When to Take Maternity Photos?

The best time to take your maternity photos depends on your comfort and how you’d like to feel in your photos. I’ve had mamas come in for maternity photos with a baby bump to show ranging from 20-40 weeks pregnant. It’s possible at all stages!

So, When Is the Best Time for Maternity Photos?

I do have a favorite timeframe, and that is any time between 26-32 weeks. Here’s why:

• Your belly is almost sure to be sticking out (and I’m not talking like you ate a big bagel for breakfast).
• You’re not so far along that you feel uncomfortable.
• You can still stand for a while, bend, and arch. We doooo want you to be able to pop, lock, and drop it 😛

My shorter mamas might want to plan to come in on the earlier end, while my taller queens can wait until the later timeframe.

Some mamas prefer to come in on the earlier side when their baby bump is on the smaller side, while some mamas really want their baby bump to be bumpin’, so we push back their date a tad.

Why Do I Recommend Maternity Photos Between 26-32 Weeks?

If I could be picky and choose the perfect time for a mama to come in for her maternity photos, I’d recommend any time between 26-32 weeks.

If you’re too early, you might not be able to see your sweet baby bump as clearly in poses like sitting or kneeling. If you come on the later side around 37 weeks, the chances are higher that you might not feel comfortable to do certain poses, stand for a longer period of time, and you run the risk of going into labor before your photoshoot can take place.

Of course pregnancies aren’t “one size fits all,” but after being a maternity photographer for the past 13 years, I’ve learned a thing or two about when the best time to take maternity photos is in a pregnancy.

When Should I Reach Out to Book Maternity Photos?

My calendar typically books full about 2 months in advance, but that’s not to say I might have a last-minute opening, or might book up 4 months in advance. I never truly know what my schedule will look like, so it’s always great to reach out at any time! There is no bad time to reach out in my book!

In a perfect world, I recommend reaching out as you are in your second trimester so we can look at dates, and you can snag your most ideal spot! This also gives us ample time to plan out the most perfect maternity session of your dreams.

What if I’m Already 35+ Weeks Pregnant?

Don’t stress! I’ve had plenty of mamas come in for their maternity photoshoots at 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and even 40 weeks pregnant!

There is SO much going on in your life when you’re expecting a baby, so trust me when I say that sooo many mamas put their maternity pictures on the backburner. Once they realize it’s almost their due date, they panic thinking they’ve missed their window, but I always have good news to share: unless your baby is born, it’s never too late!

We’ll take all the breaks you need, keep you cool and hydrated, and move at your pace. We might move a little slower past 35 weeks, but we can still absolutely get gorgeous maternity photos for you!

When Should Maternity Photos Be Taken Earlier?

All pregnancies are different, so no two pregnancies should be treated the same. There are so many variables to consider when scheduling your maternity photoshoot.

Some things that might interest me in scheduling a maternity session earlier than usual would be:

• high risk pregnancies
• twins/multiples
• preeclampsia
• gestational diabetes

I prefer to err on the side of caution and schedule maternity sessions a little earlier with these cases, usually between 24-30 weeks give or take depending on the situation.

When Should You Take Maternity Photos With Twins or Multiples?

More than one?! Oh, how fun!! Congrats, mama! You might want to prepare to take your maternity photos a little sooner than the typical singleton pregnancy.

With twins/multiples, you often times are showing larger sooner, and some require bedrest or early delivery. To make sure we are able to take your maternity photos before you deliver, I suggest scheduling your maternity photoshoot around 24-30 weeks depending on your doctor’s advice.

What Do Maternity Photos Look Like at Different Weeks?

Curious to see what it looks like at different stages of pregnancy? Honestly, I was too! So I’ve compiled some examples of different gestational weeks of pregnancy for you to compare!

This can help you decide when to schedule maternity photos for and what it would look like at different times. Some mamas prefer to have a tiny little delicate bump while others would rather show off their larger baby bumps! There is no right or wrong, totally up to your personal preference!

21 Weeks Pregnant

Here we see Nicole who was 21 weeks pregnant at her maternity photoshoot with me. This was the perfect time for her because this was her 4th pregnancy and her sweet baby bump was showing earlier for this pregnancy.

