You may have already pinned a dozen maternity photoshoots to a folder somewhere, each captured in golden hour and on a beach, in a dress that cost more than your first month of daycare.

They don’t show your swollen ankles. They don’t show that you cried twice this week about a diaper commercial.

Let’s put Pinterest aside for the moment and get practical, because there’s an unspoken question behind all those saved images. When is the best time to have these photos taken?

There isn’t a hard and fast deadline circled in red on your calendar.

Still, there is a sweet spot that takes into account the majority of people, the majority of time constraints, and the majority of overall comfort – and when you recognise it, the weight lifts off your shoulders.

Table of Contents

Why the Week You Choose Actually Matters

Your bump is largely growing throughout the last trimester, meaning that two weeks can make a noticeable difference in how it looks and feels.

Think of it as catching a wave. You paddle out too soon, and you’re sitting in gentle surf, waiting for something bigger to roll in.

Or, you paddle out too late, and the wave has already passed, leaving you gasping in its wake. Somewhere in the middle is the perfect peak, when the whole ocean lifts you with it

This is what good timing feels like in a maternity photoshoot, and it has nothing to do with making you look good for somebody else. It’s about catching that moment when you felt most like yourself.

The Window That Works for Most Pregnancies

Most people tend to fall between 28 and 36 weeks for a maternity photoshoot, and within that range there’s a smaller window that proves most optimal for both comfort and overall look of the photos.

Before week 28, your bump is still writing its story.

It’s still figuring out how it wants to look, how it wants to move, how it wants to act. Before this point, most photos end up looking nice but not like a real pregnancy. Something is there, but it hasn’t announced itself yet.

After week 37, comfort begins to dwindle.

Once you spent this time in your pregnancy, fatigue sets in, and your body is focused on a single goal.

Sitting through hair and makeup followed by an hour’s worth of posing feels like a tremendous amount to ask of yourself at this point, and there’s also that small chance that your little one won’t cooperate.

There’s a reason most woman plan their photo shoots around this time. Somewhere between 32 and 34 weeks is the perfect time to capture your bump.

It has largely taken its final form, your energy is still decent, and you have ample time before your due date rolls around.

You can recognise yourself in the mirror for the first time as “pregnant.”

How to Know When Your Body Is Ready, Without Overthinking It

You don’t need to be technical about this, because your body tends to signal you when the right time has rolled around.

It might be while you’re getting dressed in the morning that you notice your shirt is hanging differently over your stomach than it did before.

It might be while waiting for the elevator that someone finally smiles at your bump instead of your face.

These tend to be the general time frames in which most people feel ready to capture their pregnancy with pictures.

Other signs to look for include your ability to stand or walk comfortably for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, your bump holding a clear, defined shape under your clothes, and whether you can find at least some energy to put into getting ready for the shoot.

If you’re able to brush your hair and put on some makeup without complaint daily, you’re probably standing right in that sweet window.

You May Also Check: 50 Unique Vintage Boy Names That Feel Like a Warm Hug From the Past

When Your Pregnancy Doesn’t Follow a Standard Timeline

There are circumstances where most of this doesn’t apply, and it’s important to acknowledge them.

If you’re expecting multiples, then your body is going to reach many of these milestones sooner, and will very likely deliver earlier than the average pregnancy as well.

Shifting your window to somewhere between 28-30 weeks tends to be a good idea.

If your doctor has indicated that there is a likelihood of preterm labour or has raised any concerns regarding your pregnancy, then it’s also a good idea to mention this to them before scheduling your maternity photoshoot.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the final stretch of a pregnancy has several implications that are worth discussing with your doctor individually.

A five-minute discussion with your physician can save you a great deal of hassle down the line.

You May Also Check: How to Choose a Baby Stroller That Actually Works for You

How to Choose a Location Based on Your Comfort and Lifestyle

Once a satisfactory week has been chosen, the location becomes a matter of preference.

While a well-lit studio can be ideal if you want to capture your bump as the centrepiece of the photos, many of the best maternity photos come from places right outside of your front door.

From your kitchen counter to your building’s staircase to a park bench, location tends to affect the type of photos you take rather than the quality.

Choose whatever place makes you feel most comfortable, as it will show in the final product.

Small Things to Do in Advance So You Can Actually Enjoy the Day

A few small preparations can be the difference between a stressful and enjoyable maternity photoshoot.

Plan your photoshoot a few weeks in advance so you can reschedule if necessary.

Choose fabrics with good stretch in them and bring along a second outfit, as they can drastically change the atmosphere of the photos without taking up much time or effort.

Sleep well the night before, and avoid salty foods if you want to minimise swelling. On the day of your shoot, keep light snacks within reach, since a standing photoshoot on an empty stomach tends to be less successful than one with food in it.

If you can, save extra time for a hand on your bump or an impromptu photo with curious little ones, since these small moments tend to become your favourites later on.

One Final Consideration Before Scheduling Your Session

These photos won’t follow you around for the rest of your life.

In a few years, they’ll quietly turn from pictures of your bump into pictures of who you were around the time you were pregnant.

No matter which week you choose, make sure it’s a week in which you truly enjoyed being pregnant.

FAQs

What week is best for maternity photos?

Most people plan their maternity photoshoots between weeks 32 and 34, as your bump has largely taken its final shape by this point and you have enough time before your due date without straining yourself.

Is it too early to take maternity photos at 24/25 weeks?

It’s not too early, but it also won’t yield the results most people are hoping for, since your bump is still forming and most photos will look nice but not indicative of a true pregnancy.

What happens if I want to take maternity photos at 38/39 weeks?

That’s fairly late in the game, and you’re likely to feel uncomfortable throughout the session, since swelling, fatigue, and restlessness tend to peak around this time, with a possibility of going into labour at any point.

I’m expecting twins, should I schedule my photoshoot any earlier?

Yes, you should plan your session somewhere between 28-30 weeks, since twin pregnancies tend to reach their due dates earlier and require more breathing room than an average single one.

What should I wear for a maternity photoshoot?

You should wear something stretchy and comfortable with good movement, something that accentuates your bump without digging into it. Solid colours tend to photograph better than patterns, and you should bring along a second outfit just in case. As a rule of thumb, anything that you can sit and stand in comfortably without restriction is a good candidate.

Can I take maternity photos with my phone instead of hiring a professional?

Yes, you can, as long as you have somebody reliable and sober who knows how to take good pictures with steady hands. What defines a good maternity photo has nothing to do with gear and everything to do with the moment that makes you happy and memorable.