When should I book a maternity photoshoot?
First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! What a beautiful and wild ride it is to carry and grow a human being. Nothing compares, does it? With that said, we all know it is not always a smooth ride. There is a lot that we do not get told before we begin this journey and swollen ankles, sore hips and weakened pelvic floor are a few of the dark sides of pregnancy.
When you look through maternity photographers websites, you often see a recommendation to have your maternity photoshoot in the later weeks of your pregnancy. And although I totally agree that showing up to a photoshoot and see a almost fully grown belly is totally incredible, I also believe that the 8 months prior to this moment is equally as important!
Scheduling your maternity shoot earlier on does not only give you a chance to capture where you are right at this time, it also comes with many benefits!
Movement
Moving and walking around does not always have to get harder the further along you get in your pregnancy but it does often happen. If you are already feeling aches and pains it can be so beneficial to trot around a beach when half baked rather than at the end of your pregnancy.
This applies even more so if you are looking for a more artistic photography session where you may want to try more poses.
Energy
I can only speak from personal experience (I have carried three incredible daughters, all to 41 weeks) but that last month or so is often a time for rest. Scheduling your maternity shoot a little bit earlier takes away having to dress up and show up when you are preparing for the magic that is birth.
Unpredictable situations
Pregnancy sometimes comes with surprises. We have boys and girls who decide that entering the world early and with a bam! is more their thing. Sometimes we end up on bedrest.
There is so much beauty in pregnancy and comparing who’s belly is the biggest is not at my top 10. Ask yourself:
What is it that I want to capture? Myself and my family? Myself and my partner? The belly and nothing else?
How am I feeling right now? How do I think I will feel in one months time?
Do not let anyone tell you when to capture your life and your story. If that time is right now for you and you are half way through your pregnancy, go for it! You will never book a photography session and say “I wish I never did that.”
If you are considering booking a maternity photography session on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, I would love to be your person. You will find all my information on my website www.michaelaolovsson.com or feel free to visit my Instragram page @michaelaolovssonphotography!
Thank you for reading and for being here.
x Michaela