22 Weeks Pregnant

Expecting mama Savannah was 22 weeks for her maternity photos with me! I’m so glad she came in at this time, because it allowed her to feel sassy and pose comfortably in some fun poses that isn’t as easy weeks down the road.

23 Weeks Pregnant

23 week pregnant Hadlea showcased the sweetest darling bump that made her maternity photos feel so intimate and precious. I love capturing the earlier weeks of pregnancy, because it’s just as important of a time as the later weeks.

24 Weeks Pregnant

You can see that at 24 weeks, your baby bump can usually be seen while placing a hand underneath or wearing fitted clothing. At this gestation, you’ll still feel energized and flexible enough to do any pose you’d like to do comfortably.

25 Weeks Pregnant

25 weeks is honestly a wonderful time to schedule your maternity photoshoot if you have a tiny frame. You can see the adorable little baby bump, but your belly isn’t taking over the whole show.

26 Weeks Pregnant

Funny fact, the mama above is the same mama as this 26 week example. Sweet Diane visited me for both of her pregnancies, and we kept her right around this time frame for both photoshoots. You can see how perfect this window is for petite mamas.

27 Weeks Pregnant

Kamryn is the perfect example of how a 27 week baby bump can look. Some mamas are showing more, some aren’t showing quite as much, but I think she’s a wonderful middle-ground example of how you could expect to look at 27 weeks pregnant.

28 Weeks Pregnant

Miss Sade is the perfect example of how a 28 week belly is starting to grow and appear round. For most mamas, I suggest taking maternity photos starting at 28 weeks because it’s the perfect middle-ground.

29 Weeks Pregnant

At 29 weeks, you can see how wonderfully filled out this pregnant mama’s belly is. She is able to show off her bump while still feeling comfortable enough to do fun poses.

30 Weeks Pregnant

Lindsey was 30 weeks pregnant when she came in for her maternity photos, and it was the perfect window for her. She was still energized, was happy to sit, stand, and get on the floor all while showing off a nice round bump!

31 Weeks Pregnant

As you can see from gorgeous Mariam, 31 weeks is a wonderful time to come in for maternity photos because you are showcasing a beautiful baby bump, and you most likely still feel flexible (I’m not going to go as far as saying you still feel like a spring chicken LOL).

32 Weeks Pregnant

I’m going to stand on a ledge here and say that the most popular time to take maternity photos seems to be 32 weeks. Most mamas can guarantee that they will see a wonderfully sized belly bump at this phase without feeling too uncomfortable.

33 Weeks Pregnant

We are nearing the end of our window for flexibility, but miss Briana was up for any and all poses I put her in during her maternity photoshoot! Here you can see a great example of what a 33 week pregnant belly can look like before booking your maternity session.

34 Weeks Pregnant

Here you can see what a typical 34 week pregnant belly looks like. Whether you are tall, petite, plus size, you’re guaranteed to see your darling belly bump if you schedule your maternity pictures around this timeframe.

35 Weeks Pregnant

Rani was 35 weeks pregnant here, and she was able to walk a few miles around a park for her maternity photo session. I’m sure she slept well afterward, but she was still able to be active at 35 weeks while showing of a nice sized belly bump.

36 Weeks Pregnant

I included this photo of Nikki at 36 weeks pregnant because I wanted to show how bump sizes can vary between pregnancies. This mama was 36 weeks, but dare I say she looks smaller to me than some of these mamas at earlier weeks? It’s helpful to see that no two pregnancies are alike!

37 Weeks Pregnant

We may have entered the stage where I consider comfort to be a long distant friend, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get incredible maternity photos! You can see Alycea here at 37 weeks showing off her bumpin’ belly while keeping her cozy and relaxed.

38 Weeks Pregnant

I mean no offense at all when I say this, but at 38 weeks pregnant, you can almost expect to feel large and in charge during your maternity photoshoot. It is absolutely possible to capture wonderful photos at this stage, but you might need to rest a bit more throughout the session.

39 Weeks Pregnant

I just HAD to show this example of a 39 week pregnant mama because many people assume it’s impossible to take maternity photos at this stage of a pregnancy. I’m here to prove that rumor wrong, and show how it indeed can be done! I like to say…”When there’s a will, there’s a way.”