When to Book Your Maternity Session (and Why the Timing Matters!)

Pregnancy is such a beautiful and transformative season, and it deserves to be celebrated and documented! One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “When should I book my maternity session?”

With my experience over the years, I recommend scheduling your maternity photos between 27 and 32 weeks. This time frame is ideal because your belly is beautifully round and prominent, but you’re likely still feeling comfortable enough to move around and enjoy the experience. It also gives me the time to deliver your images of you are wanting to use them for baby shower display or invites. Every pregnancy is different, but this window tends to strike that perfect balance for most expecting moms.

pregnant mom in brown floral dress holding her belly in a field

pregnant couple on the beach in Topsail Island NC

Styling Made Simple

When you book a maternity session with me, you’re not just getting beautiful images — you’re getting a full experience. I offer a carefully curated client wardrobe for mamas who want the ease of having something beautiful and flattering ready to go. My collection features pieces in neutral and warm tones, chosen to reflect the soft, earthy beauty of motherhood and to photograph timelessly in natural light. This matches my style and keeps the images more timeless. I do have some other options as well so be sure to discuss with me what you are looking for.

You’re also welcome to bring your own outfits — I’ll help guide you to ensure your look fits the tone and vision of your session.

pregnancy photography on the beach in Wrightsville NC

Wilmington maternity photography

The Beauty of the Outdoors

All of my maternity sessions take place outdoors, where the natural light and landscapes create a dreamy, organic backdrop. Whether it’s the golden hour glow in a field, a peaceful wooded trail, or the sandy shores of Wilmington, outdoor sessions are filled with warmth, movement, and connection. There’s something so special about capturing this chapter of your journey surrounded by nature.

maternity photography of mom holding belly in yellow dress


Ready to plan your session?

If you’re in your second trimester, now is the perfect time to reach out and reserve your spot! Maternity sessions are best booked in advance to ensure availability during that sweet 27–32 week window.

Let’s celebrate the beauty of motherhood together — with soft tones, golden light, and all the love that’s growing. Be sure to contact me to book your maternity session consultation.

📍Serving Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas
💛 Outdoor maternity photography by Inspirations Photography

Inspirations Photography specializes in maternity, newborn and milestone photography. Our newborn studio is located inside Wombs Window ultrasound in Wilmington, NC

pregnancy photography, mom near the beach at sunset

Maternity Session Intro:

If you’re like a lot of the soon-to-be-mothers I meet, you may be a little camera shy right now. Especially when you’re seven to nine months pregnant. And who can blame you! After all, your body has changed over the last several months, your baby is sitting low and you probably feel uncomfortable even walking from the kitchen to the living room sofa. Believe me, I can absolutely relate. 

Let me tell you something, though. You are gorgeous. You are stunning. In this moment, you are the absolute epitome of natural beauty. And every single picture we take together will showcase the inherent grace and elegance that accompanies all women with child. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is an unparalleled luminescence that radiates from a pregnant woman. A glow so unique to pregnancy that it’s impossible to replicate under any other circumstance. These thoughtful, artistic maternity photos of you will be treasured by you, your significant other, your friends and family and, yes, your unborn child, forever. 

In your maternity shoot, we’ll take a variety of photographs of you in different poses. As long as you’re comfortable, we’ll get photographs of you laying down, sitting, standing and leaning. Some will hone in on that adorable baby bump, some may be silhouettes of your frame and others will capture the bond between you and Daddy to be. 

 

Isn’t this adorable couple just glowing with all that mentioned above?! I just love how beautiful she looks.

 

North Carolina maternity photographer

Wilmington maternity photography

pregnancy pictures near me

maternity photographer near me

 

I have been meaning to write this post for quiet some time now. Many have listened to me talk about it. It truly means so much to me, so I am taking the time while I have it today to get it out.

With the new technology we have at our finger tips, I believe we have forgotten how important it is to print our images. Whether it be a quick snap shot from our phone or an investment placed with a professional photographer. I truly believe it is important to hold that memory between our finger tips. I speak to my clients daily about the value of a print. What will you have to show your kids when they’re your age, now?

Think about it…

How much trust have you placed in technology? Starring at a computer screen vs. an actual print in your hand that can be passed down from generation to generation. Which do you trust? Yes, I do believe having digitals is important as a back up so you can make copies and add to your walls. But, do you?

