One of the most common things I hear from women who are about to have a baby is - I’m 30ish weeks pregnant and I’ve been thinking about having maternity photos done but I’m not sure…and I just wanted to ask about it. I know many people they feel a bit awkward having maternity photos done. Often partners aren’t keen to be involved, they have not yet felt the same connection and closeness, they often choose to wait until newborn photos. It might seem like an indulgent expense along with all the other costs involved in having a new baby. The thing you really need to know is - this time won’t come again. Of course you might have another child, but this one, and each one, is unique and special and never to be repeated. So if you’ve wondered about how it works, and why you should do it, here are my top 5 things you need to know about maternity photography.

1. IT’S EASY AND MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY MAKES A GREAT BABY SHOWER GIFT. A lot of women can feel awkward about having maternity photos done.Your body is changing on a daily basis and you don’t always feel your best. Find the right photographer for you and it will instead feel fun and special. Maternity photography styles range from flowing gowns at sunrise on the beach to relaxed in-home sessions with a cup of tea. Whatever your vibe find someone you feel comfortable with and create that maternity keepsake. Let your friends and family know you’re saving for a session and that you’d love to receive money towards pregnancy and newborn photos. There are lots of gift registry services available like Album Registry where you can start a page with your favourite photographer and have everyone contribute.

2. COMBINE MATERNITY & NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS TO GET BETTER VALUE. You might know you want newborn family photos but you might feel like the maternity part isn’t a must have. Maybe you don’t feel your best, maybe it’s too painful because your pregnancy journey was so long and you aren’t ready to enjoy it. I highly recommend combining your maternity and newborn sessions together to get the most value. I offer a bump to baby package and it combines the two sessions and you make a saving. You can also purchase your session via PayRight which means you can pay it off in installments. Having a maternity photography session before your newborn photography session is a great way to get to build a relationship with the photographer. Find a photographer who can grow with you so they come along for the journey. This makes the photos even more special and intimate. Seeing families every year is super lovely and special. The more you do family photos the more relaxed you become and the better they are.

3. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS? I recommend between 31 and 35 weeks because generally you’re feeling good at this time. However, every pregnancy is different and we can chat about what is right for you. For example I have a maternity photo shoot coming up for an almost 40 week pregnancy. It’s a third time mumma and she loves the idea of a super big belly and her 2 other children and husband can join for an in-home session. It’s all about what suits you, the location and your routine too.

4. YOU DON’T NEED A SPECIAL GOWN FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS. Another common thing I hear is - I’ve been wearing the same dress my whole pregnancy I have no clothes. Maternity shoot outfits don’t need to be fancy. I promise you have something that works and if it’s at home you can wear underwear or swimmers, or a robe, your partners t shirt. It’s not about that and it’s my job to make it work for you. If you feel like buying something for the occasion I can recommend some things too.

5. YOU WON’T REGRET IT. EVER. Although in the moment it might feel indulgent I can 100% guarantee you that when you’re little ones are grown or even just 5 and they say - mummy, do you have a photo of me inside you? That you’ll be so happy to show them your keepsake of that time. Not just for them but for you. You’re about to embark on a life changing journey. Stop and take a moment to create something that in years to come you look back at and reflect on. It’s as much about your journey as it is your children. You want see any of the flaws you think you have now. If your partner isn’t ready to join, that’s totally fine and very normal, but don’t let that sway your decision. It’s one of those things that we don’t always understand how important it is until later down the track.

So that’s just 5 things that I hope will help you consider professional maternity photos . If you have questions or would like to chat about a session I’d love to hear from you. You might also enjoy this blog about when to scheduler your newborn photos.

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