When to Book Maternity Photos: A Knoxville Photographer's Guide for Expecting Moms

WHEN TO BOOK MATERNITY PHOTOS: A KNOXVILLE PHOTOGRAPHER'S GUIDE FOR EXPECTING MOMS

Congratulations, Mama! I'm so excited for you as you grow the newest addition to your family!

Everything is changing so quickly - maybe you're already feeling the first flutters or maybe you're still battling morning sickness. Regardless, this is such a beautiful and sacred season you're in!

I love that you're already looking into maternity photos. You are doing something miraculous and I would absolutely love to capture these memories before they slip away.

WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY PHOTOGRAPHER?

If you're wondering when to book your maternity photos, you are not alone!

This is going to vary based on which photographer you choose and what their availability is. I recommend at least a month before your session. This gives us plenty of time to plan properly. We can talk about what you want to wear, where you want to go, how you want to style your spouse, and order outfits online if necessary!

That being said, it's never too late. If you decided you want a maternity session at the last minute, we will make it happen! I believe every mama deserves to feel beautiful and celebrate her growing family with a maternity portrait session!

Lindsey was photographed at 40 weeks pregnant and still looks amazing!

HOW FAR ALONG SHOULD I BE FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS?

When I mention when to book your maternity photos, I always tell my mamas to schedule their Knoxville maternity photos for 28-32 weeks pregnant. By this window, you've likely already popped and hopefully are still feeling good before things start to get really heavy!

After being pregnant myself, I realize just how much can change in 4 weeks. I did my Knoxville maternity photos around 31 weeks and I honestly wish I'd gone just a little sooner. I am already short, but I felt exceptionally short and wide by 31 weeks. The photos are beautiful, I just look pregnant, but I feel a little bigger than I would have liked.

Photos by Amanda May Photos

If you're concerned about this, you might want to book on the earlier side of the window. If we are coming up on your session and you're feeling like you want to wait for your belly to get a little bigger first, just reach out and we can always push it back a little.

Some women will schedule as early as 20 weeks and do a little "half baked" themed session. This can be really fun, just know your bump isn't going to be as big and round at 20 weeks as it will by 30 weeks.

At the end of the day, you know your body best (especially if this isn't your first pregnancy!) and you should schedule your session for whenever you feel you'll have the most photogenic bump and happy energy!

WHAT SHOUDL I WEAR?

What to wear - that is the big question. You'll get up to 2 outfits (and one location) with my maternity sessions.

Sometimes it's helpful to first nail down a location and then decide what you want to wear from there. You can see some of my favorite locations here!

Personally, I love when my mamas wear pretty dresses to their Knoxville maternity session. They have a way of flattering the bump and making you feel beautiful in a body that is rapidly growing.

I also love neutrals, rich solids, or small patterns. We don't want anything too loud. The focus should be on YOU not the dress.

I have a client closet full of bump friendly gowns and dresses that you are welcome to raid! Check it out here! You're also more than welcome to bring your own dress. Whatever feels right to you!

You also don't have to wear a dress at all. I've had a few mamas do jeans and a button down. This can be super cute. Overalls would also be a great option!

If this is all feeling overwhelming, please don't stress. I'm happy to schedule a time to chat through your options with you! I'm more than happy to help you find something you look and feel beautiful in. I'll also help you style the rest of your family while we're at it!

HOW SHOULD I STYLE MY FAMILY?

You're the one who is growing a baby. You're the one who is the focus of the maternity session. You're the one who should pick their outfit FIRST.

Once you've decided what you want to wear, we can coordinate the rest of your family. I love to recommend neutrals or patterns with colors that match your outfit! Generally, I'd limit a family styling to one pattern (two at most if kids are involved as well).

SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND SCHEDULE A NEWBORN SESSION TOO?

If you're thinking about maternity photos, you're probably also thinking about newborn photos. With many photographers, myself included, if you book a maternity and a newborn session together, you'll get a discount on both sessions.

Want to add on 6 month milestones & a 1 year cake smash? You'll get even more of a discount per session!

Check out my investment page to learn all about bump to baby packages!

SHOULD I ADD ON A BOUDOIR MINI SESSION?

You may be thinking "What? Maternity boudoir is a thing?". It certainly can be!

I have a separate business for my boudoir work, but I absolutely love working with moms during their pregnancy and postpartum.

I did my own boudoir style maternity photos and it was an incredibly special and intimate way of capturing the magic of pregnancy. While I won't share them here, if you're interested in seeing my boudoir work, you can check out my website rosewoodboudoir.com to learn more.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

Maybe you're wondering if you even want maternity photos. Maybe you're having a rough pregnancy and you're not feeling very photogenic. I totally understand that. You don't have to do maternity photos, but I want to encourage you to.

You may not love the way you look right now, but most women are only pregnant a few times in their lives. How cool would it be to have these photos years down the road? How fun would it be to show them to your baby and tell them all about what it was like when they lived in mommy's tummy?

You are growing a precious new life. You are beautiful and this season deserves to be remembered.

READY TO BOOK YOUR MATERNITY SESSION?

Reach out here to book your maternity session today!