If you can’t tell by looking at my maternity portfolio, pregnancy photos have a special place in my heart! I mean your body is LITERALLY growing an entire human. You need to celebrate that! That’s why I’m sharing my favorite maternity photoshoot ideas with you! A quick peek into how I work and how I get glowing mama’s to relax in front of the camera.

While I truly enjoy every type of session, there’s just something magical about pregnancy photos. I have expecting moms coming to see me all year round, especially spring and fall here in Florida, and I just love capturing this very special time for families.

But, not every photographer can capture genuine emotion and expressions during maternity photoshoots. It’s not as easy as it looks! In my 14+ years of photographing Boca Raton moms, I’ve come up with a list of maternity shoot ideas of my go-to poses, ideas and prompts that work the best for me and my clients.

Maternity Photoshoot Ideas: Just Mom

Moms might come alone to their maternity session to enjoy some “me” time or with their partner and family. Either way, I always start with a few solo poses. I always tease my dads that they’re basically accessories at my maternity sessions.

I like the wardrobe freedom when we pose mom solo. No coordinating with the rest of the crew. Styling options are endless for a session with just mom. Anything goes. For example, I love styling a chunky knit sweater, draped fabric to accentuate the belly, a flowy gown or jeans and a top or no top at all. It all works.

Standing Maternity Pose

The classic, full-body standing pose is where I always start. It is a good start since it is what mom is usually expecting. I let mom know exactly how I want her to stand. How to position her legs and feet. For example, you always pop the leg closest to the camera to make your legs look longer and have your foot up on its toes. It is all about elongating the body. Hands are also very important.

A pro-tip I give my clients is to always tap their fingers when resting on the belly to prevent their hands from looking to stiff or “claw” like.

Sitting Maternity Poses

Sitting pregnancy poses are perfect for moms to take a mini break from standing.

I use a stool or have them sit cross legged on the floor.

When I use a stool, I actually direct her to lean more on the stool as long as she is comfortable. I also have mom rest her foot on the step of the stool for some added shape and interest to the pose.

From here we will photograph lots of different hand placements.

If mom is comfortable, I will have her sit right on the floor in a “criss-cross applesauce” position.

From here all she has to do is sit up straight and bam, power pose! While mom was already sitting down in this position I had her “hug” her belly and really cuddle it. We got a great moment.

Looking Down at Belly Poses

A very simple pose with a big result is mom looking down at her belly. This is a good opportunity for me to remind mom there is meaning and intention in what we are doing, celebrating her and her growing belly.

Looking Off-Camera Poses

I like to click when mom might be a little distracted. A little glance to the side has a little look of whimsy and possibilities. I love it for a maternity image.

Hands-on-Belly Pose

I love a close up of the beautiful baby bump being held by mom and dad. This is one of the easiest maternity photoshoot poses.

I might photograph a single hand or have them place both hands on the belly. I go with what is happening in the moment.

Belly-Only Photos

One thing I’m always mindful of is getting a few intentional close-ups of your baby bump. I capture this just by stepping in closer while you’re already posed, easy and relaxed.

Most of the time clients don’t even know I took this shot.

Couple Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

I love love love doing maternity session with couples! The love they bring to these sessions is always so incredible. Here are a few of my favorite couple maternity photoshoot ideas!

Hug From Behind

One of my most popular maternity shoot ideas is dad hugging mom from behind.

I have dad rest his hands right on the baby bump with mom while softly nuzzling her neck.

This pose works perfect for a pregnancy announcement photoshoot idea. And in fact, this couple used this shot as their baby announcement to their family and friends!

Walking Hand in Hand

At this incredible golden hour pregnancy photo shoot we were walking to our next location. When I turned around I saw how sweet dad was helping mom through the thick grass.

Later in this maternity portrait shoot, we found a perfect little path for this couple to walk hand in hand. I just asked them to look at each other while walking and reminded mom to gently hold her baby belly.

Family Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

Sibling Hugging Mom’s Leg

In my maternity photoshoots with siblings, most siblings are young enough that when they hug mom they are actually close to the same height as the baby bump. This is the perfect position for for me to ask them to kiss moms belly or cuddle the baby.

Sibling Kissing Mom’s Belly

A pose moms always love is big brother or sister giving the belly a kiss. Depending on their age, that kiss can be pretty quick. One smooch and they’re off to the next adventure.

This pose works best when mom is wearing something more form-fitting or when the belly is exposed, so the sibling can really see the bump. If mom is in a super flowy gown that needs to be held in place, toddlers can sometimes get a little lost in all that fabric, and I like the bump to be nice and visible.

I also always make sure to tell mom to look down at their baby bump when siblings are kissing or hugging them.

Sibling Hugging and Resting Head on Baby Bump

An easy transition from sibling kissing mom’s tummy is to then just have them hug mom’s belly and then rest their heads on the baby bump. This is always a super sweet and emotional shot for moms.

