I photographed a beautiful outdoor maternity session in Surrey recently, and it reminded me why I love this stage so much.
There is something very particular about those last few weeks before a baby arrives.
Everything is about to change, but for a short while, you are still in the waiting. Still carrying them. Still imagining who they might be. Still in that strange, quiet space before life shifts again.
This session took place at around 36 weeks pregnant, which is such a lovely time for maternity photographs. The bump is beautifully there, but there is still enough movement and ease to make the session feel relaxed and natural.
If you’re thinking about your own session, you can find out more about my maternity photography in London and Surrey.
Using the colours of spring in a spring outdoor maternity photoshoot
We kept the shoot very connected to the season.
Rather than choosing colours that fought against the landscape, we worked with what was already there — the bold spring greens, the softer natural tones and the beautiful purples coming through in the surroundings.
That is one of the things I love about outdoor maternity photography. The location does not just become a backdrop. It becomes part of the feeling of the images.
The colours, the light, the textures — they all help tell the story.
A relaxed way to be photographed
Most people do not arrive at a maternity session feeling completely confident in front of the camera.
And that is completely normal.
My job is not to make you perform. It is to gently guide you so you feel comfortable, while still leaving space for the images to feel like you.
A hand resting on your bump.
A quiet pause.
A small movement.
A moment where you forget about the camera for a second.
Those are often the images that matter most.
Why maternity photographs matter
Maternity photographs are not just about how you looked while pregnant.
They are about remembering a very short chapter that passes quickly.
At the time, it can feel like you will remember everything — the shape of your bump, the anticipation, the feeling of waiting to meet them.
But life moves on so quickly once they arrive.
That is why I think this stage is worth documenting properly.
What happens to the images afterwards?
This is the part I care about more and more.
Because the session itself is only one part of the story.
The real value is in what happens afterwards — choosing the images that matter most and deciding how they will live in your home.
Maternity photographs can be beautiful as a single framed piece, a small collection, or paired later with newborn photographs to tell the beginning of your baby’s story.
They do not need to be hidden away in a gallery or left on a screen.
They can become part of your home.
Part of your family story.
Something your child grows up seeing.
Creating maternity wall art
For this kind of session, I love thinking beyond just the individual images.
A maternity portrait can sit beautifully in a bedroom, nursery or hallway. It can become the start of a family gallery. Or it can be paired with newborn photographs once your baby arrives, creating a really meaningful before-and-after story.
That is where the photographs start to become something more lasting.
Not just images from a shoot, but artwork that belongs in your home.
If you are thinking about displaying your images, you may also find this helpful: top tips for hanging photographic wall art.
When to book a maternity photoshoot
Most maternity sessions take place between 30 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
This is usually the best window because your bump is clearly visible, but you are hopefully still comfortable enough to enjoy the session.
Spring and early summer are especially beautiful for outdoor maternity photography in Surrey, with soft light, natural colour and plenty of texture in the landscape.
Outdoor maternity photography in Surrey
If you are expecting a baby and would love natural, relaxed maternity photographs, an outdoor session can be a beautiful way to capture this moment before everything changes.
The session can be shaped around you, the season, and how you might want to enjoy the images afterwards — whether that is as fine art prints, framed wall art, an album, or part of a growing family gallery.
It can also become part of your wider family photography experience as your family grows.
If you would like to talk about a maternity photoshoot in Surrey, I would love to hear from you.
Get in touch today to start planning how we capture your story!
