Outdoor maternity photoshoots

Working with moms is one of my favorite parts of my job. Maternity sessions are empowering, joyful, and vulnerable, among many other things. And outdoor maternity sessions — like Dusty’s and Ella’s, who you see photographed here — will always have a special piece of my heart.

Like any photoshoot, a lot goes into planning an outdoor maternity session (physically and emotionally), and I’m excited to share some of my tips and advice with you. If you’re looking for a Philadelphia-area maternity photographer and are ready to start planning your session, click here to connect with me!

Why to do an outdoor maternity photoshoot

Your maternity session is yours and yours alone. When you’re deciding when and how to do your maternity shoot (and while you’re chatting about it with your photographer), remember that your comfort is most important. You don’t need to have a real “reason” for why you want to do certain things. If they make you feel good, that’s all you need to know. That being said, here are a few reasons why mamas may opt for an outdoor maternity session and why it might be right for you.

Connection with nature

If you’re considering an outdoor maternity photoshoot, I can guess that nature is probably an important part of your life. Mine too! Maybe you grew up running around forests and swimming in creeks. Maybe your pregnancy journey has inspired you to dig deeper into your relationship with it. Either way, one of the biggest motivators I’ve seen for moms taking their maternity photos out in nature is because they want to foster a connection with it: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

And the importance of this connection is backed by science. Studies have found that spending time outside during pregnancy promotes healthy growth in your baby. You can probably feel that without all of the complicated science stuff, though. Being outside in nature just feels right.

Feeling empowered

When’s the last time you went outside and took photos of yourself just because you look so damn good? It doesn’t happen as often as it should! This is another reason why an outdoor maternity shoot is so special. It’s an empowering experience that captures how extraordinary your body is. Being surrounded by flora and fauna is a great reminder of our incredible — and challenging — ability to create life. And that should be celebrated.

An outdoor maternity shoot can also be a much-needed break from the everyday stressors of life. Between preparing for your baby to arrive, juggling messages and meetups with family, and possibly working, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even some imposter syndrome. But during your session, you can escape the everyday stressors of life. The time is dedicated entirely to you feeling confident, empowered, and proud.

When to do an outdoor maternity photoshoot

There are particular times during your pregnancy that will lend to the most comfortable, meaningful session. Because they may fall during any season (meaning different temperatures and landscapes), here are my tips for having the best photoshoot at any point in the year.

How far along in your pregnancy you should be

The general recommendation for a maternity session is between 26 and 38 weeks, or around the seventh or eighth month. However, I recommend to my clients that they schedule their session between 28 and 36 weeks. Sessions can start to feel a little uncomfortable after 36 weeks — plus, there’s a chance the baby could arrive before your shoot. This is especially true if you’re carrying more than one baby, because the odds of your babies coming early is a bit higher. If you are carrying more than one baby, you can schedule your session for as early as 20 weeks.

Tips for a great session in any season

Because we usually like to schedule your maternity session for your seventh or eighth month, it’s kind of up to chance which season your shoot will fall in. But don’t worry: you’ll be able to have a gorgeous comfortable shoot regardless, especially if you plan right. Here are some tips for making the most of each season.

Summer: If your session falls in the summer, the biggest thing you’ll probably be navigating is the heat. Wear light clothing and drink lots of water. Summer is a great time to take your maternity photos by or in a creek, river, or lake because the water shouldn’t be too cold and it’s a nice escape from the heat. Just be careful of slippery rocks and any little animal friends whose homes might be nearby.

Winter: Even though winter can feel a little dreary, you can actually get super creative with your outdoor maternity shoot during this season. I recommend using colors to your advantage during the wintertime. The background can be a little less bright than other seasons, so it’s fun to bring a pop of color with your clothing or accessories. Or, if there’s a holiday that’s important to you around this time, take advantage of colors and accessories to bring it to life. Just remember to dress warmly and bring extra blankets and layers.

Fall: You’ll definitely want to take advantage of the autumn colors if you schedule your session in the fall. In the Philadelphia area, foliage typically peaks around the second week of November, but the whole season will provide a beautiful backdrop. At Brey Photo, I offer exclusive locations — meaning I know where all the best leaf-peeping spots are, no matter which week your session is. That being said, fall is a very busy time for photographers, so make sure you book ASAP!

