WHEN SHOULD YOU PLAN YOUR MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT? | SPOKANE MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER
Start planning your maternity photoshoot in your second trimester of pregnancy. I know this probably sounds early, but the time really files by and this allows you to ensure that the photographer you want is available when you’re ready for pictures. Calculate when you’ll be in week 30 of your pregnancy and book your photos in that week with your choosen photographer. I recommend booking your maternity photos with the same photographer that you’d like to have take your newborn photos. This allows you and your family to grow a relationship and familiarity with your photographer before inviting them into your sacred postpartum space. Many photographers (like me!) also offer a discount off maternity photos when booked with newborn photos, so it’s a double win.
Week 30 probably sounds oddly specific, but it is the best week to have your maternity photos taken. At week 30 you’ll have plenty of belly to show off for your photos, any earlier than that and sometimes the belly isn’t quite as pronounced. The second reason is that for most moms-to-be in week 30 the major swelling that happens all over the body hasn’t started quite yet. This means you’ll be more comfortable than if you wait until the end of your pregnancy.
Once you’ve booked your photographer, start planning wardrobe for BOTH maternity and newborn photos. If planning to wear a maternity dress, choose something bump friendly and weather appropriate for the 30 week mark. Dresses are almost always the easier outfit for photos. If you are planning on wearing maternity pants, be sure that there is not only enough room for your belly, but also your hips. When I was pregnant, I did not realize how much wider my hips would be just a few weeks later, I’m only telling you this so that you don’t try them on, set them aside to find they don’t fit on picture day, no one wants to waste money on clothes they won’t wear. Be sure to plan your newborn photos outfits now too. You’ll likely still be in maternity jeans and leggings during your newborn session, so be sure to have an extra pair that is fresh looking for your newborn photos in case you decide to wear that. You may not have energy to go shopping once your baby has arrived (I certainly did not! and many moms I’ve worked with didn’t either)