So, you’ve just booked your maternity session and you can’t wait. You’ve got your maternity gown all picked out, you’ve chatted about ideas for your maternity photoshoot, and you’re all but packed and ready to go for the big day. There’s just one thing in the back of your mind that’s bugging you… one itty, bitty question that everyone gets when the waiting gets antsy. How long will it take to get my maternity photos? 

Hopefully, the answer won’t shock you, but even if it does, I’ll explain the wait.

So, Just How Long Will It Take To Get My Maternity Photos?

There’s good news and bad news for all of you new to the maternity photography world. Let’s start with the bad — there is a little wait on photos! Although I do a lot with digital photography, I can’t just hand over the photos of your gorgeous maternity session right after I take them. There’s a nuance that goes into getting the photos right before, during, and after the photoshoot. Though I definitely have a lot of confidence in my photos, I want to make sure they are just right for you!

A lot of my photography, even the maternity photos, go through an editing process. I’ll touch up the light if it looks off, I’ll take bystanders out of outdoor maternity photos… and stray hairs? Don’t even worry about ’em. They’re out of there so fast!

Composites: Fun, But Complicated

I also use my editing period to do composite photos for my clients. Sometimes, it’s hard to get the perfect shot all in one go, so I’ll take several shots to build “the perfect shot”! Or, I’ll do a little bit of situational magic aimed at keeping my clients safe.

For instance: I’ve had a couple of clients request floating hammock shots, where they get in a hammock that looks like it’s suspended from the ceiling and pose in a way that highlights their belly — in my studio, a great way I achieve this is with backlighting. Aside from the whole “things in the real world don’t really float” reality, I actually use composite for this photo posing situation for client safety! I’ll have my clients pose their top half first, then their bottom halves, so they don’t have to contort their bodies strangely or strain themselves. Then, during the editing process, I merge the photos together and create the illusion of floating in a hammock!

Here’s The Good News!

Here’s the good news though, folks! It doesn’t take as long as you think it would to edit and process your beautiful photos. My typical turnaround time on these is about a week, though some of you may get them in even less time.

A few things to keep in mind:

• If we have a super technical shoot (for instance, one where we know there will be a lot of composite photos), it may take a little longer.
• If you order physical prints (like, ones to hang on the wall), processing time is often out of my hands and in the printing company’s hands. Please allow a little extra time if you order hard copy prints.
• I’m human, so sometimes things happen — sickness, accidents, emergencies — just like they would to you! So, if you don’t hear from me in a week with your digital photos, please feel free to send me a message.

If you’re ready to take your maternity photos, so am I. Set up a consultation with me to ensure Hello Photography can make your dream maternity session happen.