Client Maternity Guide

Congratulations!

You’re having a baby. Pause for a second and let that sink in.

This season of your life is powerful, transformative, and beautifully fleeting. It’s the quiet anticipation, the tiny kicks, the way your body is doing something extraordinary. I am truly honoured to document this chapter for you.

Maternity sessions are not just about capturing a growing belly. They are about preserving the feeling of this time. The excitement. The tenderness. The strength. The love that is already so present.

Inside this guide, you’ll find everything you need to feel prepared and confident for your session. From what to wear, to how to include your partner or children, to simple tips that help you feel relaxed and natural in front of the camera. My goal is for you to walk into your session feeling excited, informed, and completely at ease.

And if there is ever a question on your mind, big or small, please reach out. I never want you to feel unsure or nervous during this process. I am here to guide you every step of the way.

This is such a meaningful moment in your story.

Let’s capture it beautifully.

I am a natural light photographer through and through. Sunsets truly give me life, and those soft overcast evenings create the richest, dreamiest tones. I am drawn to nature filled backdrops, open skies, tall grasses, water, movement in your dress, wind in your hair.

I also absolutely love a cozy maternity session in the comfort of your home, especially during the colder months. There is something so intimate and meaningful about documenting this season in the space where your baby will be brought home. Capturing your growing bump in the nursery you have so thoughtfully and beautifully prepared is such a powerful way to honor this new chapter in your life. It adds depth, emotion, and story to your images in a way that feels deeply personal.

Whether we are chasing golden light in an open field or wrapped in warmth inside your home, the heart of it is the same. We are celebrating you, this season, and the quiet anticipation before everything changes in the most beautiful way.

I have favorite locations depending on the season and weather, and I am always happy to guide you toward a spot that photographs beautifully. I know how the light moves in certain fields, where the sun dips behind the trees, and which areas glow the most at sunset. That said, if you have a location that feels meaningful to you, I would love to hear about it. Maybe it is your family property, your cabin on lake property, or the place you got engaged. Those personal touches make your images even more powerful. I am always open to exploring somewhere new.

Together, we will choose a location that reflects your vision and offers beautiful light. My goal is for you to feel relaxed, confident, and completely radiant in a setting that feels natural and magical.

It is going to be so beautiful

Styling and What to Wear

Ah yes, the age old photoshoot question. Styling is something I truly love helping with, so please never hesitate to reach out if you’d like input. The biggest goal when choosing outfits is this: wear something you would realistically wear again, just slightly elevated. You want to look back at your images and still feel like you.

Think Layers

Layers are often the difference between a session that looks great and one that looks incredible. They add texture, depth, and interest without feeling overdone.

For little boys, think:

• A t shirt with a button up layered overtop

• Suspenders with cords or chinos

• A light jacket for texture

• A fedora for a subtle, stylish touch

For little girls:

• Leggings with a fun skirt

• A tank layered with a cozy sweater

• A simple dress with tights

• Tasteful hair clips or a smaller headband that doesn’t overwhelm

A Quick Style Note

Try to avoid:

• Neon or overly bright colours

• Ball caps

• Large logos or clothing with wording

These can date your images quickly and tend to pull attention away from everyone’s beautiful faces.

Coordinate, Don’t Match

When thinking about your colour palette, imagine your family as one complete piece of artwork. Each outfit should complement the others while still feeling individual. Instead of everyone wearing the same shade of blue, consider layering tones and accent colours. Neutrals and earth tones are always a favourite of mine but every season offers beautiful colours to work with. I am happy to offer help finding the perfect palettes for you. We can find something timeless, classic, and won’t date your images years from now. Tip: Find an outfit for the hardest person to dress and add and layer from there.

If you’re unsure, send me photos of options laid out on your bed. I’m always happy to help you build something cohesive.

Head to toe. Don’t forget the shoes. They show more than you think. For boys, avoid scuffed runners. Solid coloured runners can work, but skip anything neon or overly bright that will draw attention in your images. For girls, try to stay away from character shoes or sporty styles. Think Mary Janes, boots, or simple neutral footwear that complements the outfit rather than competes with it. Shoes can either elevate a look or distract from it.

What NOT to wear. Remember the era of khakis and white button downs? That’s not the kind of matching we’re going for. Coordinate, don’t match. Dads, instead of defaulting to a plain polo, choose something that complements your partner’s outfit. Texture photographs beautifully, think knits, structured jackets, layered pieces. When it comes to patterns, less is more. Ideally only one person wears a pattern, often mom, and everyone else pulls complementary colours from that piece. Too many patterns can become distracting and take the focus away from your connection. And hats. Ball caps tend to hide faces or cast shadows in certain poses. If a hat feels absolutely necessary, choose a solid colour without logos. I promise we can create even better, closer cuddling images without them.

Moms! If you are thinking about doing hair and makeup professionally for our session, I highly recommend Fallyn from Posh Beauty. Find her on Instagram under @poshbeautyco and facebook under Posh Beauty Co.

The Children

A little preparation goes a long way in helping your children feel confident and relaxed during our time together.

If professional family photos are new to them, start talking about it as soon as we book your session. Let them know we’re going to have fun, play little games, tell jokes, kiss your tummy and but their little hands on their new baby brother or sister. Build it up as something special, not something they have to be on their perfect behaviour for.

It also helps to talk about me like I’m already a friend. When your kids see that you’re comfortable and excited, they naturally feel more at ease too.

