When Is the Best Time to Take Maternity Photos?

One of the questions I get asked most often is when to schedule a maternity session. After photographing pregnant women for more than 25 years, I’ve found that there really is a sweet spot.

For most women, I recommend scheduling maternity portraits somewhere between 29 and 32 weeks.

By then, your belly usually has that beautiful, round shape we want to photograph, but you’re still early enough that moving around, changing outfits and simply enjoying the session tends to feel a lot easier.

Why 29 to 32 Weeks Is Usually the Sweet Spot

Height actually plays into the best time to photograph your belly more than people think.

I’ve photographed women around 27 weeks who were quite tall, and sometimes their bump just wasn’t quite as prominent yet. A shorter woman may show earlier because there is simply less room for the baby to grow vertically, while someone who is taller or has a longer torso may take a little longer to develop that really round belly.

That’s one of the reasons I like the 29 to 32 week window. It tends to work beautifully for women of all different heights and body types.

Of course, every pregnancy is different. There isn’t one exact week that is perfect for everyone.

Can You Wait Until 35 or 36 Weeks?

You can, but I usually don’t recommend planning your session that late if we have another option.

Babies don’t always stick to our schedules.

I had a friend who was scheduled for maternity portraits and waited until late in her pregnancy. The day before her session, we actually went to the mall together to shop for her outfits. I dropped her back off at home, and about an hour later she went into labor.

She had her baby that evening.

So after all that planning and shopping, we never got to photograph her maternity session at all.

That is obviously not what happens to everyone at 36 weeks, but the farther into pregnancy you go, the greater the possibility that the baby may simply arrive before the session does.

You May Also Feel Very Different at the End of Pregnancy

There’s another reason I prefer not to wait too long.

Toward the end of pregnancy, a lot of women simply don’t feel as good.

I remember this very clearly from my own pregnancies. Around 37 weeks, I started feeling incredibly uncomfortable and bloated. My ankles were swelling. My face felt puffy. My energy dropped. Even things like blow drying my hair started to feel like work.

Moving becomes harder too.

And while none of those things mean you can’t have beautiful maternity portraits, I would much rather photograph you a few weeks earlier when you still feel like getting dressed, moving around and enjoying the experience.

What About Maternity Photos With Twins?

Twin pregnancies are a little different.

For twins, I generally recommend moving the session earlier, somewhere around 25 to 27 weeks.

Again, height, body type and how quickly your belly is growing all play a role, so I don’t treat that as a hard rule. But because twin pregnancies tend to progress differently, I would rather photograph a little earlier than risk waiting too long.

How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Maternity Session?

Ideally, I recommend reaching out about two months before you’d like to be photographed.

That gives us time to choose the right session date and thoughtfully plan everything that goes into your portraits, especially wardrobe.

I don’t want you standing in front of your closet the night before wondering what you’re going to wear. Having a little time allows us to find pieces that fit beautifully, photograph well and feel like you.

What If I’m Already 35 Weeks Pregnant?

Call me anyway.

If someone reaches out at 35 weeks, I’m not going to tell her she missed her chance.

I usually say, let’s give it a shot.

If we can find an opening and you’re feeling good, I would much rather try to create those portraits than have you miss this season entirely.

The Best Time Is Before You Feel Like You’ve Waited Too Long

For most women, that 29 to 32 week window gives us the best combination of a beautifully rounded belly, comfort, movement and enough time before baby decides to arrive.

But pregnancy is personal, and there are always exceptions.

If you aren’t sure when your own maternity session should happen, reach out early. We can look at your due date, your height, how you’re carrying and what kind of session you’re hoping to create, and choose the timing that makes the most sense for you.