A maternity session is one of the shoots people are most uncertain about going into. You have not done this before, your body is doing something it has never done before, and there is a version of "maternity photos" in your head that might not be what you actually want. Here is what the session actually looks like, from booking to gallery delivery.
When to book: 28 to 34 weeks
The sweet spot for a maternity session is somewhere between 28 and 34 weeks. At that point the bump is clearly visible and centre frame in every shot, and most people are still comfortable enough to move, walk, and spend 90 minutes outdoors without it being a challenge. Before 28 weeks the bump can be harder to photograph in a way that looks intentional rather than ambiguous. After 34 weeks comfort drops off quickly for most people, and after 36 it becomes a much shorter, simpler session.
Book the date earlier than you think you need to, because the session date is only one part of it. If you have a specific location in mind, a season you want, or a weekend slot at golden hour, those fill up weeks in advance. I'd recommend reaching out at around 20 weeks to lock something in, even if the session itself is six or eight weeks away. More on the timing side of things in when to book your maternity session.
What to bring
Water and snacks, always. Bring more than you think you need. If you have a partner or a support person with you, ask them to carry the bag so you are not weighed down. A second outfit is worth bringing if you have one: it gives you options on the day and means we can vary the look without needing to find a changing room mid-session. Beyond that, keep it simple. If there is a meaningful prop you want to include, like an ultrasound image, baby shoes, or a name sign, bring it. But props should mean something to you, not just fill the frame.
What to wear
Both of the main approaches work well. Flowy dresses catch movement beautifully, photograph with a natural softness, and tend to feel flattering in a way that puts people at ease. Fitted options, whether a wrap dress, bodycon style, or a form-fitting top and trousers, show the bump directly and clearly. Some people bring both and wear one for the first half of the session and one for the second, which is a good way to get variety without the session feeling rushed.
Colours follow the same logic as any portrait session: neutral and earth tones work in almost every setting, avoid busy patterns that pull the eye from your face and bump, and skip anything with a large logo. If you want some colour, go for it on one piece and keep the rest simple.
Outdoor or indoor
My default for maternity sessions is outdoor, in natural light, in a location that means something or photographs beautifully. Parks, waterfronts, tree-lined streets. Natural light is the most flattering light for this kind of session, and outdoor settings give you movement and space that a studio does not. Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Central Park are all locations I use regularly and that give very different results.
That said, indoor sessions are a genuine option if the weather is bad, if mobility is more limited than expected, or if you simply want a different aesthetic. Home sessions with good natural light can be very intimate and meaningful. Studio sessions are also available if you want a clean, neutral backdrop. We can talk through what makes sense for you when we plan the session.
How long it takes
Plan for around 90 minutes. That is enough time to settle in, work through a few different setups, and get the images without rushing. The first ten or fifteen minutes are always the warmest-up phase: finding your feel for the location, figuring out the light, and getting comfortable in front of the camera. By the midpoint of the session it is usually flowing well. I do not push past the point where comfort drops off, so if 90 minutes is too much on the day, we wrap earlier. Quality matters more than duration.
How many images you receive
A standard maternity session delivers 40 or more fully edited images. A mini session delivers around 15. All images are colour-corrected and retouched before delivery. The gallery arrives as a private link within five to seven business days of the shoot, and always within 14 days. You download directly from the gallery and can share the link with family if you want to.
After the session
Once the gallery is delivered, you own the images and can print them however you like. Most people do at least one printed piece: a canvas, a framed print, or a photobook. If you want recommendations on printing, I am happy to point you in the right direction. There is no pressure to decide on any of that at the time of booking. Most people figure it out once they see what they have.