When Should You Book a Maternity Photoshoot? | Hampshire

If you're thinking about having maternity photographs taken, one of the first questions is usually when to book — and when the session itself should actually take place.

For most pregnancies, I recommend having your maternity session between 28 and 34 weeks. By this point your bump is usually beautifully defined, while you're hopefully still comfortable enough to enjoy being photographed.

But your session doesn't need to be booked at 28 weeks. In fact, I recommend getting in touch earlier in your pregnancy if you can, particularly if you have a specific week or date in mind.

This beautiful session took place in the final weeks before my client welcomed her baby in August — that brief in-between chapter when you're preparing to meet someone you've already been waiting months for.

Why 28–34 Weeks Usually Works Best

For most pregnancies, somewhere between 28 and 34 weeks tends to be the sweet spot for maternity photography.

Your bump is usually beautifully defined by this stage, but you're hopefully still comfortable enough to enjoy being photographed and move between different positions and outfits.

There isn't one perfect week that works for every woman, though. Every pregnancy is different, and if you're expecting twins, have been advised that your baby may arrive early, or simply feel you'd prefer to have your photographs taken sooner, we can plan your session around you.

What matters more than reaching a particular week is creating the photographs while you still feel comfortable enough to enjoy the experience.

When Should You Actually Book Your Maternity Photographer?

Although your photographs will usually be taken between 28 and 34 weeks, I recommend booking your maternity session earlier in your pregnancy.

My diary is intentionally limited, so getting in touch during your second trimester gives us more choice over dates and plenty of time to plan your session without it becoming another last-minute job before your baby arrives.

You don't need to know exactly what you'd like your photographs to look like before you enquire. We can plan the details together once your session is booked.

What If I'm Already Past 34 Weeks?

Please don't assume you've missed your chance.

The 28–34 week window is a guide rather than a deadline. I've photographed women later in pregnancy too, and whether a later session is suitable really comes down to how you're feeling and your individual pregnancy.

If you're already further along, simply get in touch and I'll let you know what availability I have.

What Time of Year Should I Book?

There really isn't a maternity photography season.

Because my maternity sessions are created predominantly using beautiful natural light indoors, your photographs aren't dependent on warm weather or a particular time of year.

Summer can give us long, soft days of light, while autumn and winter lend themselves beautifully to knitwear, shirts and softer layers. The photographs are shaped far more by you and the way you want to remember this chapter than by the month outside the window.

Planning Your Maternity Session in Hampshire

Maternity sessions take place at my private natural-light location in the New Forest, Hampshire, with women travelling to me from Southampton, Winchester, Bournemouth, Dorset and further afield.

We'll plan what you'd like to wear beforehand, and you can choose whether the photographs are entirely centred around you or include your partner and children too.

You don't need to know how to pose or what to do in front of the camera. I'll guide you throughout so that the finished photographs feel natural, intimate and unmistakably yours.

Ready to Plan Your Maternity Photographs?

If you're expecting a baby and thinking about maternity photography, you don't need to wait until you reach 28 weeks to get in touch.

You can explore my Maternity Photography in Hampshire experience to see more about how sessions work, or enquire now and we can begin planning something personal to you.