If you're expecting, you've probably thought about maternity photos at least once. Maybe you're not sure if it's "your thing." Maybe you're wondering if it's too late. Maybe you just want to know what it actually looks like before committing. Here's everything you need to know about booking a maternity session.
When Should You Book a Maternity Session?
The sweet spot is between 28 and 36 weeks. Your bump is beautifully visible but you're still comfortable enough to move around, sit on the ground, walk through a park, and actually enjoy the session. Reaching out somewhere around 24 to 30 weeks gives plenty of time to plan.
If you're past 36 weeks, don't count yourself out. We can still make it work. You might just prefer a shorter, more relaxed session, and that's completely fine.
Do I Need a Maternity Session If I'm Already Booking Newborn?
You don't need one, but I will say this: the two sessions capture completely different chapters of the same story. Maternity is about anticipation, connection, and this specific moment in time when your whole life is about to change. Newborn is about the after. Having both gives you the full picture.
Where Do Maternity Sessions Take Place?
Wherever you're most comfortable. I offer both outdoor and in-home sessions in Skokie, Evanston, Lincolnwood, Wilmette, and across Chicago's North Shore.
Outdoor sessions work beautifully in spring, summer, and early fall. Parks with mature trees, open fields, or even a quiet neighborhood street with good light can look stunning.
In-home sessions have their own magic. Your nursery, your bedroom, the cozy spaces where you've been nesting. These photos feel intimate and personal in a way that outdoor sessions can't replicate. Plus, you don't have to drive anywhere at 34 weeks, which is a real perk.
What Should I Wear?
This is probably the most common question for maternity sessions. Here's what works:
- Form-fitting fabrics that show off your bump. Anything that hugs your shape and celebrates it.
- Flowy dresses and gowns for a more romantic, editorial look. Long maxi dresses photograph beautifully, especially outdoors with a breeze.
- Neutral and earthy tones. Creams, whites, soft pinks, sage, tan. These keep the focus on you and your bump, not the outfit.
- Something you feel good in. This matters more than anything else. If you feel beautiful, it shows in every single photo.
What to skip: busy patterns, stiff fabrics, anything you'll be tugging at. You want to be comfortable and confident.
Not sure what to go with? Send me your top picks and I'll help you narrow it down.
Should My Partner and Kids Be in the Photos?
Absolutely, if you want them there. Including your partner and older kids makes the session feel like a family moment, not just a solo shoot. Sibling photos with a visible bump are some of the sweetest images, and couples shots during this stage are something you'll treasure.
That said, solo shots are beautiful too. Most maternity sessions include a mix of both.
What If I Don't Feel "Photo Ready"?
I'm not just saying this as a photographer. I've been there myself. You might be tired. You might feel swollen. You might not love the way your body looks right now. I get it.
But pregnancy is temporary. These photos are how you'll remember this time. And you look more beautiful than you think. Every client who felt nervous beforehand has said afterward that they're so glad they did it.
How Long Is a Maternity Session?
A typical session runs about 45 minutes to an hour. Enough time to get a variety of poses and locations without wearing you out. I always work at your pace. If you need to sit, we sit. If you need water, we pause. There's never any rushing.
How Much Does a Maternity Session Cost?
The most popular option for maternity is the one-hour session with 30+ edited images. I have a few different packages depending on what you're looking for. Check my sessions page for all the details.
Your full gallery will be ready within 2 to 3 weeks, carefully edited for natural warmth and soft, timeless tones.
Ready to Book Your Maternity Session?
Whether you're in your second trimester or already in the home stretch, reach out and let's plan something beautiful. I only take a limited number of sessions each month so every family gets the attention they deserve.
Serving expecting moms in Skokie, Evanston, Lincolnwood, Wilmette, and across Chicago's North Shore.