Wondering when to take maternity photos? As a photographer, I typically recommend scheduling your maternity session between 28 and 36 weeks (or around 7 to 9 months pregnant). However, the best time really depends on your unique pregnancy, comfort level, and personal preferences.
Below, I’ll walk you through what to consider when deciding when to do maternity photos — from the ideal trimester to seasonal backdrops, lighting, and more. Whether it’s your first baby or you’re growing your family, these tips will help you choose the right time to book your maternity photoshoot for the most enjoyable and special experience.
When to Take Maternity Photos
The best time for maternity photos is typically between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. During this time, your baby bump is visible, but you’re usually not experiencing late-pregnancy discomfort and fatigue yet. This window allows you to feel more relaxed and confident in front of the camera.
Some expecting moms may schedule closer to 28 weeks for extra comfort and flexibility, while others wait until 34 to 36 weeks to capture a full-term bump. The key is taking your photos at a time that feels most comfortable for you.
Best Time of Day for Maternity Photos
As an outdoor maternity photographer, I recommend taking your photos during golden hour — right after sunrise or just before sunset. The lighting during this time is perfect for stunning photos. For an indoor shoot, the time of day may not matter as much.
If you’re taking photos in a public setting, weekdays are best for fewer distractions. If weekends work best for you, morning and evening times are ideal.
Best Time of Year for Maternity Photos
Since there’s a short window for taking maternity photos, you might not get to pick a specific season. The good news is you can enjoy the special beauty that comes with whatever time of year your session happens!
Every season can offer picture-perfect scenery for magical photos. Spring brings fresh blooms and soft colors, summer is full of vibrant greenery and golden light, fall offers warm tones and colorful foliage, and winter might provide a snowy backdrop.
If you can take your maternity photos in a scenic area like Denver or Colorado Springs, there are beautiful outdoor backdrops year-round — from mountain views and red rocks to scenic parks and golden hour skies.
Considerations When Choosing Best Time for Maternity Photos
While it’s usually best to do maternity photos between 28 to 36 weeks, there are a few factors to consider for the best timing:
- First pregnancy – It may take a bit longer for your bump to show for a first pregnancy, so you might want to schedule closer to 32 to 36 weeks.
- Twins or triplets – With multiples, you’ll likely start showing earlier and may be more physically uncomfortable later in pregnancy. In this case, it might be better to take your photos between 24 and 28 weeks.
- Individual comfort – Everyone experiences pregnancy differently. If you’re feeling more tired, swollen, or uncomfortable earlier than expected, it’s okay to schedule your session a bit sooner.
- Photographer’s input – If your photographer has worked with several expecting moms, they might have good insights to guide you based on your due date, personal goals, and desired location and lighting. I’m always happy to help my clients plan the perfect timeline!
- Travel or location factors – If you’re planning a destination session or hoping to shoot during a specific season, it’s worth factoring in travel time, weather, and how far along you’ll be. You might coordinate your maternity session with a babymoon or vacation, which may require earlier scheduling.
When to Take Maternity Photos: FAQs
Get answers to common questions below for more on when to get maternity photos taken.
Is 30 weeks too early for maternity pictures?
30 weeks isn’t considered too early for maternity pictures because your baby bump will likely be showing, and you’ll still be comfortable and mobile. It may also be a more stress-free experience since it won’t be too close to your due date.
Can I take maternity photos after 36 weeks?
While you may feel more tired closer to your due date, many expecting moms love to capture their full-term bump after 36 weeks. Just keep in mind that baby could arrive early, so be sure to schedule with flexibility.
Is it okay to do maternity photos earlier than 28 weeks?
It’s okay to take maternity photos earlier than 28 weeks, especially if you have special circumstances like travel or a high-risk pregnancy. However, it’s best to take them as close to 28 weeks as possible so your bump shows in your photos.
When should I book my maternity photoshoot?
You should book your maternity photos one to three months in advance, depending on the season. For example, if you live somewhere like Colorado that’s busier in summer and fall, you’ll want to book a few months prior during those seasons. However, you usually don’t need as much notice for slower seasons.
What if my baby arrives early?
If your baby arrives before your scheduled session, you can always opt for newborn photos instead. To help plan the best timing and ensure your session goes as planned, be sure to share your due date with your photographer for personalized guidance.
Let’s Book Your Maternity Session
I hope you found this article helpful and have a better understanding of when to take maternity photos. If you’re ready to book your session, I’d love to work together!
As a Colorado-based photographer who travels, I enjoy taking maternity photos in scenic locations throughout the Rocky Mountains and beyond in beautiful, nature-inspired places. Whether you’re local or planning a destination shoot, I can help you choose the perfect time and place for a special experience and beautiful maternity photos.
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
