When Should I Have Maternity Photos Taken?

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog post looking for the optimum time to have maternity photos taken - you’re most likely expecting! So first, I’d love to say a HUGE congratulations to you! ❤️

Maternity photos are a type of photo session I’ve taken on throughout the years on occasion. As a wedding photographer, some of my couples have inquired a years (or months) after their wedding date to ask me to photograph the next season of their lives… which I am always SO honored by!

Maternity photos are special for a variety of reasons. As I’m writing this blog post, I’m currently 4.5 months postpartum, and I still love to look back at our maternity photos (I had a specific vision in mind for ours, so I handed my non-photographer sister-in-law our camera and she snapped some amazing photos for us - check them out here!) Our photos remind me of that sweet (and let’s be honest, sometimes quite overwhelming) season before having a newborn, when we were preparing for our little one. The photos remind me of the anticipation, the time we had with my sister-in-law, our baby shower (which took place a few days later)… all of the above! It was such a special, once in a lifetime time. And after going through that season myself, I have a renewed love for documenting it for others!

So, we should probably get to the point of this blog post… when is the best time to have maternity photos taken?

The answer might vary from couple to couple, and definitely will vary based on any complications a mom might have in her pregnancy. For a healthy pregnancy without any known complications, I’ve found 32 weeks to be a “sweet spot” (usually the 7-8 month mark is a good way to go!).

I had my own maternity photos taken around 32.5 weeks, and boy am I glad we didn’t wait even a week longer than that. By the 33 week mark, I was waddling around and really started to feel miserable! And at 32.5 weeks, I feel like I had enough of a belly (without feeling “too big”) to be in that “cute” pregnancy stage… which is exactly what I was hoping for!

If you have known pregnancy complications that could result in an early birth, it might be a good idea to schedule your photos sooner… just in case!

JHP Maternity Photo Highlights 2020

2020 was a year full of maternity photos - and I’m not mad about it!!! In fact, it was an absolute joy to photograph so many growing families - more than I ever have in past years!

Many of the couples I had the privilege to photograph were past wedding clients, which made me so happy! And all of the others became fast friends. It’s always such an incredible honor to be a part of new, exciting seasons of life.

To each and every couple who allowed me to be a part of this growing season: thank you. You are a blessing, and I pray that your family is filled with joy!

If you are interested in booking a maternity session, feel free to use the “Pricing” tab above to view packages, and the “Contact” tab to reach out and say hello! Or, feel free to email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com

What to Wear for Maternity Photos

Pregnancy – a milestone filled with joy and excitement, and a milestone often worthy of remembering with professional photos!

 When it comes to having maternity photos taken, choosing what to wear can feel like an overwhelming task – but really, when you break it down, it becomes quite simple! There are no hard and fast “rules” when it comes to choosing what to wear (don’t be afraid to mix in your own personal style!), but there are a few tips I’d love to share with those who might be wondering where to start! In this blog post, we’ll discuss three simple tips for figuring out what to wear for maternity photos:

First, find something that accentuates your bump!

Maxi Dresses: Maxi dresses are personally my favorite when it comes to maternity sessions! They are typically tighter up top, then become looser around the belly, and go all the way down to the ground. They are SO flattering (elongating the body), and make it easy to accentuate the bump! The flowy fabric can easily be held under the belly to create that classic “bump” look. Maxi’s are typically pretty comfortable for mom, too, and are still breathable in the summer months.

Form fitting dress or shirt: If you feel comfortable with it, consider a more form-fitting dress or shirt! With a maxi dress, you’ll have to hold underneath and around your belly to get the “bump” look, but a form fitting dress or shirt means that you won’t have to have your hand on your belly the whole time!

A looser garment… but belt it! If you like the look of a looser garment, consider adding a belt (or tied fabric) above the belly to give additional shape! This can easily be done with a loose top or a dress without a structured waist.

Second, make sure you choose something comfortable.

Don’t forget to keep your outfit comfortable! Opt for comfortable shoes and clothing fabrics that aren’t too hard to move around in. If you’d like to wear heels, consider bringing a pair of comfortable shoes to change in to for walking from location to location!

If you’re having maternity photos taken in the warmer/summer months, consider choosing a dress with a “lighter,” more breathable fabric.

Third, consider choosing a solid color, and/or something with a textured material.

This is a tip that applies mostly to mom! We want the bump to be the main focus of your images, and while patterns can be beautiful in photos, if they are too busy, they can distract (or minimize!) your bump! Solid colors will ensure that the viewer’s eye is drawn straight to your little bundle of joy without distraction. If you’d like to add visual interest to your overall images, though, consider having your husband/partner wear a patterned shirt that compliments your outfit.

Textures are a great way to add visual interest with a solid colored shirt or dress! Textures include things such as: lace, knit, or embroidery. They add interest without being too busy or overtaking the photo!

What about dad and/or other family members?

I recommend starting with mom’s outfit, then building upon everyone else’s from there. The goal is to choose outfits that “go” together, without being completely matchy-matchy.

Aim for each person to have a “dominant” color, then tie the outfits together visually by using other people’s dominant colors as accents. For example, if mom is wearing a blush colored maxi dress, nude flats, and gold earrings, dad could wear khaki pants, a light blue button down, a navy overcoat, and add in a blush pocket square, to visually tie the two of you together – even one small accessory (in this example, the pocket square) will tie you both together visually!

You could also make the visual connection by choosing a solid colored maxi dress for mom, then find a patterned shirt for dad with that same color in the pattern.

If you enjoyed this blog post, you also might enjoy…

Cassidy & Dylan: Golden Hour Farm Maternity Photos

You might recognize these two from their wedding feature on the blog just over a year ago! I was so incredibly excited when they reached out to let me know 1) that they were expecting their first child, and 2) that they wanted me to take their maternity photos! Photographing these two (+1!) for a third time and celebrate the new season they are stepping into was such an honor.

We were able to use the most beautiful private farm for their session, too! It was such a dream to photograph them there. A huge thank you to the owner for allowing us to use their gorgeous property.

Congratulations, Cassidy & Dylan! 💛

Amy + Nathan: Historic Harmony Maternity Photos

How lucky am I to have not one, but TWO maternity photo sessions less than a week and a half apart - both in one of my favorite locations, Historic Harmony! Amy and Nathan were the second of the two maternity sessions, and I had so much fun walking around town with them and hearing all about their excitement and joy for their long awaited little one to join them and make their family of two, three!

Amy and Nathan, I pray blessings and wisdom over the start of this next season for you two as you become a family of three! Congratulations on your sweet little blessing of joy!