When to Take Maternity Photos: The Best Week + What to Know

Wondering when to take maternity photos? Here’s the short answer: 32–36 weeks is the sweet spot for most first-time moms. But there’s a little more nuance to it depending on your situation — whether this is your first baby or your fourth, whether you’re carrying twins, and how your body is feeling.

I’ve been pregnant four times and I can tell you from experience that the timing really does matter. I had maternity photos taken too late with one pregnancy and felt so swollen and uncomfortable that I barely wanted to look at them afterward. With my last two, I planned better — and I’m so glad I did.

This post covers everything you need to know to pick the right window for your maternity session. This post may contain affiliate links.

How Many Weeks Should You Be for Maternity Photos?

The sweet spot for most moms is 32–36 weeks, which puts you in your eighth month of pregnancy, about one to two months before your due date.

Here’s why that window works so well:

Your bump has fully “popped” — it’s round and prominent enough to look clearly pregnant in photos, not just like you had a big lunch. You’re far enough along that the baby hasn’t started dropping down into your pelvis yet, which actually keeps your bump sitting higher and more photogenic. And critically, you’re (usually) still mobile and comfortable enough to pose, change outfits, and stand for an hour without wanting to cry.

With my own pregnancies, I found 34–35 weeks to be my personal sweet spot. Big enough to feel like the photos captured something real, but not so far along that every photo has me looking like I’m about to tap out.

A more specific breakdown:

• First pregnancy: aim for 34–36 weeks. You tend to show later with your first, so your bump will still be growing at this point.
• Second or third pregnancy: aim for 32–34 weeks. You show sooner and may feel more uncomfortable earlier, so shifting the window back a bit is smart.
• Twins or multiples: aim for 28–32 weeks (more on this below).
• High-risk pregnancy: aim for 28–30 weeks (more on this below).

Is It Too Early to Take Maternity Photos?

If you’re less than 28 weeks along with your first pregnancy, it’s probably too early — not because there’s anything wrong with it, but because your bump may not be very defined yet and you might end up with photos where it’s hard to tell you’re pregnant rather than just bloated.

Most first-time moms don’t have a clearly round, obviously-pregnant belly until closer to 28–30 weeks. That said, every body is different. If you’ve popped early and love what you see in the mirror at 24 weeks, go for it.

For second and third pregnancies, showing earlier is the norm. I was in maternity clothes by 16 weeks with my fourth baby. If that’s you, scheduling at 26–28 weeks can work really well. In that picture above in the green dress, I am 25 weeks pregnant (with baby #4).

The exception: if you want bare-bump photos or a more editorial-style session where the bump is the focal point, you might actually prefer shooting earlier — around 24–26 weeks — when you feel great and your skin hasn’t started retaining water yet.

Is It Too Late to Take Maternity Photos?

The short answer: it is never too late to take maternity photos as long as you’re still pregnant.

That said, once you hit 37–38 weeks, there are a couple of real considerations. You might be physically uncomfortable enough that posing for an hour sounds miserable rather than fun. And practically speaking, babies don’t always wait. I have a friend who has consistently delivered 3–4 weeks early with all of her pregnancies — if she had waited until 36 weeks, she would have missed her window every time.

If you’re past 36 weeks and reading this in a panic: call a photographer today. Lots of photographers take last-minute bookings, and a 38-week maternity session can be absolutely gorgeous (I just shot one last week and the woman went into labor the day after I delivered her gallery at 39 weeks). You might just need to choose a location that doesn’t require a lot of walking.

Second Trimester vs. Third Trimester Maternity Photos

Most photographers recommend the third trimester (specifically that 32–36 week window) because your bump is bigger and more defined. If you’re debating between the two, here’s a quick way to think through it:

Choose your third trimester if: This is your first pregnancy, you want a prominent bump in photos, or you don’t have any health complications that would change your timeline.

Consider your second trimester if: You’re having twins or a high-risk pregnancy, you’re traveling somewhere beautiful and won’t be there in your third trimester, this isn’t your first pregnancy and you’re already very visibly pregnant, or you know from past experience that your third trimester is rough.

