When Should You Schedule Maternity Photos?

Pregnancy has a way of feeling both long and incredibly fast at the same time. In the beginning you are waiting to feel the first kicks, then you are counting weeks between appointments, and suddenly you are realizing your baby will be here soon.

Somewhere in that stretch, many mothers quietly start wondering if they should plan maternity photos and then immediately follow that thought with another one:

When should you schedule maternity photos?

You are not late for asking. In fact, most moms begin thinking about this right around the time they start preparing the nursery or organizing baby clothes. I talk with expecting mothers every week who feel unsure whether they should wait longer or if they already missed the best timing.

Many families I photograph come from across the Quad Cities, including Davenport and nearby river towns, and almost every parent is relieved to learn there is a simple, comfortable window that works well.

The Best Time During Pregnancy

The ideal time for maternity photos is typically between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant.

This stage gives you a beautiful, clear baby bump while you are still able to move comfortably and breathe easily. You have reached the part of pregnancy where your body shows the change in a natural way, but you have not yet reached the final weeks where sleep becomes difficult and everyday movement takes more energy.

The goal is not a specific number on the calendar. The goal is that you feel like yourself and not physically exhausted during the session.

When mothers ask when to schedule maternity photos, this is why the timing matters. It supports your comfort, not a rule.

Learn more about my maternity sessions

Why Not Earlier?

Before the third trimester, your body is still changing quickly. Some days your bump shows clearly and other days it feels less noticeable. Many mothers tell me they scheduled too early in a previous pregnancy and later wished they had waited a few weeks.

Around the late second trimester, your shape becomes consistent and soft. Photographs start reflecting pregnancy instead of simply weight change or early swelling. Waiting just a little longer usually gives you the images you were hoping for without needing to worry about how you look.

Why Not Wait Until the Last Weeks?

It feels natural to think you should wait until right before your due date. After all, your baby is almost here.

But the final weeks of pregnancy can be physically demanding. Your body is carrying more weight, sleep becomes lighter, and even standing for short periods can feel tiring. The session should feel peaceful, not difficult.

There is also unpredictability near the end of pregnancy. Babies sometimes arrive earlier than expected, and no one wants you to miss the opportunity entirely because you waited for a perfect date.

Scheduling maternity photos weeks pregnant within that 28–34 week window gives you flexibility and removes pressure.

What Happens During a Maternity Session?

Many mothers feel nervous about being photographed while pregnant. Some worry they won’t know what to do with their hands. Others feel unsure about their body changing so quickly.

You do not need to prepare poses or practice anything.

The session is guided gently. I help you stand, sit, and move in ways that feel natural and comfortable. The focus is not on posing but on slowing down and acknowledging this season before life changes again.

Partners are welcome to join, and siblings can be included as well. The environment stays calm so everyone feels at ease.

You can also learn more about newborn sessions here:
details about newborn photography

What Should You Wear?

You don’t need a complicated wardrobe. Most mothers feel best in simple clothing with soft textures and neutral tones. Flowing fabrics and comfortable dresses photograph beautifully because they move gently and don’t distract from your expression.

You are not expected to look a certain way. You are simply documenting the anticipation of meeting your baby.

Often the worry about clothing fades quickly once the session begins. Parents settle into the moment and realize the photographs are about connection, not perfection.

Why Maternity Photos Matter Later

During pregnancy you are waiting. After your baby arrives, you will be caring, soothing, and learning your child. The maternity stage becomes something you look back on rather than live in.

Parents often tell me they didn’t realize how meaningful these images would feel once their baby was born. Your child will one day see that they were loved before they were even held.

Many families also choose to reserve their newborn session at the same time so they don’t need to think about scheduling again after delivery.

You can read about reserving your newborn session here:
booking a newborn photographer in the Quad Cities

What If You Feel Uncertain?

It is normal to hesitate. Pregnancy is emotional, and you may not feel completely comfortable in front of a camera. Almost every mother I photograph begins the session unsure and finishes it relieved.

You do not have to feel confident before arriving. You just need to show up. The rest unfolds naturally.

A Gentle Planning Timeline

When you reach the third trimester, begin reaching out and choose a date within the comfortable window. Once it is scheduled, you do not have to think about it again. You simply arrive and allow yourself to pause for a moment before the newborn stage begins.

Planning early also makes the newborn stage easier because your baby’s session can already be reserved before birth.

A Soft Closing Thought

Pregnancy is a quiet beginning. There is a small space of time where you are carrying your child but have not yet met them. That space passes faster than most parents expect.

Knowing when to schedule maternity photos simply gives you a chance to remember that waiting period gently, without pressure.

If you are expecting in the Quad Cities and want to see what a calm maternity and newborn experience looks like, you can find more information here:

see what a newborn session is like

I am always happy to answer questions and help you decide what feels right for you.