WHEN TO BOOK YOUR MATERNITY PORTRAITS IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
One of the first questions my clients ask me when scheduling maternity photos is “When should we schedule them?” My short answer is between 28-32 weeks. To make you feel like a queen in your images it takes time and proper planning for maternity sessions. And because the window is only a month you will want to book towards the end of your first trimester. Read on to learn more about when is the best time to book a maternity session.
Table of Contents
When is the best time to take maternity portraits in Colorado Springs?
What is the best trimester to take maternity portraits?
When should I book my photographer for Colorado Springs maternity portraits?
Is 35 weeks too late for maternity portraits?
Is 24 weeks too early for maternity portraits?
Can I book solo maternity portraits?
What is the best time of the day to schedule maternity portraits in Colorado? And what about the weather?
What if there are unexpected changes in the pregnancy timeline?
Tips for when to book maternity portraits in Colorado Springs, CO.
When is the best time to take maternity photos in Colorado Springs?
Any time of year is great! Scheduling your maternity photos mainly depends on where you are in your pregnancy to achieve those beautiful, round bump photos. If this is your first pregnancy and you are at that perfect 28-33 week point during the winter you can handle the cold for a short time and have some epic snowy Mountain photos. If this is your second or subsequent pregnancy maybe a studio session would be better to keep the kids warm and happy. Totally up to your family and photographer where your session will be held in the cold winter months. At any other time of the year, the Colorado landscape is your oyster! I work with families on a case-by-case basis and am flexible to meet your specific needs.
What is the best trimester to take maternity portraits?
The best trimester to take maternity photos in is the very beginning of the third trimester, from 28-33 weeks. But there is a lot of wiggle room in this time frame as each mama is different. First-time mamas might not start showing until well into their second trimester, so you may want to hold off until the later end of the 28-33 weeks. Whereas veteran mamas may start showing earlier and have a well-defined baby bump by the beginning of their third trimester. If you are carrying multiples you should schedule it for the last couple weeks of your second trimester. Maternity photos are meant to celebrate the beauty of pregnancy so you definitely want to have a noticeable bump to show off in your portraits. But there is caution in waiting too long too!
Here are a few reasons you don’t want to go too far into your pregnancy:
You might start to feel uncomfortable.
Early labor is always a possibility
The further into your pregnancy you are the less confident you might feel - I hate to say it but this may be the case for you. We are not all blessed with only a belly bump and not an extra chin. When you look back at these photos I want you to feel like the amazing queen you are, not a cow (which can happen later in the third trimester because your baby is putting on 1/2 lb a week!!!)!
If you wait until the end of your pregnancy to have your Colorado Springs maternity photos taken that discomfort will show in your photos. We want to make sure you aren’t doing anything to induce early labor. I’m not asking your husband to swing you around or jump but some poses may be a bit tricky when your center of gravity is off. Maternity sessions require a lot of movement which can move labor along if you are close to the end.
When should I book my photographer for maternity portraits in Colorado Springs?
I will always say, the sooner the better. Are you in your first trimester right now? That’s the perfect time! If you want to wait until 12-13 weeks that’s okay. Don’t sit on it because your favorite Colorado Springs maternity photographer might be booked up already. Maternity photography is not as flexible as family photography because there is a shorter window to schedule it. So, my biggest advice is to get on my calendar early and I will reserve time for you during your winder. As we get closer to the window, we can go with how you are feeling and choose a firm date then.
I also offer a maternity + newborn bundle package as well as a Baby’s First-year Collection, which allows you to reserve the time on my calendar for subsequent portrait sessions as well! So many of my families who booked these packages tell me it was such a relief to know that their important milestone sessions were already in the books so they didn’t have to worry about it. The best advice is to book your session early!
Is 35 weeks too late for maternity portraits?
The short answer is nope! But there is a caveat. Are you having a healthy pregnancy? How are you feeling? Where is your session taking place? What’s the weather like outside? These are all factors that will play into scheduling a late third-trimester maternity session. I know for me, I was uncomfortable and swollen by 35 weeks with my second pregnancy specifically. When I was pregnant with my second over the summer I experienced severe prodromal labor with her at 36 weeks that was induced by the heat and too much activity. I definitely don’t mean to frighten you into not scheduling your session that late if you need to but just keep those factors in mind when you are looking to book your maternity session after 34 weeks.
With that said, I find that sometimes moms decide last minute they really truly desire to document this special and fleeting season of their motherhood. I will always say better late than not at all when it comes to photos. So if this is you, I would recommend not doing an adventure maternity photo session where you are hiking to a mountain top if you are past 35 weeks. Keep it simple and cool!
Is 24 weeks too early for Maternity Portraits?
It might be. Your beautiful bump may not have that perfectly roundness quite yet. Some moms are already showing enough to get their maternity photos taken this early. It is better to have a more defined bump in your maternity photos. But if you are going to take them this early for some reason there are ways to help define your belly more. You can arch your back a bit and bend your leg to pronounce your belly more, as well as big belly breaths. If you choose a Colorado Springs Maternity photographer who knows how to pose you correctly, you will still be able to get amazing photos of your baby bump at 24 weeks. If you are carrying multiples or this is a second or subsequent pregnancy you just may be able to pull off a fuller, rounder belly!
Can I book solo maternity portraits?
Of course! If you are a single mom or your husband cannot join you because of a deployment or work schedule solo maternity portraits are lovely! Or maybe you prefer to keep your maternity photo shoot just Mama and baby. Either way, in maternity portraits I (and most other photographers) will pose Mama for a few solo shots. It is such a beautiful and empowering time for a woman and I 100% support those feelings through a solo maternity portrait session.
What is the best time of day to schedule maternity portraits in Colorado? And what about the weather?
I love to shoot in full sunlight, either 90 minutes after sunrise or 90 minutes before sunset. One of my favorite things about Colorado is its four unique seasons. Each adds its unique flair for maternity sessions. I love cozy winter maternity sessions and colorful wildflower maternity sessions. As for the weather, that is one thing I cannot control. However, when scheduling your maternity sessions, I like to set a rain date just in case the original needs to be changed.
What if there are unexpected changes in the pregnancy timeline?
As a mom, I understand there is always the chance of unexpected changes in your pregnancy. Bedrest, early delivery, a loss. It’s important to communicate with your photographer as soon as possible. Most photographers understand pregnancy can be unpredictable and are more than happy to be flexible to accommodate your needs. It’s always a good idea to discuss possible contingency plans when booking your session. They can work to reschedule and always refer back to your contract.
Tips for when to book maternity portraits in Colorado Springs, CO
Booking your Colorado Springs Maternity session when you are between 28 and 33 weeks is ideal for a well-defined baby bump and confidence!
If this is your first pregnancy you may want to wait until 30 weeks for a more enhanced baby bump.
Reach out to your photographer when you are comfortable, usually around 12 weeks pregnant.
Waiting too late to schedule your photos may result in your favorite photographer being booked up.
Your photos will be beautiful no matter the season because your family is beautiful!
Welcome! I’m so honored you are here checking out my blog. I wanted to tell you a little more about me; I am a family lifestyle photographer and a Mama of two. If you would like to learn a little more about me click here. I serve clients as a Colorado Springs Family Photographer and a Denver Family Photographer.
If you love these photos and are looking for a milestone, family, maternity, or newborn lifestyle photographer in Colorado Springs or Denver I would love to learn more about you, your family, and the season of life you are in. I’m currently booking all of 2024 and into 2025 for my Baby-Bump clients. Fill out the contact form here and I will be in touch within 24 business hours!
