Preparing For Your Maternity Photos
Whether it's your first time being a mother or you’re a veteran on your fourth baby, those precious nine months are something you will want to remember forever. Being able to have your sweet child so close before they enter the world. Being able to capture this beautiful phase of life is such a gift. Though, no matter how many times you have done this before, booking maternity photos can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? When do you book? How do you prepare? I’m answering all your questions in this post so you will feel prepared for when the time comes to book your own maternity photos and can have a stress-free experience while preparing for your babe.
Booking Your Maternity Photo Session
There's a lot that goes into booking your session and can be hard to know where to start. But, the number one priority is making sure you enjoy this experience rather than adding another stressor to your plate while awaiting your birth. The best way to make sure this happens is to book your session at the right time so you and your photographer have ample amount of time to discuss and prepare for your session (and so your photographer is able to take care of everything for you). From there, choosing the right photographer for you is the thing that will determine how your photoshoot experience will go. So, Im explaining how to best prepare for the whole process so you feel taken care of and prepared from the start.
When do I book Maternity photos?
As early as possible! The more in advance you book your session, the better it is for any photographer to be able to take all your stress away. They can start planning for your maternity photo session so that you can focus on preparing for and welcoming your baby. By saving your spot, you won’t have to stress about having time, you’ll be able to work with your photographer in the planning process, and you’ll have more time to prepare. A good rule of thumb is to start looking into your favorite photographers when you’re around 20 weeks pregnant and book your session for around 28-32 weeks.
How do I find a Photographer for Maternity Photos?
The best way to look for a photographer you love is through Pinterest, Instagram, or Google. Through these, you’re able to see their photos and decide if you like their style, are comfortable with their personality, and get excited about your own photos! Usually, when you find the photographer for you, you can find their inquiry page on their website. From there, you’ll likely be in contact with them for all things regarding all the details of the session.
What to Expect in the Booking Process
When booking with me through my website, here, you’ll receive an email right away. Then within 24 hours, I’ll reach out to make sure everything is clear and we’re ready to go. After the contract and invoice are completed, we can get right into planning the photo session. Whatever you need help with, I’m right there with you.
If you need help styling your or the family’s outfits- we can talk about what you’ll feel most comfortable in, how the family can match you effortlessly, and where to shop for everything. If you’re unsure about the location of the shoot or what rooms in your house we’ll be using- I can explain what shots we’ll be getting and how we can move around the house to fit your needs. Every step of the way, I’m by your side and taking all the things off your plate so you can focus on yourself and baby.
Once we are all squared away with the contract and invoice, we will begin planning your maternity session. Making this experience as easy and memorable as possible is my first priority. We can talk about where the session will be, what kind of scenery you desire, etc. Or, if your session is an in-home session, we can talk about your home, what rooms to use, how to stage things, etc. I am working with you every step of the way so you feel fully prepared for the photoshoot without all the stress of planning it. Hand all the planning over to me and you’ll be able to enjoy the process with your family.
How to Prepare for a Maternity Photo Session
We want your photoshoot day to be as easy and stress-free as possible. Imagine you wake up on the day of your Maternity photos, the house is clean, you are well rested, and everything is ready to go. You’re able to enjoy your photos, spend sentimental time with the family, and document the beautiful time in your family’s life. There are a few ways to prepare in advance to make that possible. There are a few things you’ll want to do the day before your photoshoot to make it flow smoothly.
Schedule a pamper day.
Make it a priority to have a self-care day. You can schedule a mani-pedi for the photos (try to stick to neutral colors, as these will work best with any outfit without standing out too much.) Get your hair done, get a massage, etc. Not only will these things be helpful for the photos and get you excited for the big day, but you deserve it!
While motherhood is a special experience, it can be exhausting at times, and sometimes a self-care day is essential. Make this a fun experience and a way to relax before the photoshoot. If you are considering getting your hair and makeup done professionally, make sure to find and book them as soon as you have a date for your maternity photos.
Drink lots of water
Being fully hydrated is not only essential for you to feel well on the day of the photoshoot but it will also help to keep your skin clear and looking photo-ready. Try to be very intentional about drinking enough water for the whole week before the photoshoot.
