Let me be honest with you for a second. When I was pregnant, I did not run out and book a big, elaborate maternity session. I wasn't feeling that glowy, ethereal pregnancy magic you see all over Pinterest. I took some iPhone photos here and there, and that was enough for me… mostly.
The one time I did set up a tripod was when I was pregnant with my second, at 22 weeks along, with my daughter being 22 months old. The numbers just lined up too perfectly to ignore, especially since my son was due 2 years and 2 days after my daughter. So I grabbed the tripod and made it happen myself with some cute matching headbands. And honestly? I'm still glad I did. But I also don't regret skipping a traditional maternity session. Both things can be true.
If you're sitting here wondering whether you have to invest in a full maternity session, or whether you even want to… I get it! And I have something worth considering.
Here's the thing: a lot of my clients feel the same way I did. They want something to mark this season: the bump, the anticipation, the last quiet stretch before everything changes. But they're not looking to spend a lot of money on it right before a baby arrives. Adding a new person to your family is already a big financial moment. Spending a ton on maternity photos before you've even met your little one doesn't always feel like the right call. That makes complete sense to me. Because I've been there.
What I've noticed is that plenty of moms want a smaller, simpler version of maternity photos. Not a whole production. Just a few beautiful, real images that say this happened, and it mattered. And that is completely valid.
Over time, I've had a lot of clients opt for a maternity mini session instead of a full session, and then book a regular newborn session once their baby arrives. This combo works really well for families who want to be thoughtful about where they're spending their money during this season.
Here's why it works:
It's quick and easy
Mini sessions are designed to be low-pressure and efficient, which is exactly what you need when you're in your third trimester and your energy is not what it used to be.
It still captures the moment
You get real, beautiful images of your bump without committing to a full session investment upfront.
It saves money going into a big life change
You can put those savings toward your newborn session, where you'll want more time and more images of that tiny, brand-new baby.
It fits into your schedule
I offer mini sessions periodically throughout the year, so no matter when you're due, there's a good chance a session will fall right in that sweet spot.
The generally optimal window for maternity photos is somewhere around 32 to 36 weeks. Your bump is beautifully round, you're still feeling relatively comfortable, and you haven't hit that "this baby needs to come out NOW" stage yet.
Because I offer mini sessions periodically throughout the year, most moms can find a session date that lands right in that range… no matter what season their baby is due in. Whether you're due in the middle of summer or right around the holidays, there's usually a mini session option that works.
A few things to keep in mind when planning:
Check mini session dates early. These spots fill up, and you'll want to have your preferred date locked in before you're too far along. You can join my email list to get notified early when minis open.
Don't overthink the details. Mini sessions are meant to be simple and relaxed. We're not going for a big, elaborate production. We're going for you, your bump, and a little bit of magic.
Pair it with a newborn session. I offer a maternity and newborn bundle, but I also fully support booking them separately if that's what makes more sense for your family right now.
Here's what I keep coming back to: you will never get this time back. Even if you don't feel like you're glowing, even if your back hurts and your ankles are swollen and you're just ready to meet your baby. This is a chapter worth marking! Not because you have to have a big photoshoot, but because someday you'll want to remember what it felt like to carry this little person.
My own tripod session at 22 weeks wasn't anything fancy. But I'm glad those photos exist. And I want that same feeling for you. Without any pressure or a price tag that stresses you out. A maternity mini session is one of the easiest ways to make it happen.
If a maternity mini session sounds like your kind of thing, I'd love to have you join me! Keep an eye on upcoming mini session dates on my website or reach out and I can help you figure out which session timing makes the most sense for your due date. You don't have to do maternity photos in a big, elaborate way to make them meaningful. Sometimes the simplest version is exactly enough!
