Capturing the beauty of pregnancy is a truly special experience, but I understand you might have some questions before booking your maternity photo shoot.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide to answer the most common questions I get asked. Whether you’re wondering about what to wear, how to prepare, or who to bring, you’ll find all the details you need to make your session relaxed, enjoyable, and memorable.
The Top Five Questions about Pregnancy Photo Shoots
When Should I Book My Maternity Photo Shoot?
The best time for a maternity photo shoot is typically between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, your bump is beautifully defined, but you’re still comfortable enough to move around and enjoy the session. If you’re carrying twins or experiencing a different timeline, I recommend booking earlier to ensure we capture your growing bump at its best. No to worry if you’ve left it later than that though – I’ll always do my best to accommodate you!
What Should I Wear for My Maternity Photo Shoot?
Choosing the right outfit can make all the difference. My studio has a carefully curated collection of maternity dresses in various styles, colours, and sizes to suit every taste. From flowing gowns to fitted dresses that highlight your bump, there’s something for everyone. If you prefer to wear your own clothes, I recommend outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable, such as maxi dresses, fitted tops, or even elegant lingerie for more intimate shots.
For more inspiration, take a look at this guide to my maternity wardrobe.
Can I Include My Partner or Children in the Photos?
Absolutely! Maternity photography is about celebrating your growing family, so partners and children are more than welcome to join the session. Whether you’d like a few romantic couple shots or playful family photos, we can create a session that includes everyone you love. Just let me know ahead of time so we can plan the perfect setup. One extra note is that, if you’re including siblings-to-be that are still quite young themselves, then it’s a good idea to bring along an extra pair of hands so you can still focus when it comes time for you to pose on your own.
Should I Bring Props to My Maternity Photo Shoot?
You’re welcome to bring personal props that have special meaning to you, such as baby scan pictures, tiny baby shoes, or a treasured family item. My studio is fully equipped with a range of accessories, so you’re not required to bring anything unless you’d like to. If you have specific ideas in mind, feel free to share them before the session so we can make your vision come to life.
What If I Have Stretch Marks or Feel Self-Conscious?
I hear this concern often, and I want you to know that my goal is to make you feel completely at ease. Many mums-to-be worry about their appearance, but trust me, you’re beautiful just the way you are. Stretch marks are a natural part of pregnancy, and while I’ll always capture you in the most flattering light and poses, I can also provide subtle retouching if you’d prefer it.
I can’t recommend Sarah Fisher highly enough. I booked a Maternity shoot with her and received the photos yesterday and they’re incredible. I wasn’t sure maternity photos were for me but decided it was now or never and I’m so glad I did. Sarah was also so accommodating to my cheeky almost two year old and got the most stunning photos of her even when she wasn’t always playing ball. Thank you so much Sarah.
Still Have Questions about Maternity Photography?
View all of the Frequently Asked Questions about maternity shoots below. If you don’t see your question in the list, then just get in touch and I’m always happy to talk things through with you.
After your session, I’ll carefully edit the images to create a stunning gallery for you to view. Usually it’s about two weeks before you’ll be able to see your finished images (although waiting times can vary but I’ll let you know when you’re at the studio what you can expect). You’ll then be able to choose your favourite photos to purchase in digital or print format directly from your private online gallery—no pressure or awkward sales sessions. Don’t forget that you have three photos already included in your session fee so your pregnancy memories are built right in!
Booking is easy! Simply head over to my online booking calendar to choose your date and time. Once you’ve entered a few details into the calendar, your session is reserved and you’ll receive a confirmation which includes the payment link. If your session is more than two weeks away, you can choose to pay a £20 deposit with the £75 balance being due the week before your session. Otherwise, your £95 session fee is due. As soon as I have your session fee or deposit, your session is confirmed and you’ll get some helpful information about how to start planning and getting ready for it so all you have to do is put a note in your diary and look forward to coming to visit. If you have any specific requirements or want to chat about your session before booking, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m always happy to help.
Feeling a little nervous is completely normal, especially if it’s your first photo shoot. My studio is designed to be a calm and welcoming space, and I’ll guide you through every step of the process. You don’t need to worry about poses or expressions—I’ll take care of all the details and gently guide you through everything you need to know so you can simply relax and enjoy the session.