I have a box in my garage of images of when my children were babies. Not just from a professional photographer but from my point and shoot of the days, the disposable cameras we all once held in our hands before the “phone” took over. The days where I held the film camera in my hand which also started my journey as a professional and still sits in my closet. It is the same camera that I find in old photos of my parents with me as a baby. My point in telling you this is that this generation and generations to come don’t have the advantage of pulling out an old box out from the garage or using the old camera their parents once used. I can always go to that box in my garage or stare at the images on my walls but I do quickly forget about the images that were lost on a hard drive or are even sitting on my computer now.

So I hope this post inspires you, alerts you and encourages you to print your images. Print your memories. We take pictures not because we don’t want to forget but because they were important enough to snap it, capture it and document it. Dont always put your trust in a computer that can fail tomorrow but in the print that you can hold in your hand and share with your children as they grow and become parents themselves.

 

And of course I can’t post this without sharing an adorable newborn baby with you. 🙂

Wilmington, NC newborn photographer

Part 1…because this beautiful soul is my sweet daughter and I can’t believe how beautiful she looks pregnant. We will be adding to her gallery of images soon so be on the look out. She’s got that Momma glow and I cannot wait for the end of May to come! If you have been following me for some time you may have had her assist me with your newborn. Well…time goes by too quickly and here she is about to become a Momma herself.

Maternity Session Intro:

If you’re like a lot of the soon-to-be-mothers I meet, you may be a little camera shy right now. Especially when you’re seven to nine months pregnant. And who can blame you! After all, your body has changed over the last several months, your baby is sitting low and you probably feel uncomfortable even walking from the kitchen to the living room sofa. Believe me, I can absolutely relate. 

Let me tell you something, though. You are gorgeous. You are stunning. In this moment, you are the absolute epitome of natural beauty. And every single picture we take together will showcase the inherent grace and elegance that accompanies all women with child. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is an unparalleled luminescence that radiates from a pregnant woman. A glow so unique to pregnancy that it’s impossible to replicate under any other circumstance. These thoughtful, artistic maternity photos of you will be treasured by you, your significant other, your friends and family and, yes, your unborn child, forever. 

In your maternity shoot, we’ll take a variety of photographs of you in different poses. As long as you’re comfortable, we’ll get photographs of you laying down, sitting, standing and leaning. Some will hone in on that adorable baby bump, some may be silhouettes of your frame and others will capture the bond between you and your significant other. 

 

Jacksonville North Carolina maternity photography

maternity photography Jacksonville North Carolina

Just love the calm waves with a beautiful sunset for this beautiful Momma! Such a sweet family with their little guy. He will soon have a little brother to love on. Cant wait to meet him this May!

Maternity FAQ

When should I schedule maternity photos? 

As a general rule of thumb, I like to schedule your maternity session shortly after you’ve told friends and family the exciting news! This will give us plenty of time to find a great day that works well for both of us. Maternity photos are typically taken when you’re showing — generally around 28-34 weeks into your pregnancy.

How many outfits should I bring to my maternity session?

One to two outfits for your maternity session is a good number to bring if you are choosing items from home. I do have a client closet where can choose from a variety of styles. I like to always have at least two for variety’s sake, but whether you want to wear more than that is up to you. I always recommend bringing a backup outfit or two just in case you’re not “feeling” the outfit you’d planned to wear.

What should I consider when planning maternity outfits? 

My biggest piece of advice is to wear something you feel both comfortable and beautiful in. My second piece of advice is for you to choose an outfit form-fitting enough to showcase your baby bump. Lastly, wear a supportive, well-fitting bra. Between us ladies, I know that breasts change a lot during pregnancy, so pick up a new bra that fits immaculately before our session to avoid discomfort and any lumps or bumps! 

Where do we take the photographs? 

Where we take photographs depends on the type of session we’re shooting. For maternity, I like to do on-location, outdoor photographs that let us maximize our access to natural light. This can be in a beautiful pasture, at the beach, or in the woods. 

Can my partner or child be in the photographs, too? 

Of course! I love incorporating mom, dad and your other children into our session photos. While in most cases you and dad will be the stars of the day, I believe it’s so important to have several photographs with the entire family. 

maternity photography in Wrightsville beach North Carolina Wilmington maternity and newborn photography Wilmington North Carolina maternity photography Wrightsville Beach maternity photographer Maternity photography near me

Sweet little GiGi will be arriving in Late July. Her Momma is just gorgeous. We did a studio maternity session using our maternity gowns and tutu. Cant wait to meet your little girl! Thank you for allowing me capture this amazing time…

 

Beautiful Momma to be
Beautiful Momma to be