Pregnancy is one of those chapters of life that feels like it will last forever right up until it doesn't. Nine months can stretch on during the tired, achy weeks — and then suddenly you're holding your baby, and that whole season is behind you. A maternity session is how you hold on to it. It's the only time in your life your body will look and feel quite like this, and I think that deserves to be documented, not just remembered.
If you're on the fence about booking one, here's what I'd want you to know.
It's a Season You Can't Get Back
So much of pregnancy is spent looking forward — counting down weeks, preparing the nursery, getting ready for what's next. It's easy to forget to pause and mark where you are right now. A maternity session gives you permission to do that. It's forty-five minutes to an hour of simply being present in this version of yourself, before everything changes again.
Clients tell me all the time that they almost skipped their session — and every single one has said afterward that they're so glad they didn't.
When to Book
The sweet spot for most maternity sessions is between 28 and 34 weeks. Your bump is beautifully round and full at this point, but you're still comfortable enough to move, pose, and enjoy the session without feeling rushed or exhausted. Book much earlier, and the bump may not be as defined yet. Wait too long past 34 weeks, and you run the risk of things changing quickly near the end — swelling, fatigue, or simply going into labour early.
My advice: reach out around the start of your second trimester to get a date secured on the calendar, even if the session itself is still a couple of months out.
It Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
Some of the most beautiful maternity photos come from the simplest setups — soft, flowing fabric, gentle natural light, and genuine moments between you, your partner, and your bump. You don't need an elaborate production. A quiet outdoor location during golden hour or a cozy spot at home both work beautifully; what matters most is that you feel comfortable and like yourself.
If you have a partner or other children, I always love including them. Even five or ten minutes woven into the session captures the anticipation the whole family is feeling — and those in-between, unposed moments often become everyone's favourite images from the day.
What to Expect on the Day
I keep maternity sessions relaxed and unhurried. We'll move through a few different setups and poses, but there's no rigid script — I'm watching for genuine expressions and comfortable, natural movement rather than stiff, staged looks. If you're nervous about posing, don't be. I'll guide you through everything, and most of the "work" is just gentle prompts to help you feel at ease in front of the camera.
Comfortable footwear, a touch-up kit for lipstick, and a lint roller are the only things I'd suggest bringing along. Everything else, we figure out together.
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