I recommend booking your maternity photo shoot as early as possible, ideally in your second trimester, to secure your preferred date. My schedule tends to fill up quickly, so planning ahead ensures we can capture your session at the perfect time in your pregnancy. It’s a fun date to have in your diary, to plan for and look forward to anyway!
I definitely recommend scheduling your maternity session between 28-36 weeks of your pregnancy to minimise the risk of your baby deciding to make an appearance before we get a chance to capture them in bump form. However, if you’ve left it later or they’re in a tearing hurry to meet you and they arrive before your appointment is due, then don’t worry! We can transfer your session fee to a newborn, baby, family or even a first birthday shoot so you can still visit and make memories whenever you’re ready to!
Your maternity session is all about celebrating you. I use professional lighting, angles, and editing to create images that highlight your natural beauty while respecting any areas you’d prefer to minimise. Of course, pregnancy is a time when your body is really doing something close to miraculous but I totally get that it doesn’t always feel like it and so there’s never any pressure from me to push you into areas that you’re not entirely comfortable with. When it comes to stretchmarks, that’s a personal choice issue – if you want them removed from your finished images, no problems. Love your tiger stripes? Cool, let’s show them off. I’ll be checking with you at your session. We’ll work together to create photos you feel proud to display.
Your comfort is my top priority. I have over 15 years of experience working with expectant mums, so I’m skilled at helping you feel relaxed and at ease in front of the camera. We’ll take breaks whenever you need, and I’ll guide you through gentle poses that feel natural and flattering. In terms of the natural stresses that your body might be going through during pregnancy (including increased pressure on your bladder!), then any pose or idea can be reworked to make sure you stay super comfortable and of course I have a bathroom at my studio for your use.
Absolutely! My studio is highly versatile, allowing us to create a variety of looks. I’ve never seen my job as a photographer to impose my ideas or style onto anyone else. Instead, I’m happy to work with you to create a gallery of images that’s as unique as you are. Whether you prefer something glamorous, intimate, or relaxed, I’ll work with you to plan a session that reflects your personal style. If you have specific ideas in mind, let me know ahead of time so I can prepare everything we’ll need.
Your wardrobe is an important part of creating the style you want and your choices are as individual as you are. Many clients choose flowing dresses, fitted outfits that highlight their bump, or a combination of both. I also have a selection of maternity gowns available in my studio for you to use. Feel free to contact me ahead of time if you’d like advice or help deciding what to bring.
Absolutely! Including siblings is a lovely way to document your growing family. I’ll guide you through poses that keep everyone comfortable and relaxed, so we can capture beautiful family moments alongside your maternity portraits. One useful tip though is, when siblings in waiting are still quite small themselves, you might want to make sure to bring along an extra pair of hands so you can focus on yourself when it’s time for you to get solo pictures.
The ideal time for a maternity photo shoot is between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. During this window, your bump will have a beautiful, round shape, and you’re likely to still feel comfortable enough to enjoy your session. However, I can work with you outside this time frame if needed and I’ll always do my best to accommodate last minute bookings so just get in touch if you have questions and I’m always happy to help.
Life can be unpredictable, especially during pregnancy, so if you need to reschedule your maternity session, rest assured that I’m happy to accommodate. Whether it’s due to an unexpected change in circumstances, health concerns, or simply feeling like a different day would be better, we’ll work together to find a new date that suits you. I understand the importance of capturing this special time and will do my best to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Just let me know as soon as possible if a change is needed, and we’ll make the necessary adjustments.
Of course, if your baby arrives before your session is booked, then you’re free to use your session at any time in your first year as a new family. Book in for a newborn session, take some time to create family portraits or even commemorate a first birthday with a cake smash – it’s totally up to you!
When deciding what to wear for your maternity photo shoot, the most important thing is to choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident. Clothes from home, like a well-fitted dress, a cosy cardigan, or a pair of maternity jeans paired with a simple top, can be perfect for creating a natural and personal look. Fabrics that flow or cling to your bump, like soft knits or stretchy materials, photograph beautifully. Consider solid colours or subtle patterns to avoid distractions from the focus of the photos—your baby bump. If you’re including your partner or children in the session, coordinating but not matching outfits can add harmony to the images.
