Welcoming a new baby starts long before they arrive, and pregnancy is such a unique time to celebrate. This Pocket Guide brings together the most common questions I’m asked about maternity sessions so you can find everything in one place.

a header image for my maternity photography pocket guide

Maternity photography is a lovely way to capture your bump and the anticipation of this special stage. I offer relaxed, studio-based maternity sessions in Crawley Down, West Sussex (between Crawley and East Grinstead), with over 20 years’ experience photographing babies, families, and mums-to-be.

From when to book and what to wear, to including partners or older children, you’ll find the answers here, short, simple, and easy to dip into whenever you need them.

Here are the most common questions I’m asked about maternity sessions:

I recommend booking between 28–36 weeks of pregnancy—this is when your bump is beautifully rounded, and you’re still comfortable and able to move around easily.

We book the studio for an hour to give us plenty of time to take things at a relaxed, pregnancy-comfortable pace and allow for any outfit changes if you’re doing them.  We don’t necessarily shoot for all this time but it is important to me that you can relax and enjoy your session in an unhurried environment.

It’s £95, which includes the session and your three digital images.  You’ll also have access to my maternity dress wardrobe and up to three backdrop / setting changes if you’d like them.

You’re welcome to wear your own clothes or choose from my studio’s curated collection of maternity gowns, including flowing, fitted, lace, and sheer options. Lots of people also choose to bare their bump in underwear shots but it’s certainly not obligatory – the most important thing is that you feel confident and comfortable.

Yes – partners and older children are absolutely welcome! Whether you’d like romantic couple shots or playful family portraits, it’s easy to include them. If you’re bringing young siblings, you might want to bring an extra pair of hands to help during the session.

Yes—I take flattering lighting, poses, and professional editing very seriously. If there are stretch marks or blemishes you’d prefer to minimise, I can gently retouch them—but if you’d rather embrace them, that’s completely fine too.

Sessions are held in my comfortable, private studio in Crawley Down, West Sussex. You have full control over style, lighting, and look whether you want a glamorous or relaxed backdrop – and yes, you’re welcome to borrow dresses from my collection.

Absolutely—bring anything meaningful, from first outfits, toys and blankets or even scan photos and we’ll work them into your session.

Absolutely — I guide you every step of the way with gentle posing, flattering angles, and a calm studio environment. My goal is to help you feel relaxed and confident throughout the session.

Of course! Life doesn’t always stick to plans, and I understand. Just let me know and we’ll reschedule for a time that works better. If your baby arrives early, you can transfer your session to newborn, baby, or even a first birthday shoot.

You’ll receive an online gallery link a few weeks later—browse, choose your favourites, and order directly with ease.

The Short Answer

Best Time for Session28-36 weeks pregnant
Session Length 1 hour
What’s Included 3 digital images and access to my maternity dress wardrobe
Price £95
Where My Crawley Down Studio, West Sussex
Booking After your 20 week scan but I’ll always fit you in if you’ve left it later

How Much Does a Maternity Session Cost?

Session fee (inc three digital images) – £95

Single digital image – £15

Five digital images – £50

All digital images – £195

What’s Next?

If you’re ready to plan your maternity session, here are some helpful links:

Can’t find what you’re looking for? I’m always here to help,  just get in touch.

Why Choose Me as your Maternity Photographer?

  • Over 20 years experience
  • Full time, professional female photographer
  • Specialist maternity studio (including beautiful maternity dresses)
  • Hundreds of parents-to-be photographed

Feeling a little nervous about booking?

That is completely normal. Most families arrive with at least one quiet worry, and almost all of them say afterwards that it was nothing like they expected.

If you are feeling unsure, this page covers the concerns I hear most often and why they usually turn out to be smaller than they seemed.

Nervous about booking a photo session?

Gallery Images

My style is flexible, natural and unposed, or styled with props and themes. Whether you’d like shots alone, with your partner or other children, relaxed natural portraits or arthouse style black and white images, I’ll create photographs that feel right for you.

A woman poses in a flowing red maternity dress lit in silhouette
Parents hands making the shape of a heart on a black and white image of a pregnant belly at a professional photo shoot
A couple,, with the woman being pregnant, look at each other while sitting on the floor
A couple, the woman is pregnant, pose facing each other with their heads touching and looking down at the bump
A dark black and white image of a pregnant women with the light just highlighting the edge of her face and bump
A little girl snuggles up to her mums pregnant belly in a black and white image
A little girl sits on her dad's shoulders and blows a kiss at her pregnant mum who is standing by them both
A picture of the lower half of a man and a pregnant woman with their pet dog sitting on the floor between them - their fur baby versus their first baby
a pregnant woman sits on a bed in a white dress
A pregnant woman wearing a red and black outfit holds her bump as she sits on the floor and looks down over her shoulder
a woman poses in her maternity jeans looking down to her bump
A pregnant woman smiles for the camera against a neutral background whilst wearing a long flowing black dress

Where is Your Studio?

My studio is warm, private, and designed with families in mind, easy to find, peaceful, and calm for a relaxed maternity session. It’s based in the heart of West Sussex, in Crawley Down just outside East Grinstead, and within easy reach of the M25 so convenient for visitors from all over Kent, Surrey and Sussex. I have plenty of easy parking and we’re in a quiet neighbourhood so we can enjoy relaxation and privacy during your studio visit.

Your Maternity Shoot Guide

Everything you need to feel relaxed and ready for your maternity session. Outfits, posing, props and more.

Maternity Photography in East Grinstead

My maternity sessions are relaxed, flexible affairs, with the studio booked for a full hour so we have plenty of time to build a really varied gallery. You’re welcome to choose up to three backdrops and up to three outfit changes, so you can mix and match styles and create a set of pregnancy images that feels properly yours.

I’d recommend booking your session between 28 and 36 weeks, so you’re still comfortable, and you’re welcome to borrow any of my maternity photo shoot dresses while you’re in the studio. You choose your images and order any extras directly from your online gallery, with no sales or viewing session to attend.