Should You Have a Maternity Photoshoot?

So I know what you are probably thinking… “I don’t have the extra money to be spending on a maternity photoshoot with a new baby on the way! I will just wait until our baby is born to take pictures then.” Or “I don’t enjoy having pictures taken of myself, especially with a huge belly!” I was in the same position. I had actually decided that I would NOT have maternity pictures taken because I HATE spending money and I already felt overwhelmed by everything else that needed to be done before baby arrived. But then I got to thinking… I want to remember these moments even if it is just with a few pictures. So, my husband and I decided to move forward with the pictures and we are so glad we decided to! Looking back on those pictures now after having our first child brings back so many memories and feelings of hope, excitement, and anxiously awaiting our precious little one. I can’t look at those pictures without smiling and I am sure you will experience the same thing. That is priceless! So keep reading below for some tips on how to manage the best maternity photoshoot WITHOUT breaking the budget. 

How to do a Maternity Photoshoot for cheap or FREE

Since we were penny pinching religiously, we decided to ask my sister to take some photos for us. Thankfully, she willingly agreed (and she did a great job!) You can always hire a professional photographer if you have the budget for it. Just look up maternity photographers in your area or search hashtags on social media related to maternity photos in your area. Do your research before you choose someone. If you are going to spend the money on it, you want to make sure you will be receiving quality photos. So make sure you check out the photographer’s portfolio before you hand over the cash. 

However, if you are like us and prefer to find the cheapest way possible to do everything, ask a family member or friend to help you out. Most likely, they will be honored. If you have a camera, great! If not, a phone camera will do just fine. Most phones these days take amazing pictures anyway and you can also edit or touch up afterward if desired! I use Adobe Lightroom for this. You can even get a week-long FREE trial for editing (just make sure you cancel the subscription before the week is up if you don’t want to be charged the monthly fee). Who knows, you may decide you love being able to edit your pictures and want to keep lightroom for all of your future self photoshoots! 

If you don’t have a friend or family member who can help, you can purchase a cheap tripod and set your own camera or phone up with a timer for some quick pics. You can even just set your camera or phone up on a nearby object instead of using a tripod. Yes, we have done this many times as well and although it is not the most ideal scenario, it gets the job done. Just make sure the object you choose is sturdy enough to hold your device! 

Either way, don’t let money be a hindrance! Trust me, you will be so glad you took the time to capture these memories. 

When should I do a Maternity Photoshoot?

One of the biggest questions is WHEN is the right time to get those bump pictures taken? You obviously want to wait until your baby bump is big enough but you also don’t want to wait too long and either be grimacing from discomfort or rushing to the hospital mid picture. So, what is the sweet spot? Typically, between 30-33 weeks is a great time to aim for. By then, your belly should be poppin’ but you shouldn’t have to worry about your little one making their appearance too soon. I had my pictures taken at week 34 (I really was not planning on having any pictures made) and it was still perfect timing for us! If you are already past this mark, go ahead and schedule those pictures now! It is not too late! 

Simple Poses for a Maternity Photoshoot

Since we did not hire a professional photographer, I turned to pinterest for some ideas for poses. I will say it took us a few tries to get remotely close to some of the poses, but we were able to get a few that we loved! Our pictures did not turn out just like the ones we saw on Pinterest, and although this bothered my perfectionist side, I was happier in the end with the pictures that better represented our own personalities and relationship, not just a copy and paste of what I found online. And remember, of course it is great to get pictures with mom, dad and baby if possible, but don’t forget to get some solo shots with just mom and baby! They are such sweet reminders of those 9 months spent together! 

A few tips for posing in your maternity photoshoot:

  1. Place your hand or hands on your bump!
  2. Have your partner place a hand or both on your bump for at least one picture. 
  3. Don’t always look directly into the camera. Try some poses where you are looking down at your belly or looking at your partner. 
  4. Take full body shots as well as close ups. 
  5. Place the camera slightly higher than the subject if possible to get the most flattering look

Below are a few poses we had fun with! 


Don’t forget to loosen up and just have fun with it!

Where should I have the Maternity Photoshoot?

The options are endless when it comes to where to take your own maternity photos. If you are using a professional photographer, they will most likely direct you on where to take the photos. However, if you are taking your own, you get to be creative with it and choose according to your personality and interests. My husband and I chose to have our photos taken outdoors since I LOVE being outside. We went to a local park that we knew would not be too crowded (I get stressed having my pictures taken if there are a lot of people around). We chose some neutral backgrounds and some backgrounds that accentuated nature a bit more. 

If you are going to take your pictures outside, it is best to find some open shade from a building or tree or to go as the sun is about to set so that the light is not too harsh. You also want to make sure you have even lighting on all of you (so no weird shadows or streaks of light on your face). Trust me, good lighting makes all the difference!

You can also take your pictures inside. A great option would be in the nursery if it is already done and ready for baby! You could even do before and after pictures here after baby arrives! Just try to get as much natural light as possible in the room before you snap the pics. So open those windows and doors! This will help with the overall lighting of the pictures and help you avoid those unpleasant yellow tones. Some of the color can be corrected in Lightroom afterwards but you want to get the best lighting in camera possible so there is less editing needed after. 

So, to find a great spot for pictures you can ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Where do I (and my partner) enjoy being?
  2. Where do I feel most comfortable?
  3. Where is accessible/near me?

What should I wear for a Maternity Photoshoot?

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I had the hardest time deciding on maternity dresses that I felt comfortable and confident in. I actually survived all 9 months without buying any maternity clothes other than the dresses. High waisted leggings and oversized sweatshirts were my best friends (and still are)! I eventually decided that I probably should not show up to my baby showers and work everyday in leggings and sweatshirts though. I ended up purchasing a dress off of Amazon (the green one pictured above), and although I was not sold on it immediately, it eventually grew on me. I also went to my local Target and purchased another maternity dress there (the form fitting blue one pictured above). One option gave me a comfortable and flowy feel and the other really accentuated the bump and was perfect for the spring season. Like I mentioned, I also used these dresses for baby showers and work so I got a lot of use out of them other than just pictures. So, don’t be afraid to give yourself a couple of options and take a few pics with each selection. You will most likely be able to use the dresses again for other purposes like I did so it is worth the money. Ultimately, whatever you feel most comfortable and confident in will give you the best results!

Other questions? Feel free to leave comments below!