What’s the best time for a maternity photoshoot in Bend, Oregon? (& when to schedule newborn pics)
TLDR/Quick Answer: The best time for your maternity photoshoot is early in the third trimester, specifically the 28-34 weeks range. If you want newborn photos, too, then book your preferred photographer by your second trimester so you get both sessions on your calendar.
All right mama, I see you. It’s in the middle of the night, you can’t sleep, and you’re sitting in bed typing “best time for maternity photoshoot” into a web search wondering whether getting professional photos of your baby bump is worthwhile. You might also be wondering how many weeks for maternity photos in your pregnancy is best for you. These two questions can actually result in two different answers, so let’s break it down.
*This advice is coming from a mother who has been in front of the camera for maternity pics, as well as a photographer that has been photographing baby bumps for over seven years. But as all things with pregnancy, please take it into consideration with the medical advice given to you by your provider.
Is there a best time for a maternity photoshoot?
Speaking as a photographer, yes there is a best time for a maternity photoshoot. Speaking as a mother to two children, also yes - because you want to feel comfortable. Having been both in front of the camera for my own maternity session and behind the camera as a maternity photographer, I recommend trying to take your photos during the early part of your third trimester in pregnancy.(More details on pregnancy timing in the next section).
There’s also a best time of day for maternity photoshoots depending on the season. Here in Central Oregon’s high desert climate, a mama to a winter baby is going to have very different options available for her maternity photos than a mama to a summer baby.
Both maternity and newborn portraits are scheduled based on your baby’s expected due date. If you’ve got a winter baby due, expect that your maternity portraits could be taken with fall foliage or the first winter’s snow. In that case, you’ll want to plan for layers and an afternoon timeframe to hit the warmest part of the day. You could also bypass chilly weather outside altogether, and opt for a cozy session indoors with snuggly outfits and a roaring fireplace.
If you’ve got a summer baby due, you could be taking photos in the springtime or in the heat of summer. In both of these instances, I tend to nudge mamas towards morning sessions and lighter outfits so that we avoid the hottest parts of the day. There’s a huge baby boom in Central Oregon every summer, so I expect more maternity and newborn sessions to roll through this time of year (so book your photographer early).
For a more detailed location breakdown, I’ve got a blog dedicated solely to maternity location options in Central Oregon coming soon.
When is the best time to take maternity photos if you also want a newborn photoshoot?
If you’re already thinking about when to book newborn photos, kudos to you. You’re actually already one step ahead in the planning process - because there’s a sweet spot to finding the photographer you want to work with and getting onto their calendar. Aim for the very first part of your third trimester for your maternity photos if you also want a newborn photoshoot.
That being said, life has its own twists and turns. There are scenarios when you might need to take maternity portraits outside of the early part of the third trimester - and that’s okay. (Keep reading to the end for tips for maternity photos if this is your situation.)
As a family photographer in Bend, Oregon, one of my favorite parts of business is working with growing families. There’s nothing quite like being able to document these fleeting moments, and one of those is when adding a new member to the family. After years in the business, I’ve learned that telling a family’s pregnancy story is a great way to get to know them as their newborn photographer, so for this reason I reserve maternity photoshoots as a discounted addition to newborn photos.
If you’d like to take the guessing game out of both maternity and newborn photos, please reach out to me to check availability for your baby’s due date. From outfit styling to location selection, posing guidance and making it all feel smooth - I’ve got you covered, mama.
How many weeks for maternity photos is best?
If you’re wondering how many weeks for maternity photos is best in your pregnancy, the answer actually comes down to two different things. If you’re asking this question specifically for the photography side of it - i.e. when does a baby bump photograph well, then the answer sticks with early in the third trimester (which officially starts at 28 weeks). The 28-34 weeks range will have a visible baby bump, but you’ll likely still be fairly comfortable.
I’ll never forget the evening I took maternity pics with my massive baby bump, a gorgeous sunset, my loving husband, and I was huffing it on the beach with our photographer. She asked me if I wanted to walk for some movement in our photos, and my honest answer was nope - because I was just too tired and uncomfortable. For reference, our pictures were taken around the 36 week mark in pregnancy - because that’s what we could arrange (thanks, COVID).
My hope for all expecting mamas is that they are in front of the camera when they feel comfortable and still able to move fairly well. Because of the nature of baby bumps, maternity pics are the most posed I’ll ever get with my work. It can be hard to hold a pose when you’re so pregnant you’re just trying to catch your breath.
