When is the best time for maternity portraits

Like many Momma's are you feeling unsure about when to take Maternity Photos?

You want to look your best, which can sometimes feel like NEVER when you are making another human, but you also want to look bigger in the area that counts, the belly! So what is that sweet spot? Big belly, but normal everything else?

28-32 weeks is ideal and here is why!

CONGRATULATIONS YOU'RE PREGNANT!

This news can bring a mix of emotions, as well as a mix of hormones! Watching your body change as your little one grows is a magical experience, not everyone is lucky enough to have. Your belly is a literal clock, as it grows you get closer and closer to meeting your baby. Once the baby is here, you have a lifetime of new memories, suddenly your world is consumed by someone YOU MADE, and the memories of being pregnant slip farther and farther away.

making a human is a superhero quality, and you deserve to be treated as such!

It's your turn to own the spotlight, life is close to changing forever, so you want to make sure you get your maternity photos professionally taken while you can! The journey into motherhood is short and amazing, a maternity portrait session is the perfect way to document such a wonderful experience. It's amazing what you are capable of and your maternity photos will show off your special moments! You deserve to have stunning portraits to look back at and remember the time you were Super Woman!

This is where I come in! Maternity Photography is my jam! In my business I photograph the entire journey of making a family, from weddings, to maternity, to newborn, and I have so many families that come to me year after year to update their family portraits as their family grows and changes, but if I was forced to pick a favorite, I think I'd have to say Maternity photography! I am a mother as well as a professional photographer, I know first hand what you are going through, and if this is your first pregnancy, I have some in-site that you may not, you're gonna miss this time. When you come to me for maternity photos, I'm your full services, "Queen for an Hour" coordinator. This session is too important to not get perfectly right!

When Should You Take Maternity Photos?

The best time for YOU is when you still feel good, and comfortable! Thats where the 28-32 weeks comes in. You want to be showing off a nice and round belly, but you don't want to push yourself too much towards the end of your pregnancy, once the little one "drops down", it will make you less comfortable, and you don't want that to show in your photos.

If you choose to do your session earlier, make sure you are happy with the size of your belly bump. Or if you want to wait a little longer, you may not only feel more tired and uncomfortable, and if you wait until the last minute, you may miss your window! Babies come in their own time, and 40 weeks isn't set in stone! I have had clients miss out on capturing their pregnancy due to their little one arriving a few weeks early, so it's always best to be prepared!

Not all Pregnancies are the Same

This timeframe may work for most soon-to-be-mommas. However, this may not work for you since every woman and pregnancy is different. There are factors you must consider, and it will all depend on how your pregnancy is going and how you feel. Once you decide you want maternity photos taken, start paying attention to your body's changes and how you think about them. It doesn't matter if this is your first or 10th pregnancy; every pregnancy experience will be different. I had an amazing 32 weeks with my first pregnancy, then got smacked in the face with hypertension and delivered at 35 weeks. My session was scheduled for a Sunday. I woke up feeling swollen and tired but decided not to cancel. My Monday morning check-up turned into a "head over to labor and delivery for monitoring," My daughter was born just after midnight on Tuesday. You should always reach out early and get on the schedule around that sweet spot; we can always move it around a little if needed.

Suppose you are expecting multiples. It's safest to schedule your maternity photos a bit earlier. In that case, the middle of the second trimester towards the third trimester, 22-28 weeks, is an average timing window that has worked for my past clients. Your belly bump at this time will be comparable to the 28-32 week belly of a momma carrying a single. And the hope is you will still feel good and comfortable and not struggle to move around.

Final thoughts

The intention of a maternity portrait session is to capture the incredible changes your body goes through, and to show the life and connection growing inside you. The best time to take your photos somewhat depends on you, and may not be ideal for you, but a generally safe window is between 28-32 weeks. If you are not comfortable making the decision, you can always reach out, and I can advise based on how you're feeling and how your pregnancy has progressed so far, but earlier than later is what I can generally recommend!

If you are ready to schedule your maternity portrait session, you can check out your session options here! I promise an easy and fun experience, we'll hang out and get some really awesome photos. I have a huge client closet that is also available to you, making your outfits as easy as possible! I can also suggest outdoor locations, or can come to you to set up a studio at your home.

I will help you feel like the Queen/Superhero that you are!

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