Portland Maternity Photo Sessions: When, Where & What to Wear?

With the booking of a maternity session comes plenty of well-thought questions! In this post, I’ll answer the most common (and important) items. Let’s start with fashion. 🙂

Q: What should I wear?

Foremost, you should wear something that brings comfort. I encourage garments that emphasize, rather than hide, the baby bump! Most of the time, this means a dress. Dresses comprised of stretchy, draping material that cling to the belly photograph well. I discourage jeans and t-shirts or other bulky outfits that don’t emphasize the belly.

A note about color: I also discourage patterned and solid black dresses (despite their timeless look!). They simply hide the curves and definition that we are trying to show. There’s something about red tones that best work in my experience. Check out this best-selling maternity dress on Amazon.

Here’s an example of a black/patterned dress that hides the bump (please note that I did not take nor do I own this picture), in contrast with a solid red that emphasizes the definition (my lovely client!).

Q: How far in advance should I schedule my session?

This partially depends on the time of year, but in general, it’s never too early to schedule! I’m less busy in the winter months, but it’s important to book early to ensure you land your desired date, especially by spring.

Q: In what month of my pregnancy should I have maternity pictures taken?

If you’re showing enough in month 7, I have found that to be a ‘safe’ window. By month 8, you might be experiencing more physical discomfort. Another important point to keep in mind is that maternity sessions are bound by an obvious time limit, so we won’t have as much flexibility to reschedule due to bad weather., illness, etc., if you wait until month 8 or 9.

Q: How much does a maternity session cost?

My current rate for a maternity package is $325, and that price is all-inclusive. It covers the session itself, a download of all the full-res, edited, digital images, plus any necessary retouching to a selection of your favorites. There are no additional fees.

Q: Where should I take my maternity photos?

Most clients opt for outdoor settings, such as local parks, downtown, and Mt. Hood. However, I can also offer a session in/around your home! Here is a list of my go-to outdoor locations around Portland.

For your inspiration…