A few personal touches can make your maternity photos feel completely yours. Here are some of my favourite ideas for props to bring from home.

a pregnant woman poses in a bright orange dress with a floral crown

You don’t need to arrive with a bag full of things. One or two items that actually mean something to you will do far more for your photos than a collection of generic props ever could. A tiny pair of shoes, a family heirloom, an ultrasound scan – these are the details that make you stop and look every time you see the finished image.

I’ll always help you work props into your session naturally. Nothing gets forced or staged – if something isn’t working, we’ll set it aside.

Suggested Maternity Props to Bring

Here are some popular ideas for maternity props to consider

1. Baby shoes or booties There’s something about a tiny pair of shoes that gets people every time. They work beautifully in close-up shots and add a lovely detail to full-length images too.

2. Ultrasound photos Your scan photo is one of the first pictures you ever had of your baby. Bringing it along is a really simple way to connect that early moment with where you are now.

3. Something personalised A blanket, a toy, or a little keepsake with your baby’s name on it can add a personal touch that makes the photos feel uniquely yours. It doesn’t need to be expensive – just meaningful.

4. Jewellery or a family heirloom A piece of jewellery you love, or something passed down through the family, can add a quiet layer of meaning to your session. These are often the details clients notice most when they look back at their images.

5. Seasonal props If you’re shooting close to a particular time of year, a few seasonal touches – spring flowers, autumn leaves, a simple Christmas decoration – can ground the photos in that specific moment in time.

6. A letter board or sign These work really well for sharing your baby’s name, due date, or just a little message. Keep it simple and it’ll feel personal rather than posed.

Keep It Simple

Honestly, less is more. A few well-chosen things beat an overflowing prop bag every time. If you’re not sure what to bring, just drop me a message before your session and we’ll have a quick chat about what might work well for you.

Maternity photos are one of those things you’ll be glad you did. If you’d like to find out more about booking a session, I’d love to hear from you.

Maternity Photography in East Grinstead

My maternity sessions are very flexible affairs with my studio booked for an hour so we have plenty of time to create a really varied image gallery. You’re invited to select up to three backdrops and include up to three outfit changes so you can mix and match styles to create the perfect set of pregnancy memories.

I recommend booking your session between 28-36 weeks so you’re still comfortable and you’re also welcome to borrow any of my gorgeous maternity photo shoot dresses while you’re in the studio.  You select your pictures and order any more that you would like directly from your online gallery, there’s no sales or viewing session to attend.