When Is the Best Time for Maternity Photos?(From an Indianapolis Maternity Photographer)

At some point during pregnancy, usually while you’re trying to get one kid dressed, another kid fed, and your own body to cooperate, you realize you still haven’t taken maternity photos. Cue the spiral.

Am I too early? Too late? Do I even look pregnant yet? What if I wait and then regret it? What if I schedule it and hate everything I wear? What if I don’t have the energy to stand in a field and smile?

First of all, welcome. You’re in the right place.

Second, let’s get one thing straight. There is a sweet spot for maternity photos, but it’s not a rule, and it’s definitely not designed to make your life harder. The best timing has way more to do with how you’re feeling than what week Google says you should be on.

The photos you see throughout this post are from a maternity session with the VanAlstyne family at MacGregor Park in Westfield, Indiana. Wildflowers everywhere, kids doing kid things, and a very real-life example of how maternity photos can feel joyful instead of like another item on the to-do list.

Let’s talk timing, realistically.

Why Timing Actually Matters (But Not in a Rule-Following Way)

You’re not asking about timing because you want to follow photography etiquette. You’re asking because you want photos where you recognize yourself. Where you don’t feel like you’re fighting your body or counting down the minutes until you can sit down again.

Timing matters because pregnancy is a moving target. One week you feel great, the next week your shoes don’t fit and standing feels optional. The goal is to plan your maternity photos during a stretch where you can show up, move around a little, and laugh without wondering why you agreed to this in the first place.

That’s it. That’s the whole goal.

The Window Everyone Talks About (And Why It’s a Thing)

You’ve probably seen the same answer everywhere. Most maternity photos happen somewhere between 28 and 34 weeks. That’s not random. It’s popular because it usually lines up with a very specific combo. The belly is clearly there, and many people are still feeling mobile enough to enjoy a session.

This is why searches like how many weeks pregnant for maternity photos and maternity photos timeline all point to that range. It’s a solid starting point, not a deadline you’re racing toward.

Some people love that window. Others feel way better earlier or later. Both are normal.

Let’s Talk About Bodies, Swelling, and Energy

Your body is doing a lot. Some days you feel cute and strong. Other days you feel like gravity is personally attacking you. That matters when it comes to photos.

If swelling is already creeping in, earlier sessions can feel way more comfortable. If you’re still feeling great later on, you might be perfectly happy waiting. There’s no prize for pushing through discomfort just to say you hit the “right” week.

Maternity photos should not feel like an endurance sport.

First Pregnancy vs. Not Your First Rodeo

If this is your first pregnancy, you might feel like you can wait longer. You probably have more control over your schedule and more mental space to plan things.

If this is your second or third pregnancy, let’s be honest. Your body might show sooner, your energy might dip earlier, and your life is already loud. Scheduling maternity photos a little earlier often just makes sense. It’s easier to fit into family life, and you’re less likely to feel totally wiped.

Neither approach is better. They’re just different chapters.

Measuring Ahead, Behind, or Completely Confused

If you’ve been told you’re measuring ahead, behind, or “right on track,” congratulations, you’re officially pregnant. Bodies grow differently. Babies sit differently. None of this means you missed your window or need to panic-schedule anything.

If your belly feels ready earlier, that’s fine. If it takes a while to show, also fine. Your maternity photos should reflect you, not a chart.

Studio vs Outdoor Maternity Photos and Why Timing Shifts

Studio maternity photos are forgiving. Climate-controlled, slower-paced, no bugs, no wind. They’re great later in pregnancy if moving around a lot sounds terrible.

Outdoor maternity photos in Indiana are a little more seasonal. Spring and early fall are popular for a reason. Wildflowers, soft light, and space for kids to roam, like at MacGregor Park, can be beautiful. They can also require a bit more walking and standing.

If you’re planning an outdoor session, earlier timing often feels better physically, especially in warmer months.

What If You’re Reading This and Think You’re Late?

You’re not late. You’re just pregnant and busy.

I work with families all the time who worry they missed the perfect moment. Sessions can be adapted. Pacing can slow down. And if maternity photos don’t end up happening at all, that doesn’t mean this season disappears. Newborn and family sessions still tell the story of how your family grew.

No guilt required.

The Questions Everyone Asks Me Anyway

Most people wonder when to reach out. Earlier is better, even if your session is months away. Schedules fill, and having it on the calendar removes mental clutter.

People also worry about rescheduling, especially when pregnancy symptoms change by the week. That’s expected. Flexibility is part of the process.

And yes, partners and kids are always welcome. Maternity photos don’t have to be a solo thing unless you want them to be.

So, When Is the Best Time for Maternity Photos?

It’s the time when you feel pregnant enough to want the photos and comfortable enough to enjoy taking them. For a lot of people, that’s somewhere in the third trimester. For others, it’s earlier or later.

At The Heart Narrative, I photograph maternity sessions with real life in mind. Kids included. Movement allowed. Wildflowers encouraged. Whether we’re shooting outdoors in Westfield, Indiana, or somewhere quieter, the goal is always the same. Photos that feel like you, not like you were trying to survive them.

If you’re trying to figure out when to schedule maternity photos and want someone to talk it through with you, you can reach out through my contact page anytime.

Now go drink some water. Or sit down. Or both.