In addition to your own wardrobe, I offer a range of stunning maternity gowns designed specifically for photo shoots. These dresses are specially designed and crafted to highlight your silhouette while providing a touch of elegance and drama. From soft, flowing chiffon gowns to figure-hugging lace designs, there’s a style to suit every taste. My studio collection includes a variety of colours and textures to ensure we can create the look you want for your portraits. You’ll be able to browse the selection online and select any that you want to include when you receive your options form the day before your session so they’ll be ready and waiting for you when you arrive.
My online gallery should be fairly familiar to you if you shop online but in case you need a bit of extra assistance, you can click on the button below to access a help document that walks you through how to access your gallery, choose your favourite images and place an order. Of course, if you are having problems, just get in touch and I’m always happy to help.
You need to pay for your photo shoot when you book it. If your session is more than two weeks away, then you have the option of paying a £20 deposit with the balance being due the week before your session. Otherwise the full balance is due on booking.
It’s difficult to answer this because airbrushing means different things to different people. I edit each image to make sure it’s looking it absolute best and I’ll remove any temporary blemishes like scratches, marks or spots. I don’t remove any birthmarks of anything that is part of your because that’s who you are, I don’t digitally enhance your body shape (we’ll sure as heck be using flattering posing and lighting though) or change the contours of your face. That’s not what I’m about and you’re perfect as you are.
My studio is really flexible and I have lots of different backdrops and lighting options to choose from. They’re very easy to switch between so we can simply create lots of different styles of images for you within one session – I recommend choosing three (you’ll be able to do this from your options form the day before your visit) to create a beautifully varied image gallery.
When you buy a digital file from me, the copyright stays with me as it would with pretty much all other photographers out there. However, that’s just a legal term that I retain as the creator of the image. You’re able to print and share the image as much as you’d like to – the only things that you can’t do is sell the images or claim that you took them. Other than that, they are yours to do as you wish with.
This is question that I get asked a lot and it’s a really tough one to answer as it depends on so many things. If I’m photographing a baby and they’re in a great mood, then you have lots of photos where if they are finding things a bit difficult then you get less. Gun to my head, if I had to offer an average image count, then I’d say that you can expect to find about forty fully edited images in your finished gallery but that can vary wildly so it’s probably not a very useful statistic for you.
I keep your images for 18 months following your session date and after this point, they are permanently deleted so if you are purchasing digital copies, I can’t stress enough to back them up safely.
My studio is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
I present all of your images in colour and then I’ll add in black and white copies of some that I think particularly suit it. Of course, if you’d rather have an image in black and white then just ask and I’m happy to switch it over for you.
Each of your images is edited to make sure everything looks at its very best – that’s why you have to wait a little while after your session before you see them.
Each of your images is professionally edited and so there will be a bit of a delay before you can see your images while I get everything ready for you. This can vary according to a number of factors but generally, it’s about a two week wait before your images are uploaded to your private online gallery. I’ll be able to advise you better on exact waiting times at your session.
Sessions take place at my warm and cosy studio in Crawley Down, West Sussex. You can find out more about it including the address and directions at My Studio Page.
Absolutely. You don’t need to have any experience to get amazing maternity images, I will guide you through exactly what to do at your photo shoot so you just need to turn up and be yourself.
At your session, I will check with you if it is OK to use some images from your session as part of my social media, website and portfolio. There’s absolutely no pressure there and, even if you give me permission, I would never use any partially nude or nude ones unless you expressly tell me that I can. If you don’t want any images to be shared, then they will only be uploaded to your private gallery for you to view, stored in a secure digital environment and then permanently deleted after 18 months.
Usually your photos are ready about two weeks after your photo shoot. That time can vary a little according to how busy the studio is but I will let you know when they will be ready at your session.
Photo shoots take place at my warm and welcoming studio in Crawley Down, West Sussex. Here’s how to get to it.
I edit each of your images and I will remove any stretchmarks or temporary blemishes unless you ask me to leave them in (some folk like to see their tiger stripes). I’ll check what you would like at the end of your session.
