Are maternity pictures really worth it?
Pregnancy is such an incredibly transformative time. During my second pregnancy, we had some health scares for both me and our baby, (thankfully, they proved to be all benign concerns!) Going through testing, wondering if my only time with this baby would be the months I carried him in my womb, I realized how special each day I had with him was - even before he was in my arms.
There are several reasons that maternity pictures are important:
- Firstly, just for celebrating you and helping you to see how beautiful you are! Our bodies go through so much change during pregnancy, it it very common to feel nervous and self-conscious, I want to help you embrace the incredible work that your body is doing to nourish and care for that little baby of yours.
- Secondly, documenting your family together before baby arrives is so special, it is not a time you'll ever get back and it deserves to be remembered.
- Last but not least, it is a time to celebrate this stage of baby's life and the excitement of anticipating doing life with them once they are born.
One of the most common questions pregnant mamas have is, “When should I schedule my maternity photos?” While every pregnancy is unique, the ideal time to book your maternity session falls between 28 and 36 weeks. In this post, I’ll share why this timeframe works best, the benefits of booking early, and how I can help you plan a stress-free, memorable session that you’ll look forward to during those final weeks.
1. Why 28-36 Weeks is Ideal:
Between 28-36 weeks is generally the best timing, your bump is nicely rounded and looks great in photos, but you aren't so near to the end of pregnancy that you are overly tired or uncomfortable.
2. Book Your Newborn Session at the Same Time:
To make things simple and convenient, I recommend booking your newborn photos at the same time. This way, you get to know your photographer at the maternity session, and can have everything planned well before baby arrives. Newborn photos are typically done within the first two weeks after baby is born, and no new mother needs to be figuring out booking a photographer and choosing outfits while she is in the midst of enjoying her newborn!
Booking your maternity and newborn photos with the same photographer also gives you the advantage of having consistency between your galleries - The editing, styling, and tones can all be so much more cohesive when you are using the same photographer. Some photographers offer a special package when these sessions are booked together (this is what I do! I include a complimentary designed-for-you photo album when you book your maternity and newborn pictures with me at the same time.)
3. Take Advantage of My Client Closet:
Every package includes access to my client closet, so you won’t need to spend hours searching for—and investing in—a beautiful, flowy dress for your photoshoot. Instead, you can choose from my growing selection of beautiful curated bump-friendly options.
Whether you use my client closet or not, I am here to help you choose the perfect outfits for your session with personalized styling assistance included in every package.
4. Outdoor Sessions for Beautiful Backdrops:
Outdoor locations are a beautiful and natural environment for you, your husband, and any older children you have already, to be able to relax and enjoy your session together. The serene landscape of being outdoors surrounded by wildflowers, wavy grass, mountains in the background, and golden sunlight filtering through the trees complements beautifully the love and connection that you and your little family share.
5. Book Early to Have Something to Look Forward To:
Booking your session early makes sure that your spot is saved on my calendar, which can fill up quickly! But it also gives you something to look forward to during those long final weeks of pregnancy when the baby showers are done, the nursery is ready, the clothes are washed, and you are just waiting for baby to arrive. Use that time to celebrate the journey and to capture the last days that you have before your newest addition arrives.
When I was pregnant with my second baby, I realized how special those last weeks were with my oldest son - We couldn't wait for his brother to come, but there was something so bittersweet about knowing that my oldest wouldn't be my baby anymore.
Your pregnancy is such a special time, I want to encourage you to take some time to connect with your baby and allow yourself to appreciate the incredible miracle of pregnancy!
Both of my boys weren't born until almost two weeks after their due date, it was SO hard to wait - Every day felt so long, I heard this advice somewhere and it was so helpful to me, so I wanted to share it with you too:
Find ways to make the final weeks special, go on a babymoon or have a special date night, go on a fun adventure with your other kids (remember, they are about to have a lot less of your attention for a time as you care for the newborn), and maybe get yourself the milkshake you've been craving. ;-)
You are doing this! Isn't it incredible? Baby will be here before you know it!
heartfelt & joyful photography
Hi, my name is
Susannah!
There are too many beautiful little moments to family life and motherhood to let them pass by undocumented.
I crave authenticity, thrive on emotional connection, and see life through a romanticized lens—especially when it comes to capturing the love and chaos of family life.
As a wife, mama, and lover of photographs, I know how quickly these moments pass—the snuggles, the giggles, the fleeting seasons of motherhood. That’s why I’m passionate about creating images that don’t just capture how your family looks but how these moments feel.
Moments like the way your newborn nestles against you to, the laughter on your bouncing toddler's face, the shifting dynamic as you pull your no-longer-little child into your embrace one more time and you laugh together, my sessions are about preserving the stories you’ll hold onto forever.
Let’s create something timeless, meaningful, and uniquely yours—images that will bring you right back to the love and connection of this season, over and over again.
