Expecting a baby is a joyous and transformative experience. Documenting this special chapter with maternity photos is a beautiful way to preserve these precious memories. One of the most common questions for expecting parents is: When Should You Take Maternity Photos? As a seasoned maternity photographer at dfphoto.net, I’ve guided countless families through this decision. The ideal timing balances your comfort, the visibility of your beautiful baby bump, and capturing that radiant pregnancy glow. Generally, the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy, specifically around 28 to 34 weeks, is often considered the sweet spot for maternity photoshoots. This period typically offers the best of both worlds: a beautifully rounded belly and enough comfort for you to thoroughly enjoy the photography experience.
expecting parents standing in a field of golden grasses as dad hugs mom from behind during a maternity photoshoot
Golden hour maternity photo in a field, captured at 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Key Factors to Consider When Planning Your Maternity Photos
While the 28-34 week timeframe is a great starting point, several personal factors can influence the perfect timing for your maternity session. Let’s explore these in detail:
First Pregnancy Versus Subsequent Pregnancies
It’s a common observation among maternity photographers that first-time moms often show a bit later compared to those expecting their second, third, or more babies. Subsequent pregnancies often lead to showing earlier. To illustrate this, consider the example of a mother I’ve had the pleasure of photographing for both her pregnancies.
For her first baby, we scheduled her maternity photoshoot at 34 weeks. For her second, aiming for peak fall foliage, we moved the session to 28 weeks. Despite a six-week difference, her baby bump appeared remarkably similar in both sets of photos. While this isn’t every woman’s experience, it highlights an important consideration when deciding on your photoshoot timing.
an expecting mother wearing a white dress standing in a field of golden grasses with the sunset shining in the background during a maternity photo session
an expecting mother wearing a floral dress standing on a bridge and smiling at the camera with the sunset shining through the colorful fall leaves in the background during a maternity photoshoot
Location and Seasonal Desires for Your Maternity Photos
While we can’t control our baby’s exact arrival date and therefore the season of our pregnancy, you can leverage the flexibility within the 28-34 week window to align your maternity photoshoot with a location or season you love. Your desired backdrop can significantly impact the best timing.
Perhaps you envision your maternity photos surrounded by blooming spring flowers or amidst the stunning colors of fall foliage. You might want to work around busy holiday periods or avoid the intense summer heat.
Consider a client who was due in winter but dreamt of fall colors in her maternity images. Expecting her third baby, we anticipated she would show earlier. Scheduling her session at 28 weeks allowed us to capture the magical fall scenery she desired.
an expecting mom kneeling down in front of a pond while her young daughter reaches out to gently touch her belly during a maternity photo session
Maternity photo session at 28 weeks, featuring fall colors and a sweet interaction with a sibling-to-be.
Conversely, another first-time mom, expecting a spring baby, had her heart set on cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms are fleeting, blooming for only 1-2 weeks in early spring. To fulfill her vision, we extended slightly beyond the typical window, scheduling her session at 36 weeks to coincide with peak bloom. This demonstrates how a specific location can be the driving factor in determining the ideal timing, even if it means adjusting the standard recommendations slightly to make a new mom’s dream a reality.
an expecting mom standing in the grass and cradling her belly with white cherry blossom trees in bloom behind her during a maternity photo session
Cherry blossom maternity photoshoot at 36 weeks, capturing a dream location for a spring baby.
Expecting Twins or Multiples? Adjust Your Timeline
If you are joyfully anticipating the arrival of twins or more, the maternity photoshoot timeline shifts considerably! Carrying multiples means your baby bump will likely appear sooner and grow more rapidly than with a singleton pregnancy. Moms expecting twins often feel most comfortable and radiant for photoshoots during the second trimester. Therefore, for twin pregnancies, aim to schedule your maternity photos around 20-28 weeks. Premature delivery is also more common with twins, so scheduling earlier provides a comfortable buffer to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity for these special photos.
One mother expecting twins was initially concerned about the summer heat. Prioritizing her comfort, we planned her maternity session for late September, when she was 28 weeks pregnant.
