weeks and want a session, don't hesitate to contact me — I regularly accommodate late bookings in quieter periods. Just be aware that the final weeks can be unpredictable and that flexibility about exact dates helps.

Choosing Your Location

Outdoor sessions in parks and green spaces are the most popular choice for maternity photography because the natural environment creates warm, timeless images that don't date. London's Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath are both outstanding. Cambridge's meadows and the Backs are exceptional. The Oxfordshire Cotswolds in late spring produce extraordinary maternity portraits.

Home sessions are an increasingly popular alternative — or addition. The intimacy of your own home and the natural window light create a very different kind of portrait: quieter, more personal, and often more emotionally resonant than outdoor sessions. The Full Experience package combines both.

What to Wear

Flowing, fitted dresses in neutral tones photograph best. Cream, ivory, blush, caramel, and soft grey all work well in outdoor settings. Avoid strong horizontal patterns, very bright colours, and anything you're uncomfortable moving in. I have a small client wardrobe available for hire that includes several maternity-specific gowns if you want options beyond your own wardrobe.

Partners and Siblings

Including your partner and any existing children almost always produces the most meaningful images from a maternity session. The connection between siblings and bump, the expression on a partner's face in an unguarded moment — these produce images of much greater emotional depth than bump-alone portraits. I always allow time for both individual and family moments within the Signature and Full Experience sessions.

On the Day

Sessions are paced entirely around your comfort. We walk, we pause, we find light. There are no rushing or demanding positions. If something doesn't feel right physically, we simply don't do it. My job is to make the session relaxed enough that you forget there's a camera.