First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! If you are reading this, you are probably researching pregnancy photoshoots and specifically how to pose for maternity photos.

Maternity photography is a wonderful way to capture the beauty of pregnancy and celebrate this special time in your life. If you’re planning a maternity photoshoot, it’s useful to think about how to pose to create stunning and meaningful images that you will cherish for years to come. In this blog post, I’ll share five tips and tricks for posing for maternity photos.

How many weeks pregnant is best for maternity photos?

First, what is actually the best time for pregnancy photography? I recommend scheduling your session for when you’re between 32-36 weeks as your bump will be lovely and round, and you still feel comfortable. That’s not to say we can’t take photos earlier or later on, it simply depends on your preferences and how you feel. My session style is very relaxed and we will work at your pace. 

Five simple tips for your maternity photos

For any kind of session, whether maternity, newborn or family, I tend to give only gentle guidance as I prefer candid, authentic and timeless lifestyle photography. I would like you to remember these special times just as they were – full of joy, anticipation and very personal to you. I will just share some practical suggestions to ensure we have the best light on you, shooting from different angles, and make you feel comfortable and beautiful.

Personally I love in-home maternity photography. Your home is where you will spend a lot of your time as a growing family and it’s lovely to capture these moments before your little love will arrive. I won’t need a lot of space and you don’t need to worry that everything needs to look perfect – we can take beautiful images by a window with natural light, your bedroom and the nursery. If you’d like to head outside, we can certainly plan for this as well.

Most of the tips below have something in common – creating or adding movement to your images. This will make them much more natural, personal and emotive.

• Tip 1: you might already be familiar with this one, and have noticed this in maternity photography you have seen previously. To create the appearance of movement and a flattering silhouette, gently bend the knee closest to the camera. This is also especially lovely for side-view profile photos to show off your beautiful baby bump.
• Tip 2: think about how you place your hands to cradle your belly and again accentuate its round shape. You might like the classic of one hand at the top of your belly and one below, or add a bit of movement by tucking your hair behind your ear with one hand, adding a lovely curve of your arm and wrist. Cradling your belly creates a lovely sense of intimacy and connection with your baby.
• Tip 3: consider your outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a long, loose fitting dress, think about making it flow or twirl. I offer a complimentary pre-shoot consultation where we can chat about outfits and styling, and I am happy to make recommendations.
• Tip 4: when you look down towards your belly, fix on a point slightly further away to elongate your neckline. Vary your gaze from downwards, gentle smiles, full on smiles, closed eyes – anything that feels natural in that particular moment.
• Tip 5: get in close with your partner. Close, gentle touch is so beautiful and will bring emotion to your images, whilst making them very personal.

Most importantly, have fun! Don’t worry too much about getting the perfect shot (I will offer you plenty of images!) – the most meaningful photos are often the ones that capture genuine moments of joy and connection. So enjoy the experience, and let me guide you through the process.

How many outfits for maternity photos?

We can chat about outfit options during your complimentary pre-shoot consultation. If you’re happy to change, and especially if we take your maternity photos in your home, you can easily pick two to three different outfits. For example, a slightly tighter fitting dress to show off your bump, then something casual like blue jeans and a simple top, and – if you like – something to reveal your bump, such as an oversized white shirt that you open up.

You could also choose a flowy dress which will be very pretty in the summer, whilst a chunky dress with texture will work well during the cooler months. If there are any accessories or sentimental items you would like to include, don’t hesitate to bring these.

About me

I am a London maternity photographer specialising in timeless and natural maternity photography. In addition to maternity photography, I also provide newborn and family photography in and around West & Central London. Do get in touch even if you live outside these areas and we can arrange something. If you’d like to capture your motherhood journey through photography, please don’t hesitate to contact me here. Not quite ready to book? Follow me on Instagram and let’s stay in touch.