Remember This Moment Forever
Maternity Preparation Guide
“As long as you show up, it’s going to be AMAZING! That’s it. That’s all you have to do. I’ve got the rest. Can’t wait to see you!”
– Siorna Ashby
This is a guide to help prepare you for your maternity experience! It's a 15-minute read.
These are my top tips and frequently asked questions from clients.
Grab a cup of non-caffeinated tea and get started!
What should I wear?
Wardrobe Ideas and Recommendations
Where to start
The best photos start with comfort, so choose your favourite maternity outfit —the one you love that feels unrestricted and allows easy movement. Whether it’s a fitted black maxi dress or your favourite lingerie, the key is how you feel wearing it. If you love your outfit your confidence will shine through every image.
Consider fabrics that drape beautifully and feel soft against your skin, like knits or flowing materials. Above all, pick an outfit that reflects your style to ensure you feel your best during the shoot.
Here are my top 4 recommendations, which we'll tailor to you during our style consult.
Flowy and Flattering Fabrics
Your favourite maxi dress or fabrics like chiffon will highlight the baby bump and create an elegant soft look. You are welcome to explore my studio's collection of chiffon pieces during your photoshoot.
Solid Colours or Simple Patterns
This will keep the focus solely on you and the baby bump. For a modern edge, consider unzipped jeans paired with a sleek black crop top.
Timeless Elegance
A well-fitted, elegant black dress or a tailored coat can add a timeless touch. We’re looking to maximise your comfort with stretchy adjustable clothes with lots of movement.
Light Silhouette
If you like my silhouette looks, I always recommend a skin-coloured or black thong. This ensures a seamless look in editing, creating elegant lines along the body, while preserving your comfort throughout the photoshoot. Metallic bracelets or earrings work well reflecting the light while adding a touch of personality to your shot.
The Style Consult will help
In our video Style Consult we will talk through your wardrobe ideas and we'll put together the perfect outfits to help you feel fabulous in every shot!
Where can I buy Maternity Outfits?
If the thought of finding the perfect outfit seems overwhelming I have the perfect quick list for you! Over the years my clients have recommended places to buy or rent maternity outfits for their special photoshoot!
Tiffany Rose
Overview: Specializes in elegant maternity dresses, featuring full-length lace gowns, floral jersey maxi dresses, and knee-length options.
Seraphine
Overview: A renowned maternity wear brand, known for dressing celebrities and royals, offering a diverse range of styles, from casual to formal, including options ideal for photoshoots.
Website: Seraphine Maternity
Etsy UK
Overview: Offers a vast selection of styles, including bohemian lace gowns and tulle dresses, allowing for personalised and distinctive photoshoot attire.
Website: Etsy UK Maternity Photoshoot Dresses
Juhi
Overview: Their dresses are made from premium quality fabrics, designed to accommodate your changing body and ensure a flattering fit.
Website: Juhi Maternity Photoshoot Dresses UK
H&M Maternity Dresses
Budget-friendly trendy options like rib-knit turtleneck dresses, sequined deep-back dresses, and tie-belt satin dresses.
Website: H&M Maternity Dresses
Before your Maternity Photoshoot
Basic Must Haves
Hydrate.
Make sure to drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your photoshoot. Small sips throughout the day work best. Staying hydrated not only boosts your energy and mood, but it also helps you feel refreshed and glowing for your special session.
Moisturise.
For the best results, moisturise your skin twice a day in the three days leading up to your shoot. Your skin will feel soft and look flawless on camera. And don’t forget those feet —especially the heels, or elbows, if dryness is a concern!
Keep Your Lips Soft and Luscious.
In the days leading up to your photoshoot, it’s important to keep your lips moisturised to avoid dry, cracked lips that can be tricky to edit in post-production. I recommend applying a hydrating lip balm regularly—my personal favourite is simple Burt's Bees.
Many clients rave about Dr Paw-Paw, Weleda or La Roche-Posay lip balms, and for extra exfoliation, lip scrubs like L’Occitane or Kiko work wonders. My budget-friendly tip? Use your toothbrush! Gently brush over your lips while brushing your teeth to exfoliate dead skin, then apply your favourite lip balm—repeat as needed!
Pamper those nails.
Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure a few days before your session for a polished, finished look—chipped polish can be distracting on camera.
If you’re short on time or prefer to skip the salon, simply remove any varnish from your nails for a clean, natural look. Some clients also rave about press-on nails—BTArtbox Stick-On Nails have been highly recommended and look fantastic in photos.
The 3 things I hear the most
Let me support you here.
I don't know how to pose.
Pose anxiety is totally normal, but you don’t need to know a thing about posing—not even a little! I’ll guide you through every step, demonstrating the poses myself for you to mirror. If something doesn’t work right away, I’ll gently redirect you until we get the perfect shot. Taking amazing photos is my job, and I’m passionate about making sure you look incredible!
I'm not photogenic.
I hear this all the time—and I’ve even thought it about myself, especially if past experiences with photos have left you feeling unsure. Great photography doesn’t rely on you knowing how to pose—it’s my job to guide you every step of the way.
