Want Dreamy Maternity Shoot Photos? Here are 9 Things to Know!

For Parents Who Want to Document This Magical Time…

Oh, how I love maternity sessions. Especially when it’s your first baby. There’s something extra tender about this chapter of life - when everything feels new and unknown and exciting. You’re glowing (even if you don’t feel like it 😉), your belly is starting to take center stage, and the connection between you and your partner is likely at a new and deeper level.

If you're thinking about doing maternity photos but wondering what it's actually like - or you're looking for maternity and newborn photography in the San Francisco Bay Area - this post is for you. I’ll walk you through what to expect from a session with me, how to prepare, and why documenting this chapter of life is 100% worth it.

Taking a Lifestyle Approach at Maternity Photo Shoots

I take a lifestyle approach when photographing my pregnant mamas and their partners. You’ve probably heard that term “lifestyle” thrown around a bunch in photography circles, but what does it actually mean? For me, it means movement, interaction, and real connection. I’m not going to freeze you into awkward poses or ask you to make a heart with your hands on your belly (nope 🙅‍♀️). Instead, we’ll walk, snuggle, laugh, explore, and just be together in a way that feels like you.

Lifestyle photography sits somewhere between fully posed and pure documentary. I’ll give gentle direction to help with flattering angles and beautiful light, but I’ll never ask you to be anything other than yourself. When you’re moving and expressing in authentic ways, the magic happens. ✨

Schedule Your Maternity Session in the Ideal Window

Ah, the million-dollar question! I usually recommend scheduling your maternity photos somewhere between 34 and 37 weeks. That’s when the bump is poppin’ and you’re (hopefully) still feeling mobile and comfortable enough to enjoy the shoot.

Doing it too early can mean your belly isn’t quite showing the way you want. It can visually translate as your body looking a little bloated or heavier than usual, but not obviously pregnant. Having your photo shoot too late can be uncomfortable on the mom (not to mention the sense of time pressure for the ticking timebomb 😉) That said, I’ve done sessions at 39 weeks and it’s not impossible, but it can be more exhausting than ideal.

If you're planning to do maternity and newborn photography, it’s a good idea to book both sessions befoer your baby arrives so you’re not trying to plan and schedule things while adjusting to life as a new parent.

Pick a Location That Feels Right

When choosing where to do your maternity session, I always suggest picking a spot that means something to you. It could be the beach where you walk your dog every weekend, the park where you got engaged, or just a place where you feel grounded and happy. The San Francisco Bay Area is full of jaw-dropping backdrops, so there’s no shortage of options.

A few of my favorites for lifestyle maternity photo shoots:

• The Beach – Ocean, Baker, Muir, Pacifica - I love them all!

• Favorite Neighborhood Adventure – Hand-in-hand strolling, treat-getting, day-in-the-life feeling of life pre-baby.

• Your Home – Yep, really! Home sessions can be so cozy and meaningful. Plus: if you want romantic shots of your belly peeking out of some gauzy or silky fabric, home is the ideal place for that.

If you already have a favorite spot in mind, that’s amazing. If not, I’ve got plenty of location ideas and am always happy to make suggestions.

Dress to Impress at Your Maternity Shoot

Wardrobe questions come up all the time, and I get it! You want to feel like your best and most beautiful self—and yes, your growing body might feel a little unfamiliar right now.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Dresses that highlight the bump: these can be fitted throughout or fitted up top and flowy on the bottom. I don’t recommend full flowy on top and bottom as those tend to read more like a tent.

• Subdued tones or earthy colors: they photograph beautifully, work well with all skin tones, and won’t date your photos.

• Coordinated (but not matching) outfits for partners and any kiddos. We want cohesion rather than identical ensembles.

I always offer wardrobe guidance for new mamas who want it. Some brands I love for high-quality and stylish maternity pieces are Hatch, Ingrid & Isabel, and Nuuly (which offers maternity clothing rental subscriptions).

Prep for the Big Day

No need to overthink this. Maternity sessions with me are super chill by design. That said, a few things can help you feel your best:

• Hydrate and get a good night’s sleep the night before (as best you can 😅),

• Eat a little something before your session,

• Bring water and a cozy layer, and

• If kids or pups are joining, a little bribery in the form of snacks or treats goes a long way.

We’ll go with the flow, take breaks if needed, and I promise to make it fun.

Remember to Relax and Have Fun During the Session

A typical session lasts about an hour. I keep things relaxed and easy—no stiff poses, no pressure. We’ll chat, move around, and find little moments of connection. I’ll guide you into the prettiest light, offer direction as needed, ask you too many questions about how you met and what your pregnancy has been like thus far 😜, and capture moments big and small that tell the story of this season in your life. Whatever arises during our sesssion, we say yes to it.

If we’re shooting outside, we’ll shoot early in the morning or during magic hour (the hour before sunset) for that soft, dreamy light. If we’re indoors, I’ll work with the natural light in your space to create cozy, intimate vibes.

I’ve been doing maternity and newborn photography in San Francisco for 14 years years, so I’m well-versed in wet, cold, and unpredictable Bay Area weather. If we need to reschedule, we’ll make it work. Though full transparency, I love shooting maternity ssessions in the fog. How pretty are these foggy shots below?! 👇

After the Session: What Happens Next?

After your shoot, we bid farewell and you go home knowing that we’ve captured something beautiful. First, I’ll cull down the set from our time together to the absolute best images and then lovingly hand-edit each one. Next, within 1-2 weeks, I’ll send you a beautiful online gallery with all your edited images. You’ll be able to download high-res images, share them with friends and fam, and make prints. I even offer a deluxe print shop directly in your gallery in case you don’t have the bandwidth to DIY your prints.

If you’ve booked both maternity and newborn sessions with me (yay!😍), we’ll already have your newborn shoot tentatively scheduled. We’ll check back in once baby arrives and adjust our shoot date if needed.

Should You Do Newborn Photos Too?

So many of my maternity clients end up doing newborn sessions as well—and I love that. You’re already comfortable in front of my camera, and I already know your family’s rhythm. Newborn sessions are totally different in pace and energy, but just as meaningful.

Newborn sessions take place in your home and have the same lifestyle approach as maternity sessions. There isn’t one correct time to have your newborn session, it’s mostly a matter of personal preference. I wrote a blog post detailing what to expect when doing newborn photos at different ages. That said, the majority of my families end up having their newborn sessions within the first 2-3 weeks after birth. These early days sessions focus on the snuggly, sleepy, brand-new magic of life with baby. With all newborn sessions, I work around feeding and naps, and the whole vibe is slow and gentle.

Booking both sessions allows us to tell a full story—from belly to baby. It’s a beautiful way to remember the journey and celebrate the love that’s growing in your family.

The Real Reason These Photos Matter

I know some people hesitate to do maternity photos. Maybe you're not feeling like yourself. Maybe the idea of being in front of a camera feels awkward. I get it!

But here’s the thing: this is such a short window of time, and it’s a big one. These photos are for you, yes—but they’re also for your baby. One day, they’ll look at these images and see the joy, the anticipation, and the deep love you had for them before you ever held them in your arms.

As a maternity photographer in San Francisco, I see it again and again—how these sessions become treasured memories.These photos tell the beginning of a lifelong love story.

Let’s Tell Your Story

If you’re ready to book your maternity session (or want to chat to see if we’re a good fit), I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re already counting down the weeks or just starting to think about photos, I’m here to make the process easy, fun, and totally you. Let’s make something beautiful together. ✨