The Best Time in Pregnancy for Your Maternity Session
Hey there, mama-to-be! Congratulations on your pregnancy! As a maternity photographer in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland area, I know just how exciting and special this time is for you. It's a time of transformation and anticipation as you prepare to bring new life into the world. Many women choose to document this time through maternity portrait sessions. These sessions capture the beauty of pregnancy and provide a tangible memory of this magical time. But when is the best time to do a maternity session?
Every pregnancy is different, so there's no hard and fast rule for when to schedule your maternity portrait session. In general, I suggest 28-36 weeks, but I think the sweet spot is around 30 weeks! Some women want to get their photos taken earlier in their second trimester, but even if you feel like you're carrying a basketball in your belly, it may not look as round in photos as you want it to. If this is your first pregnancy, you’ll need to wait longer to get a nice round shape, but if you’ve had other pregnancies, you will likely be showing earlier.
Here are my reasons for recommending a maternity session around 30 weeks of pregnancy:
Plenty of energy
30 weeks is a time when your baby bump is large and prominent, but you're still comfortable enough to move around and pose for photos. As the pregnancy progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to move around and find comfortable positions. By the end of the third trimester, many women experience swelling and discomfort that can make it challenging to stand or sit for long periods of time. At 30 weeks, however, most women are still feeling good and have plenty of energy to spare.
Speaking of being comfortable. Want 10 tips on how to look your best in your photos? Read all about that here.
Round baby bump
At 30 weeks, your baby has not yet dropped. When the baby drops, which usually happens around 36 weeks, your belly can appear lower and flatter, and the shape of your body can change. This can make it difficult to achieve the desired look and feel for maternity photos. At 30 weeks, your belly is still high and round, creating a beautiful and distinctive silhouette.
Exciting time
30 weeks is an excellent time to capture the excitement and anticipation of your pregnancy. By this point, you've likely had your second trimester ultrasound and seen your baby's face and features. You may have also started to feel your baby's movements and kicks, which can be thrilling. A maternity session at 30 weeks can capture the excitement and emotion that you are feeling.
Flexibility
By scheduling your session for 30 weeks, there is some flexibility to accommodate changes in your pregnancy or unexpected events. If your baby arrives early, for example, we can still have your session before your baby is born. On the other hand, if you're feeling particularly uncomfortable or need to reschedule for any reason, there is still some flexibility to do so.
Glow
30 weeks is a time when you're still feeling like yourself, but with the added glow and radiance of pregnancy. Many women experience a boost in confidence during pregnancy, and a maternity session at 30 weeks can capture this confidence and beauty. Whether it's a solo session or a session with your partner or family, a maternity session at 30 weeks captures that third trimester glow!
Since your glowing you should take advantage of this special time. Check out this post where I list the best maternity photo ideas to try in 2023.
Exceptions
If you're expecting twins or triplets or have a high-risk pregnancy, there's a bit of a different recommendation for your maternity session. I would suggest getting it scheduled for your second trimester, around 20-26 weeks into your pregnancy. By then, if you're carrying more than one baby, your baby bump will be more prominent and noticeable. Plus, you'll still be feeling good and mobile enough to pose and move around. Keep in mind that multiple pregnancies and high-risk pregnancies often result in earlier deliveries, so when you book your photoshoot, make sure to factor that in.
Finding a great sonographer can help with the anxieties that come with pregnancy. Check out this post all about the best sonographers in our area.
Too late?
It's never too late to capture the beauty of your pregnancy! Don't worry if you didn’t get around to scheduling a maternity session well in advance - as long as you're feeling comfortable and mobile, I'm more than happy to work with you to get your session scheduled. The most important thing is that you have precious photos of this time in your life.
In conclusion, scheduling your maternity session around 30 weeks is the perfect time. At this point in your pregnancy, you're still feeling good and have plenty of energy; your baby bump is large and prominent; and the excitement and anticipation of your pregnancy are at their peak. Scheduling your session for 30 weeks allows for flexibility and captures this magical time in your life.
Find out all about what to expect from a maternity session with me here.
I’m Amanda, a maternity photographer in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore/Annapolis, Maryland, areas. I’m more than happy to chat with you about your unique pregnancy and plan for when the best time would be for YOUR session! I can't wait to capture this special time in your motherhood journey for you!
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