When is the perfect time to do a maternity photoshoot?
Congratulations mama! There are few things in this life that are as exciting as getting that positive pregnancy test. Whether you were expecting it or not, it is still the most incredible feeling! I distinctly remember those positive results with both of my babies…They are moments and feelings etched in my brain forever. A core memory if you will (shoutout to the Disney movie Inside Out!). It will be the same for you.
And like most women, as soon as the strip turned pink (or said pregnant), we began planning. Planning doctor’s appointments, our diet, our birthing plan, the nursery, and the list goes on. For some, a photography session is part of that planning. For others, it doesn’t occur to them until much later, and that can be problematic.
Don’t wait to plan
There are two good reasons why you don’t want to wait to begin planning your maternity photoshoot. The first is because your ideal photographer may book up well in advance. How disappointing it would be to search out the photographer of your dreams only to learn that you should have booked them months ago? I recommend beginning the search for your maternity photographer shortly after finding out you are expecting. This will give you time to find your maternity photographer and still book them without being rushed.
So when is the best time for a maternity session?
The ideal time for a maternity session is early in the third trimester. Specifically, between twenty-eight and thirty-two weeks. By waiting until you are at least twenty-eight weeks, your baby bump should be big enough to be adorable in your pictures. Any earlier than that and you risk baby not being large enough to truly appreciate what your body can and is doing! But here’s a side note: baby bumps come in all shapes and sizes, just like the mothers that carry them. Some mamas carry small and that’s completely normal! Give your bump some time, and once you’re in that third trimester, go ahead and do that shoot. But I don’t recommend going past thirty-two or thirty-three weeks. At this point, your bump is nice and round, so much so, you may be getting uncomfortable. And that is definitely not what we want in your images! If you’re feeling uncomfortable, it will show on your expression, so let’s avoid that and schedule at the beginning of that last trimester. Think of it like this- twenty-eight to thirty-two weeks is like Goldilocks, just right 😉
If you’re in the market for a maternity photographer, I would love to schedule a consultation call with you and hear your vision for your session! At Clo Photography, I offer three distinct maternity styles, so we’re almost sure to meet your needs. Our maternity services include lifestyle, modern, and fine art, and I would love to have you behind my lens! The Huntsville, Alabama studio is waiting for you.
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