Maternity Photo Tips
Fine-Art Guide by Johannesburg Photographer Bridget Corke
Pregnancy is a time of transformation, beauty, and anticipation. A maternity photoshoot is more than documentation — it is a celebration of your journey into motherhood.
With over 20 years of experience photographing expectant mothers, I’ve gathered my top professional tips to help you create maternity portraits that feel elegant, meaningful, and timeless.
Spend time reviewing portfolios and notice how light, emotion, and posing are handled. Look for a photographer whose work reflects artistry and intimacy — not just images, but feeling.
→ Explore my maternity photography experience
2. Schedule Your Session at the Perfect Time
The ideal time for a maternity photoshoot is between 30 and 35 weeks, when your bump is beautifully shaped, and you are still comfortable moving and posing. This timing ensures you look radiant and feel at ease.
3. Plan Your Wardrobe with Care
Flowing gowns, form-fitted dresses, and soft fabrics such as lace or tulle photograph beautifully under studio light. Timeless tones like black, white, and neutrals ensure your portraits feel elegant and enduring rather than trend-driven.
→ See my maternity outfit guide for inspiration
4. Consider Professional Hair and Makeup
Professional hair and makeup can elevate your portraits while maintaining authenticity. Soft waves, natural textures, and subtle makeup enhance your features without overpowering the image's emotion.
5. Choose the Right Setting
Studio maternity portraits offer complete creative control, classic lighting, and a fine-art aesthetic. Outdoor sessions bring natural openness and warmth. Both can be beautiful when designed with intention and care.
6. Bring Meaningful Touches
Personal items such as ultrasound images, baby shoes, or a wedding veil can add emotional depth to your portraits. Choose only elements that enhance the story — simplicity keeps the focus on connection.
7. Include Loved Ones
Partners, children, and even pets bring richness and authenticity to maternity portraits. Their presence transforms a session into a family story filled with anticipation, love, and connection.
→ Read more about family maternity portraits
8. Trust the Posing Process
Your photographer will guide you through posing—how to hold your bump, where to turn your chin, and how to let light shape your form. Expert posing is designed to flatter, reveal grace, and help you feel confident and relaxed.
9. Relax and Be Present
Take a breath and trust the experience. The most powerful maternity portraits often happen between poses — in a shared laugh, a gentle touch, or a quiet moment of reflection. Presence is what gives images their emotional weight.
10. Turn Your Portraits into Heirlooms
Pregnancy is fleeting. Printed portraits endure. Fine-art prints, custom albums, and framed wall pieces transform your images into keepsakes that gain meaning with time.
→ Discover designer photography products
Closing
A maternity session is an invitation to honour this extraordinary chapter of your life. With expert lighting, guided posing, and a calm studio experience, your portraits become timeless tributes to the life you are bringing into the world.
If you’re still deciding what kind of experience feels right for you, the maternity photoshoot guide offers a calm overview of how sessions are designed and paced.