"I Feel Nervous About Having Maternity Photos"
As a newborn photographer, one of the most common things I hear is:
"I wish I had captured Maternity photos, but I just wasn’t feeling that confident."
And honestly?
I completely understand.
Recently I ran a poll on Instagram asking people about maternity photography.
67% said they wished they had booked maternity photos
21% said they had maternity photos
12% said maternity photography simply wasn't for them
What stood out to me was the number of people who wished they'd done it.
Because I am one of them.
Why I Regret Not Having Professional Maternity Photos
When I was pregnant, I wasn't particularly kind to myself.
My body was changing constantly and I struggled to see what everyone else seemed to see: the beauty of pregnancy.
Instead of booking a professional maternity session, I asked my husband to take some photos.
Now, before anyone comes for him, he did his best.
But the reality was that he wasn't a professional photographer.
The photos were taken amongst the chaos of a house renovation. We hadn't properly planned outfits. We hadn't set aside dedicated time. Although I had a vision in my head, the images didn't reflect how I wanted to remember that chapter of my life.
Looking back, I think what I missed wasn't just beautiful photographs.
I missed the opportunity to celebrate what my body was doing.
I truly believe that having an empowering maternity session would have helped me enjoy pregnancy more.
If You're Feeling Nervous, You're Not Alone
The most common concerns I hear from expecting mums are:
"I don't want to get my bump out."
"I feel huge."
"I don't feel photogenic."
"I don't feel like myself."
Pregnancy is wonderful, but that doesn't mean you feel confident every day.
It can be incredibly difficult to appreciate your changing body when you're living through it.
The good news?
You do not have to be bursting with confidence to have beautiful maternity photographs.
That's my job.
You Don't Have To Show Your Bump
One of the biggest misconceptions about maternity photography is that you need to wear revealing outfits.
You absolutely don't.
Some mums love elegant fitted gowns and exposed bump portraits.
Others prefer floaty dresses, soft fabrics and more subtle images.
Many choose sheer gowns which offer a beautiful middle ground.
During your maternity session, we'll talk through your vision and choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident.
And if you decide halfway through that you'd like to be a little braver?
That's okay too.
These photographs are for you.
What Happens If You Don't Feel Photogenic?
At the beginning of every session, we'll finalise outfits and chat through exactly what you want from your photographs.
Then I'll guide you throughout.
Nothing feels stiff or awkward, but you'll never be left wondering what to do with your hands.
I give as much direction as you need.
One thing I often do early in a session is show clients the back of the camera.
The reaction is nearly always the same.
"oh they are actually lovely"
Because what you see in the mirror every day and what a professional photographer captures can be very different things.
I promise, you will be kinder to yourself when you see yourself through someone else's eyes.
You Can Celebrate Pregnancy Your Way
Your maternity session doesn't have to look like anyone else's.
It can be:
A quiet studio session focused entirely on you
A relaxed outdoor session at one of my favourite Warwickshire nature spots
A session with your partner
A family celebration with older siblings
Even a session that includes your dog
One of my favourite maternity sessions was simply a mum-to-be celebrating herself while we listened to Taylor Swift throughout the shoot.
There is no right or wrong way to do maternity photography.
What Other Mums Say
One client shared:
"Katie is amazing! This was my first ever photoshoot and she made me feel so empowered and beautiful. She captured the most precious moments with my daughter, my bump, and my partner: photos we'll treasure forever."
Another mum told me:
"Pregnancy didn't leave me feeling 'glowing' but Katie made me feel a million dollars and so confident in my new body."
She went on to say:
"If you are slightly apprehensive about doing a maternity shoot, I can't recommend Katie enough as she definitely has the experience and personality to make your dream photos become a reality."
Those words mean so much to me because they perfectly capture what I want every client to experience.
Not just beautiful photographs.
But confidence.
One Day You'll Look Back Differently
One day your little one will be running around your home.
One day you'll be looking through old photographs together.
And one day you'll realise that the body you worried about was doing something extraordinary.
That's why maternity photography matters.
Not because you need perfect photos.
But because you deserve to remember this chapter with kindness.
If you're feeling nervous, I understand completely.
I felt exactly the same.
But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that very few mums regret having maternity photographs.
Many regret not having them.
If you'd like to learn more about maternity photography in Warwickshire, I'd love to hear from you. Reach out through my contact form and we can chat about creating a session that feels completely comfortable, personal and true to you.
