If you’re in the maternity business, last-minute bookings & cancellations happen. That’s just the nature of pregnancy! Sometimes due dates get moved up, so clients reschedule just in case. Other times, babies come calling without anyone’s warning and mamas miss their date entirely. More often than either of those cases, life just happens and they just need help accommodating those changes. Whatever the occasion, I’m always happy to accommodate (within reason). For this growing family, the reason was extremely unique, and one I was more than happy to make time in my schedule for. Here are some gorgeous baby bump pics from their session.
Need last-minute maternity photos yourself? I’m an Austin maternity photographer in Leander, and I keep room in my calendar for exactly this.
Natalie & Tim Celebrate Their Pregnancy
Meet Natalie & Tim! Their session was a last-minute booking due to a big life change. Tim is in the military and they let me know he was getting deployed shortly after the date of the session (only a few days later!) He would miss the birth of their baby, but the couple didn’t let that get them down. They were so excited, and I was happy to help them celebrate this pregnancy.
Tim & Natalie are from Killeen, where I actually get a lot of my clients. I say I’m an Austin maternity photographer. But in reality, I serve the whole Austin area and am very happy to do so! I also get a lot of last-minute bookings, which is why helping Tim & Natalie set up their maternity photoshoot wasn’t an issue. It was an honor to allow them to celebrate the birth of their child despite the big challenge they have ahead of them.
However, last-minute outdoor sessions can be a bit of an issue to get set up because of weather & lighting. Studio sessions, like Natalie and Tim’s, are great because we don’t have to plan around the sun. I can schedule maternity sessions at any time during day because I use artificial lighting.
Taking Dramatic Baby Bump Pics
Artificial lighting is actually one of the best ways to capture dramatically lit photos, like the one above. It’s really hard to achieve that with outdoor maternity photos because there are so many elements you can’t control. I love how dramatic the silhouette of Natalie above looks! It’s a lot of fun to be able to backlight clients. It emphasizes their baby bump, and it really just looks stunning. But there’s a lot to be said about color maternity photos, too.
Natalie also wow-ed the crowd with her full-color photos. She brought elegance and glamor to all of her solo shots (including this one where Tim helped by throwing the train). But one of my favorite things about this session was how Natalie’s personality changed so dramatically when Tim was in the photos. It’s so clear that they have a strong love. That’s shown through the smiles and tender ways they pose together. Hearing their story about the struggle of balancing military duty with work life touched my heart. I can’t imagine how hard it will be for them to be apart for this milestone in their family life.
But I know after spending some time in the studio with them that they have the love it takes to adapt to changes, even when they’re hundreds of miles away from one another.
Thanks to Natalie and Tim for sharing their story & time with us (and thank you, Tim, for your service).
Common Questions About Baby Bump Pics
When is the best time to take baby bump pics?
Most moms book their session between 28 and 34 weeks. Your bump is round and camera ready, and you are usually still comfortable enough to enjoy the whole shoot. If you are carrying multiples or want a little breathing room, we lean toward the earlier side. Not sure where you land? Send me your due date and I will help you pick the right week.
What should I wear for baby bump pictures?
Fitted pieces that hug the bump photograph best, since they show the shape instead of swallowing it. Solid colors and soft fabrics keep the focus on you and your belly. You are welcome to bring your own gowns, and you are also welcome to shop my studio client closet, which is stocked with maternity dresses in a range of sizes and colors so you have options the day of.
Should I do studio or outdoor baby bump pics?
Both are beautiful, and it comes down to the look you want. Studio sessions give us full control of the light, which is how we create the dramatic backlit silhouettes in Natalie’s gallery above. They also keep us on schedule no matter what the Texas weather is doing. Outdoor sessions bring a softer, more natural feel. Tell me the vibe you are after and I will steer you to the right fit.
Can my partner and kids be in the photos?
Absolutely, and I love when they are. Some of the most tender frames from Natalie and Tim’s session came from the two of them together. Bringing older siblings in for a few shots turns the gallery into your whole family’s story.
Can I book a last-minute maternity session?
Yes. Natalie and Tim booked theirs on short notice before his deployment, and we made it happen. Life moves fast in the third trimester, so if your timeline just shifted, reach out and I will do everything I can to fit you in.
How soon will I get my baby bump photos?
Turnaround is quick, and I share the exact timeline the moment we book. If you are working against a hard deadline like a deployment or an early due date, tell me up front and we will plan the whole session around it.
Do you have a last-minute booking you need to get scheduled? Get started with Hello Photography.
