If you have questions about how maternity photo shoots work, then look no further! I’ve gathered together all of the most common queries I get and tried to answer them all for you in one place. Of course, if you have others that you’d like to ask, just get in touch and I’m happy to help!
Absolutely, you should bring along anything you love to photographed in and to include in your finished images.
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.
A Maternity Mini Session focuses solely on the Mum-t0-be, but you can book a Full Maternity Session if you’d like your partner and children to join in the photos to celebrate the new arrival.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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).
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
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.
My studio is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
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.
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.
Photo shoots take place at my warm and welcoming studio in Crawley Down, West Sussex. Here’s how to get to it.
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.
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. 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.
Maternity Photography
I have three types of maternity photography packages that you can choose from…
- Mini Session – one outfit, one backdrop, mum only, includes one image £45
- Full Session – three outfits, choice of backdrops, family can join in, includes three images – £95
- Progressions Series – between four and six visits to document your pregnancy journey, includes sessions and digital artwork at the end of the process – £195
I recommend booking your session between 30-36 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.
