When to take maternity shots

LEO2010

Forgive me if this question has been asked (I couldn't find it and am on mobile so it's hard to search) BUT- when are you doing or have you done maternity pics? I found an awesome photographer who comes highly recommended by a friend but she is going out on maternity leave in April and May. She said she usually does maternity shots at 7- 7 1/2 months and asked if I could come in on March 15th. I'll be just short of 7 months (27 weeks, 5 days) and I'm worried the pics won't look quite right yet. I know she is the professional, but I'm wondering if she is pushing the time frame to get another customer in and worried I won't feel like they look like true maternity shots. I'm a FTM if that makes a difference. Advice? Opinions?

jewels1199

I did mine with my first around 30/32 weeks if I remember right. I didnt want to be at the so huge I feel gross stage but I obv wanted a good belly LOL I think 27 weeks would prob be fine but you wont really know until closer to that date. Can you book it and change it in advance if needed ?

nikki0808

The photographer I have been talking to told me around 7 or 8 months is when she prefers. But I would think at 27 weeks you'll have a good bump.

Kinipela7

I'm not doing them, but I think 32 weeks is a good time.  Anything before 30 your bump isn't going to be all that big.

snowpants

You have to find that sweet spot of looking pregnant enough to actually look like a maternity shot, yet not so pregnant that you feel like a beached whale.

Where that sweet spot is I have noooooooo idea. 

LEO2010

@jewels1199 I can book it but if I don't feel big enough she can't do any later bc of her maternity leave so I would be stuck trying to find another photographer last minute.

Thanks for the input ladies!!!

Mztwilson

I'd look into another photographer. Just incase

roundthree24

Could you schedule with this photographer and schedule a few weeks after with a different photographer, and then cancel one of them as the time gets closer? I'd feel a little guilty scheduling two knowing I'd cancel one but at the same time, they do this all the time and you only get one shot (see what I did there?)

hehlke09

I am a photographer~ I usually tell my clients that most people do around 32 weeks, but I have had people go as far as DAYS before. You just want to make sure that you have an actual round bump…think basketball shape.

hehlke09

clarabear1126 said:

Could you schedule with this photographer and schedule a few weeks after with a different photographer, and then cancel one of them as the time gets closer? I'd feel a little guilty scheduling two knowing I'd cancel one but at the same time, they do this all the time and you only get one shot (see what I did there?)

Most photographers will require a deposit though~ and you most likely won't get that returned if you go this route. Talk to the photographer though…I always leave a maternity shoot a little flexible and check in with my client a week or so before to make sure that they are feeling well, and their belly is showing how they want it to for their photos!

Rosebud2587

I had mine done at almost 38 weeks because I was waiting for my bump to get big enough. Most people get them done sooner than that though, but I didn't even have a bump until 30 weeks so I waited as long as I could before getting them done to give my bump a chance to grow. 

And because I like sharing, here's a few of my faves from my maternity shoot. 

LEO2010

I emailed another photographer (she was actually my original choice but she can't do the newborn pics bc she does strictly weddings and senior pics during the summer- and originally I wanted to go with one photographer for maternity, newborn, six month, and yr shots) who said she could do maternity shots. I might go to her for maternity and then do baby shots with the other photographer. I think I would be more comfortable getting maternity shots at 30-32 bc I already have a long torso and am carrying low- I want to make sure I have a nice round belly!

Again- I really appreciate all the feedback gals thanks!!!

@rosebud2587 your pics are gorgeous and you look so beautiful! I love where you had them taken! I
might steal your hairstyle- youthful but pretty and so appropriate *love gush over!*

Rosebud2587

Aww, thank you @LEO2010

MSUMands

I would pick a different photographer. Most that I looked into suggested 32-34 weeks pregnant as the "sweet spot".

FutureMrsW9

We're planning to do ours somewhere 30-35 weeks, depending on schedules and how big I look at that point.

MNOpea

I originally had mine scheduled for 36 or 37 weeks but then I started having contractions at 33 weeks so my photographer bumped my pictures up to 34 weeks. My bump was still cute and not giant, I'm actually glad to have done them earlier. But at 26-27 weeks I don't think I would have been happy as my bump was pretty small still

justme04

Most people I know who've had th done do them around 32-35 weeks. Most hold out till 35 for ultimate bumpage.

hlp2709

I am getting family pic. done on Feb. 22 I will be about 22 weeks along might move them back a little but then on the other hand I want to use them to tell  everyone what we are having so I am not sure what to do. I also am not showing to much still fitting into all of my reg. clothes. 

quinnlucas6118

I'm a photographer and I always recommend 30-32 weeks.  Some women are really self conscious after that point if their hands/feet are swelling and they are always concerned about a double chin, that usually isn't there.    I have no idea when I'm going to schedule my own though.  With my son I did them at 32 and I was definitely round and swelling up but I'm still not showing a ton at almost 21 weeks so I guess we will wait and see.    Good luck with your pictures.