When Should You Schedule Maternity Photos? A Charlotte Photographer's Complete Guide
By Kate Wiggans · Kate Wiggans Photography · Charlotte, NC
Pregnancy has a way of making time feel both incredibly slow and unbelievably fast.
One moment you're celebrating a positive pregnancy test, and the next you're assembling a nursery, choosing a name, and wondering how your baby will change your family forever.
It's such a meaningful season—one that deserves to be remembered.
One of the questions I hear most often from expecting parents is:
"When should I schedule my maternity photos?"
If you're expecting and looking for a Charlotte maternity photographer, here's everything you need to know about timing your session and what you can expect from the experience.
The Best Time for Maternity Photos
For most moms, the ideal time to schedule maternity photos is between 28 and 34 weeks.
During this stage of pregnancy:
Your baby bump is beautifully defined.
Most moms are still comfortable enough to walk, sit, and move naturally.
There's a little flexibility if your session needs to be rescheduled because of weather or unexpected life events.
You're close enough to meeting your baby to capture all of the anticipation without feeling rushed.
Of course, every pregnancy is different.
Some moms carrying multiples—or those experiencing a more physically demanding pregnancy—may prefer photographing a little earlier. Others feel wonderful well into their third trimester and love scheduling closer to their due date.
The most important thing is choosing a date that feels comfortable for you.
When Should You Book Your Session?
Although your session will likely happen during your third trimester, I recommend reaching out early in your second trimester to reserve your date.
Charlotte's beautiful spring blooms and colorful fall evenings are some of the busiest times of year for photography sessions, so booking ahead gives you the best chance of finding a date that fits your schedule.
If you're hoping to pair your maternity session with a newborn session, booking both at the same time also helps create a seamless experience from beginning to end.
Why Timing Matters
Maternity photos are about so much more than documenting a growing baby bump.
They're about preserving this unique season of waiting.
The quiet excitement.
The tiny kicks.
The way your family is on the edge of becoming something new.
Years from now, these photographs become a reminder not only of what you looked like, but of how it felt to be waiting for your little one.
Scheduling during the 28–34 week window helps ensure you can enjoy the experience without feeling rushed or uncomfortable, allowing us to focus on genuine connection instead of simply getting through the session.
What to Expect During Your Maternity Session
If you've never had professional photos taken before, don't worry.
One of the things my clients tell me most often is how relaxed the experience feels.
You don't need to know how to pose or worry about what to do with your hands. I'll gently guide you throughout the session so everything feels natural and effortless.
We'll spend time capturing:
Beautiful portraits of you
Sweet moments with your partner
Genuine interactions with older siblings
Quiet in-between moments that often become favorite images
My goal isn't perfectly posed photographs.
It's creating images that feel like your family.
What Should You Wear?
Choosing outfits doesn't have to be stressful.
Soft, neutral colors and flowing dresses photograph beautifully and keep the focus where it belongs—on your connection and your growing family.
If you're a Kate Wiggans Photography client, you'll also have access to my carefully curated Client Closet, making outfit planning even easier.
Whether you're envisioning an elegant outdoor session at sunset or a cozy in-home maternity session, I'm always happy to help you choose clothing that photographs beautifully and feels comfortable.
Where Do Maternity Sessions Take Place?
Charlotte offers so many beautiful locations for maternity photography.
Depending on the look you're hoping for, we can photograph your session in:
One of Charlotte's scenic parks or nature preserves
A quiet field during golden hour
Your own home for a relaxed, intimate feel
A natural-light studio
Together we'll choose a location that feels like the perfect fit for your family and the memories you want to create.
After Your Session
Once your session is complete, I'll carefully hand-edit every image before delivering your online gallery.
From there, you'll be able to download your photographs, order professional prints, and choose heirloom artwork to enjoy in your home for years to come.
These photographs become part of your family's story—the chapter just before everything changes in the very best way.
Charlotte Maternity Photography
If you're expecting and thinking about documenting this incredible season, I'd love to help you preserve it.
Whether this is your first baby or you're celebrating a growing family, maternity photos are a beautiful way to pause, slow down, and remember this moment before life changes forever.
If you have questions about timing, locations, or what to wear, I'd love to help.
If you're expecting and looking for a Charlotte maternity photographer, I'd love to help you document this beautiful season in a way that feels relaxed, joyful, and true to your family.
You can learn more about my maternity sessions here or reach out to begin planning your session.
If you are also interested in learning more about newborn photos, please follow this link to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book my maternity photos?
I recommend reaching out during your second trimester so we can reserve a session between 28 and 34 weeks.
Can my partner and children be included?
Absolutely. Maternity sessions celebrate your growing family, and I encourage partners and siblings to be part of the experience.
What should I wear?
You'll receive wardrobe guidance, and you'll also have access to my curated Client Closet.
Where do maternity sessions take place?
We can choose a beautiful outdoor location in Charlotte, an in-home setting, or a natural-light studio, depending on the look you're hoping for.
About Kate Wiggans Photography
I'm a Charlotte, North Carolina maternity, newborn, and family photographer serving families throughout Plaza Midwood, Elizabeth, Myers Park, Dilworth, Chantilly, Cotswold, Eastover, SouthPark, NoDa, Commonwealth Park, Oakhurst, and neighboring Charlotte communities.
I specialize in timeless, light-filled photography and strive to create a relaxed, guided experience that allows your family to feel comfortable in front of the camera while preserving the genuine moments you'll treasure for years to come. From helping you choose the perfect location to providing complimentary access to my thoughtfully curated client closet, every detail is designed to make your session feel effortless and enjoyable.
Whether you're celebrating a growing family with maternity photos, welcoming a new baby with an in-home newborn session, or documenting this season of family life, I'm passionate about creating authentic images that become treasured family heirlooms for generations to come.
If you're looking for a Charlotte maternity photographer, Charlotte newborn photographer, or Charlotte family photographer, I'd love to help you tell your family's story.
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