You’re expecting a baby – congratulations! Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, it’s a special and unique moment in your life that deserves to be remembered.
But I know it can also feel overwhelming. You’ve got a million things on your plate before the baby arrives, and trying to figure out when, where, and how to do maternity photos can sometimes seem like just another chore. I’m here to help make the process easier!
WHEN TO BOOK YOUR PREGNANCY PHOTO SHOOT
Usually sometime between 30-35 weeks is ideal – we’re aiming for when your belly is popping, but hopefully you’re still able to move around and we’re not running the risk of missing the photo opportunity because you’re going into labor.
That being said, all bodies are unique and timelines don’t always line up to the ideal. Early pregnancy photos for announcements can be super sweet, and I have also photographed women just days before their babies were born. There’s no wrong time to celebrate your amazing self.
WHERE WILL WE DO MATERNITY PHOTOS?
You have a few options here: we can do them in your home, outdoors in the abundant nature that Oregon has to offer, or book a local studio/hotel room. Let’s break this down a little more.
AT HOME the vibe is cozy, comfortable, and relaxed. We can document you working on the baby’s nursery or folding those tiny adorable clothes, or just cuddling up with your partner on the couch. If you have other kids, it can be a playful family session that celebrates your family as it is, before the new addition. Also, if you want to document your bare belly, doing the photos at home is a great choice because it gives us lots of privacy and a shower/bath for creative belly photos.
OUTDOORS is great if you plan to do your newborn photos at home and want a little variety. This can be anything from strolling through the neighborhood to your favorite cute coffeeshop, to a rugged Mount Hood session in the snow (seriously, gorgeous), or one of the many gorgeous parks in the Portland area. When you book your session, we’ll discuss your vision and I’ll help select a location that will be ideal.
STUDIO/HOTEL sessions are nice because you can get a different setting from your in-home newborn photos, but still keep the session cozy and private. I work out of a studio in Oregon City with an additional studio fee. Another similar option is to turn your maternity session into a babymoon date with your partner and book a nice hotel room for the night; we can do the photos in the hotel room during the day, and then you get to enjoy a romantic staycation!
I’M NOT FEELING GREAT ABOUT MY PREGNANT BODY – SHOULD I EVEN DO MATERNITY PHOTOS?
My answer is a resounding YES! I completely understand that you may be feeling less than great about your body; pregnancy is wild, uncomfortable, sometimes downright painful. It can distort how we view ourselves and how we feel about our bodies.
I’d like to invite you to step outside of the discomfort for a moment and consider what this pregnancy means to you. Have you been trying for ages to have this baby? Are they a welcome surprise? Is this your first, or perhaps your last baby? Or a rainbow baby?
Your personal story of how this child is coming into your family deserves a place in your family history. YOU deserve to be celebrated for all that you are carrying and creating – you are incredible.
Maternity photos, in my mind, are not about just showing off your beautiful belly to the world (though that is also totally legit); they’re also about documenting a pivotal moment of transformation within yourself.
When you look back at these photos in 5, or 10, or 20 years, you probably won’t see the “flaws” you’re worried about right now; I bet that you’ll only see your strength and beauty, and remember the simultaneous tenderness and ferocity of bringing a child into the world.
I also offer a flexible package that includes a newborn session and additional add-on sessions – learn more about that here!
