A maternity photoshoot in Chicago costs between $500 and $1,200 for most professional sessions, according to One Big Happy Photo's 2026 maternity pricing guide. Tov Studio Photo's 2026 cost guide splits Chicago into outdoor sessions at $350 to $600 and boutique studio sessions at $800 to $1,500, with a national average of $250 to $700. My maternity sessions in Skokie and the North Shore run from $200 to $500, and the edited images are included.
Here is what is behind those ranges, so you can compare quotes that are structured differently.
What the 2026 guides say
How much does a maternity photoshoot cost in Chicago?
One Big Happy Photo's guide says most professional Chicago sessions land between $500 and $1,200, and describes three tiers: budget sessions of 30 to 45 minutes with 5 to 10 edited images at $200 to $400, mid-range sessions of 60 to 90 minutes with 20 to 40 images and an online gallery at $450 to $800, and premium studio sessions with styling, wardrobe, hair and makeup and albums at $900 to $2,500 or more.
What is the average cost of maternity photography in the US?
Tov Studio Photo's guide puts the 2026 national average at $250 to $700 for a standard session. It places Chicago in its second pricing tier alongside Seattle, Austin and Denver, with outdoor sessions at $350 to $600 and boutique studio work at $800 to $1,500. Wardrobe is the single biggest driver: studios with a gown collection charge more because the gowns are expensive to buy and maintain.
What changes the price
- Studio or natural light. Studio rent, backdrops and lighting are built into the price. Outdoor and in-home sessions are not.
- Wardrobe, hair and makeup. Beautiful, and often the difference between a $400 session and a $1,200 one. If you already have a dress you love, you do not need them.
- Images included or sold separately. Add up the session fee plus the images you actually want before comparing.
- Length. A 30-minute session at golden hour covers you and your partner. A 60 or 90-minute session leaves time for older kids and a second outfit.
- Travel. Sessions within 10 miles of Skokie carry no travel fee with me. Beyond that, $50.
What my maternity sessions cost
How much does Tovy Photography charge for maternity photos?
Maternity sessions use my standard packages. The Mini is $200 for 30 minutes at one location with 10 edited images. The Classic is $325 for 60 minutes and 20 images, and it is the usual choice because it leaves room for your partner and kids. The Full is $500 for 90 minutes and 30 images. Wardrobe guidance is included with Classic and Full sessions, every package includes a private online gallery with full print rights, and I photograph outdoors at North Shore parks and beaches or in your home. Details are on the maternity photography page. Many families pair the maternity session with an in-home newborn session, which is described on the maternity and newborn page.
When to book
The best window for maternity photos is 28 to 34 weeks. Reach out around 20 weeks to hold a date in the season you want, and earlier if you are expecting twins or an early delivery. More on timing and what to wear is in when to book maternity photos and what to wear.
Ways to keep the cost reasonable
Choose natural light over a studio. Wear a dress you already own, in a soft solid color that moves. Book a weekday evening at a park close to home. Skip albums until you have seen the gallery. If you are expecting in Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette or anywhere on the North Shore, tell me your due date and I will suggest timing, a location and a package.