When to Do a Maternity Photoshoot, Week by Week

For most of my clients, the best time to do a maternity photoshoot is between 28 and 34 weeks. By then, the bump is clearly visible, while you can often still move, walk and enjoy the session comfortably.

But I never tell every woman to choose the same week. Pregnancy looks different on everyone, and the right timing also depends on the kind of photographs you want. Sometimes an earlier session creates exactly the look you imagined, while a later session gives you a much more pronounced silhouette.

When to Take Maternity Photos, the 28 to 34 Week Window

For most women, 28 to 34 weeks offers a very good balance between a visible bump and comfortable movement.

Around 30 weeks is probably the most common choice among my clients. The belly is already easy to see in photographs, but many women still feel comfortable enough to walk, change positions and enjoy an outdoor session.

This is also the period when many of my clients naturally start thinking seriously about their maternity photos. It falls within the third trimester, but there is still enough flexibility to plan a location, outfits and the kind of light you want.

However, my own experience has taught me not to treat 30 weeks as a rule.

I once photographed a client who wanted her maternity session very early. She specifically wanted to photograph her pregnancy before her belly became very large, so we planned the session for 22 weeks.

We went to Castelldefels for sunset. Her bump was still relatively small, and that gave the photographs a completely different feeling. The silhouette was subtle, the landscape had plenty of space around her, and the evening light created an unusual and very elegant result.

Then something unexpected happened.

At 34 weeks, she decided to have another maternity session with me. She did not want to choose a different location. Castelldefels had stayed with her, and she wanted to return to the same place.

This time, her belly was much more pronounced. The photographs looked completely different, even though we were working in the same location. The first session showed an earlier stage of pregnancy. The second focused much more on the beautiful shape of a larger bump.

I loved having both stories because they show exactly why there is no single answer to the question of the best time for maternity photoshoot.

What Changes Week by Week

The biggest difference between an earlier and later maternity session is usually the visual shape of the belly and the way you want to experience the shoot.

Some women want a very visible pregnancy silhouette. Others prefer to photograph their body while the belly is still relatively small.

I sometimes work with petite clients who tell me they do not want to wait until their bump becomes very large. In those cases, 26 to 28 weeks can make more sense for the look they have in mind.

This is also why I do not think there is one perfect answer for when to take maternity pictures. The same week can look completely different on two women.

And then there are clients who wait much longer.

I have had women come to me at around 40 weeks because they kept thinking they would book the session later. By that point, the photographs naturally have a different feeling. The belly is much more pronounced, and the session needs to follow the person rather than the other way around.

When to Shoot Earlier

There are several reasons why an earlier maternity session can be the right choice.

• You prefer a smaller bump and a more delicate silhouette.
• You are petite and want to photograph your pregnancy before the belly becomes very large.
• Your babymoon in Barcelona falls earlier in your pregnancy.
• You are expecting twins or triplets and simply prefer to document this stage earlier.
• You already know that you prefer how your body looks and feels during an earlier part of pregnancy.

A babymoon can also become part of the story behind your photographs. Instead of treating the session as a separate appointment, you can choose a Barcelona location that connects the photographs with your time here together.

If your trip includes a maternity session, you can also read my guide to planning a babymoon photoshoot in Barcelona.

For me, this is one of the best examples of why when to take pregnancy photos does not always depend on reaching a particular number of weeks. Sometimes the timing of your trip is the deciding factor.

Shooting After 35 Weeks

A maternity session after 35 weeks is still possible. I simply plan it differently.

At this stage, I usually prefer a location that does not require a lot of walking. We can also take more breaks, use more seated poses and avoid unnecessary changes between locations.

I do not try to make a 36-week or 40-week session look exactly like a 30-week session. The whole point is to photograph you as you are at that moment.

That can actually make late pregnancy photographs very beautiful. The belly has a stronger presence, and the images can feel much more focused on the shape of the pregnancy.

One of my clients came for her session at around 40 weeks because she had simply waited. We made the session work around her rather than trying to fit her into a standard plan.

So if you are already past 35 weeks, I would not assume that you have missed your chance.

When to Book Your Session

The session itself may happen around 30 weeks, but I recommend booking earlier.

The second trimester is a good time to start planning because you have more choice when it comes to the date, location and light. This becomes especially useful if you want a sunset session or have a particular weekend in mind.

Here is how I usually approach it.

1. Start with your due date and look at the weeks around 28 to 34.
2. Think about how large you want your bump to be in the photographs.
3. Decide whether you prefer an earlier, middle or later pregnancy look.
4. Choose the location based on the experience you want.
5. Leave some flexibility around your preferred date if possible.

If you are planning an outdoor session in Barcelona, I also like to talk about the location before we choose the exact date. Different places create very different photographs, and the light matters just as much as the week of pregnancy.

You can see how I approach maternity photography sessions in Barcelona before deciding what type of session feels right for you.

My standard maternity session is €399.

Maternity and Newborn in One Package

Some families already know they want photographs both before and after the baby arrives. In that case, I offer a maternity and newborn package for €799.

It includes a one-hour maternity session and a 1.5-hour newborn session. We choose the maternity date during pregnancy, while the newborn session is scheduled after the baby arrives.

I like this combination because the two sessions feel very different. The maternity photographs are about you, your body and this stage of pregnancy. The newborn session brings the baby into the story.

If you are considering both, you can explore my newborn photography sessions as well.

You do not have to decide that both sessions need to happen at the same time. The important part is simply to mention the package before the maternity session so we can plan both parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 36 weeks too late for maternity photos?

Not necessarily. I have photographed women much later than the usual 28 to 34 week window, including a client who came at around 40 weeks. The session simply becomes slower, with fewer transitions, more breaks and a convenient location.

What is the best time to take maternity photos?

For most of my clients, I would start with 28 to 34 weeks, with around 30 weeks being a very common choice. But the best time to take maternity photos depends on how you want your bump to look and what kind of session you want to have.

How long does a maternity session take?

My maternity sessions usually take between one hour and one and a half hours. The exact pace depends on the location, the light, the number of people joining and how much movement we want to include.

What should I wear, and can my partner or older children join?

Yes. Your partner and older children can absolutely be part of the session. I usually suggest choosing an outfit that makes you feel confident first, then coordinating the other outfits around it rather than making everyone match.

Read Next

If you are also thinking about the first photographs after your baby arrives, read my guide to Barcelona newborn photography.