Please don’t worry about coaching them to smile. Sometimes when children are told to “smile for the photographer,” they get nervous and try so hard to do it right that it actually makes it harder for them to relax. I promise you, genuine smiles and real laughter always photograph best. Let me draw that out of them naturally. During our session if there are any jokes, songs or special things you do to make them smile and laugh we will incorporate that into our time together.

If I need your help to loosen them up, I’ll let you know.

And yes, I am a big fan of a little incentive. Ice cream after the session is always a solid plan for anyone who needs extra motivation. Treats or snacks during the session are completely fine too. Just choose options that won’t leave sticky or messy faces, fruit snacks work great! Try not to have too much color that could get onto clothing or stain their tongue (skittles, smarties, chocolate, etc.)

We’re aiming for relaxed, playful, and real. The more pressure we remove, the more magic we create.

Dads

Moms, this part is for you. Is your husband feeling slightly less than thrilled about your upcoming session? Completely normal. Truly. Chances are, he already knows how much this means to you, and that’s exactly why he’s showing up. Sometimes they just need a gentle reminder that it’s going to be painless. Let him know my approach is relaxed and easy. There’s no stiff posing, no standing, no performing. He’ll simply be spending time with his family. The adults usually end up having just as much fun as the kids. More often than not, I receive messages afterward from moms saying their husband admitted it was far less painful than they expected. I’ve even had moms tell me their husband suggested booking another session the following year. When dads are the ones reminding moms to rebook, that feels like the biggest win of all.

Moms

You deserve to be in these photos.

So often, moms are the ones documenting everything. You are behind the camera, capturing milestones, preserving memories, making sure no moment is missed. But this chapter matters just as much for you. One day your child will look back at these images and see how deeply they were loved before they were even born. They will see the way you held your belly, the softness in your eyes, the quiet strength in your posture. They will see you.

You deserve to document your beautiful bump and the bond you have already formed with your baby. This season is fleeting. Your body is doing something extraordinary. That deserves to be remembered.

On the day of your session, you might feel a little nervous. That is completely natural. All I ask is that you come as you are. Breathe it in. Rest your hands on your belly. Close your eyes and connect with your baby. If anything needs adjusting, I will guide you. Your only job is to be present and to soak in this moment before everything changes in the most beautiful way.

Weather

A quick but important note about weather.

If the temperature ends up warmer or cooler than you anticipated when planning outfits, please adjust accordingly. Overheated or freezing kids rarely lead to happy, relaxed photos. If I feel little ones are too uncomfortable, I may shorten the session to protect the experience.

I will be watching the weather closely in the days leading up to your session. If it’s simply overcast, we will still proceed. Some of the most beautiful light happens on cloudy evenings.

If the forecast shows a 60 percent or greater chance of rain, we’ll connect and make a decision together about rescheduling based on both of our availability.

Your family’s comfort always comes first.

Illness and Late

Just as important as the weather is your family’s health.

There is nothing harder than trying to photograph a child who isn’t feeling well. It’s tough on you, and it’s even tougher on them. If anyone in your family starts feeling sick, please reach out as soon as possible and we will reschedule for the next available date.

During busy seasons, my calendar can fill quickly, so the sooner you let me know, the easier it is to find a new spot.

Running Late

Life happens. I get it. I have two kids of my own.

I try to book only one session per evening, but during peak season I may have two. Because of that, I’m able to wait up to 15 minutes before needing to leave for the next family.

If you know you’re running behind, please call or message me right away so I can plan accordingly. My contact information is included in every email I send.

Additional Thoughts and Tips

Moisturize your belly before the session to avoid dry looking skin. Especially if you're looking to get a few bare belly shots.

Try to avoid wearing tight panties and bra. A looser fit will ensure that no lines will form through tighter fitting dresses.

If you are drawn to something a little more intimate and minimal, a simple lingerie set photographs beautifully for maternity. Neutral tones like black, white, beige, or soft muted colours tend to photograph best, especially with delicate textures like lace. These pieces highlight your shape in such an elegant, timeless way. Another beautiful option is wrapping yourself in a cozy cardigan or a soft blanket with your belly exposed. It feels natural, feminine, and effortlessly stunning while still keeping the focus on your growing bump. These images are tasteful, empowering, and deeply personal. They celebrate your body and the incredible season it is in.

Pay special attention to your nails. Your hands will be featured often throughout your session as they rest on your belly, cradle your bump, or intertwine with your partner’s and your children’s hands. Those quiet, connected details tell so much of the story. I will be capturing close moments of you holding hands, tracing your belly, and embracing the people who already love this baby so deeply. Hands are a beautiful and meaningful part of your images, so having clean, neutral, or softly polished nails will help everything feel polished and timeless.

I am so excited for you and your family to have these images to look back on. Whether this is your first baby or your third, this season is part of your legacy. Pregnancy marks the beginning of something entirely new, no matter where you are in life, and documenting it is something you will never regret.

Maternity sessions are one of my absolute favorites to photograph. There is a quiet excitement, a softness, and a deep love that naturally shines through. You can see the connection in the way you hold your belly, in the way your partner looks at you, in the anticipation written across your faces.

Sometimes you do not fully see that bond yourself. My job is to reflect it back to you. To show you the strength, the beauty, and the love that already exists between you and your baby.

I cannot wait to create something meaningful for you. I so look forward to our time together.