A partially nude maternity photo shoot can be a powerful and beautiful way to celebrate your pregnancy. Capturing the natural beauty of this transformative time highlights your growing bump and creates timeless images you’ll treasure forever.

However, it’s completely normal to feel a little nervous about stepping in front of the camera for such an intimate session. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for your shoot, ensuring it’s a comfortable and empowering experience.

Communicating Your Vision

The first step to a successful shoot is communication. Every client is unique, and I want to ensure the session reflects your personal preferences and comfort level. Whether you’d like to go for an artistic silhouette, implied nude poses, or fully embrace a bare-bump moment, let me know during our initial discussions. I’ll help you plan poses and setups that highlight your beauty while ensuring you feel completely at ease.

If you’re unsure what style you’d like, don’t worry—many of my clients feel the same way at first! You can share a Pinterest board, inspiration images, or simply describe the look you’re imagining, and I’ll guide you to a style that works for you.

A pregnant belly in a black and white image against a white background

Choosing What to Wear

While a partially nude shoot doesn’t require extensive wardrobe planning, it’s worth considering what you might like to wear for the non-nude portions of your session. Flowing fabrics, lace robes, and draped materials are popular choices that pair beautifully with partially nude imagery. Bringing along a favourite pair of maternity jeans or a button-down shirt can also create a casual yet personal feel in your photos.

For the nude or semi-nude segments, rest assured that we’ll work with lighting, posing, and creative draping to create tasteful and flattering images. If you have concerns about stretch marks, scars, or any other details, let me know—editing can always smooth out those areas if that’s your preference, though I encourage you to embrace your body’s beauty as it is.

Preparing Your Skin

A key part of feeling confident during your shoot is caring for your skin beforehand. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to the session and moisturise regularly to create a healthy glow. If you plan to remove body hair, aim to do so at least a day before your shoot to avoid redness or irritation.

Consider wearing loose-fitting clothing on the day of your session to prevent any marks on your skin from tight straps or seams. These little steps can make a big difference when it comes to creating smooth, flawless images.

Feeling Comfortable on the Day

One of the most important aspects of a partially nude maternity shoot is that you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout. My studio is a private, welcoming space where you’ll be treated with care and respect. I’ll guide you through poses that flatter your figure and ensure your comfort at every step.

Bringing along a supportive partner or friend can also help you feel more at ease, though many of my clients prefer to have this intimate moment just for themselves. You can decide what works best for you!

Trust the Process

Trust is key when it comes to creating intimate maternity images. I’ve been working with pregnant women for over 15 years, and your comfort and safety are always my top priorities. Every step of the shoot will be handled professionally, with plenty of opportunities for you to adjust or pause if needed.

Whether it’s your first time doing a photo shoot or you’re already familiar with the process, know that we’ll take everything at your pace. My goal is to create images that celebrate your unique journey into motherhood, capturing your strength, beauty, and radiance.

A pregnant woman lies on the floor in her underwear cradling her bump at a professional maternity photo shoot

After the Session

Once your session is complete, I’ll carefully edit your images to ensure they’re as beautiful as possible. You’ll receive access to your private online gallery within two weeks, where you can choose your favourite images to download or print.

Many of my clients find that their partially nude maternity images become some of their most cherished memories—perfect for displaying in your home or keeping as a special reminder of this fleeting time.

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.