Let’s get this out of the way first:
If the idea of having your photo taken makes you cringe, you are not alone.
So many of the mums I talk to tell me the same thing — “I’m awkward,” “I don’t know what to do with my hands,” “I never like photos of myself,” or simply, “I don’t feel like me right now.” And honestly? That makes complete sense.
Pregnancy is beautiful, yes — but it’s also vulnerable. Your body is changing daily, emotions are everywhere, and the last thing you might want to do is stand in front of a camera and smile.
So if you’re on the fence about maternity photography, this is for you.
You Don’t Have to “Love Being Photographed"
Maternity photography is not about being confident, glamorous, or knowing how to pose. You don’t need to perform, and you definitely don’t need to be someone you’re not.
A good maternity session is all about you, so I tailor my sessions to each woman and their story. So that can vary from a more casual outdoor setting to a studio posed session.
And if you’re thinking, “But I never like photos of myself,” I hear that every week — usually right before those same mums fall in love with the images they swore they wouldn’t.
Why These Photos Matter (Even If You Don’t See It Yet)
Here’s the thing: maternity photos aren’t really for right now.
They’re for the future you — the one who’s forgotten how it felt to carry that weight, to rest a hand on your belly without thinking, to be on the edge of meeting someone who would change your entire life.
They’re for your child one day.
So they can see where they came from. How deeply they were held before they were ever born.
And they’re a reminder that you were here too — not just as a mum doing everything for everyone else, but as a woman in a powerful, fleeting chapter of her life.
You don’t need to feel beautiful in the moment for these photos to be meaningful. The beauty often shows up later, when you least expect it.
It’s Okay to Feel Unsure
You’re allowed to book a session feeling nervous.
You’re allowed to say, “I don’t know if this is for me.”
You’re allowed to show up exactly as you are.
Maternity photography isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence. About honouring a season that passes far quicker than anyone warns you.
One day, you’ll look back and realise you weren’t just growing a baby — you were becoming someone new.
And that story is worth remembering.
If you’re still unsure, that’s okay. Take your time. But know this: you don’t need to love having your photo taken to deserve to be seen.
And you already are — whether you believe it yet or not. 💛
