One of the most important parts of a successful maternity photoshoot is the posing. While traditional options have prevailed for years, expectant moms like you are now venturing into more modern posing styles for their sessions.
As a mom-to-be, embracing different styles can make your photoshoot uniquely yours. This guide offers a diverse range of maternity photo poses to help take your photoshoots to the next level.
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Our Favorite Maternity Photo Poses
In this guide, I’ve hand-picked the best maternity photo poses to help guide you through your next maternity photoshoot. Whether you’re planning to experiment with some DIY shots or preparing for your professional studio maternity photoshoot, these poses are sure to elevate your pictures to the next level. Get ready to see your pregnancy glow shine brighter than ever!


Cradling Your Baby Bump
One of the most timeless maternity photo poses, and a must-try for your photoshoot, is the classic hands-on-belly pose. This versatile pose flatters every body type and can be done sitting or standing facing the camera. Feel free to play around with it – one hand on your bump and the other posed differently can add a unique twist to your look.
Don’t forget to include Dad and the little ones in this iconic pose. Let Dad stand behind you with his hands on your belly while the kids stand in front. They can even give their soon-to-be sibling a sweet kiss. Another heartwarming way for children to join in is by resting their heads on your belly. *cue the awwws*

Nature’s Embrace
Motherhood and nature have such a strong connection and an easy way to show that is to pose with things outdoors. There are so many outdoor maternity photo poses to choose from. You can head to a beach, grassy field, or forest, and watch the pregnancy-posing inspiration start to flow.
For example, if you’re planning a maternity photoshoot at the beach, consider kneeling in the water with the sunshine framing your body. It’s not just about the pose, but also the magical backdrop that nature provides!
Silhouette Splendor
Silhouettes are one of the most popular maternity photo poses and are a stunning way to highlight your growing belly. To pull off this look, position yourself in front of a light source, whether it’s studio lights or a large window, and stand profile so that your bump is in full view. The result? A breathtaking silhouette that pays tribute to the life you’re nurturing within and the incredible transformation your body is experiencing.


Strut Like You Mean It
Adding some movement to your maternity photo poses is always an easy way to add that extra drama to your pictures. To make a statement, consider wearing a flowy dress. Then grab the hem of the dress and play with it.
Over The Shoulder Sass
A quick way to add some sexiness and sass to your maternity photo poses is to face sideways and then give a sly glance over your shoulder at the camera. You can play around with cradling your bump with your hands, touching your face, or even running your fingers through your hair, the options are endless.

Bare Belly
This brings me to one of my favorite maternity photo poses: letting that bare belly shine! There is so much beauty and strength in carrying a child and showing off your belly bump is the perfect way to flaunt it.
Beyond the poses, it’s crucial to understand that maternity photography is about capturing a significant moment in time. It’s about celebrating the strength, beauty, and love that radiates from your body. This is a time when your body undergoes incredible changes, and it’s a journey worth cherishing.
As a soon-to-be mom, it’s important to be in a relaxed and comfortable environment during your maternity shoot. Let your natural expressions and genuine moments shine through. Connect with your growing baby and let your love and excitement be captured in every picture. This is your moment to embrace and celebrate the beautiful journey of motherhood.


Sitting Maternity Photo Poses
Sitting poses are wonderful for capturing the beauty of your pregnancy. With a variety of options to choose from, you can have stunning pictures taken while ensuring your comfort. Consider trying out these sitting poses during your next maternity photoshoot.
- Sitting pretty: Take a seat on the floor, bed, or even a cozy couch for an endless array of pose ideas.
- Sit on feet: Depending on the vibe you want to achieve for the photoshoot and the setting, you can try sitting on your feet, gazing at your beautiful bump.
- Legs to the side: Alternatively, face the camera head-on with your legs gracefully positioned to the side.
Poses with Props
Consider using meaningful props like ultrasound pictures, baby shoes, baby onesies, and even a small chalkboard with your baby’s due date on it! Another fun idea is adding items that have cultural importance or that have been passed down through your family. An example might be a grandparents’ baby hat or a sari passed down from family in India. Anything goes!

Couples Maternity Photo Poses
Pregnancy is a journey for dad as well so why not highlight some beautiful couples posing tips for your maternity photoshoot? Adding the dad-to-be can create a sense of intimacy and closeness and open up more photo ideas.
The Embrace
When you and your partner stand facing each other, cradling your baby bump, it’s like creating a loving frame around your little one. Your partner can also give you a gentle forehead kiss to add an extra touch of sweetness.
Couples Silhouette
Imagine standing with your back against your partner’s chest, both of you gently cradling your baby bump. Picture the scene illuminated by the soft glow from a window or a studio light from behind, casting a beautiful light on your growing curves and showcasing your partner as your pillar of support. This pose is not just visually stunning, but it also beautifully emphasizes the strong bond between you two as you await the arrival of your little one.
Don’t Forget The Little Things
When it comes to capturing stunning maternity photographs, it’s easy to overlook the small details. However, close-up maternity photo poses can wonderfully showcase the texture and intricacies of your baby bump. While full-body shots may be the focus, it’s important not to neglect the beauty found in these tiny marks, representing your strength. Once the baby arrives and your body returns to normal, these marks will become cherished memories.

The Best Way to Nail Your Maternity Photo Poses
Incorporating a variety of maternity photo poses in your photoshoot can provide a diverse and memorable collection of images. From classic cradling poses to breathtaking silhouettes, each pose tells a unique story of this special time in your life. Your photoshoot should be 100% customized to your personality and comfort level.
Whether in a studio, amidst nature’s embrace, or in the intimacy of one’s home, the essence of maternity photography lies in capturing the raw, unfiltered beauty of pregnancy. It’s about freezing these moments in time, so they can be cherished for generations to come.
Now that you’re armed with all the information about maternity photo poses, let’s get started setting up the session of your dreams! It’s time to capture those precious baby bump moments and have a blast while doing it.
Step one: Resist the urge to eat all the pickles and ice cream in one sitting (we know, it’s tough!).
Step two: Grab your calendar and pick a date between 28-34 weeks when your belly is perfectly perky and ready for its close-up.
Step three: Reach out to us – your soon-to-be-favorite maternity session dream team. We’ll chat about your vision, and what the perfect session looks like for you.
Step four: Get ready to laugh, twirl, and strike a pose. I can’t wait to capture your gorgeous glow and beautiful pregnancy journey!