Second-trimester photos (around 24–26 weeks) are more common than people think. You’ll likely feel amazing, your skin is often at its best, and the photos can look stunning (the bump just might be a little more subtle).

When to Take Maternity Photos If You’re Having Twins

If you’re expecting twins or multiples, shift your entire window earlier: 24–30 weeks is typically the recommendation.

With twins, your belly grows faster and larger than a singleton pregnancy, which means you’ll be showing more prominently earlier. But it also means you’re more likely to be uncomfortable sooner and more likely to deliver early. The last thing you want is to wait until 34 weeks only to be on bedrest or have already delivered.

I’d also suggest having a backup date in mind when you book. Just in case.

When to Take Maternity Photos If You Have a High-Risk Pregnancy

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, talk to your OB before booking anything. Once you have the green light, I’d suggest scheduling earlier than the standard window — somewhere around 28–32 weeks — for a few reasons:

You might be put on bedrest with little warning. Your delivery may be planned earlier than a standard 40-week due date. And honestly, you’ve been through a lot, and you deserve photos that document this time regardless of how it unfolds.

The most important photos are the ones that actually happen.

When Is the Best Time of Day for Maternity Photos

For outdoor sessions, the answer is golden hour — either the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset. The light during golden hour is soft, warm, and flattering in a way that harsh midday sun just isn’t. Shadows are gentler, skin looks glowing, and everything just photographs better (the exception is a beach session when golden hour can be a little orange and harsh – be sure to book a photographer who has experience with beach sessions and who knows how to find the best light).

If you’re doing an indoor session in a natural light studio, your photographer will likely have a preference based on how their windows face. Ask them. If they shoot with studio lights rather than natural light, time of day won’t matter much.

One thing I always recommend: if you can only do a morning or evening session, think about your energy level. Late pregnancy is exhausting. If you’re not a morning person or you swell a lot by the end of the day, adjust accordingly.

When Should You Book Your Maternity Photographer?

Earlier than you think. Most photographers recommend reaching out in your second trimester, even if your session won’t happen until your third. Good photographers book up, and popular seasons (spring and fall especially) fill up fast.

A reasonable timeline:

• 14–20 weeks: reach out to photographers, review portfolios, hold a date
• 20–28 weeks: confirm booking and details, plan your outfit
• 32–36 weeks: have your session

If you’re also interested in newborn photos, bring it up when you book your maternity session. Newborn sessions are even harder to schedule (since babies arrive on their own schedule), so locking that in early with the same photographer is smart. You can also sometimes ask for a discount for bundling newborn sessions and maternity sessions together.

What to Do with Your Maternity Photos

Not sure what you’ll actually do with the images? A few ideas:

• Print a framed photo for the nursery
• Create a photo book
• Use an image in a pregnancy announcement if you’re sharing the news late
• Include in your baby shower invitations or decorations
• Save to your phone and actually look at them

A Few More Tips for a Great Maternity Session

• Bring a second outfit. You’d be surprised how much the photos change with a different look. A flowy dress plus a casual jeans-and-crop-top option gives you great variety.
• Stick to solid colors or very small prints. Busy patterns pull focus away from your bump.
• Consider hiring a makeup artist. Even if you never do this normally, it’s worth it for maternity photos. You want to feel like yourself but polished.
• Don’t wear tight waistbands for at least an hour before your session. The marks take forever to fade and will show up in photos.
• Ask about a newborn session discount. Many photographers offer a bundle price if you book both at once.
• Include your older kids if you have them. These multi-kid maternity sessions are some of the most genuine, joyful photos you’ll ever have.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

For most moms, 32–36 weeks is the ideal time to take maternity photos. Adjust earlier if you’re having multiples, it’s not your first pregnancy, or you have a high-risk pregnancy. And don’t stress if you’re already past that, a late session is always better than no session.

I believe every pregnant mom deserves to have this time documented. Your body is doing something extraordinary. Don’t let the perfect timing get in the way of taking any photos at all. Also, your child will love looking back and seeing these pictures (at least all my kids do!).

Looking for more maternity content? You might also like:

• Where to Buy Dresses for Maternity Pictures
• 30 Places to Buy Cute Maternity Clothes
• My Favorite Baby Books
• Best Maternity Pieces on Amazon