Skokie and Chicago North Shore
Maternity Photography
The waiting, the wonder, and the two of you before you become three.
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What a maternity session feels like
A maternity session with me is not a studio production. It is an hour of slowing down. We walk, we sit, your partner rests a hand on your belly, your toddler climbs into your lap, and I photograph the way you already are with each other.
I photograph maternity sessions outdoors at golden hour in parks around Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette and the North Shore, and at home for parents who want something quieter and more personal. Both work beautifully. The choice usually comes down to how you feel and what you want to remember.
These photos become the first chapter of your baby's story. Many families pair a maternity session with a newborn session a few months later so the two galleries belong together.
When to book maternity photos
The best window is 28 to 34 weeks. You are visibly pregnant, still comfortable moving around, and far enough from your due date that a surprise early arrival is unlikely. If you are expecting twins or have been told to expect an early delivery, we aim earlier.
Reach out around 20 weeks so we can hold a date that fits the season you want. Spring blossoms, summer golden hour, fall color and cozy winter at-home sessions each have their own feel.
What you get
- Outdoor or in-home: a North Shore park at golden hour or the quiet of your own home
- Partner and kids included: this is a family session too, if you want it to be
- Wardrobe guidance: for Classic and Full sessions, help choosing dresses and colors that move and photograph well
- Gentle direction: simple prompts, no stiff poses
- Professionally edited images: delivered in a private online gallery
- Full print rights: print whatever you want, wherever you want
What makes maternity photos work
Comfort decides everything in the third trimester. Long walks, stairs down to a beach and standing in the sun for an hour are harder at 34 weeks. I plan short distances, places to sit, and a pace that follows you.
Flowing fabric photographs better than fitted. Long dresses in soft, warm colors move in the wind and show the shape you want to remember. I will send suggestions and you never have to buy anything new.
Golden hour is short in fall and winter. By November, sunset is before 5 pm and the warm light lasts about 45 minutes. For late-year sessions I often suggest an in-home session by a big window instead.
Toddlers make it real, and they need a plan. If a big sibling is joining, we photograph the family frames first, then let them play while we do the quiet belly-and-partner photos.
Maternity session pricing
Maternity sessions use the same packages as every other session: $300 for a 30-minute mini, $425 for a 60-minute Classic, and $550 for a 90-minute Full session. Every package includes professionally edited images in a private online gallery with full print rights. Sessions within 10 miles of Skokie carry no travel fee. Ask about pairing a maternity and newborn session.
View Full PricingRecent sessions
In-home newborn session in Skokie
Where a maternity session leads: baby Billie at home a few weeks later.
Garfield Park Conservatory engagement session
Greenery and soft indoor light, a favorite setting for couples in any season.
In-home family session in West Rogers Park
The kind of window light an in-home maternity session is built on.
Common questions about maternity photography
When is the best time for maternity photos?
Between 28 and 34 weeks. You are clearly showing, still comfortable, and unlikely to deliver before the session. For twins or an expected early delivery, aim for 26 to 30 weeks.
How much does a maternity photographer cost in Chicago?
My maternity sessions run from $300 to $550 with edited images and print rights included. Published 2026 cost guides put most professional Chicago maternity sessions between about $500 and $1,200, and the national average between $250 and $700, so a natural light session at home or in a park is the affordable route. See my maternity photoshoot cost guide for the full breakdown.
What should I wear for maternity photos?
A long, flowing dress in a soft warm color is the easiest choice. Fitted ribbed dresses also work well. Avoid busy patterns, logos and pure white. Partners look best in solid neutrals that complement the dress.
Can my partner and kids be in the photos?
Yes, and I encourage it. A maternity session is really a family session with a belly in it. We will do frames of just you, you and your partner, and the whole family.
Should I do maternity photos at home or outdoors?
Outdoors at golden hour gives you soft light and open space. At home gives you privacy, comfort and the nursery. If you are unsure, tell me what season it is and how you are feeling and I will recommend one.
Where do you photograph maternity sessions?
Throughout Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Lincolnwood, Glenview, Northbrook and the North Shore, outdoors or in your home. Sessions within 10 miles of Skokie carry no travel fee.
Where I photograph
Ready to plan your maternity session?
Tell me your due date and the season you have in mind. I will suggest timing, a location and a package, and we can hold your newborn date at the same time.
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