Siblings in Mom’s Lap

If we are lucky enough, I like to get a photo of a sibling or siblings lying in moms lap with the baby bump.

These two big sister were perfect. I just had to ask them to pop in mom’s lap and we got a beautiful shot. Since she was wearing a form fitting dress the bump was still visible. I love this image.

Maternity Beach Photoshoot Ideas

Beach maternity photos are kind of a thing here in Florida! We have so many beautiful beaches for pregnancy portraits that my clients are spoiled for choice! Here are some of my favorite ideas for maternity photoshoots at the beach!

Use the Lifeguard Tower

I loved this perfectly boho beach maternity photoshoot. I like to find spots at the beach that give a little variety in the gallery and this lifeguard tower was perfect.

Here we see a beautiful mom in a vintage boho dress, leaning on the stairs for support with her leg up. We wanted to find another location at the beach that was not on the water. This worked perfectly.

Walking Along the Shoreline Hand in Hand

This pose is great for a family or couples maternity beach photoshoot.

I make sure to prepare clients ahead of time to get a little bit wet. I recommend they bring a towel and a change of clothes for the little ones in case they get carried away splashing. I always plan the actual in or near the water images last.

Pose Mom on Stairs

At this beach maternity photoshoot my client really liked posing on the stairs. Stairs are a natural way to add variety in our posing.

Outdoor Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

I offer both outdoor maternity photoshoots and in studio- but doing it outdoor here in Florida is definitely my favorite! From lush greenery to the beach, we have some of the greatest locations for outdoor pregnancy portraits.

Golden Hour Field Ideas

I always look for a nice tall grassy areas and open spaces to photograph mom in. I love the texture it gives the image. Perfect for a spring maternity photoshoot!

Here is another example of a maternity portrait idea using a beautiful field. I love the natural elements of the greenery and grasses against mom’s soft pink dress.

Forest/Lush Greenery Ideas

This local park is my absolute favorite for a lush, green, hidden little secret. You almost don’t feel like you are in Florida and this client loved how hidden and tucked away we were.

Barn/Rustic Ideas

I was so excited to change up locations from my normal spots for this mom’s maternity portraits!

We found his covered bridge park for a total rustic vibe and I love the way it turned out! Mom choose a kimono from my client closet and it matched surroundings perfectly.

Boho Pregnancy Photos

I had so much fun at this session using the texture and movement of this boho skirt and top from my client closet.

For these poses I told mom to really exaggerate the way she swings the skirt for the best shot of the movement.

At this boho session, the kimono and hat adds the perfect boho touch and mom nailed this look. If you can’t tell by now, I love using kimono’s in addition to dresses in my maternity photos.

Studio Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

I also offer maternity portraits in my Coral Springs studio. Using the studio for pregnancy photos is great when the weather it just too hot or humid to head outside. On top of this, studio shots just give an entirely different vibe- a more editorial and modern feel to your maternity pics!

Dramatic Studio Backdrop

At this studio maternity photoshoot mom wanted a few images with a more dark, moody look. The black and white edit makes sure she was the spotlight of the image. Black and white images are always a favorite of mine and mom loved it.

Use a Chair or Stool Props

To add variety to this studio pregnancy photoshoot, I used a simple stool.

Sitting allowed her longer sweater to fall around her baby bump, creating an elegant and comfortable look.

This IKEA industrial metal stool was the perfect prop for this maternity photoshoot pose. At 30 inches, it is one of my favorite stools to use!

Glam Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

More glamorous posing means more dramatic wardrobe and styling. This mom has the most beautiful sleek hair that fell just a teeny bit over her eye to add to the drama. To bump up the glam, add a sequin dress or bold light.

Add Florals and Flowers

Every once in awhile I’ll get a mom that asks to incorporate fresh flowers in her studio maternity photos. Whether it’s a custom floral crown or a beautiful bouquet of fresh florals, flowers just adds a special touch.

Here is the lovely Sarah at 35 weeks during a maternity photoshoot with me where we added in a pale pink fresh floral bouquet for variety during her light denim look.

Winter Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

I had the opportunity to photograph a maternity session in a Winter Wonderland, and as a Florida girl I said, YES please!

I had to think of a few winter outdoor maternity photoshoot ideas and what style we wanted. Some moms opt for a warm, cozy coat with their baby bump peeking out, while others lean into something lighter and more ethereal.

For this session, I had a very brave mama who was excited to wear a light, flowy brown silk gown in the snow and it was so worth it. For her comfort, I arrived early to scout the location and choose my spots ahead of time so we could keep things moving quickly once we started.

I had an assistant with me to wrap mom in a blanket between locations.

This was mom’s first baby and a mom-only session, which also gave us the flexibility to work efficiently while we created beautiful images quickly to get her out of the snow.

