Maternity photoshoot: 15 ideas for your pregnancy photos

1. Turn to the side and hold your bump

One hand below your bump, the other above it: this is an easy place to start if you’re unsure what to do with your hands. Photographing you slightly from the side shows the curve of your bump beautifully.

You can look down at your bump or turn your head a little towards me. That small change is enough to give us two quite different photos from the same position.

2. Look straight at the camera

Alongside the photos of you looking down, there’s room for a portrait looking straight at the camera. With your smile, your glasses, your hair loose. Looking like yourself.

Your favourite patterned dress is welcome too. If the fabric is quite bold, I’ll find a quieter background to balance it.

3. Take a seat

Feel free to sit down during the session. Lean back in a chair, rest your hands on your bump and get comfortable. That can become our next photo.

I’ll change my angle, moving closer for one shot and including more of the surroundings for another. You don’t need to change position for every picture.

4. Make the most of the window light

A bright spot by the window is often all we need for a lovely pregnancy portrait. The light falls gently across your face and bump, with a simple background behind you.

An open shirt with jeans works just as well here as a dress or a lace top. You can have a look around my daylight photography studio in Munich’s Westend before your visit.

5. Come in close

For some photos, I’ll move closer to focus on your bump, your hands and perhaps a little of your face. These details add variety alongside the wider portraits.

Whether you keep your bump covered or would like to show some skin is up to you. We can talk it through before we begin.

6. Try a silhouette

If you like a little more contrast, a silhouette is a lovely option. You’ll stand sideways in front of a bright window. Your face and clothes fall into shadow, leaving the outline of your bump clearly visible.

A fitted outfit works well for this. It keeps the shape visible without needing to uncover your bump.

7. Lean into a hug

Your partner stands behind you and puts their arms around you. Your hands meet at your bump, and you can lean back a little.

Take your time. You can talk, laugh or simply stay there for a moment. Meanwhile, I’ll find an angle that shows both of you and your bump.

8. Rest your foreheads together

For a close portrait together, turn towards each other and gently rest your foreheads together. You can keep your hands on your bump or hold each other’s arms.

If it makes you laugh, that’s part of the photo too. You don’t have to look serious just because the example you saw was a quiet moment.

9. Walk hand in hand

You might feel more comfortable when you have something to do. If so, we’ll walk a little way and I’ll photograph you as you go.

Look at each other, have a chat and take your time. We don’t need a long walk for these pictures. A short, easy path is plenty.

10. Bring your hands together on your bump

As well as a portrait of you both, we can take a close-up of your hands. Rest them on your bump wherever it feels comfortable. There’s no need to arrange them into a particular shape.

A closer frame draws attention to that touch. It makes a lovely companion to a portrait of the two of you.

11. Let your older child say hello to the baby

Your child might want to tell the baby something, stroke your bump or give it a kiss. Or they might simply stand beside you and laugh. Any of those moments can make a lovely sibling photo.

We’ll give your child time and see what they feel like doing. A brief moment of curiosity can be enough.

12. Include the whole family

You’re already a family before your new baby arrives. Your maternity session can include photos where your older child gets just as much attention.

You could hold their hands between you or sit down together. I’ll also take some photos from your child’s height. It gives us a different view of your family, with your bump naturally part of the picture.

If you’d like more photos together as your family grows, you’ll find the options on my family photography in Munich page.

13. Find a spot among the trees

Trees, grasses and a little distance from the background can give outdoor maternity photos a soft setting. We don’t need an elaborate location. A quiet corner of a park may be all it takes.

We’ll choose somewhere that’s easy for you to reach and where you feel comfortable. We’ll also talk about the time of day and what to do if the weather changes our plans.

14. Let your dress move

A light breeze or a few slow steps can bring movement to the fabric. Keeping one hand on your bump helps show its shape beneath a loose dress.

You don’t need a special photoshoot dress. If there’s one you’ve loved wearing during your pregnancy, bring it along. One day, it might remind you of these months just as much as your bump does.

15. Bring something you’ve chosen for your baby

Is there already a tiny pair of shoes waiting at home? Has someone knitted a blanket, or have you chosen a first soft toy? If something matters to you, we can include it in a photo.

You could bring the same item along to your newborn photoshoot in Munich later. First the little shoes sit beside your bump, then beside the feet they were made for.