If you’re expecting a baby, you may already know you want maternity photos, but figuring out exactly when to schedule them can feel a little less obvious.
For most expecting parents, I recommend planning your maternity session somewhere between 29 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. This gives us a beautiful window where your bump is prominent and photographable, while you’re hopefully still feeling comfortable enough to move, walk, cuddle with your partner, play with your kids, and enjoy the experience.
For many of my Sacramento area maternity clients, the sweet spot tends to be right around 30 to 32 weeks.
Why 30–32 Weeks Is Often the Sweet Spot for Maternity Photos
Every pregnancy is different, so there isn’t one perfect week that works for everyone. But 30 to 32 weeks usually gives us a really nice balance.
Your belly has typically developed that beautiful, rounded maternity shape, but you’re not quite as close to your due date as you’ll be during those final weeks.
This can make it easier to comfortably:
• Walk between different areas of a location
• Change outfits if your session includes more than one look
• Sit, stand, and move through different poses
• Include your partner or older children
• Relax and actually enjoy your session
If we photograph too early, your bump may not be as prominent as you’d like. If we wait until the very end of pregnancy, things like swelling, fatigue, discomfort, or an unexpectedly early delivery can make scheduling more difficult.
That’s why I generally recommend planning ahead and aiming for that 29 to 34 week window whenever possible.
What If I’m Already Past 34 Weeks?
Reach out anyway.
While I love when maternity sessions are booked in advance, I photograph plenty of parents who decide later in pregnancy that they really don’t want to miss documenting this season.
If you’re already 34, 35, or even 36+ weeks, that doesn’t automatically mean you’ve missed your chance. We’ll simply look at your due date, your comfort level, my current availability, and which type of session makes the most sense.
In some cases, a studio session can also be a great option later in pregnancy because we have a controlled environment and don’t have to worry about walking around an outdoor location.
The biggest thing is not to assume it’s too late. Send the inquiry and we can figure it out together.
Studio or Outdoor Maternity Photos?
Both are beautiful, but they create very different experiences.
Outdoor maternity sessions are perfect if you love warm light, movement, scenery, and a more relaxed lifestyle feel. Around Sacramento, I especially love planning outdoor maternity sessions near sunset so we can take advantage of soft golden light.
Studio maternity sessions give us more control over the overall look. They’re a great choice if you want something clean, timeless, intimate, or a little more editorial. Studio sessions also give us privacy for wardrobe changes, fabric work, and more styled maternity portraits.
There isn’t necessarily a “better” choice. It really comes down to how you want this season of motherhood to feel when you look back at your photos.
You can learn more about my maternity and newborn photography options here:
Can My Partner and Kids Be Included?
Absolutely.
Your maternity session doesn’t have to be only about photographing your belly. It can also be about documenting what your family looks and feels like right before everything changes again.
Partners are always welcome, and older siblings can be included too.
Some of my favorite maternity images are the in-between moments: your child touching your belly, your partner making you laugh, everyone cuddled together, or those little interactions that show the anticipation of welcoming someone new into the family.
We’ll still make sure we create beautiful portraits of you on your own, but including your family gives us another layer of your story.
When Should You Book Your Sacramento Maternity Photographer?
Ideally, I recommend reaching out during your second trimester.
You do not need to wait until you’re ready to actually take your maternity photos before contacting your photographer.
Booking earlier gives you more options for:
• Weekend availability
• Planning wardrobe and styling
• Coordinating schedules with your partner or children
Once I know your due date, we can work backward and choose a maternity session date that falls within the ideal window for your pregnancy.
Planning Maternity and Newborn Photos Together
Pregnancy is really the beginning of a much bigger story.
For families who know they want both maternity and newborn photography, my Bump to Baby option makes it easier to plan the two experiences together.
Instead of waiting until baby arrives to start thinking about newborn photos, we can reserve your maternity session first and begin planning ahead for your newborn session around your estimated due date.
For families who want to document even more of baby’s first year, I also offer a First Year Membership designed to follow your family through several important stages, from newborn photos to milestones and your baby’s first birthday season.
READY TO PLAN YOUR MATERNITY PHOTOS?
If you’re expecting and wondering when to schedule maternity photos, the easiest place to start is with your due date.
For most families, we’ll aim for somewhere between 29 and 34 weeks, with 30 to 32 weeks being my favorite starting point.
But pregnancy doesn’t always follow a perfectly predictable timeline, and your maternity session doesn’t have to either.
Whether you’re planning months ahead or realizing at 35 weeks that you really want these photos, reach out. We can talk about your timing, whether studio or outdoor feels more like you, and how you want to remember this season.