Here is another winter maternity photo shoot that I loved. We had to walk through some thick snow, but this location with all the snow on the trees and mom’s dress made it worth it.

Prompt Ideas for Maternity Photos

This is honestly one of my favorite parts of any maternity session. The right prompt at the right moment is what takes a photo from just “nice” to genuinely emotional and real. I never want anyone to feel like they’re just standing there looking at a camera. These are the prompts I come back to again and again because they just work.

Walk Slow and Talk Baby Names

Ok, you don’t have to talk baby names, but silly chit chat while walking together is a great way for me to capture natural maternity images. I don’t want any stiff poses.

Kiss Forehead then Look at Belly

I love seeing the little quiet moments between a couple at my pregnancy photoshoots. Prompting dad to kiss mom’s forehead while having mom look down at her baby bump always works! The result is this beautiful maternity photoshoot pose!

Whisper Something Only You Two Know

This one is so simple but the reaction it gets is everything. I’ll pull dad aside before the session and tell him to whisper something personal to mom- likTell Your Baby Something Out Loude an inside joke, the name they’ve picked out, something sweet only they share. Mom never knows it’s coming and when he does it, her reaction is completely genuine, every single time.

Tell Me What You’re Most Excited About

Mid-session I’ll just casually ask mom what she is most excited about when baby arrives. They almost always say the moment they see their baby for the first time. This prompt immediately softens mom’s expressions!

Tell Your Baby Something Out Loud

This one takes a tiny bit of bravery but the results are stunning. I’ll ask mom to talk to the baby. Say their name if they have one. Tell them how they can’t wait to meet them. It sounds a little silly in the moment and usually gets a little laugh first – which is also a great shot!- but I always get the most genuine, soft smile from mom.

Rock Side to Side

For couples who feel a little stiff in front of the camera- and it happens because most people do!- I just tell them to just sway together slowly like they’re slow dancing. Once they are gently moving, everyone just seems to loosen up.

Siblings: Tell the Baby a Secret

When siblings join the maternity photoshoot, I always tell them to tell the baby a secret through mom’s belly. The concentration on a toddler’s face as they cup their hands and whisper into mom’s bump is the most precious thing you have ever seen. Big brothers and sisters absolutely love this one and it keeps them engaged and part of the session!

Tips for a Successful Maternity Photoshoot

A maternity photoshoot should be low stress and fun for everyone involved! It’s really just about enjoying the moment and celebrating this amazing time in your life! But real quick- one of the biggest tips? Keep it fun! Things like joking around with your partner, giggling together, letting siblings be themselves, and interacting naturally with each other will bring out the best shots.

When to Schedule your Maternity Photoshoot

I have found the sweet spot for most maternity photoshoots is between 28–34 weeks pregnant.

The reason I like this timeline is that at this stage your baby bump is beautifully rounded and clearly visible, you’re usually still comfortable enough to move around and change poses easily and you are not quite at the state where swelling and fatigue is less managable.

If you’re carrying multiples or tend to show earlier, you may want to reach out to me sooner to schedule closer to 26–30 weeks. If this isn’t your first baby, you might also show a bit sooner, which can influence timing.

Ultimately, the best time I want you to schedule is when you feel good. Your comfort matters just as much as how your bump looks, and I can always adjust posing and pacing based on how you’re feeling that day.

What to Bring to your Maternity Photo Shoot

I do encourage we keeping things simple because remember I have everything we need plus a big client closet full of maternity dresses!

You don’t need to overpack, but a few useful items can make your session more comfortable. Here are a few things I recommend to bring:

• Water – Staying hydrated helps with energy and comfort.
• Backup shoes – Especially for outdoor sessions or walking between spots
• Nude or seamless undergarments – Work well under most gowns and dresses
• Simple props (optional) – Ultrasound photo, baby shoes, or a small keepsake

If siblings or a partner are joining, bringing a small snack or wipes can also be helpful.

How to Choose the Best Location for Your Maternity Photoshoot

The right location sets the tone for your entire session. When deciding where to shoot, I always consider three main things:

1. Privacy: I look for quiet or low-traffic areas to help you feel more relaxed, especially if you’re wearing a form-fitting dress or showing your belly
2. Light: Soft, even light is ideal. I look for open shade, filtered sunlight, or golden-hour light to create flattering images.
3. Walking Distance: We want to find locations that don’t require long walks to make your session more comfortable and keep energy levels up, especially later in pregnancy.

Ready to Book Your Maternity Photoshoot?

So there you have it! My top favorite maternity photoshoot poses, ideas and prompts for beautiful pregnancy portraits! I hope this blog is handy for maternity photography reference poses!

Do you need your own maternity photos? I would love to meet you and capture this special time! Head over to my maternity page where I cover all the details on my maternity portrait session experience! we can shoot at any of my favorite secret outdoor locations or in my Coral Springs maternity photoshoot studio! Contact me for more information!