When Is the Best Time for a Maternity Photoshoot?

One of the questions I am asked most often by expectant mothers is: when is the best time to have a maternity photoshoot?

There is a practical answer, of course. There is a stage when the shape of the pregnancy is usually beautifully visible while many women still feel comfortable enough to enjoy being photographed.

But there is also a more personal answer.

No two pregnancies feel the same. Your energy, your body, your calendar and the way you wish to remember this chapter are entirely your own. The best maternity photographs are not created by following a rule perfectly. They are created when thoughtful planning meets sensitivity, trust and careful direction.

For most women, the ideal time for a maternity photoshoot in London is between approximately 27 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. Many maternity photographers work within a similar 27-to-34-week window, although the right date should always be adapted to the individual pregnancy.

Why 27 to 34 weeks often works beautifully

During this part of the third trimester, the silhouette of the pregnancy is usually clearly defined. This allows the curve of the body to become an essential element of the portrait without the session necessarily taking place in the final, more physically demanding weeks.

At the same time, many women are still comfortable enough to move gently between different poses, change outfits and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.

This is not about making your body conform to a photographic ideal. It is about finding a moment when you can be present in the experience and when the portrait can reflect both the strength and the intimacy of pregnancy.

The exact week may depend on:

• whether this is your first pregnancy;

• how quickly your bump is developing;

• whether you are expecting more than one baby;

• your energy and mobility;

• your medical guidance;

• whether you need to travel into London;

• the kind of photographs you wish to create.

  
  

Your comfort and the advice of your midwife or medical team should always take priority over a conventional photography timeline.

When should you book your maternity photographer?

Although the session itself may take place around 27 to 34 weeks, I recommend enquiring considerably earlier.

Booking during the second trimester, often between approximately 16 and 24 weeks, gives you more choice of dates and enough time to plan the experience calmly.

A considered maternity portrait is not simply a date in the diary. There may be several elements to coordinate:

• the pre-shooting consultation and creative direction

• wardrobe and styling;

• professional hair and make-up;

• your partner’s or children’s availability;

• the studio;

• travel into London;

• the way the finished portraits will live in your home.

  
  

Booking early removes unnecessary pressure. It gives us time to understand what you are drawn to, what you would never wear and how you would like to feel when you see the photographs years from now.

What if I am already more than 34 weeks pregnant?

It is not automatically too late.

Beautiful maternity portraits can be created at 35, 36 weeks or later, provided that you feel well, your pregnancy allows it and there is suitable availability.

The experience may simply need to be adapted. We might plan fewer changes, gentler movement, more seated portraits and a particularly calm pace. In a studio setting, the light, temperature and privacy can be controlled, which often makes the experience more comfortable than an outdoor session.

The most important thing is to be honest about how you are feeling. A maternity photoshoot should never become another demand placed on your body.

Even when the session is arranged later than originally planned, simplicity can be extraordinarily powerful. A beautiful line, a quiet expression and a single piece of fabric can create a portrait that feels complete.

Should a twin pregnancy be photographed earlier?

Women expecting twins or multiple babies often consider an earlier session because the pregnancy may become physically demanding sooner.

There is no universal week that is right for every multiple pregnancy. Rather than relying on a fixed number, I recommend discussing your plans with your maternity care team and contacting the photographer early. We can then reserve a date with enough flexibility and design a session that respects your comfort.

The goal is never to reach the largest possible bump. It is to create meaningful photographs while you still feel able to participate in the experience.

Studio or outdoor maternity photography in London?

London offers beautiful outdoor settings, from classical architecture to quiet garden squares. However, for maternity photography, I often favour the privacy and precision of a studio.

London weather is unpredictable, and many public locations involve walking, changing temperatures, limited privacy and the presence of other people. A private studio allows every detail to be considered in advance.

Light can be shaped carefully. The room can be warm. You can pause whenever you need to. Outfits can be changed discreetly, and the overall atmosphere can remain quiet and unhurried.

For the kind of maternity photography I create, the location does not need to compete with the woman.

The focus is the body, the expression, the connection between partners and the visual language of the portrait. Minimal surroundings allow those elements to become more powerful.

What should you wear for a maternity photoshoot?

You do not need to arrive with a suitcase filled with maternity dresses.

We provide an amazing selection of dresses, specifically created for maternity photoshoots by our trusted Italian tailors.

Gowns, bodysuits, Italian silk drapes, accessories, everything is included in the Experience.

Before a session, I consider:

• which parts of your body you feel comfortable showing;

• whether you prefer a minimal, editorial or more romantic aesthetic;

• the colours that suit your skin and the intended artwork;

• whether you would like fully dressed, partially draped or more intimate portraits;

• how your partner’s clothing will relate to yours;

• whether the images will be displayed together as a collection.

  
  

A luxury experience is defined by how carefully each choice is made.