Not every pregnancy goes according to plan, though, and sometimes you have to make exceptions. Some moms have medically complicated pregnancies, like a twin pregnancy. Or sometimes life throws curveballs in relation to your family members, like military couples facing deployment during a pregnancy.
Both of these scenarios could mean a mother taking maternity photos earlier than the typical 28-34 week range. There’s also the chance that a mom finds the best time for a maternity photoshoot is later in her pregnancy. It can be risky to go past the 34 weeks mark because a baby could come at any time, but it absolutely has been done.
Let’s break down some tips for maternity photos both earlier and later in pregnancy…
Tips for maternity photos earlier in pregnancy (& yes, you can still take newborn photos)
If you find yourself needing or wanting to take maternity photos early, know that you likely won’t have a baby bump that is traditionally seen in maternity photos. This doesn’t mean the photos aren’t worthwhile - preserving your journey through motherhood at any point is a beautiful thing. But it does mean that you need to be aware of the physical limitation of not having a large bump, and adjust accordingly.
Some ways you can take early maternity pics and make it look maternity without the typical bump are to include props and choose clothing carefully. Many expecting parents love to include ultrasound printouts in early pregnancy pictures, and this instantly tells everyone that there’s a babe on the way. Some other props could be baby shoes, a special outfit, or setting up your nursery early.
For clothing, you can wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and beautiful with the newly growing life inside you. Some mamas like to wear jeans unzipped to show the growing belly, a maternity swimsuit, or a top that can be unbuttoned. Your body is doing an amazing thing by creating life - so it’s the perfect time to let your styling celebrate your body.
Tips for maternity photos later in pregnancy (& how to still plan your newborn photos)
If you need to take maternity photos past the 34 week mark in pregnancy, then it should be planned in close communication with your photographer. Please also follow all advice from your medical provider to ensure you’re keeping yourself and your little one safe. It’s also a good idea to ask your photographer what happens with the money you’ve paid if you have the baby before the scheduled maternity photoshoot.
Late in your third trimester, you’ll likely feel more tired and can get out of breath quickly. It’s important to pick a location that will be easy and comfortable for you to navigate. Great options for late stage pregnancy photos are a favorite spot in your town, a nearby scenic spot, or the comfort of your own home. It’s best to stick close to your home and medical care should labor start unexpectedly.
If you like the idea of taking photos in the comfort of your own space, check out my complete guide on prepping your home for your newborn photoseasier than you think - I promise!
If you find yourself navigating an unexpected season with your pregnancy, I’d love to talk with you about a fully supported maternity and newborn photo experience. I take all of my knowledge and experience from motherhood portrait photography and tailor it to your needs and story. I’d be honored to help you document your journey into motherhood.
Whether this is your first child or you’ve been down this road before, pregnancy is a wild and incredible journey. Ultimately, the best time for your maternity photoshoot is when you can take meaningful photos - whether that’s in the recommended 28-34 weeks range, or something else because life happens. And even if you decide not to schedule a professional photoshoot, do yourself a favor and make sure you’ve got some personal pics snapped of that baby bump. You’ll treasure these memories later - trust me.
Commonly asked questions about maternity pictures:
When is the best time to take maternity photos? Typically, mothers have a well-defined baby bump and feel pretty good in the 28-34 week range of pregnancy.
Can I take maternity photos earlier or later in my pregnancy than the recommended 28-34 week range? Absolutely. While the timing of 28-34 weeks usually makes a baby bump look really good in maternity pictures, it’s not the only possibility. You should take other factors into consideration - like medical complications with the pregnancy, or whether your loved ones can participate in the photos with you - when deciding what’s right for your pregnancy.
Should I consider bundled maternity and newborn photos together? Yes, yes, and more yes. Bundling maternity and newborn photos offers some key benefits - like saving money by scheduling them together, and also giving you a chance to work with your photographer before your new baby arrives.
When should I schedule a newborn session if I want both maternity and newborn photos? Since both maternity photos and newborn photos are typically influenced by your baby’s expected due date, it’s best to find and secure your preferred photographer in your second trimester.
Hi, I’m Elise.
I’m a Bend, Oregon photographer also serving Redmond, Sisters, and Sunriver. I take time to get to know your family before I pick up my camera - because the real magic of capturing memories is in knowing about you before the photo session starts.