The question I get asked more than any other, and the one I wish more mums asked earlier, because the answer has two parts.

There's the week you should have your photos taken. And then there's the day you should actually pick up your phone and book it. Those are not the same thing, and mixing them up is the reason some mums miss out entirely.

So let's talk about both.

The short answer: 32 to 36 weeks

The sweet spot for a maternity session is 32 to 36 weeks.

That's when your bump is beautifully round and defined, rather than just starting to show. You're still moving comfortably enough to walk a little, sit on the ground, and hold your husband's hand for a photo without needing a recovery period afterwards. And you're not yet at the stage where you're physically done.

For most mums, it's the window where you feel the most like yourself, in a body that doesn't feel entirely like your own.

That said, and I really mean this, any time you feel comfortable is a good time.

Why that window works so well

Between 32 and 36 weeks, a few things come together:

  • Your bump reads clearly in photos. In this window, it's unmistakably a baby.
  • You still have energy. Not the first-trimester kind of tired, and not the 39-week kind either.
  • You've got room to reschedule. If it rains, or one of your kids gets sick, or you wake up feeling awful, there's time to move it.

When to actually book (it's earlier than you think)

Here's the part that catches people out.

If you want a specific weekend, or a specific golden hour slot, book well before 32 weeks. Two to three months ahead is sensible. Some photographers fill maternity weekends a full season out.

So the practical version is:

  • Around 20 weeks: start enquiring and locking in a date. This is also when you'll want to book your newborn session, because those have real time pressure on them.
  • Around 28 to 30 weeks: confirm your outfits, your gown if you're using one, and your location.
  • 32 to 36 weeks: have your photos taken.
  • From 37 weeks: baby could arrive any day. Sessions here still work, but they're best kept close to home.

And if you're doing a bump and baby package, booking both at once is the smart move. It locks your newborn date in early, and it usually saves you money.

If you're already past 36 weeks

Breathe. You haven't missed it.

I have photographed mums at 38 weeks. I once did a session a week before a due date. The photos were gorgeous and she was glowing, because she was so close to meeting her baby that she couldn't stop smiling.

What changes late in the game is the plan, not the possibility:

  • We keep it short. Forty-five minutes, not two hours.
  • We stay close to you. A nearby spot in Castle Hill, or even your own backyard.
  • We build in breaks. Sit down, drink water, take your time.
  • We skip anything that requires balance, bending, or holding a pose.

If you're reading this at 37 weeks and thinking "I wish I'd done this," message me today. Let's see what we can do.

If you want photos earlier in your pregnancy

You can absolutely do this earlier, and it's more common than people realise.

I've photographed a beautiful session at 20 weeks, because the family was moving overseas and needed their photos before they left. The bump was there. That was all we needed.

Early sessions suit you if:

  • You're travelling, or moving, or leaving the country
  • You want to announce your pregnancy with beautiful photos
  • You're doing a series, documenting the whole journey with early, mid and late sessions
  • You simply want to capture this feeling before you get too uncomfortable

Here's my real rule: if there is a bump, we can photograph it.

That's it. That's the only requirement. Your body is already doing something remarkable, and it deserves to be remembered at whatever stage you're in.

Golden hour, or indoor?

Where we shoot changes when we shoot, slightly.

Golden hour outdoors is my favourite for maternity, around the hour before sunset, soft and warm and glowing. That means an evening slot, so if evenings are hard with other little ones at home, plan around it.

Mid-morning or late afternoon gives softer, more even light and often suits mums who are more comfortable earlier in the day.

Indoor or in-home is wonderful if you want a calmer, quieter session.

We'll work out the timing together once we've picked the look you want.

Couple embracing in a golden field at sunset in Rouse Hill, woman in grey cradling her bump.
Smiling couple poses in golden field at sunset in Rouse Hill, pregnant woman in white lace dress with partner embracing her bump.
Pregnant woman in white dress smiles with husband and toddler on shoulders during maternity photoshoot in a scenic field in Rouse Hill.
Pregnant woman in blue ombre dress poses on Lavender Bay wharf with Sydney Harbour Bridge skyline backdrop.

What if I don't feel beautiful right now?

Almost every mum says this to me. Almost every mum, without exception, sees her gallery and loves it.

You are not going to feel like a model. You're going to feel like a woman carrying a baby, which is exactly what you are, and it's the most photographable thing in the world.

You won't be asked to twist into anything strange. You don't need to undo the last nine months of hard work. You just need to stand in beautiful light, hold your bump, and let me do my job.

Your bump is the only requirement

If you're somewhere between 20 and 40 weeks and you want a memory of this chapter, that's enough.

Book the date. Bring your bump. Let's make something you'll want to look at for the rest of your life.