Hair and make-up should follow the same principle. The intention is not to transform you into someone else, but to create a refined version of yourself that still feels recognisable.

Can my partner and children be included?

Yes. Pregnancy is an intimate physical experience, but it is also a moment of transition for the whole family.

Including your partner can add tenderness, strength and a sense of scale to the photographs. These do not need to be overly posed or sentimental. Often, the quietest gestures are the most meaningful: a hand, a profile, the distance between two faces.

Older children can also be included, although their part of the session should be planned around their age and temperament. Young children rarely need more posing. They need patience, simple direction and space to respond naturally.

I generally prefer to create a combination of:

• portraits of the mother alone;

• portraits with her partner;

• family photographs;

  
  

This ensures that the final collection celebrates your identity as a woman as well as the family that is changing around you.

What if I do not feel confident in front of the camera?

You are not expected to know how to pose.

Most of the women I photograph are not models, and many arrive feeling uncertain about their changing bodies. They may feel beautiful one day and disconnected from themselves the next. Both feelings can exist during pregnancy.

My role as a maternity photographer is not simply to operate a camera. It is to observe carefully and guide every detail: the position of your hands, the line of your shoulders, your breathing, the direction of your face and the way the fabric falls.

You should feel supported, protected and able to settle gradually into the experience. Confidence does not always need to be present at the beginning. Sometimes it appears quietly as the session unfolds.

Planning a London maternity photoshoot when travelling

Many of our clients travel to London or Milan specifically for their portrait session or combine it with appointments, work or time with family.

When planning travel, consider how you normally feel after a long journey and avoid creating an unnecessarily demanding schedule around the shoot. Arriving in London the previous day can make the experience considerably more relaxed.

After 28 weeks, some airlines may ask for documentation from a doctor or midwife confirming the expected due date and that the pregnancy is uncomplicated, so requirements should be checked directly with the airline before travelling.

Whether you are based in Chelsea, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Notting Hill, elsewhere in London or travelling from overseas, allow enough time before and after the session. This should feel like a meaningful experience, not something fitted anxiously between other commitments.

What makes a maternity portrait timeless?

Trends can be beautiful, but they date quickly.

A timeless maternity portrait depends on restraint: intentional light, an elegant silhouette, honest expression and styling that does not overwhelm the person being photographed.

I often work in black and white because it removes distraction and allows the image to become more sculptural. Colour can also be beautiful when it is controlled and purposeful.

The question I return to is not, “Will this look impressive today?”

It is, “Will this portrait still feel like her in twenty years?”

A maternity photoshoot is also time for you

Pregnancy is often filled with preparation.

There are appointments, lists, decisions and constant conversations about the baby. Your body can begin to feel public, discussed and observed by everyone around you.

A maternity portrait session creates a pause.

For a few hours, the attention returns to you: not only as an expectant mother, but as a woman moving through an extraordinary physical and emotional transition.

The finished photographs matter, but so does the way the experience makes you feel.

You do not need to feel perfect. You do not need to wait until you feel completely confident.

You simply need to be cared for with the same attention that you are already giving to everyone else.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best week for a maternity photoshoot?

For many women, approximately 27 to 34 weeks offers a beautiful balance between a clearly visible bump and physical comfort. The timing should always be adapted to your individual pregnancy.

How far in advance should I book a maternity photographer in London?

Ideally, enquire during your second trimester. For limited London dates or a highly personalised session, booking earlier gives you greater choice and more time for creative planning.

Is 36 weeks too late for maternity photos?

Not necessarily. If you feel well and your care team has no concerns, a later session may still be possible. The pace and number of outfit changes can be adjusted for comfort.

Can my partner join the maternity photoshoot?

Yes. Your session can include portraits alone, with your partner and with your children. The final balance can be planned around what feels most meaningful to you.

Do I need to know how to pose?

No. You will be guided throughout the session, from the placement of your hands to your posture and expression.

What should I wear?

Wardrobe is planned according to your body, preferences and the intended mood of the portraits. Simple, well-considered pieces often photograph more beautifully than elaborate maternity outfits.

Are maternity photoshoots only for first pregnancies?

Not at all. Every pregnancy belongs to a different chapter of your life and deserves to be considered on its own.

Enquiring about a maternity photoshoot in London

Donatella Nicolini Studio creates elegant, timeless maternity portraits through a highly personalised experience in London.

Each session is planned individually, with considered creative direction, styling, professional guidance and space for your partner or family where desired. Please get in touch at info@donatellanicolini.it to request a private consultation.

About Donatella Nicolini

Donatella Nicolini is an award-winning portrait photographer specialising in elegant, timeless maternity and family photography. Her work is defined by refined styling, sculptural light and a deeply personal approach to every woman she photographs. She creates private portrait experiences in Milan and London.