Maternity Photographer Phoenix
Why Book a Maternity Session?
I’ll let you in on a secret. Even as a photographer, I didn’t know if I even wanted maternity photos myself. I was so uncomfortable with the idea of an entire photoshoot centered around me and, even worse, how my body looked at a time when I didn’t feel super in love with how I looked or felt.
But I did maternity sessions both times, documenting my life before we became a family of 3 and then 4, and I’m so glad for those photos.
You don’t have to feel completely comfortable in your changing body or know what to do in front of a camera to want photographs of this part of your life. I’ll give you plenty of direction and help you create a session that actually feels like you.
When to Book a Maternity Photoshoot
I recommend booking in the beginning of your second trimester! Shooting between 28-34 weeks is ideal in order to shoot at a time where you feel your best, swelling is minimal but you have a gorgeous bump to show! While you definitely CAN shoot at later weeks, you run the risk of course of not feeling quite as beautiful, dealing with swelling and being less mobile and of course potentially going into labor early. I also tend to book up a month out during busy months from Sept through April, so I may not have availability if you reach out last minute! But you can always reach out and I will always try my best to get you in, even at 36 weeks.
What To Wear for Maternity Photos
A lot of women struggle with what to wear for maternity photo shoots. Your size is changing constantly and many women don’t want to invest in an extensive wardrobe where they may only wear a particular outfit once or twice. I offer a ton of assistance in this! As a maternity photographer in Phoenix of over 12 years, I know what colors, styles and fabrics photograph best in each location throughout Phoenix. I have an ever growing client closet full of beautiful, high quality dresses available to use for free for your session. These are ethically manufactured, stunning quality dresses that are designed specifically to look great for maternity photos . I carry a client closet as a tool for confidence and convenience for you so you can feel your best for your session. I can accomodate sizes XS-4XL.
Maternity Photo Shoot Ideas
Although I certainly LOVE the beauty of a gorgeous pregnant mama surrounded by beautiful nature, that’s not the only option there is! Beyond the typical ideas of a beautiful outdoor scenic area, I love more documentary style maternity sessions centered around your spouse. What do you love to do together right now? What will change once baby arrives? What do you want to remember about this time in your life?
What a talented, kind, supportive, real, and gifted photographer Alyssa is! I had a maternity photoshoot with her, and I’m so thankful for the way she posed me, the client closet she had available, the area she scouted out for us, and how professional but down to earth and genuine she is! I finished the shoot feeling as though I had a new friend in my corner. Then received my album in a very timely manner, and it showed how skilled and accomplished she is in her trade. I loved every single image!!
Locations
In or Near Water
Water and women just go together. We are water, especially during pregnancy! There are many ways to incorporate water into your session. If you are pregnant in the summer, having your session in water, such as at the Salt River, is not only beautiful but practically necessary in order to beat the heat.
Underwater
Underwater is perhaps my favorite medium for maternity photos and a very underrated one! So many people don’t know underwater maternity exists. Water supports the extra weight, taking a load off your back (literally) and has this magical quality about it. We can never control water, but she is a beautiful muse and her unpredictability always brings about beautiful photos I could not have imagined! That’s why I always suggest not becoming too tied to Pinterest style poses, and simply loosely holding ideas and allowing the water to move and help you create your own kind of magic. I’ve been shooting underwater maternity for well over 8 years and every session is gorgeous. This option is also the BEST for summer sessions in Phoenix.
Green Locations
So many native Arizonans want green spaces instead of desert! Surprisingly, there ARE plenty of green areas if you know where to look! You can see a few these areas outlined throughout my site on my elopement guide, family locations guide and other pages, but always reach out to me for more inspiration and ideas if you are looking for beautiful green locations in Phoenix for maternity photos!
Desert Locations
Of course, Arizona has the best locations for desert maternity photos in my humble native Arizonan opinion. I’m definitely not biased or anything! I have tons of beautiful desert locations, so definitely reach out if you are looking for a desert location!
Mountains
Mountains tend to go hand in hand with the desert here in Arizona! I think maternity photos with beautiful mountains in the background are so poetic and dreamy. I’m based out of Mesa, so I live very close to the Superstition Mountains and Salt River which have some stunning mountain backdrops, but I’ve shot mountains throughout the state!
I don’t currently travel unfortunately for maternity sessions to locations outside the Phoenix area like Sedona or Flagstaff or Payson. I have young children at home so my schedule does not allow that, but maybe in the future!
In Your Home
I had in home maternity photos with my first pregnancy. I included my husband, my dogs and my chickens! I was uncomfortable with a photo shoot devoted solely to my physical appearance, so I leaned into a more documentary style, showing our house and lives how they were in that moment before it shifted fundamentally and deepened in ways I could have never imagined. If this resonates with you, what do you want your session to look like? What to you want to document about your life right now? What are rituals and routines you do with your spouse now that will change? In hindsight, I actually wish I had done a couples’ maternity session, documenting our relationship together as it was then in an even deeper way than what my in home maternity photos did!
You may be thinking- but my home isn’t beautiful! Or it doesn’t get enough light! As a Phoenix photographer of over 15 years, I assure you, you do not need a home straight out of Better Home & Gardens, nor do you need tons of light! I have great knowledge of light and, in a pinch, can even bring lighting into your home. In home photos have a quality about them that just can’t be replicated in terms of authenticity and realness and documenting real life!
In Studio
The Phoenix area is blessed with an ever growing list of studios throughout the valley with beautiful backdrops, from a typical color backdrop style studio to many lifestyle studios with ever changing sets like spring flowers, Christmas set ups, and beautiful bedroom and lifestyle rooms. It’s also a great option if you love the idea of an in home session but don’t want to clean up or just love the look and variety available for studio sessions, or are pregnant over the summer. This is the way to go!
What about newborn photos?
If you are looking for a lifestyle newborn photographer in the Phoenix area, I’d be happy to bundle a maternity session with a newborn session! Contact me!