Absolutely not. Lots of people choose to be photographed in their lingerie or partially nude and these can be some stunning maternity images. However, if that’s not for you, then that’s not an issue. We can create some equally beautiful images of your pregnancy whilst you’re fully clothed.
I have a range of maternity dresses that you are welcome to use as part of your maternity photo shoot. They are especially designed for photo shoots to be super flattering and create some lovely silhouettes in both lace and sheer fabrics. You will receive an options form the day before your session that will allow you to view the range and select a dress / dresses to include.
You should wear whatever you would like to be photographed and, depending on the type of maternity session that you have booked, we may have time for several outfit changes during your session. I also have some maternity dresses that you are welcome to borrow. I recommend an outfit that clings to your bumps so you can show it off, jeans and shirt that buttons at the front is also a great classic combo. If you’re having lingerie images then great fitting matching underwear is perfect. It’s a great idea before your session to wear loose clothing that doesn’t leave any marks on your skin.
I will edit each of your images in your finished gallery to show you off to as your best self. As well as refining each image, I’ll also remove temporary blemishes and also stretchmarks if you would like me to, I’ll ask you what you would like at the end of your session.
Absolutely, you should bring along anything you love to photographed in and to include in your finished images.
Absolutely! You’re welcome to include your partner and any children in your photo shoot. If you have small children though, I’d definitely recommend bringing along another adult so you can focus on enjoying your session when it is time for you to pose solo.
I have a small range of props and accessories that you are welcome to borrow in incorporate into your session. You can find out more about them here.
You don’t need to do anything special to get ready for your photo shoot as you’ll already be glowing. However, a gentle exfoliation and lots of moisturiser the day before are a great way to get your skin camera ready and you’ll want your hands to be looking their best as they’ll definitely be featured on your bump.
It’s a good idea to bring along a few outfits, one that is clingy that shows off your bump, and maybe one flowing one too – although I do have maternity dresses that you are welcome to borrow. A front buttoning shirt and jeans make a great combination along with a skirt and camisole tops. If you’re planning on being photographed in your underwear then bring along a well fitting matching set. You are welcome to bring along any accessories that you’d like to include such as first toys, first blankets, scan pictures or baby bootees.
I recommend booking your maternity photo shoot when you are between 28 and 36 weeks pregnant or before 32 weeks if you are expecting a multiple birth. That way, you will still have a nice rounded belly and you won’t be too uncomfortable. You also don’t run the risk of missing the opportunity to have a photo shoot if your baby makes an early arrival.
There’s no minimum spend or nasty pricing surprises with any of my photography. You’ll already know the price of your photo shoot and what’s included and if you’d like to order more, you simply do so from your online gallery.
For a Maternity Mini Session, we book the studio for half an hour and for a Full Maternity Session, we have an hour. Generally speaking though, we’ll only be shooting for part of this time, which allows us to take things at a relaxed pace.
I believe in complete transparency when it comes to pricing so you won’t get any nasty surprises. You’ll already know what your session fee includes in terms of images, and you can simply order more from your online gallery if you’d like to – there’s no sales or viewing session to attend.
Here are the prices for additional digital images and prints.
About two weeks after your session, I’ll have your images edited and uploaded to your private online gallery. There’s no sales or viewing session to attend. I’ll email you a link and a password and that will take you straight to your finished images.
There are three types of maternity photo shoot for you to choose from.
- Mini Maternity Shoot – including a single outfit and backdrop and focusing on the mother-to-be only. Includes one digital image £45
- Full Maternity Shoot – includes three outfits and backdrops and can also include partner and other children. Includes three digital images £95
- Progressions Maternity Shoot – a series of maternity shoots designed to create a single piece of artwork at the end of it to showcase your pregnancy journey. Includes the sessions and the finished artwork as a large, print resolution file £195
Any digital images that you purchase will be sized at 10×8″ at 300ppi so perfect for printing up to this size or slightly larger (you have more flexibility on size when it comes to canvases as they are printed at a lower resolution).
Sorry but no. Obviously you can use your phone for making and receiving calls but I don’t allow any videography or photography inside the studio. If you are caught recording or photographing the session, you will be asked to leave and the session will be terminated without refund. All in all, that’s a horrible situation for us all to be in so please respect my copyright.
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.
