When is the best time to take maternity photos in East Tennessee
Hi, friend! I'm mama to two, with another on the way, and a maternity and newborn photographer based in Maryville serving the surrounding area.
When should you take maternity photos? It's a great question! There's the weather to think about, which plays into outfit choice and location, but there's the very important piece of how far along you should be when you plan for your photos.
Let's break it down in this post so that you can feel confident in your choice when you book your date!
Which trimester is best for maternity photos?
You want to wait until you are far enough along that your belly has been able to "pop" but not so late that you might go into labor early and miss your maternity photos. The sweet spot tends to be between 28-34 weeks.
If you're pregnant with your first, or carrying really small you might want to wait to the later end of that timeframe, and if you're higher risk, have had multiple pregnancies, or tend to go early - Scheduling your maternity photoshoot for the earlier part of that timeframe can be a good choice.
Time of year can definitely play a part in deciding which part of that timeframe you want too!
Let's talk about that actually...
What time of year is best for pregnancy pictures?
In East Tennessee, fall is always popular for photos, but this really isn't something you control (unless you REALLY plan ahead, I guess...haha)
I have always been a fall girl, but I have discovered in motherhood that I adore spring and summer (for the flowers, not the heat!) There are some incredibly gorgeous flower fields in the Maryville/Friendsville/Knoxville areas that I work with to photograph sessions, and they are SO gorgeous! Honestly, even winter has its beautiful aspects and with some strategic styling and location choices for comfort and the weather every single season can create stunning maternity photos to document the season that you are in.
Let's break down what each season can look like:
Spring Maternity Session Locations
Spring is beautiful for photos. You get early flowers, green trees and grass, late evenings to make it easier to get off work. Lots of beautiful places are accessible to you! Sequoya Hills Park (for morning sessions in the dogwoods), Cade's Cove, and The Holmstead Studio in Karns for golden hour, are some of my favorites.
Summer Maternity Session Locations
Now - Summer, especially before it gets too hot - Is seriously my favorite these days. Late evenings to make it easier to get off work. Tons of stunning views are available. Lavender is in bloom for a limited time in North Knoxville usually in mid-late June into sometimes as late as mid July. Then, there's flower farms: Rustic Gate Farm in Friendsville, Riverside Farm in Kodak, mountain views and wildflowers in Cade's Cove, grassy fields, glasshouse studio, clothesline, and wildflowers at The Holmstead Studio in Karns for golden hour, are some beautiful options - But my top favorite is an incredible flower field in Friendsville that has the best sunset views!
Fall Maternity Session Locations
Fall - the darling of East Tennessee photographers and families alike - You'll probably see a lot of other people out at this time of year! The Holmstead Studio in Karns (always my recommendation, it is SO good for year round photos), Melton Hill Park is super popular, Lakeshore Park is pretty popular, the Maryville Greenway, and all the flower fields have beautiful blooms until the first frost. One of my favorites for fall is Cades Cove, the colors are all so incredible! Just be aware that Cades Cove will take you a long time to get through at this time of year. Make sure your photographer is prepared to navigate the loop and make decisions based on traffic. I have a whole blogpost explaining what a session at Cades Cove should look like that you can check out!
Winter Maternity Session Locations
I feel like winter unfairly gets a bad reputation. Yes, it is cold. Yes, it is brown... But it can also be beautiful if you choose the right location and styling (which I love to help with!) Cozy layers with tasteful colors, or embracing the neutrals go really well with this season. Choosing locations that have interesting elements like Cades Cove (which is very quiet at this time of year!) or indoor/outdoor options, especially if they have tall grass like The Holmstead Studio in Karns is awesome. Another one I love is Bleak House in Knoxville, or even downtown Maryville (I have a couple of locations I recommend in Maryville with paths and trees that allow for good light, and unique features to give character to your photos.)
When to book a maternity photographer?
Now you know when to schedule your session for, but when should you actually book the photographer? Especially if your desired maternity session date is around a holiday, or during fall or late spring, you'll want to make sure you reach out two or three months in advance. This makes sure your date is reserved, and gives you plenty of time to choose the perfect outfit you want to wear (or two) during your session, and order anything custom that you might want.
Some really beautiful custom dress makers for flowy boho style gowns that I recommend are:
I also have a lot of these dresses, and many more, in my client closet when you work with me.
Looking for a maternity and newborn photographer in Knoxville?
I'm based in Maryville and serve the surrounding area, including Knoxville and the greater Knoxville area.
I'd love to work with your family to document your pregnancy, and celebrate your newborn with a cozy in home newborn session, and into the first year if you choose my complete first year collection. Whatever you choose, I am so happy for you and your family to experience the joy of adding another little one to your home!
Click below to learn more about working with me.