Maternity photography is one of the most personal sessions I do. The approach that works, and the only approach I’ll take, is one that makes you feel like yourself, not a version of yourself arranged for a camera.

No oil. No flowing white fabric. No staged studio lighting. Just you, in the light, looking the way you actually look right now.

When to Book a Maternity Session

The sweet spot is 28–34 weeks. The bump is fully visible and beautifully round, but you’re still comfortable enough to move freely and spend time outdoors. Energy levels at this stage are usually better than the third trimester’s final weeks.

That said, every pregnancy is different. Some women feel best at 30 weeks; others prefer 36. I work with your timeline, not a formula.

Book early, availability in spring and summer fills up months in advance, and good light doesn’t wait for a last-minute booking.

Session Options

Outdoor Sessions

The majority of maternity sessions I photograph are outdoors, in parks, on beaches, in woodland, at locations that feel like you. Dublin and Wicklow offer an enormous range within an easy drive.

Favourite outdoor locations: the North Bull Island at low tide, the Phoenix Park woodland, the Wicklow coastline, the Bray to Greystones cliff walk, Howth.

Best time: Late afternoon to golden hour. The warm, low-angle light of the late afternoon is particularly beautiful for maternity photography, it adds depth and warmth that harsher midday light simply doesn’t provide.

In-Home Sessions

For couples who want something more intimate, a home session captures the textures of the space where your family is about to change, the nursery you’ve been preparing, the quiet Sunday morning light, the two of you before everything shifts.

In-home sessions work beautifully in combination with a subsequent newborn session at the same location, creating a visual narrative from pregnancy through the first weeks of parenthood.

Combined Maternity and Newborn

Booking both sessions together creates a connected set of images, the anticipation and the arrival. If you’re planning both, booking together often makes sense logistically and is usually available at a combined rate.

What to Wear

Whatever makes you feel beautiful right now. This is the most genuine advice I can offer.

For outdoor sessions, simple, form-fitting clothing usually works well, it lets the bump be the focal point rather than competing with a busy pattern. Neutral tones photograph cleanly against the Irish landscape.

For in-home sessions, comfortable clothing, a favourite dress, a soft jumper, something you’d actually wear, creates a more authentic result than something you’ve bought specifically for the session.

Bring a second outfit if you want variety. One casual, one slightly more dressed, the contrast gives the gallery range.

Maternity Sessions as Gifts

Maternity photography sessions are a popular gift from partners, families, and close friends, particularly in the second trimester when everything is real but the practicalities of parenthood haven’t fully arrived.

If you’re buying a session as a gift, get in touch and I can arrange a gift certificate with a provisional date to be confirmed.

See family photography pricing or get in touch to check availability and talk through locations.