You don’t have to love every shot, but I promise you’ll be thrilled with most of them. You'll see yourself in a way you might not have before—radiant, confident, and beautifully you. Together, we’ll make magic, capturing a stunning selection of images that celebrate this special moment in your life.
Come in with an open mind, and let me do the rest. I’ve never met someone I couldn’t photograph beautifully, and that includes you. Let’s create something extraordinary, one moment at a time.
My spots will be in the photos!
Yeah, it happens. Spots suck. I retouch blemishes and bruises with ease on every photo you see. No problem. No stress. Let that spot try its hardest to ruin your day, but your photos will not be a permanent reminder of it.
On the day of your Maternity Photoshoot
Your day is here!
Plan for traffic and slow tubes!
Nothing dampens the vibe of a fun and relaxing photo shoot like feeling rushed or late! Plan ahead for traffic and aim to arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled time. If you’re running late, just shoot me a text and stay calm—it’s totally cool.
Wear loose clothing.
Wear loose-fitting clothing and comfy shoes on your way to the shoot to avoid any unwanted clothing lines and to help you stay relaxed. Don’t forget to remove your watch and hair ties from your wrists to prevent skin marks—and be mindful of those sock marks on your ankles too!
Lean into the experience.
I’m here to make sure you look and feel amazing—there’s nothing you’ll do that will make you look bad. With years of experience, the most common feedback I receive is how comfortable clients feel during their sessions, and that’s incredibly important to me.
So, relax, lean into the experience, and most importantly—have fun!
After your Maternity Photoshoot
What happens next?
At the end of the shoot.
I will help you pack your things and we’ll get you scheduled for your photo reveal appointment so you know exactly when you’ll be seeing your images.
Photo Reveal.
Within two weeks of your shoot, we’ll have your photo reveal appointment over Zoom, where you’ll see all your proofs and choose your favourites. Before the appointment, I’ll send you a PDF of tiny, low-resolution thumbnails so you can start thinking about your favourites. You'll choose your full collection during the Zoom call together!
Tips for the Photo Reveal.
At your reveal appointment, grab a comfy seat with a beverage while I present a slideshow of your images from the session. Afterward, we’ll dive into viewing your entire collection, which includes at least 20 images (depending on your package). You’ll have the chance to let me know which images you’d like to keep for your order, and you can request any additional touch-ups during this time. I know you’re going to love your photos, and these reveal appointments are always so much fun—I can’t wait to share your images with you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What editing and retouching happens?
My editing philosophy is to help you look like you on your best possible day! Photo editing is a conversation, and you can let me know your preferences. These are your photographs and you’re in charge.
These are the things that I will usually edit:
- Light levels
- Correct skin tone colour
- Correct makeup
- Remove stray hairs
- Neaten and smooth clothing
- Change to black and white
Unless you ask me otherwise, I will also remove the following:
- Bruises
- Spots
I leave moles and scars unless you tell me otherwise.
The top 5 things I most frequently get asked to tweak are:
- Add volume to my hair
- Slim my arms
- Smooth my skin
- Reduce or remove my wrinkle lines
What if I feel unwell on the day and want to reschedule?
Morning sickness and generally feeling unwell during pregnancy is the worst! I am so sorry! I do request 24 hours notice before you reschedule your photoshoot. This is because I spend time on the day preparing the studio for your tailored looks. If you are feeling unwell, please do get in touch as soon as possible. You get one rescheduled photoshoot absolutely free.
Can I print my photographs from the digital photographs I purchase?
Of course! You have personal printing rights for the images you purchase and can print those files on your own. I deliver a special print version of each photograph you purchase.
That being said, I would urge you to consider purchasing through me if you want the best product quality and long-term value. I use the best photo labs in the industry, and if you were to see the difference between my labs and Snappy Snaps, you’d be shocked by the difference. While it is completely optional, I would say if you’ve taken the time and care to book me, you’ll love seeing your custom art in high-quality prints.
How long do you keep the photographs I don't buy?
After 3 months, if you haven't been in touch I will delete the photographs you did not purchase from my hard drives and backup services. I always send a few emails before I delete anything, so you'll know this is happening. I keep photographs you do buy indefinitely in case you need additional copies.
Final thoughts
Be Kind to Yourself
This is the big one! I’ve spent most of my life being mean to myself. I know how easy it is. One of the main motivations for a maternity session is to spend time finding a newfound appreciation for you. :) Being gentle with yourself will go a long way in having a fabulous and upbeat experience! However, if you want to discuss the thing that bothers you the most about your body, just let me know by saying “I love my ___, but my biggest insecurity is my ___”.
A Maternity Photoshoot is a Milestone!
I don’t expect every person to be 100% ready for this. Together, we will create something special and unique for you. My aim is always to support you on your journey to appreciate and love yourself. These photographs will be a lasting reminder in the years to come of how truly wonderful you are.
See You Soon!
If you have any questions send me an email. I'm here for you.