When Is The Best Time To Take Maternity Pictures?
As a Rochester Hills, Michigan Maternity Photographer, I understand the significance of timing when it comes to capturing the beauty and essence of pregnancy, all while still being comfortable and feeling stunning for your pregnancy portraits.
The big question is…
When is the best time to have your maternity pictures done?
The answer: 27 - 34 weeks
Lets dig into the pros of this timeframe, shall we?
1. Embracing the Glow:
Between 27 to 34 weeks, mothers-to-be often experience the perfect balance of glowing radiance and comfortable mobility. This stage allows us to capture the essence of your pregnancy journey while ensuring you feel confident and at ease in front of the camera, without the swelling of the last few weeks of pregnancy (I’ll always be honest with you!).
2. Showcase the Bump:
During this period, your baby bump is beautifully rounded and prominent, making it the focal point of the photos. Whether you want your belly covered or showing your bare skin, you can show off your bump in a variety of gowns.
3. EXTREME TEMPERATURES:
In Rochester Hills’ summer months, it can be incredibly hot and humid, especially for an expectant mother. In the winter months, you may not want to venture into the snowy and frigid temperatures. While you may not have complete control over when your maternity photo shoot will take place, in-studio provides gorgeous and timeless images. If you want to see some options for both in-studio or outdoor sessions, you’ll find this post extremely helpful!
4. Wardrobe Wonder:
Choosing outfits for your maternity photoshoot becomes a breeze during the 27 to 34-week window. You'll have a variety of options to showcase your personal style while accentuating your baby bump. Depending on the aesthetic you’re going for, flowy dresses, form fitted dresses (really show off that bump!), casual off- the-shoulder sweaters, or a white button down with jeans are all excellent choices for this stage. When planning your session, you’ll talk through what vibe you like best and go in that direction!
5. But my bump is on the smaller side
I’ve had clients tell me they want to wait longer because they’re bump is a little “smaller”. For this, I recommend waiting until that 34 week mark then. If you wait much longer than that, you could potentially have the baby early and miss the maternity session opportunity, or start to really retain water and not like how swollen your face, hands, arms and ankles look.
6. When to book
The 27 to 34 week mark is the golden window for maternity photos, but I do recommend reaching out to your maternity photographer in the second trimester do plan out the session and get on the calendar because booking is typically 2-3 months in advance. This magical stage allows us to capture the radiance of your bump amidst the backdrop of our beloved city.
Most importantly, I want you to LOVE your maternity portraits, feel absolutely gorgeous in them, and have the best experience. Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions about the maternity photo experience. You can always see more examples and details here.
Talk soon, Friend!
Chelsie
Would you like to see more maternity photos? Check these out!
Snowy, Winter Maternity Photos | Stony Creek Metropark | Shelby Township, MI
Chelsie Maurer is a professional, award winning photographer serving Metro Detroit and surrounding areas such as Birminghamg, Chesterfield, Clinton Township, Oakland Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Troy, Utica, Washington Township, and West Bloomfield. She specializes in Newborn and Maternity portraiture. Chelsie Maurer Photography’s studio is located in historic Downtown Utica, Michigan.