Many moms-to-be want to preserve their beautiful baby bump during pregnancy. A maternity photoshoot is one of the best ways to celebrate your changing body and capture the connection between you, your partner, and sometimes your other children.
Pregnancy is a short and meaningful season of life. It may not always feel glamorous, but it is powerful. Preparing properly for your maternity session can help you feel confident, relaxed, and truly present in the moment. As a maternity photographer in Edmonton, I often guide expecting moms on how to prepare in a simple and stress-free way. Here are my best tips.
Get Your Eyebrows Shaped
For a beautiful and meaningful maternity photoshoot, I recommend getting your eyebrows shaped about two days before your session, either by a professional or by yourself.
Sometimes small cuts or skin sensitivity can happen during eyebrow grooming. Giving yourself two days allows any redness or irritation to heal. This small preparation can help you feel more polished and avoid extra stress on the morning of your session.
When you feel put together, you naturally feel more confident in front of the camera.
Prepare Your Outfit the Day Before
If your maternity photographer does not provide wardrobe, or if family members are joining the session, prepare everyone’s outfits one day before your photoshoot.
Take the time to try everything on. Make sure the clothes fit well and that everyone feels comfortable in what they are wearing. Rushing on the morning of your session can lead to frustration, especially if something doesn’t fit the way you expected.
Iron all outfits to ensure they look clean and tidy. Wrinkles can be very difficult to retouch during post-production. Well-prepared clothing not only makes your photos look better, but it also shows respect for your photographer’s time and effort.
When both you and your photographer feel prepared, the session becomes smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.
Don’t Eat Heavy Food the Night Before
A few days before your maternity session, especially the night before, try to eat clean and healthy meals. Avoid salty or heavy foods.
Foods high in sodium can cause water retention, which may make you look or feel puffy. Heavy foods include fast food, ice cream, soda, and anything high in sugar or sodium.
These foods can also make you feel tired and low on energy. Maternity posing requires more strength than many people expect. Supporting your belly and maintaining posture can feel like light exercise.
Eating healthy meals helps you maintain good energy, better mood, and a comfortable body feeling throughout your session.
Look at Yourself in the Mirror
This might sound unusual at first, but it is one of the most important steps.
Close the bathroom door, take off your clothes, and look at yourself in the mirror.
You might feel awkward. You may notice changes in your body that feel unfamiliar. You might even feel uncomfortable because your body no longer looks like it did before pregnancy.
But I want you to keep looking.
This body is creating life. It is protecting your baby. It is strong, capable, and beautiful in its own way.
Instead of judging yourself, try to accept what you see. Gently hug yourself. Appreciate your body for what it is doing for your child. You do not need to see a “perfect” shape in order to deserve to be photographed.
Many of my clients tell me this simple exercise changes how they feel in front of the camera. When you begin to accept your body, you become more relaxed and confident during your session.
You do not need to be perfect to be documented. You only need to be present and comfortable.
There Is a Secret in the Shower
Whether you shower the night before or the morning of your session, here are a few helpful tips.
Remove any body hair that may bother you. This can include underarms or other areas you prefer to keep groomed. It may feel like a small detail, but when you feel tidy and confident, it shows in your posture and expression.
If dad is joining the session, a well-trimmed beard can also make a big difference in close-up portraits.
For moms with long hair, I strongly recommend avoiding heavy conditioner if you are working with a professional hair stylist. Conditioner can make hair extremely soft and slippery, which sometimes makes styling more difficult and prevents curls from holding properly.
It’s Time to Put on a Face Mask
On the morning of your session, after you wake up, consider applying a hydrating face mask.
This will moisturize your skin and create a smoother base for makeup. It is also a quiet moment for yourself before the day begins. Think of it as a small self-care ritual — a pause before stepping into your maternity photoshoot.
Taking a few peaceful minutes for yourself can set a calm tone for the rest of the day.
Eat Well Before Your Photoshoot
As mentioned earlier, maternity posing uses muscles you may not normally use. You will be standing, turning, holding your belly, and maintaining posture for longer periods. Even you are doing an outdoor maternity session, which is less posed and more storytelling, your body will still move around a lot. Sometimes, there is extra energy required to against cold weather in places like Edmonton.
Make sure you eat a healthy meal before your session. Choose something balanced with protein and nutrients rather than sugary snacks.
Good fuel equals good energy. When you feel strong, you look strong.
Communicate Your Ideas and Concerns
Before your maternity session, take a little time to communicate with your photographer. If there is a specific pose you love, a certain style you prefer, or a part of your body you feel insecure about, speak up. As an maternity photographer at Little One Photography, I’ve found that discussing ideas ahead of time helps create the most meaningful images.
Your photographer is there to guide you, but also to support you. If you prefer more modest images, or if you would like to try something bold and artistic, let them know in advance. Clear communication helps your photographer plan lighting, wardrobe, and posing that matches your vision.
If there is anything you feel uncomfortable about — certain angles, specific outfits, or even how long you can stand — please share that as well. Pregnancy is different for every woman, and your comfort always comes first.
When you openly communicate your expectations and concerns, you build trust. And trust creates the most beautiful images.
Stay Relaxed During the Session
Many moms worry that posing will be the hardest part.
Here is a little secret: you do not have to be a mannequin in front of the camera. Your photographer will guide you on where to place your arms, hands, and body — but that does not mean you must stay completely still.
I often encourage my clients to move gently. Shift your weight slightly. Adjust your arms. Play softly with your hands. Think of the session like slow dancing. Movement brings life into the photos.
When you relax and enjoy the process, your images will feel natural and elegant rather than stiff.
Trust your photographer. Trust your body.
Final Thoughts
A maternity photoshoot is not just about beautiful dresses and perfect poses. It is about celebrating a powerful transformation.
Preparation is not meant to create pressure. It is meant to remove stress so you can fully enjoy the experience. Small steps like grooming, healthy eating, outfit planning, and mental preparation make a big difference in how you feel.
Most importantly, remember this: pregnancy is temporary. The discomfort, the swelling, the emotional ups and downs, they pass. But the photographs remain.
One day, you will look back at these images and see strength. You will see love. You will see the beginning of your child’s story. Allow yourself to be documented. Allow yourself to feel beautiful.
Bio
Samantha is the founder of Little One Photography, an Edmonton newborn and maternity photographer specializing in creating timeless portraits families will cherish for generations.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
