A maternity photo shoot is an unrivaled opportunity to document a precious span of time. Mom and her baby bump are naturally the stars of every shot, but the best maternity pictures capture the love and anticipation felt deeply by everyone in your growing family. It’s only fitting, then, to include partners, older children, and other close family members in your maternity pictures.
A maternity photo shoot with kids can be a challenge (as are all photo shoots with kids!), but the results are sure to be very special. Whether you’re hiring a professional photographer, recruiting a photo-savvy friend, or taking more of a DIY approach, add some of these maternity picture ideas with family to your photo shoot plans.
Tip: While every pregnancy is a unique experience, most moms-to-be will agree that the late second trimester to early third trimester is the ideal time for a maternity shoot. This is when the bump is prominent, yet Mom is hopefully feeling good enough for an active photo shoot.
Location ideas for maternity photo shoots with kids
The location of your maternity photo shoot literally sets the scene, so put some thought into the best places to go. You don’t have to settle on a single location. You can plan a few different times and places for taking pictures.
For photo shoots that include younger children, it’s important to choose settings where they will feel happy and comfortable. The best candid shots of kids are generally in places where they’re free to explore, play, and be themselves
Outdoor photo shoots
Opportunities for outdoor photo shoots will vary depending on your location and the season, as well as your personal preferences. Here are some top ideas that are suitable settings for the whole family:
- Local beauty spots like parks, botanical gardens, beaches, waterfalls, and trails. Try to visit during a less-busy time.
- A park with a playground where your children can play. Swings, slides, seesaws, and roundabouts can all be excellent props for maternity picture ideas with families.
- A duck pond where your other children like to feed the ducks and walk by the water.
- Any woodland area. Look for big, old trees with especially large canopies and branches your kids can climb or sit on.
- A splash pad where the kids can run around and you can all cool off during a hot summertime maternity shoot.
- A sports stadium, where you can take pictures in the bleachers, under a scoreboard, or around a track. This is a fun choice for a sporty family.
- Against a wall covered with pretty foliage, such as ivy or bougainvillea.
- Around a landmark or historic building with interesting architectural details like stone stairways, columns, fountains, arches, or ornate wrought iron gates.
- Rustic structures like barn doors and weathered wooden fences.
- On bridges and boardwalks, which are great for composing photographs with interesting lines and angles.
- Farm settings such as wheat or cornfields and orchards. Look for farms that are open to the public, such as those offering pick-your-own produce.
- Any cool murals around your home town or city.
- At an attractive resort or hotel during a getaway.
- In and around a swimming pool. (Underwater swimming pool shots are do-able if you’re game—and have an underwater camera or waterproof smartphone case.)
- At a pumpkin patch, if it’s the right season!
- At a Christmas tree farm for a December maternity shoot.
Tip: When planning a photo shoot outdoors, try to schedule it for the golden hour—about an hour before sunset. The time around sunrise is also prime for flattering natural light.
At-home photo shoots
Your own home might be the most logical place for a maternity photo shoot with kids. The whole family will feel comfortable, and you’ll be able to take your time and shoot when the kids are happy to cooperate.
Consider these ideas for an at-home maternity photo shoot with kids:
- In the nursery: If you have a nursery or nook already decorated and ready for the baby, it can make a very sweet photo backdrop.
- In a playroom or siblings’ room: A room filled with toys is also good for maternity picture ideas with family. Parents can sit with their children while they play with their favorite toys.
- Favorite hangout spots in the home: Capturing your family in typical hangout-at-home mode will result in very authentic-feeling photos. Consider your existing family photo traditions. For example, do you have other family portraits taken next to the fireplace, or with everyone sitting along a particular bench? If you all love to relax together on the couch, use that spot for your photo shoot.
- Next to a height chart: Measuring your kids’ growing heights on a wall-mounted chart is a fun tradition. You could have the kids hold a sonogram up to the chart, or measure the height of Mom’s bump against it.
- On the porch: If your home has a porch, it could be a great spot for a photo shoot. A porch swing, planters, lanterns, or a brightly painted front door can all add visual interest to the backdrop.
- In the backyard: Your own backyard could be an ideal spot for a photo shoot, especially if it has nice plants, furniture, or interesting features like a tire swing or fire pit.
Props for maternity picture ideas with family
Including various props in your maternity photo shoots can add an element of fun, and make it easier to get good shots with small children. Here are some examples:
- Your printed sonogram
- A custom sign, such as a letterboard or chalkboard. (Alternatively, add text to your photo books in Mixbook Studio™.)
