Most first-time clients book a maternity session without quite knowing what to expect. You’ve seen the photos. You want them. What you’re less sure about is what actually happens between “I booked” and “I have my gallery.”
This post covers everything you need to know before your maternity photo session at Kelli Dease Photography: when to schedule, what to bring, how the session flows, and what comes after. If you’re expecting and starting to think through the logistics, you’re in the right place.
When to Book Your Session
The sweet spot for maternity photos is around 30 to 34 weeks. Your belly is full and round, you’re still comfortable enough to move and settle into different positions, and you haven’t hit the final stretch where every outing starts to feel like a logistics project.
That said, every pregnancy is different. Some clients prefer to come in closer to 28 weeks because they feel more comfortable earlier. Others wait until 35 or 36 weeks to maximize the bump. Both work. What matters most is booking ahead of when you plan to come in.
Maternity sessions at Kelli Dease Photography fill quickly, especially in spring and fall. The safest approach is to reach out during your second trimester to get a date locked in. That way, you’re not scrambling in the final weeks when your schedule (and energy) gets less predictable. Learn more about maternity photography sessions in Farmington, CT.
What to Wear for Your Maternity Photos
You don’t need to arrive with a fully planned wardrobe. Most clients bring one or two outfits, and everything else is handled.
The studio has a full wardrobe available at no extra charge. It includes options for moms, partners, and older kids, so if you’re unsure what to wear, you’ll have real choices when you arrive. For clients who want to plan ahead, the what to wear for photos guide is a good place to start. You can also browse the studio wardrobe before your session.
A few general guidelines: simple, solid fabrics tend to photograph well. Avoid anything that visually competes with your belly. Flowing silhouettes and boho dresses are always solid choices, while button-down shirts and open-front gowns are great for showing off the belly. Whatever you choose, it should feel comfortable and allow for some movement. If you’re tugging at something or self-conscious about what you’re wearing, that tends to come through on camera. For the studio, softer and more neutral palettes tend to work best with the clean, airy aesthetic.
Beyond clothing, some clients like to bring something personal: an ultrasound image, a pair of baby shoes, something sentimental. That’s entirely optional. If nothing comes to mind, don’t worry about it.
Hair and Makeup
Hair and makeup is available as an add-on for any studio maternity session. When you book it, my makeup artist comes to the studio and works with you before the session starts. A lot of clients find it helps them feel more settled and camera-ready before we start, and the difference in photos is real, not just in how you look but in how you feel once the camera comes out.
For outdoor and on-location sessions, I can refer you to vendors I trust, but those arrangements are handled directly between you and the artist.
If you’re on the fence about adding hair and makeup, my answer is almost always yes. Just ask when you book.
How a Studio Maternity Session Actually Flows
Studio maternity sessions run about 30 minutes for solo and couple shots. When older siblings are joining, expect up to an hour.
When you arrive at the studio in Farmington, we start with a quick welcome. I go over how the session will run, answer any last-minute questions, and check in on wardrobe if you want a second opinion before we get started. Then we get into it.
From there, there’s no rigid order. I read the room and figure out what makes sense. Sometimes that means starting with solo shots while you’re fresh, then bringing your partner in. Sometimes it means getting older kids involved first so we catch them while their patience is intact, then shifting to the adult shots after they’re done. Either way, the session adjusts to whoever is in the room.
You don’t need to know how to pose. That’s my job. I’ll guide you through every position, and a lot of what I’m watching for is what happens between the poses, when something real comes through. Most clients are surprised by how quickly they settle in and stop thinking about what their hands are doing.
The studio is located at 29 Mill Street in Farmington (Unionville), CT. Clients come in from West Hartford, Avon, Simsbury, and throughout Hartford County, though many travel from across Connecticut or occasionally from out of state.
Outdoor Maternity Sessions
Outdoor maternity sessions are available in the warmer months, typically late spring through early fall. The result is a different look from the studio: open backgrounds, natural light, a feel that’s a little more expansive and a little less controlled.
The studio is my default for maternity work because it gives us consistency and full control over light, regardless of the time of day or weather. Outdoor sessions are great for clients who have a strong preference for natural settings and are flexible on timing.
A few things to know if you’re considering outdoors: sessions work best at golden hour, roughly the hour before sunset, when the light is soft and warm. Plan your availability around that window. Outdoor sessions are also seasonal, so if you’re due in the winter or early spring, studio is the practical choice. For clients in the Farmington, West Hartford, or Avon area who want an outdoor setting, there are several beautiful locations nearby that work well for maternity work.
For wardrobe, the same basics apply outdoors as in the studio. Flowing fabrics and softer neutrals photograph beautifully in both settings. One difference with outdoor sessions is that there’s a bit more room to incorporate color. A deeper tone or a more saturated palette can look great against natural backgrounds in a way that’s harder to pull off in a clean, neutral studio. If you’re leaning toward an outdoor session and want to talk through wardrobe, reach out before you start planning.
What Happens After Your Session
Your online gallery is typically ready within about a week. I’ll send you a link, and you can take your time going through everything from home, share it with family, and get a feel for your favorites.
Your session includes your digital images. You don’t need to make any selections or take any additional steps to receive them. If you’d like to order prints, wall art, or albums, that’s when individual image selections come in.
Ordering appointments are complimentary. If you’d like to sit down and look through your images together, or talk through product options before you decide, just let me know when your gallery is delivered. A lot of clients find that helpful, especially if it’s their first time thinking about wall art or albums. There’s no pressure to purchase products, but the appointment is there if you want it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 30 to 34 week window works well for most pregnancies. If your situation is a little different or you have concerns about timing, reach out and we’ll figure out what makes sense. The most important thing is booking early so you have a date locked in before things get unpredictable.
Yes! Whether you’re welcoming your first baby or growing your family, our First Year Membership is for Connecticut families who want to capture more than just one milestone and preserve the full story as it unfolds. Discounts are offered for booking multiple sessions.
Yes. Partner shots are a standard part of the session, and a lot of clients say those end up being some of their favorites.
Yes. Plan for up to an hour when siblings are joining, and expect us to work with them toward the beginning of the session while their energy is still good.
Nervousness before a first session is pretty common, and it usually fades within the first few minutes. You don’t need to know how to pose or how to look natural. I’ll guide everything. The goal is for you to feel comfortable, not to perform.
Yes, as an add-on for studio sessions. My makeup artist comes to the studio before your session starts. For outdoor sessions, I can connect you with vendors I trust.
Yes. Every session comes with complimentary use of the studio wardrobe, which has options for moms, partners, and older kids.
Reach out as soon as you know. In most cases, we apply your deposit to a newborn session or another session within the calendar year.
Studio sessions offer more control over light and are available year-round. Outdoor sessions are available in the warmer months and have a more open, natural feel. Both work well for maternity. The right choice depends on the look you want and your flexibility with timing.
Your online gallery is typically ready within about a week of your session.
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.
