Planning Ahead: Maternity Photos for Early 2026 Pregnancies

Let’s bust a myth real quick: Maternity photos don’t have to mean chiffon gowns and dramatic wind machines.

You don’t need to be 38 weeks pregnant, standing barefoot in a field at golden hour, trying not to cry as your pelvis screams at you. Promise.

Planning your maternity session well ahead of baby’s arrival – ideally in the first or second trimester – gives us the space to dream, create, and actually enjoy the process without rushing. I recently worked with a mom who reached out in her first trimester. She already knew what she wanted: timeless, heartfelt images for her nursery wall and an heirloom album to tell the story of how this little soul entered their lives.

Because we had time, I was able to tailor every bit of the session to her goals. I designed wardrobe options that looked natural in her home. I adjusted lighting and composition to match the feeling she wanted her baby’s nursery to evoke. And perhaps the best part? She didn’t have to stress. She was able to focus on what mattered most, soaking in those new baby snuggles, while I handled the rest.

This, right here, is why I always tell mamas: early planning matters more than you think.

Why Planning Ahead for Maternity Photos Matters

If you’re expecting in early 2026, right now might feel early to get your maternity session on the calendar. But here’s a little insider secret: a calm, intentional photo experience starts long before the camera comes out.

Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, there’s something sacred about documenting this season. You deserve more than a quick photoshoot crammed between errands. You deserve guidance, artistry, and a little breathing room.

A lot of mamas wait until the last possible moment to book, which often means we’re shooting at 38 weeks when you’re exhausted, pushing through swelling ankles, and maybe (definitely) wrestling with a partner who’s “not sure why we need pictures of the belly anyway.”

Trust me, I get it. But when we plan for your session in advance – with that sweet spot in the beginning of your third trimester – I can tailor the whole experience to fit you and your family. Not a template.

And no, you don’t have to wear a flowy dress… unless you want to. We’re going for photos that feel like you, not like someone you saw on Pinterest.

Let’s dig into how you can prepare now for a calm, meaningful maternity experience later.

Top Tips for Booking Your 2026 Maternity Session with Intention

1. Know Your Sweet Spot (Hint: It’s Sooner Than You Think)

The beginning of the third trimester is usually the best window for maternity photos. It’s the perfect balance – your bump is showing beautifully, but you’re (hopefully) not yet in the final uncomfortable stretch. For most mamas, this is between 30 and 34 weeks. Later than 38 weeks? Not ideal. Trust me, waddling over rocks for a lakeside shot just isn’t worth it.

So if you’re expecting in early 2026, you’ll want to schedule your session before the holiday rush of 2025. This gives you access to the ideal timeframe and avoids weather unpredictability if you’re hoping for an outdoor session.

2. Think Beyond “Just Photos”

When you book early, we can align your session with more than a digital gallery. Dreaming of framed prints for your living room wall? We’ll photograph and curate with your decor in mind. Want an heirloom album with both maternity and newborn moments? I’m thinking of how the design will flow as we move through the flow of your session.

That early connection opens the door for storytelling – not just beautiful images, but portraits that speak to who you were as you waited for your baby. And yes, this includes tiny details like tones, lighting, and even clothing that reflects the season, your home, and your personality.

3. Studio or Outside? You’ve Got Options (Even in January)

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to freeze outside for dreamy photos in January or February. If you’re not excited by the idea of trekking through snowbanks (I mean, hello, we live in North Idaho), a studio maternity session might actually be the creative playground you didn’t know you needed.

Studio sessions don’t restrict us. If anything, they open up storytelling possibilities without depending on the weather. And yes – I’ll help style your session with pieces that feel authentic and flattering, whether you’re in fur and boots, jeans and a sweater, or something  simple and timeless.

4. Let Me Take the Reins

Full honesty: My most peaceful maternity and newborn sessions happen when the client hands over the planning and lets me do the heavy lifting. This isn’t about pushing you out of the process – it’s about creating space for you.

Remember that mom who booked me during her first trimester? Because she had a clear vision, I could create an experience that felt effortless. I helped select outfits that worked across both sessions, planned the lighting and mood with her nursery in mind, and designed her albums from moments we carefully curated together.

She didn’t have to micromanage (which no one has time or energy for in the third trimester), and it meant her final gallery was not just beautiful – it felt deeply personal.

Why It’s Worth It to Plan Ahead

Photography is about more than getting a few nice pictures. It’s about honoring a season of your life that will never come again.

When you plan early, I can do my best work for you. Not rushed. Not crammed in before a due date. But thoughtfully, with intention, artistry, and care.

You deserve maternity photos that reflect you, not a Pinterest board. You deserve a photographer who listens, collaborates, and then quietly carries the weight so you can just be. Whether that’s barefoot in a snowy field or wrapped in a chunky sweater at the studio, the goal is the same: images that feel like home.

Ready to Book or Just Thinking Ahead?

If you’re expecting in early 2026, now is the perfect time to start this process.

Visit brittanybarb.photography to learn more about my maternity and newborn experience, or reach out directly so we can chat about your vision. Whether you want snow, studio light, or something unique to your family – I’ll help you craft a session that feels like you.

I’ll leave you with this: no mom has ever regretted having too many photos of herself carrying her baby. But plenty have looked back and wished they’d taken the time to preserve those in-between moments, soft bellies and all.

Let’s make sure you don’t have to be one of them.