We love maternity sessions for a lot of reasons, but mostly because this stage is temporary. You'll remember plenty about pregnancy, but rarely what it actually felt like to be in that body, at that moment, growing a whole human. A maternity session gives you something tangible to look back on from a season that otherwise mostly lives in memory (and bathroom mirror selfies).
We also just love the excuse for a relaxed, unhurried session together - whether that's just the two of you, or with older siblings joining in for part of it.
We've put together this guide to help your maternity portraits turn out exactly as beautifully as you're picturing.
Outfits
We could write pages on this (and actually, we did) - outfit planning is one of the most common questions we get for every type of session. Rather than repeat it all here, check out our full outfit planning guide, which has tons of info in it, including for maternity sessions.
TLDR - fabrics that allow for movement photograph beautifully outdoors, especially during golden hour. Fitted styles work well if you want to show off the shape of the bump more directly. Either way, comfort matters!! You'll be standing and walking for the better part of an hour, so prioritize pieces that don't feel restrictive.
Locations
Choosing a location for your maternity session comes down to a few key questions.
Does a location hold meaning for you? Some parents-to-be love the idea of photographing at a spot tied to their story - where you got married, a favorite weekend walk, or just a place that feels like "you" as a family. Others prefer to pick somewhere brand new to mark this specific chapter. Both are great options.
What vibe are you going for - lush and green, coastal, or something more urban? The Bay Area gives us a lot to work with. Popular picks for maternity sessions include spots around Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Half Moon Bay for their mix of scenery and soft natural light, though we're always happy to explore somewhere new together. Let us know you're vibe if you're having a hard time deciding and we can share some of our favorite locations for maternity photos.
Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor sessions give us more room to work with movement and natural light, but an in-home or studio session (we work with a studio in Los Altos if you are interested) can feel more intimate if that's the vibe you're after.
Keep in mind some locations require a permit fee for photography sessions - we'll help you sort out that paperwork if your dream spot needs one.
Time
When's the best time to schedule your maternity session? Most of our clients book somewhere in the early-to-late third trimester - usually between 28 and 34 weeks. This window tends to give the best of both worlds: a full, well-defined bump, while you're still comfortable enough to move around for the session. Every pregnancy is different though, so if you're not sure what's right for you, we're happy to talk through timing together. When we had our maternity photos done, we opted for 28 weeks because we could only imagine how much the discomfort would grow.
How far in advance should I book? We recommend reaching out 4-6 weeks before your ideal session window, especially if you're hoping for a weekend slot or a specific golden hour time. Pregnancy timelines can shift, so the earlier we lock in a rough date, the more flexibility we'll have if things need to move.
When will I get my photos? We typically have maternity sessions fully edited and delivered within 4-6 weeks of your session date.
Session Flow & The Day of Your Portraits
What's the session actually like? We know showing up to be photographed at eight months pregnant can feel a little vulnerable, and even more awkward to be in front of camera than normal, and we get it. After we meet at our agreed upon location, we'll ease into it together. We don't do a lot of rigid, step-by-step posing - our style is more natural and free-flowing, letting you move and interact the way you actually would. We'll gently guide you through positioning when it's helpful, but the goal is for the photos to feel like you, not like a stiff studio pose. If you have worked with us previously, we'll use similar techniques as previous sessions but lean into what feels comfortable for your body on that day.
How long does a maternity session run? Sessions typically run 45 minutes to an hour. We love golden hour for the warm light, but we're happy to start a little earlier so we have time to move between a couple of spots at your location without feeling rushed.
What if it's overcast? This is the Bay Area, so depending on specific location, fog and overcast skies can be more of a "when," not an "if." The good news: overcast days are genuinely great for maternity photos. Soft, even light means fewer harsh shadows and more flattering, consistent tones throughout the whole session. On especially sunny days, we'll lean on shaded spots to get that same soft, even look.
