How Far In Advance Should I Book Maternity Pictures

A common question from expecting moms is how far in advance should I book maternity pictures. I have found that clients (and myself when I was an expecting mom) are overwhelmed with a lot of things while preppy for baby’s arrival, and trying to figure out when to book a maternity photography session is an added struggle. It’s no wonder why I get so many emails that open with how far in advance should I book maternity pictures.   If you are also asking how far in advance should I book maternity pictures, hopefully these tips help answer that question, and take a little work off your nesting before baby do to list.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Maternity Pictures  | Pregnancy Announcement

One factor moms consider when thinking how far in advance should I book maternity pictures is the purpose of the session. Many moms use the session as away to announce their pregnancy.  Moms-to-be will use the images as a way to announce their pregnancy on social media, to friends and family, or on baby shower invitations.  In these cases, the answer to how far in advance should I book maternity pictures is early in the pregnancy.  A lot of pregnant women will wait until 11-12 weeks for these sessions, but pregnancy announcement pictures can be done earlier or later in your pregnancy too. There are no real rules when to announce your pregnancy.  Or if you need to do it at all in a formal way.

Some families choose to wait until after their 20 week ultrasound for there maternity session. This lets them incorporate an announcement on the gender of their babies too.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Maternity Pictures | When Your Baby Belly Is Big

When asked for my personal preference for the answer to how far in advance should I book maternity pictures, I always recommend maternity sessions take place between 32-36 weeks gestation.  I have found that most pregnant woman have a nice big baby belly at this point in their pregnancy.  Their baby bell is well defined and will photograph well.  Most pregnant woman are not completely uncomfortable at 32-36 weeks either.  The real uncomfortable stage of pregnancies are usually in the last few weeks.  I want pregnant mothers to enjoy their session, and not be physically exhausted or in pain during it.

Taking maternity pictures at 32-36 weeks also gives us a good buffer baby’s due date.  In the last 10 plus years of taking maternity photographs, I have only had one baby show up before their scheduled session.  And it was the day of the session.  Mom called from the hospital and said she was in active labor about 2 hours before the session time.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Maternity Pictures  | Season Considerations

Another factor for moms trying to answer the question how far in advance should I book maternity pictures is the seasons.  Some moms really want a session in certain seasons.  Like spring sessions with lots of flowers, summer sessions with lush greenery or fields, fall sessions with beautiful  autumn colors, and some want a winter session in the snow.  Knowing if you want a specific look to your out door maternity session will help narrow down a window of time for the session and help answer the question of how far in advance should I book maternity pictures. It is also important to factor is the weather in Minnesota.   We all want ideal weather, but considering the temperature, humidity, if bugs are out, and more might also be a deciding factor in deciding how far in advance should I book newborn pictures.

Studio maternity sessions can take place anytime and any season.  Moms to be wanting to have their session take place in the studio are not as concerned about the seasons and what outdoor weather will me.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Maternity Pictures  | Health Concerns.

I know every pregnancy is different, and above all your health and baby’s health is the priority.  If there are any health concerns, we can always accommodate them.  From when the session take place, where it takes place, and anything else – I will always accommodate health concerns.  Your family’s health and safety is the top priority for me.

Your maternity session can always be moved up if needed.  I always leave some buffer days in my schedule to accommodate rescheduling of sessions.   Life happens, and I do my best to accommodate that.

I did recently have a mom with a scheduled session that ended up on bed rest, and had to stay in the hospital to be monitored.   I photographed her maternity session in her hospital, and it was a great mix of our planned studio session and a candid look real life as a expecting mom in a hospital room waiting for baby to be born.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Maternity Pictures  | Photographer Schedules

My photograph business typically books sessions about 2-3 months in advance.  Like I said before, I do have some back up days built into my session schedule, and can sometimes fit in a last minute session.  Ideally, it is best to book a few months in advance when trying to figure out how far in advance should I book maternity pictures.  Booking in advance also allows for a great option I offer my maternity clients, a dress fitting session.  I have over 60 maternity dresses and gowns available for maternity sessions, and a dress fitting is a great way for you to come in before the session date to view and try on the dresses in my collection.  A lot of moms like to know what dresses, gowns, and outfits they will be wearing for their session in advance.  Not only does it take a lot of the stress out of the session, since you know what you will be wearing – but it also helps when trying to plan partner or sibling outfits.  At least for me when planning my own session, trying to plan outfits is always the hardest part.   If you book your maternity session in advance, not only do you get to try on the studio dresses, but you also get some extra time to plan everyone’s outfits.

How Far In Advance Should I Book Maternity Pictures  | It’s All Up To You

Considering all of the tips above, it is still your own decision.  Each mom will have a different option on how far in advance should I book maternity pictures.  I encourage you to look at the purpose of the images, how you are feeling, and if you are the type that likes to be prepared for a session or like to schedule photography sessions last minutes.

If you are still wondering how far in advance should I book maternity pictures, feel free to reach out and we can discuss all of the details and come up with a perfect timeline for when you should you’re your maternity photography session.