So, you went ahead and booked a San Diego Maternity photographer, and put a date on the calendar. This is a big accomplishment, knowing you have found the right photography studio to capture your maternity photos. The decision part is out of the way. But now what? You of course want to be relaxed and comfortable during the session. Having your mind at ease will help give you a sense of calm, so you show up excited and ready to be photographed. So, with the shoot date coming up, how do you best prepare?

Rest assured, we have you covered! The guide below will help you prepare for your San Diego maternity photo shoot, with tips from our team. This advice extends beyond the maternity photography itself, to give you many different ideas and suggestions Of course, use the advice that works for you! As the mother-to-be, you are the one who will know how to take best care of yourself. These are just a few helpful thoughts and insights.

1) Get plenty of rest the night before your San Diego Maternity Photo Shoot

We understand it can be challenging to be comfortable when you are pregnant. Depending on how far along you are, it may be tough to get a decent night’s sleep. This can be compounded if you already have kids at home or a busy work life. All that aside, do the very best you can to get a full night of sleep before your photo shoot. Not only will you look rested and rejuvenated, but you will also feel happy and energized during the photo shoot.

Typical maternity sessions last an hour or more. So, you’ll want to ensure you have the stamina to hold up for this length of time. This is especially true if we are photographing in an outdoor location such as Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, where there is a bit of walking involved. Again, this may be no big deal – you may be an unstoppable force when pregnant, but it’s something to consider ahead of time. If you have discomfort or limited mobility, be sure to let us know. We will custom tailor your San Diego maternity photo shoot to your level of comfort!

2) Treat yourself to a relaxing “Me Day”

Again, this may be easier said than done. So if it’s out of the question, don’t worry about it! You will still have a fun time at your maternity session, with great results. But if you have a way of doing so, it can’t hurt to treat yourself to a bit of pampering in the days leading up to your photo shoot. This could involve a beauty treatment at your favorite salon, such as a soothing facial. Or, it may bean extended spa day with a lifelong friend or two. Whatever puts you in the most serene state of mind, we say go for it!

The only thing we don’t suggest is a dramatic change in appearance right before your photo shoot. For example, a new cropped haircut or dramatic color. Even if it looks amazing, it may take time for you to feel totally comfortable in your new look. Or, it could take a few days for your hair to grow back to the perfect length that you were aiming for.

If you are planning to do a big transformation, it’s better to do this a week or more before the maternity photo session. This way, you can ensure everything goes as intended, with wiggle room before your maternity session for alternations, if need be. Otherwise, you may find yourself postponing last minute. This isn’t the worst thing in the world – we are very understanding when it comes to postponements and make-up dates. But it may take some schedule juggling to find a new calendar date, especially with popular maternity photography studios. Better to keep your original date if possible!

3) Wear what will make you feel most natural

Maternity clothes have come a very long way since the time of our parents and grandparents. These days, there you can make a whole maternity wardrobe in just about any style you can think of. From athletic wear, to business casual, to stunning outfits for a night out on the town, the options are seemingly endless. For your San Diego maternity photo session, we encourage you to wear what will make you feel most natural. For some women, this means everyday maternity clothes such as stretchy jeans and a pretty cardigan. Other women may want to wear something more form fitting.

There is no wrong answer; it’s all about being comfortable and being true to you. If this means getting glammed up, then great! If you want to go earthier with a flowing gown, and be makeup-free, this works well also. The most important thing is that your outfit should match the environment we are in. For example, if the photo shoot is in Pacific Beach, on the sand, it could look out of place if you are wearing a cable knit sweater. As your San Diego maternity photographer, we will guide you through our best recommendations of what to wear during your photo session. We may even suggest a change of outfits, so you have a variety of images resulting from the photo shoot.

Always feel welcome to ask what we feel will work best. Our expert photography team is here to help! We look forward to hearing from you, and talking through the details of your San Diego maternity shoot!