Maternity vs. Newborn Photos: How to Decide What’s Right for You
If find yourself agonizing between the decision between getting maternity or newborn photos, there’s a lot of things that should help you decide. It really comes down to how you’re feeling, how far along you are, and what you’re juggling. Both sessions are meaningful, but they ask something different from you, and knowing that ahead of time makes the decision much easier.
Hi, I’m Mercae (pronounced Mer-say), a neurodivergent Seattle mother to one wild preschooler boy and a Seattle studio maternity photographer and in home Seattle newborn photographer. I am deeply passionate about providing parents with tangible reminders of their families connection and love story because of my own challenging first years as a mother. Looking up at the wall, seeing myself at the heart of my beautiful family brings me so much light and joy and made even the toughest days of postpartum depression bearable. I know it can help other parents both in the moment of the session, taking time to be together, and after, when it comes time to mount their photos on the wall or thumb through their album again. Click here to learn more…
When to Book a Studio Maternity Photoshoot
If you are experiencing a high risk pregnancy, medical complications, or any body dismorphia that is negatively impacting your mental or physical health, give yourself the grace to skip maternity photos if you so choose. If you feel called to a maternity session, by all means, but if photos fill you with a sense of dread, listen to your gut. You know what’s best for YOUR family. I think far too often society discounts a mothers intuition. I believe your intuition knows things your conscious mind may not be prepared to acknowledge and your gut as a mother rarely makes a mistake. Skip what feels wrong, lean into what feels right.
That being said. For those who are leaning into maternity photos, pregnancy has them feeling glowy and maybe they’re finding deep connection with mother earth (a spiritual connection with the circle of life is the only way I can describe my own experience with my son’s pregnancy) let’s go over the details.
Seattle Studio Maternity Photographer
I photograph maternity sessions in a Seattle based studio. Studio work means more predictable lighting, not weather concerns/reschedules and you get to use my gorgeous client closet dresses without the drama of changing potentially outdoors. It also guarentees you privacy so you can relax and focus on posing. Maternity sessions are best scheduled toward the end of your second trimester, typically between 27-30 weeks ish. You’ll love photos at this stage because your bump is clearly visible, you’re still relatively comfortable moving and standing and your energy levels are more stable compared to late pregnancy.
I know as I approached the final month of my own pregnancy I was falling asleep on a dime, walking became extremely uncomfortable and I felt so bloated. I think that holds true for most if not all pregnant people. After 34–36 weeks, swelling, fatigue, and general discomfort tend to increase, and there’s always the possibility of baby arriving early.
What a Studio Maternity Session Feels Like
All of my sessions are one hour long, which makes maternity sessions feel very manageable. Your comfort is our priority while we photograph. I focus on natural, gentle movement and simple posing – no crazy photoshop. This is excellent time to spend with your partner, older children or pets, or on your own, to connect with your sense of joy and wonder at this special time in your life. We keep it calm but embrace our joy, for natural smiles and connection.
Physically, this is usually the easier session. You’re not recovering from birth, and you’re able to be more present and engaged throughout the hour.
If you’re looking for something that feels low-pressure and grounded, maternity is often the better fit.
When to Book an In Home Newborn Session
I offer in home newborn sessions because chances are you’ve spent quite a bit of time currating a beautiful nursery and leaving home after having a baby is much larger ordeal than expected. We want everyone feeling relaxed, warm and safe. Newborn sessions are typically scheduled within the first 5–14 days after birth, when babies are sleepiest and still have that curled, fresh-from-the-womb look. Since we cannot predict when baby will be born, we usually schedule about a week or so from your due date, and adjust accordingly after baby is born.
We take into consideration how challenging your birth was, how you’re feeling, and how baby is doing. If baby ends up in the NICU – don’t worry. We reschedule your session until after baby graduates from the NICU – I check in via email to remain unobtrusive as you heal after birth. This is why I make sure my calendar always has the flexibility to accomodate YOUR needs as a parent.
That said, because my sessions are one hour, they’re designed to be efficient and baby-led, rather than long and overly demanding.
What a Newborn Session Feels Like
Since I avoid crazy posing and keep things very natural, you can expect a more relaxed experience, I’m happy to take breaks for feeding (and including those into your photo gallery if you like), chestfeeding or breastfeeding is such a special connection that I am happy to include in photos. We take breaks to sooth and to change baby just in case, and definitely focus on efficiency in posing so we use our time together wisely.
Do not forget, during a newborn session, you’ll still be healing, there may be a bit of sleep deprivation but baby should still be sleeping more than anything, and getting ready can feel like a very large task. However, we take things slow, we physically only do what doctor has cleared you to do. No crazy posing, running, or unnatural movements. Matrescence is a magical time and we must be gentle with ourselves here.
The session itself is gentle, but it does ask you to show up during a time when your body and emotions are still adjusting.
A Simple Way to Decide
If you’re unsure, think about this:
Choose maternity if:
- You want to feel physically comfortable during your session
- You have more energy right now than you expect postpartum
- You’re worried about how chaotic it will feel after baby is born
Choose newborn if:
- You care most about capturing your baby’s earliest days
- You’re okay with a slower, more flexible session flow
- You don’t mind showing up in a more tender, less polished season
If You Can Only Choose One
Pick the session that will feel the most doable for you.
A relaxed, supported experience will always lead to better photos than pushing yourself through something that feels overwhelming.
Both sessions tell a different part of your story. One is about waiting, the other is about arrival.
You don’t need to do it all. You just need to choose the moment that you’ll be able to step into, fully and comfortably.
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