Taking photos during your pregnancy can help to capture your body’s week-by-week transformation along with your feelings of anticipation as you wait for your family to grow.

When it comes to maternity photos, you’ve got tons of options. Even a simple selfie can be deeply meaningful. But posed photos — such as those that use props, are taken against dramatic backdrops or involve family and pets — can also reflect the personality and style of the parents-to-be.
“I always recommend that my clients choose a location that is meaningful for them and helps to tell their story,” says Sara Wight, a New York, D.C. and destination photographer. That could be the site of a meaningful moment, a beautiful vista or simply the comforts of your living room. Look for spots that bring you joy, nourishment and inspiration, she says.
No matter how you pose — or who joins you in the photo — keep the focus on the bump, Wight advises. “That might seem obvious, but sometimes it’s unnoticeable at first glance if you are looking at [the mom-to-be] straight on,” she says. Wight’s goal when taking maternity pictures: a photo where the bump is showcased in a natural, flattering way.

Not sure where to begin? Browse this list for a little maternity photo shoot inspiration.

Maternity Photos With Props

Don’t underestimate the value of a good prop when it comes to your maternity photo shoot. A teensy-tiny pair of shoes or sonogram picture can be a powerful focal point.

It's a Girl!

A sonogram photo, stuffed bunny and letterboard with baby’s gender help create a playful feel.

Tiny Shoes

Play with perspective; in this maternity picture, the sweetest pair of white baby shoes grab your attention.

A Little Bear for Baby

Stuffed animals — like this small bear framed by the mom- and dad-to-be — make an excellent prop.

Share the Date

If you want to let friends and family know that you're expecting when you're too early to show, a sign can help share your message.

It's a Sign

Here's another creative way to use a sign to share your big news. In this photo, a mom-to-be hugs her partner and holds a sign behind his back that reads “Extra-Special Delivery.” We love the baby footprint on the onesie-shaped sign!

Spell It Out

Baby blocks are a charming way to share details about your pregnancy, such as your due date or baby’s name.

All Eyes on the Sonogram

A sonogram is a classic way to share your big news. Choose the background wisely so the black-and-white photo pops!

Couple Maternity Photo Ideas

Want to give your partner a starring role in your maternity pictures? Recreate one of these couple-friendly poses.

Two Moms, Two Babies

Send a message through baby gear. The first onesie in this photo reads “Sometimes when you wish for a miracle..." while the second continues, “You get two.” It’s double the joy for these two mamas!

Beaming Smiles

A big grin says a lot! As this mom-to-be holds hands with her partner with her bump just peeking out from her coat, you can feel her excitement and anticipation.

Couple in Profile

There is so much love in the way the dad-to-be’s hands touch his partner's bump. Shown in profile against a backdrop of Spanish moss, this photo shoot is full of elegance.

Oh, Baby, the Places You’ll Go

Could there be a better book to read during the final weeks of pregnancy? This photo captures a quiet moment with parents-to-be who know their world is about to transform.

Go Blue

The tiny blue baby shoes are the big reveal: The baby-to-be is a boy! Mom and Dad also wear blue in this photo. (Note that the dad-to-be’s baseball cap fits his style — and the photo’s color scheme.)

Drama-Filled Profiles

A black-and-white filter can add serious drama and make for a stunning shot.

A Kiss in Nature

This photo shoot features shades of gray, from the sky to the couple's outfits. But the sweet kiss on Mama’s temple conveys affection and warmth.

Mountain Elegance

There’s so much to admire about this photo, including the gorgeous scenery, the teensy shoes and the mom-to-be's stunning dress.

Go Historical

Have a beautiful destination in your area? Take advantage, as this couple did with their maternity photo shoot in Pennsylvania's Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Get Dressy

If you love dressing up, feel free to treat your maternity photo as a special occasion. This couple is full of smiles as they hold up their sonogram photo.

Matching Outfits

Wearing similar outfits can create a stunning maternity photo. Clad in all black, this dad-to-be drops a sweet kiss on his partner’s bump while she gazes down on him.

Family Maternity Photo Ideas

Let family and friends join in on celebratory photos, too!

Mama, Child and Baby-to-Be

Try matching outfits with your oldest child — and don’t forget to have contact with the bump!

Growing Family Photo

This living room moment is full of so much joy. You can feel the whole family’s excitement!

Hugs All Around

Composition can be powerful. In this photo, it's almost like there's a space being saved for the newest family member.

Snap a Selfie

Yes, selfies can work as maternity photos. In this one, a toddler perches above his mom's growing bump.

Kids First

Capturing the interaction between your older child and your bump can make for a sweet photo opp.

A Hands-On Experience

In this photo, big brother-to-be and Mama’s belly take center stage.