- Baby clothing and tiny shoes
- Stuffed animals and other toys
- Sports equipment e.g. baseball and mit, hockey stick, or ice skates
- Flowers or bouquets
- A picnic blanket (handy for outdoor shoots and creating a rustic-chic aesthetic)
- Bubbles—use a bubble machine to entertain the kids while creating a fun photo setup
- Bump-sized props such as a basketball, pumpkin, or balloon
- For a holiday season shoot, gift-wrapping bows, fairy lights, or a wreath to frame the bump.
Maternity shoot pose ideas for the family
A comprehensive photo shoot featuring the whole family is much easier when you have some ideas in mind for poses. A professional photographer will be able to help you with pose ideas that suit your style and comfort level. Here are some to consider:
- Hands on bump pics: Having the parents and siblings-to-be place their hands on the baby bump both highlights the bump and communicates the love you all feel for the baby. These shots can be closely cropped around the bump, or full portraits. Variations include:
- “Heart hands” over the bump, whether it’s just Mom’s hands, both parents’ hands over each other, or with the kids doing heart hands as well.
- Cradling the bump from underneath. Mom’s partner can stand behind her and reach under the bump as well.
- Resting hands on top of the bump.
- Pointing at the bump and grinning.
- Profile shots: Having Mom stand in profile really highlights her beautiful pregnant belly. Variations on this pose include:
- Both parents in profile, facing each other and kissing. A forehead kiss is a nice idea, and so is Mom’s partner tucking her hair behind her ear.
- Parents kissing in profile, with a toddler in the middle looking up.
- Mom in profile, bending down to kiss her toddler’s head.
- Monthly shots of Mom’s profile in the same (stretchy or roomy) outfit, in the same exact spot.
- Height order shots: The whole family standing together in height order is a classic pose that can be photographed from any angle. Consider having the smallest child hold the sonogram next to them.
- Bump from above: Take a picture of the baby bump from Mom’s eye level.
- Affectionate shots: Capture loving moments such as a toddler kissing the bump, Mom and toddler locking eyes and smiling, Mom resting her head on Dad’s shoulder, or him rubbing her shoulders while she closes her eyes.
- Seated shots: Let Mom sit down while the rest of the family poses around her. She could have a toddler on one knee and her partner standing behind, or put the toddler on their other parent’s shoulders. Children might peek out playfully from behind the chair. How about everyone on the sofa, with Mom seated sideways resting her legs across all their laps?
- Showcase hobbies: A maternity photo shoot might show all the ways the family has fun together. It could be playing board games, baking in the kitchen, walking the dog, or all engrossed in books.
- Walking shots: A classic maternity picture idea with the family is to have both parents walking while swinging a toddler in the middle (holding one hand each). This is a good way to get genuine smiles, and it’s a beautiful shot both walking toward and away from the camera.
- Exploring the surroundings: Get candid shots of the whole family exploring the photo shoot location. You might capture the kids smelling flowers, climbing on a fence, or doing a cartwheel while parents look on.
- Pet-inclusive poses: Your pet is an important member of the family, so include them in your maternity photo shoot. Pick up small dogs for posed portraits, or snap Mom nose-to-nose with the dog. Take photos while on a walk, or playing fetch. Cats are trickier to pose, but you might be able to get some cuddled-up-by-the-bum
Family photo shoot outfit ideas
It can be tempting to dress the whole family in matching outfits for your maternity shoot, but it’s definitely not required. Outfits that coordinate and complement each other are just as good, and more natural-looking, than totally matching clothes.
A sensible approach to maternity shoot outfits is for Mom to wear the nicest version of her typical maternity style. The photos should bring back memories of her pregnancy and feel like a natural representation of this time. However, if she’s usually super-casual and wants to feel really fancy for a day—go for it! Just make sure you don’t camouflage the bump—this is it’s time to shine.
Use Mom’s chosen outfit as the foundation, and select other family members’ clothing that has the same level of formality. If Mom’s in a fancy gown, the kids and co-parent should be dressed up to a similar degree. Likewise, if Mom’s in jeans and a white T-shirt, similar choices are easy to pick out for everyone else.
Consider outfits that complement the photo shoot setting and season. For a rural location in fall, beanies, boots, and warm sweaters are ideal. A beach shoot in summer might call for swimwear or light cotton sundresses and short-sleeved shirts.
Plan ahead for the best maternity photo keepsakes
If you managed to pull off all your maternity picture ideas with the family—kudos! Now, what are you going to do with the amazing photo collection? Creating a maternity-themed Mixbook is a no-brainer. Browse our 100% customizable family photo book and baby photo book themes and find one that suits your style.
Looking for inspiration to turn your maternity shoot into a tangible keepsake? Read about Mixbooker Kaylee Murphy’s collection of books, which spans from high school through to marriage and motherhood.
