When Should You Do a Maternity Shoot?
There’s a quiet kind of magic in the way your body changes during pregnancy—a soft unfolding of something sacred. It’s not just the curve of your belly or the flutter of tiny kicks, but the transformation happening inside and all around you.
As you prepare to welcome new life, there comes a time when you’ll want to pause and preserve this fleeting chapter. A maternity session is a way to honor the quiet strength of motherhood in bloom. The most frequent question I receive is: when should you do a maternity shoot.
Let’s find the sweet spot—together. You are beautiful, mama, and you deserve to feel it and see it.
The Ideal Timing: 26 to 28 Weeks
For most expectant mothers, the best time for maternity photos is between 26 and 28 weeks—the final stretch of your second trimester and the gentle beginning of your third.
Your bump is beautifully pronounced, your energy is more steady, and there’s a quiet confidence that begins to bloom. But more than anything, this window gives you a chance to feel fully present—before the final countdown begins.
Read on to learn more about why weeks 26 to 28 is when you should do a maternity shoot:
You’re Likely Feeling Better
By now, you’ve likely moved past the fatigue and queasiness that often comes with the territory of the first trimester. The second trimester tends to bring a sense of calm and renewed energy. You’ve had time to settle into your pregnancy, feel more like yourself, and even enjoy it.
If morning sickness and exhaustion defined your early days, take heart—many women feel lighter, stronger, and more radiant in the second trimester. And when you feel good, you feel camera-ready. That glow? It’s not just a phrase. It’s real. And it shines through in every image.
Of course, every woman—and every pregnancy—is beautifully different. Some experience discomfort throughout, while others breeze through every week with ease. No matter where you land, your experience is valid, and you are worthy of being seen.
You’ve Felt That First Magical Kick
There’s nothing quite like the moment you feel your baby move for the first time. It’s intimate. It’s surreal. It’s powerful.
By the end of the second trimester, those flutters have likely become gentle nudges or full-on somersaults—and the bond between you and your baby feels even more real. That connection is something truly extraordinary to capture. That inner strength, that spark, that awareness that you are creating life—it reads beautifully in photographs.
You’re not just glowing. You’re becoming. And that is breathtaking.
Your Baby Bump Has Arrived—But No Two Are Alike
By 27 weeks, most mamas are showing clearly, and feel excited to capture this visible part of the journey. But let’s pause for a gentle reminder: no two bumps look the same.
Some women carry high, others low. Some show early, others later. Some have petite bumps and others, fuller curves. All of it is normal. All of it is beautiful. All of it is worth remembering.
Whether your bump is big and round or just beginning to bloom, your maternity session is not about measuring up—it’s about celebrating the life you’re growing, and the unique story only you are telling.
You’ll never regret having these images. You will cherish them for a lifetime.
Before the Third Trimester Rush
As your third trimester begins, so does a new wave of preparation, anticipation, and sometimes… discomfort. You may start to feel more tired, more anxious, or simply not in the mood to be photographed.
That’s why I recommend riding the wave of energy and excitement at the end of your second trimester, before the nesting instincts take over and the countdown gets real.
By choosing that sweet spot—when you’re feeling strong, settled, and connected—you give yourself the space to truly enjoy this experience.
If You’re Expecting Multiples
For mamas carrying twins or more, I suggest planning your session a bit earlier—between 23 and 26 weeks. Multiples tend to arrive ahead of schedule, and your comfort is key. We’ll keep things beautifully simple and tailor every detail to your needs.
If You Have Special Considerations
If your pregnancy is high-risk or your journey looks a little different than expected, please know: you’re still absolutely welcome here. We’ll collaborate on timing in a way that feels safe, supportive, and right for you. If you need an in-home session, or there is anything else I can do to support you, we can certainly plan for what serves you best.
Let’s Document the Beauty in the Becoming
At Fieldstone Studio, maternity sessions are intentionally relaxed and thoughtfully styled, focused on capturing the beauty of your motherhood journey with grace and simplicity.
From curated wardrobe guidance and professional hair and makeup, to gentle posing and quiet moments that feel natural, your session is designed to feel like you—just held a little more tenderly.
If you’re in Newburyport, Portsmouth, or the greater Boston area and dreaming of timeless maternity portraits that feel like poetry on paper, I would be honored to photograph this chapter for you.
✨ Get in touch to reserve your session »
Let’s create something you’ll hold onto forever.
If you still have questions about when you should do a maternity shoot, or have any other questions, let’s plan a quick Discovery Call.
Another frequent question I get: When To Plan Newborn Photos.
