Once you’ve decided to book maternity photos, the next question is usually where to take them. Studio or outdoors? Both work well, and the choice between studio vs outdoor maternity photos really comes down to the look you’re after and how much you want to leave up to the weather.
This post breaks down what each setting gives you, the practical things that tend to make the decision (timing, weather, how you’re feeling that late in pregnancy), and how to land on the one that fits. If you want the full play-by-play of how a session runs, the what to expect at a maternity photo session post has you covered. This one is just about picking your setting.
Why I Usually Recommend the Studio
I book most maternity sessions in the studio, mainly because the weather app is my nemesis. Oh, and it’s the easier experience for you.
I’m joking, but only partially. Outdoors, you’re at the mercy of the day. Humidity can frizz out a gorgeous blowout before we even start. Rain can force a reschedule, and pushing a session later in pregnancy means we end up working closer to your due date than either of us wants. Then there are the seasonal headaches like bugs and heat. Spring and fall in Connecticut are mostly comfortable, but summer can be a challenge. If we’re shooting in a grassy spot around sunset in July, there’s no avoiding the bugs. The studio takes all of that off the table. We shoot on the day we planned, in light that looks the same whether it’s sunny, gray, or pouring outside.
It’s also simpler to have everything in one place. You can add hair and makeup right at the studio, the wardrobe is there to pull from, and the lighting stays consistent start to finish. There’s a comfort factor too. Coming into the studio means you see the space ahead of time and know exactly what to expect when you walk in.
What Does a Studio Maternity Session Give You?
A studio session gives you control above all else. Studio light looks the same every time, which means a clean, neutral, consistent result no matter the season or the forecast.
You’re also comfortable. The room is climate controlled, there’s no wind to fight, and you can sit down between setups (a bigger deal at 34 weeks than it sounds). The full studio wardrobe is right there, so you can try things on instead of guessing, and hair and makeup happens on-site before we begin.
Studio is the better choice for a couple of specific looks. If you want something more intimate, with softer light and a little more skin, that’s much easier to do in a private studio than in a field. The same goes for outfit changes, since everything you might want is already in the room. And because the studio runs year-round, it’s the practical pick if you’re due in winter or early spring when outdoor isn’t an option.
What Does an Outdoor Maternity Session Give You?
An outdoor session gives you a different feel: open backgrounds, natural light, and something more relaxed and less posed. If you picture your maternity photos airy and candid rather than styled, outdoors leans that way.
There are a few trade-offs to plan around. Outdoor sessions are seasonal, available in the warmer months from late spring through early fall. They also work best at golden hour, the hour or so before sunset, when the light is soft and warm, so you’ll want to build your availability around that window. On wardrobe, there’s a bit more room for color outdoors than there is against a clean studio backdrop. If you’re weighing outfits, the what to wear for maternity photos guide covers both settings.
One more thing that occasionally tips people outdoors: toddlers. Older kids do fine in the studio, but a busy toddler sometimes just needs room to run, and an open setting gives them that.
How Do You Choose Between Studio vs Outdoor Maternity Photos?
Choosing between studio vs outdoor maternity photos comes down to two things: the look you want and your flexibility on timing. Studio is the better fit if you want consistency, comfort, year-round availability, outfit changes, or more intimate images, or if you simply don’t want the weather involved. Outdoor is worth considering if you’re set on a natural, candid look, you’re flexible on timing, and you’re booking in the warmer months.
If you’re still on the fence, reach out and we’ll talk it through based on your due date and the look you’re going for. A lot of clients book the studio for exactly the reasons above, then add an outdoor session another year once the family grows.
If a newborn session is also on your radar, we can talk through the First Year package right after your maternity session. The albums, prints, and newborn work are all there in the studio for you to look at, so you can start thinking ahead without any pressure to decide on the spot. If you’re weighing it now, here’s why planning your maternity and newborn sessions as a pair makes both easier.
Ready to plan yours? You can book a session with a Connecticut maternity photographer and we’ll figure out the right setting together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Neither is better across the board. Studio gives you consistent light, comfort, outfit changes, and year-round availability. Outdoor gives you a more natural, candid feel in the warmer months. The right pick depends on the look you want and how flexible you are on timing.
Outdoor maternity sessions run in the warmer months, roughly late spring through early fall, and they’re scheduled around golden hour for the best light. If you’re due outside that window, the studio is the way to go.
Studio is the practical choice. It’s available year-round and isn’t affected by weather, so a winter or early-spring due date is no problem.
Hair and makeup is an add-on for studio sessions, handled right at the studio before we start. For outdoor sessions, I can refer you to artists I trust, but you’d book and arrange that part directly.
Kelli Dease is a Farmington, Connecticut newborn and family photographer specializing in timeless, light-filled maternity and newborn portraits, baby and children’s photography, and family portraits. She offers a relaxed, full-service experience for growing families, creating in-studio and outdoor portraits with a focus on simplicity and ease. Clients receive access to a curated studio wardrobe, thoughtful guidance throughout the planning and session process, and digital images, with the option to add fine art prints and albums. Please contact Kelli Dease Photography today to find out about session availability.
Kelli Dease Photography serves families throughout Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, Canton, West Hartford, Burlington, Granby, and the surrounding Farmington Valley, Hartford County, and central Connecticut areas.
To see more of Kelli’s photos, please follow her on Instagram.