Future BFFs

If you’re lucky enough to be pregnant at the same time as your best friend, it seems almost fated that your children will be future besties, too.

Solo Maternity Photo Ideas

Pregnancy is a big mom moment, and many mamas-to-be opt for maternity photos featuring just them and their bump. 

Staring Into the Distance

In this photo, the mom-to-be looks off into the distance while posing in a beautiful field.

Into the Woods

Use the lush greenery of nature as a backdrop for your shot.

Flower for Scale

How big is the bump? This tiny flower helps adds a sense of scale.

Spring Maternity Photo Ideas

Sunshine, fresh blooms and just-right temperatures make springtime ideal for an outdoor photo shoot.

In the Field

For this solo shot, the mom-to-be stands amid yellow flowers that come to her waist. Her lace shirt and downcast gaze add to the romance of the moment.

Take Advantage of Cherry Blossoms

A daughter clad in florals, a mom in a shade of pink that matches the blooming cherry blossoms — this family maternity photo takes advantage of all things spring.

A Fog of Blue

At a park in Dayton, Ohio, two parents-to-be kiss while revealing their little one's gender.

Linked Hands

Let the sneakers be the star! Here, they're tenderly held in the parents' clasped hands. A touch of green in the background reveals the season, too.

Summer Maternity Photo Ideas

Can you bear the heat? Beach shots are a great option for summertime maternity photos.

Beside the Sea

Waves ripple around the ends of this mom-to-be’s long white dress. If you’ve got a view available — blue waves, a rosy sky — use it!

Bump at the Beach

The wind carries this mama’s boho cover-up dress to reveal her bump.

Shades of Blue

Even icky weather can result in beautiful shots. The photographer notes it was a rainy, chilly day at the beach, but the mom-to-be looks serene and reflective.

A Rainbow Moment

Of course, you can’t count on a rainbow appearing during your maternity photoshoot — but if it does, take advantage! This mom poses in a grassy field with a rainbow stretching above her in the sky.

Floral Crowns

A coordinating outfit can unify the photo. These two moms are clad in flower crowns and blush dresses that feel just right for a summer maternity photo shoot.

Fall Maternity Photo Ideas

There’s just something about pumpkins that screams maternity photo prop. Take advantage of vibrant leaves and a season full of change as a backdrop for your maternity photos. 

A Pumpkin-Sized Baby

At 39 weeks, your baby is the size of a honeydew melon... or a very small pumpkin. This mama-to-be poses alongside a pumpkin, and jokes that she’s #twinning.

The Sign Says It All

With changing leaves in the background, this couple stands on opposite sides of a road, holding a banner between them that reads, “Little Pumpkin."

A Growing Family Among Falling Leaves

City dweller? You can use the both the season (colorful leaves carpet the ground) and the skyline to give your photo a sense of time and place.

Plaid in a Canadian Park

This couple shares a sweet smile as they stare into each other’s eyes in a Winnipeg park.

Fall Picnic

Bring your picnic blanket — a plaid pattern looks perfect for the season — and take a shot in the glorious autumn leaves.

Winter Maternity Photo Ideas

Bundle up! Oudoor photo shoots can be chilly in winter, but snowy vistas in add drama and texture to photos and make braving the cold worth it.

A Pop of Color

Don’t be afraid to play with color and contrast. Utah’s snowy white background makes the bright yellow dress pop! A flower crown atop the mama’s head adds more color to this wintry shot.

Off to a Big Start
This growing family (complete with their pup in a fur-lined outfit!) used a sign to share the big news: New Year, New Baby!

Hats on During a Snowy Day

There’s a candid, casual feel to this photo of a couple walking in the snow.

A Blue Winter

A vest and a winter white cardigan work perfectly in this shot. Plus, the pop of blue convey a hint about baby’s gender.

Close-Up of Bump Photo Ideas

When it comes down to it, your changing body is the star of the show. This maternity photo style mostly avoids faces in favor of the mom-to-be’s growing bump.

Covered in Lace

Lacey lingerie lovingly covers the mom-to-be’s body in this lush, romantic shot, complete with rose buds scattered around.

Cradled in Love

If you’re going solo in the photo and focusing on your bump, the placement of your hands is so important. Here, the mom-to-be cradles the top and bottom of her belly.

Pretty in Pink

No need to shy away from bold colors! A hot pink dress will grab people’s attention — and also send a signal that the baby-to-be is a girl.

All Hands on the Bump

Mom and Dad’s hands — the left ones, complete with wedding and engagement rings — cover the bump in this sweet shot. This photo was taken at 38 weeks, and it’s clear that baby is nearly ready to make an entrance.

A Kiss for Baby

The bump is front and center in this shot — but so is Dad’s excitement, shown clearly by the look in his eyes as he kisses the mom-to-be’s belly.