Make sure the house is clean (in-home sessions)
Try to make sure the rooms we will be in are picked up and tidy. It doesn't need to be perfect but we want to have the least amount of distractions possible. I would suggest to opt for neutral-colored sheets and blankets so they don't clash with your outfits.
Have everyone’s outfits ready to go.
Having everything picked out and ready to go the night before can be so helpful to keep the mornings calm and on track, especially with other littles. For the best photos, make sure your outfits are not clashing. If at home, Mama’s outfit can be casual, and comfy. Try a simple loungewear set or a quiet dress. For an outdoor shoot, you can go for a flowy dress with a pattern or a shirt and a statement cardigan. Your partner’s outfit should complement what you're wearing- something simple and with flattering colors to your outfit. If you have other children who will be in the photos, they should also have a similar color scheme but not necessarily matching outfits. The goal is to have everyone be dressed individually but still work together in the overall look. For more inspiration on maternity outfits, click here for my Maternity Photos Pinterest Board.
My clients love to use the riviting client closet I offer to coordinate their outfits and if I don't have what they need, I offer a styling platform that allows you to choose outfits for the whole family and have them shipped right to your front door. To make sure you and the family have enough time to prepare outfits, I always recommend allowing at least one month before the photo session to get everything ready and in order.
Prepare the family
Especially with other kiddos, it's important to prepare them for the day ahead. Of course, they are kids and may not understand, and we are always ready to work with different moods and emotions during the photoshoot. But sometimes explaining to them what is going to happen before is all they need to be prepared for the day.
With two of my own littles, I know what it's like to manage many little minds. My goal is to make the day easy for mama and for the little ones to enjoy it too. So, don’t worry about keeping everyone happy, that's life! And I am more than ready to take over and make sure everyone is happy. You get to sit back and enjoy the little moments in life that are so precious during this time before baby comes. I even have an area in my onboarding questionnaire where you can tell me about your children so I can get to know them a little bit before the big day.
What to Expect During Maternity Photoshoot
With good preparation and excellent communication with your photographer, the day of your maternity photos should be a breeze. This day is all about you and we want you to feel like it. So, we will be in constant communication leading up to and during the session. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, we’ll work together to make it happen and make your vision come true.
Some things to remember on the day of the shoot:
Take off any elastic bands or stretchy clothes a few hours before we start to avoid any lines or red marks on your skin.
Bring any sentimental items like baby blankets, or shoes if you have them already.
Use neutral-colored undergarments and make sure they don’t show through your outfit.
Don't forget to moisturize everywhere including elbows and knees before we take photos.
Having lots of snacks ready is always a good idea!
When Will I Get My Maternity Photos?
After we finish our photo session, you get to sit back and relax knowing that beautiful photos documenting this special phase of life and motherhood are being created and on their way to you. 1-2 weeks after our session, you’ll get to see sneak peeks of your sweet family and get excited about your beautiful full gallery. I generally deliver full galleries in 3-4 weeks following our session. You will have your photos before the baby comes and be able to share them with family and friends while you await your bundle of joy.
If you are also wanting to document those beautiful first few days after your baby is born with in-home newborn photos, I recommend booking them at the same, with the same photographer. This way you know everything is taken care of beforehand and ready for the big day. You also can be assured that your maternity photos and newborn photos will be in the same editing style and you’ll have the same experience. I love doing both sessions for mothers because it allows me to get to know you and your family and get excited about the new addition to your family.
Getting Maternity Photos Should Be Easy And Exciting
Overall, getting your maternity photos should be a fun, and easy experience. I do everything I can in my own booking process to make this possible for you. If I had to choose one tip above all that has a big impact on your experience, it would be to make sure you choose a photographer that you feel comfortable with and trust. You want to be able to feel relaxed and enjoy the experience. If you are expecting a baby soon, and ready to book your session now, click below to book with us. Right after, you’ll receive an email and we can start chatting about options. I can’t wait to meet you and your beautiful family.