Close-up maternity portrait at 28 weeks with twins, highlighting a vibrant red dress and connection with the baby bump.
Addressing Anxiety and Ensuring Comfort
If you feel any anxiety about your maternity photoshoot, scheduling your session earlier in the recommended window can be beneficial. This is particularly helpful if you’re concerned about early delivery, feeling self-conscious about your changing body, anticipate feeling awkward in front of the camera (which, I promise, is rarely the case!), or want to allow flexibility in case rescheduling is needed due to weather. Your comfort is paramount during this special time. Giving yourself a little extra time allows you to relax, trust your photographer, and fully embrace the experience. These moments leading up to your baby’s arrival are truly unique and deserve to be cherished and beautifully documented.
Maternity Photo Inspiration: 28-34 Weeks in Pictures
To further illustrate the ideal timing, let’s look at some beautiful maternity photos captured within the 28-34 week range:
Maternity Photos at 28 – 30 Weeks
This period showcases a lovely, pronounced baby bump while often ensuring greater comfort and energy for the expecting mother.
an expecting mother wearing a long, flowy white dress standing in a field of blooming lavender as she cradles her belly with her hands during a maternity photoshoot
an expecting mom wearing a light pink dress standing in a greenhouse and smiling down at her belly during a maternity phootshoot
expecting parents walking through the grass holding hands with their two young daughters during a maternity photo session
a close up picture of an expecting couple resting their foreheads together and touching mom
an expecting mom wearing a burgandy dress and lifting her young daughter up in the air during a maternity photoshoot
Close-up lavender maternity photo at 28 weeks, highlighting the baby bump and floral backdrop.
Maternity Photos at 31 – 34 Weeks
Moving slightly later into the timeframe, 31-34 weeks still offers a beautiful bump and captures the anticipation as you get closer to meeting your baby.
expecting parents standing in front of a waterfall as dad hugs mom from behind and they both smile down at her belly during a maternity photo session
an expecting couple standing on a city street with their dog as mom looks back and touches dad
Sweet sibling maternity moment at 31 weeks, with a daughter hugging her expecting mom in a lavender field.
an expecting couple standing on a brick pathway with colorful flowers blooming all around them as dad hugs mom from behind and they both smile down at her belly during a maternity photo session
an expecting couple standing in front of a tree full of white flowers and smiling as dad hugs mom from behind during a maternity photo session
Golden field maternity portrait at 34 weeks, with expecting parents in a loving embrace.
Final Thoughts on Timing Your Maternity Photos
Documenting your pregnancy journey is a truly special gift you give yourselves and your child. As a maternity photographer with years of experience, I am passionate about helping you feel your absolute best and capturing the unique glow of this time. I offer a Client Closet with a beautiful selection of dresses, many of which you’ve seen in the photos above, to ensure you feel stunning and comfortable. I can also assist you in selecting the perfect location in our area based on your due date and vision. I’m here to guide you through all these factors, tailoring the experience to your unique pregnancy, so you receive timeless maternity photos that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Still Unsure About When to Book? Let’s Chat!
Do you have more questions about the best time for your maternity photos? I would be delighted to discuss your specific circumstances and help you plan a session to capture these fleeting, precious moments before your baby arrives! At Kristin Brockman Photography, we specialize in natural light maternity and newborn photography, focused on authentically capturing your growing family’s journey. Consider bundling your maternity and newborn sessions for a special price.
Explore my Maternity Portfolio and Maternity Session Details for more inspiration. You can also view full galleries from past sessions in my Featured Photo Sessions. If you are searching for a maternity photographer in the Greater Philadelphia area, please reach out!
For inquiries or to check my availability, please email me at [email protected].
And if you are also considering newborn photos, don’t miss my guide on When To Take Newborn Photos for further assistance in documenting your family’s milestones.
Kristin Brockman Photography is a natural light maternity photographer serving Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and the Greater Philadelphia area, specializing in capturing genuine and heartfelt moments.