Spring: Once spring rolls around and it starts feeling warmer again, you have a lot of options for where you want to go and what you want to wear. The trees and flowers are blooming, so an arboretum or garden could be a good choice. You may also be able to find a creek or river to explore (keep in mind that water temps could still be chilly in the spring). Depending on which spring month you’re having your shoot in, you can play around with your clothing — I recommend bringing a couple of different options and experimenting.

How to prepare for an outdoor maternity photoshoot

When you’re prepping for your maternity shoot, take some time to organize not only physically, but emotionally. I have a few recommendations below on what you’ll need to bring to feel comfortable, but I also have some tips for how you can get into the headspace to make sure your shoot is as fun and magical as you deserve it to be.

What you’ll need to bring

On the day of your maternity shoot, give yourself some extra time to make sure you have everything you need. Of course, each photographer will recommend bringing different things, but here is a general list of items you’ll probably find helpful during your session.

• Clothing. Get creative with your outfit choices here! Choose an outfit (or a few) that you feel comfortable and beautiful in (if you book with me, you’ll also have access to my client closet for extra options). The season you’re shooting in will probably affect what kind of clothing you wear, so check the weather and bring layers if need be.
• Blankets. If your session is in the wintertime or if you’re planning on going nude, having a blanket or two on deck will keep you warm and comfortable if it starts feeling a little too chilly.
• Comfy shoes. Depending on the location of your session, you might be taking a quick walk through the woods or stepping on some rocks. Comfortable shoes are a great way to keep yourself safe while you’re navigating outdoors. You can always take them off or trade them out for cuter ones once the session starts.
• Snacks. A maternity session can be hard work! Don’t be afraid to take a break for some snacks and water before getting back into it.
• Bug spray. This is especially true for spring and summer sessions, but it’s generally a good thing to have on hand. You don’t want anything to bother you or disrupt your headspace during your maternity session, including pesky little mosquitos.
• Sunscreen. In that same vein, make sure to protect your skin when you’re having your session outside. You might be in the sun for longer periods, so you don’t want to risk getting burnt.

Getting into the headspace

After you have everything packed for your maternity session, give yourself some time to reflect and emotionally prepare. Especially if this is your first maternity session, you might be feeling lots of different emotions: excitement, empowerment, anxiety, discomfort… And that’s totally okay.

Give yourself space to feel those emotions. Try to distance yourself a bit from all of life’s movements and activities and turn inward. You can even do a quick meditation or journal entry (here is a list of some prompts for inspiration). The goal is to feel grounded and centered, as well as connected to your body and your baby. Whichever way that manifests for you is valid.

During your session, continue to explore and celebrate those emotions. If you’re feeling happy, excited, and confident, let that show. Try new poses and accessories if you’re feeling inspired. If you’re feeling a bit self-conscious or unsure how to move or pose, lean on your photographer for tips. And if you’re ever feeling uncomfortable, physically or emotionally, don’t be afraid to tell us! Your comfort and experience is the most important thing.

Creative outdoor maternity photoshoot ideas

You might already have a vision for your outdoor maternity photoshoot, and if you do, definitely bring it up to your photographer. But if you have no idea what you’re looking for, here are a few starting points that might inspire you.

Dress up

Your maternity session is a chance to wear clothes you might not often (or ever!) wear. Choose an outfit that you feel comfortable and confident in. Don’t be afraid to dress it up with accessories like crowns and glitter — whatever makes you feel most beautiful. If you’re looking for a nude or semi-nude shoot, chat with your photographer about their process and ideas for it.

Include something meaningful

Baby clothes, your ultrasound, a teddy bear — whatever you feel represents your pregnancy journey, feel free to bring along. Including something meaningful could also mean bringing along your partner or pet! During the planning process, talk with your photographer about their protocols or guidelines for bringing a plus-one.

Embrace the landscape

If you’re having an outdoor maternity photoshoot, nature’s probably pretty important to you — so go ahead and embrace it! As you can see, I’ve had sessions where moms sat in creeks, lounged on logs, basked in the sun… Basically, don’t be afraid to get a little dirty. As I mentioned, Brey Photo offers exclusive locations, so wherever we go, you’ll be able to connect with a beautiful landscape.

Philadelphia-area maternity photographer

At the end of the day, your outdoor maternity session is about loving yourself and your baby, feeling beautiful, and celebrating your body — and that’s what I’m here to help with. If you’re interested in connecting with me for a maternity session, click here to send me an inquiry.