The big question… “When should I do maternity photos?” is asked all the time! I’m here to help answer and maybe guide you as to when may be right for you.

As you may have guessed, it’s not a one answer type of question. There are many factors that go into choosing the best time for you. What may be the best time for you, may not be the best time for your best friend, cousin, or co-worker. 

So, let’s break it down a little and see what may be your best time frame for your maternity session.

Is this your first pregnancy? Not always, but the more pregnancies we have had, the sooner we can go into labor. You want to make sure you’re able to have your maternity pictures taken and not miss out because you went into labor. Obviously, this isn’t always avoidable, but something to consider.

Are you having a healthy pregnancy? If all things are going great and healthy with you and the baby, you can generally go a little later into pregnancy. Again, you don’t want to miss out having your maternity photos taken, but you also don’t want to put yours and/or baby’s health at risk.

How big do you want your bump to be in your photos? Some people want it to be nice and full, others prefer while it’s still pretty small and growing. This is all personal preference, pregnancy is such a beautiful thing and they will be gorgeous regardless of when you do them! 

To sum it all up, these are all questions I will ask you when we talk dates for your session. I typically recommend 28-34 weeks (large range, I know! But, remember, lots of factors to consider.). The biggest factors are to make sure to keep you and baby comfortable at all times, make sure you stay well hydrated (I will have water for you!), and to do this when you feel you are ready. You know your body best and you need to listen to it.