as a postpartum doula, i am all about supporting each pregnancy. take the maternity photos. you will be so glad you did. i promise. i enjoyed mine. be sure to watch the video for posing and location ideas. i have included 14 local maternity photographers at the end.

why have maternity photos taken? here are my 3 reasons.

why #1. your pregnancy journey is worth celebrating and documenting.

a maternity photo session allows you to focus on the new life your body is working so hard to create. each pregnancy is different and photos will remind you how special each one was.

i have given birth to three living children and one child in heaven. with each pregnancy, i have a few favorite images that i am so grateful for.  i was amazed at how large my belly grew to accommodate the baby.  i am glad i have the photos to prove it!

why #2. your feelings matter. capture your anticipation and share your joy.

taking time to celebrate this pregnancy with maternity photos can remind you of the excitement and joy that comes with bringing your child into the world. photos are a great way to remember how you felt during your pregnancy. no matter how you feel physically, pregnancy is a time of looking hopefully and delightfully toward the future. in the months and years to come, as you focus on raising your new child, you may forget what it felt like to be eagerly awaiting their arrival. maternity photos can serve as a reminder of those feelings in the years to come just like wedding photos remind us of all the emotions on that special day. the babies will have physical proof of how excited you were to meet them.

as hard as it might be to envision now, time passes quickly. it won’t be long before your child may be showing these pictures to their own child. your grandchild who might only know you as the gray-haired grandma who is always quick to offer a hug and a cookie will have the opportunity to see you in another light. i’m a grandma to six children and it still surprises them to think about me being a mom. they have only known me as grammie.

why #3. bond with your partner and help your partner bond with the baby.

one of the coolest things about maternity sessions is the interactions between couples as they celebrate the new life they’ve created and maternity images are a great way to mark a major shift in the life of your family. taking maternity photos can help new fathers develop a strong emotional bond with their growing baby. helping your spouse bond with your infant will also help you both re-establish your new connections.

4 ideas on how to make your maternity photo session memorable.

how #1. involve your other children and pets.

interacting with your kids and sharing your excitement over this pregnancy will help them with this new family transition and give them a chance to express how they feel about this baby too. you may be surprised at some of their reactions.  it’s a great place to start a conversation.

how #2. you have been given an opportunity to get all dressed up.

maternity photos are the perfect excuse to go all out on your beauty routine, whether that means doing your hair yourself or visiting your favorite salon. a maternity session allows you to revel in your beauty and strength and to remind yourself of how absolutely stunning you are.

how #3. wear form-fitting clothes that highlight your belly.

bring a few different outfit choices.  keep accessories minimal so your baby bump is the focus. rent a dress for the occasion. mama bump rentals is where i get mine.

how #4. have fun and show your personality.

this last tip might be the most important. if you relax and have a good time during the photo shoot — and don’t worry too much about the way you look — you’re going to be much happier with the way the photos turn out.  this is true for every season of life. i am speaking to myself too.

did you have a maternity photo session? did it help you recall memories from the pregnancy? did having pictures help tell your family’s story?

i believe having maternity photos taken helps each mom remember their pregnancy in a special way. it is a wonderful time to highlight and celebrate the good news. it is also a reminder of how strong each woman is and the amazing superpower you have to create and nurture another human being.

here is a list of 14 local photographers that love documenting this special time of pregnancy.

heather turner photography | kaytlin lane photography | beth farnsworth photographer and doula | elizabeth b. photography | lighthaven photography | natalie gibbs photography | kassie reese photography | hillary robinson photography | bella muse photography | piper anne photo | simple times photography | olivia diane photography | chelsea hartman photography | grace & jade photography |

contact grammie doula for postpartum support | hello@grammiedoula.com

are you curious about virtual postpartum support? read about it here.

i offer full-time postpartum doula support, in person and virtually, in sw virginia and my clients call me grammie doula. i have 25 years as a labor and delivery nurse and then 10 years as a birth photographer. i am a mom to 3 grown children, 6 grandchildren and a baby in heaven. i live in a cabin in the woods with my gray-bearded husband and two pets that prefer his company over mine! laura