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You know how important the timing of your maternity session is.

Book too soon and your belly won't have filled out enough to get those beautiful curves we all dream of for our maternity photo shoot.

Book too late and you'll be miserable, exhausted and swollen.

Wait…

Don't most moms realize this…

…only after booking their session way too early OR way too late.

Lucky for you, the sweet spot for booking a maternity session is right here -- so you leave with beautiful photos to treasure forever.

What's Inside:

1. Why When You Book Your Maternity Photo Session Matters

2. When is the Best Time to Take Maternity Photos

3. Does Your Pregnancy Type Impact the Week You Should Shoot?

4. Tips to Help Your Session Go as Smoothly as Possible

Why When You Book Your Maternity Photo Session Matters

Out of all of the sessions an expecting mother can book, her maternity session is likely the most meaningful.

Here's the thing…

While many photographers will try to sell sessions at any stage of pregnancy, the week chosen to shoot will dramatically increase or decrease the chances of having a successful session.

Booking a session too early and the belly will appear flat. Book too late and exhaustion and discomfort will shine through in the photos.

In fact, over 70% of expecting parents say showing up to a maternity session feeling as awesome as possible is their top priority.

Picking the right week directly determines how you'll feel on session day.

It's almost as important as finding the right photographer.

When is the Best Time to Take Maternity Photos

The ideal time to book a maternity session is between 28 weeks pregnant and 34 weeks pregnant.

This timeline is recommended by photographers all over the world because it's perfect. The belly has grown and is beautifully round, energy levels are still pretty high and there's still enough time left before baby arrives that you don't feel overwhelmed.

For moms interested in doing Maternity portraits in the studio, these weeks give the photographer plenty of options to capture the best angles of your belly along with professional lighting, wardrobe, and poses.

Once past 34 weeks pregnant, session options become more limited.

Not only is it harder to feel good during the shoot but many photographers won't book sessions past 36 weeks pregnant due to the rush of expecting mothers trying to get photos done before baby arrives.

Take a look at the maternity session sweet spot below:

• 28–30 weeks pregnant: Energy is high, belly is round, good for active poses.

• 31–34 weeks pregnant: Photographers' favourite range. The belly is perfectly round and usually pops!

• 34–36 weeks pregnant: A session can still be booked but there are limited poses that feel comfortable and many studios don't book during this time.

• 37+ weeks pregnant: Shoots are possible but very limited.

Does Your Pregnancy Type Impact the Week You Should Shoot?

First off, congratulations on the pregnancy!

While most mothers-to-be fall into a normal range of 28–34 weeks for photo sessions, some moms may need to book earlier or later depending on their specific pregnancy.

Let's discuss:

1. Expecting for the first time

Typically, first-time mothers show up to 34 weeks.

For a first pregnancy, booking the session anywhere from 28 weeks to 34 weeks pregnant is recommended.

Booking closer to 30 weeks will give the belly enough time to pop!

2. Been pregnant before

If there has been a previous pregnancy, the body knows what to expect and showing earlier is likely.

Book the session anywhere from 26 weeks to 32 weeks pregnant.

Because showing can happen earlier, starting the search early is a good idea too!

3. Pregnant with multiples

As cute as two or three bellies would be photographed, most mothers of multiples won't make it to their due date!

Photographers universally recommend booking the maternity session anywhere from 20–28 weeks pregnant for multiple pregnancies.

4. Having a high-risk pregnancy

As always, check with a doctor before making any decisions, but most high-risk mothers are advised to take it easy.

Most recommend booking the session anywhere from 23–28 weeks pregnant, just like with a multiple pregnancy.

Tips to Help Your Session Go as Smoothly as Possible

Timing the session correctly is just one piece of the puzzle.

Here are a few more things to ensure the maternity photo session goes as smoothly as possible.

Book the session as early as possible.

Once pregnancy is confirmed, it's time to start thinking about the session! Most photographers recommend getting in touch around week 12 of pregnancy.

The most in-demand photographers book up quickly, so reaching out early helps lock in the right date.

Book at the right time of day.

For a studio maternity session, morning bookings are ideal!

Energy levels are higher and there's less swelling compared to later in the day.

For outdoor sessions, golden hour in the evening is when the lighting is at its absolute best.

Be mindful of how you feel.

Just because the bump isn't showing doesn't mean symptoms aren't happening.

If morning sickness is still lingering, it's worth waiting until things settle -- even if that means pushing the session back a few weeks.

Have a backup plan.

Always have a backup plan, especially for outdoor sessions.

If the session takes place outdoors, having a studio backup location just in case it rains is a smart move.

No one wants to lose a session day to a sudden downpour!

Plan the wardrobe in advance.

Wardrobe should be sorted well before the session day.

A simple, flowy and fitted dress that shows off the belly is always a great option for studio sessions.

Plan this out with the photographer early to make sure there are no surprises on the day.

Wrapping Things Up

To summarize, booking a maternity session anywhere from 28 weeks to 34 weeks pregnant is the sweet spot.

The belly will look amazing, energy levels will still be high, and there's no need to stress that baby will be here any minute!

For those who fall under any of the special circumstances mentioned above, the timeline shifts a little earlier -- but not by much.

Here are a few things to remember when deciding on a week to book:

• Plan to book the session between 28–34 weeks pregnant

• Try booking as soon as pregnancy is confirmed

• Use these guidelines to help determine the right timeline

• Plan for the session well ahead of time

Keep these tips in mind when ready to book and the result will be nothing but stunning maternity photos to cherish forever.