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Beautiful Beach Maternity Photoshoot Inspo & Tips

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For many pregnant women, a maternity shoot is so very important as it helps to capture memories from one of the most special moments in time.

If you want to capture photos of your baby bump before during this precious time, scheduling a maternity photography session is something I highly recommend. Whether it’s a sunset session or a beautiful sunrise you prefer, a beach maternity session is a perfect choice.

Beach Maternity Photoshoot Tips & Inspo Pics

pregnant woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot

How do you take maternity pictures at the beach?

When getting ready to take maternity pictures there are a few key things to keep in mind. In this post, we’ll go over some beach maternity photoshoot ideas and our top tips to ensure you have the best experience.

Here are a few important things to consider when preparing for your beach maternity photos:

Decide if you will do family photos or solo photos.

While a maternity photo session is often done with just mom, it’s totally ok to include your entire family. However, you want to organize this ahead of time if you want to squeeze BOTH into your maternity photo shoot.

Generally, photographers allot 1 hour for photoshoots. If you plan to include your family in your session and that involves your other children, this can quickly eat up your time.

Be prepared with toys, snacks, etc. for younger children so that they don’t waste time during your shoot with temper tantrums.

Additionally, the best time for photoshoots with children may change your plans. Often, children do best first thing in the morning when they aren’t tired yet. If you had intentions of an evening shoot, this is something to consider!

pregnant woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot

Secure your outfit with ample time

Don’t wait until the last minute to start searching for an outfit. Many maternity dresses are custom-made to fit your measurements and can take quite some time to be made and delivered.

With that being said, there are several styles to choose from that will accentuate your beautiful bump and ultimately, the decision on which style you choose is up to you. From flowy dresses to curve-hugging silhouettes, there are plenty of options to choose from.

The dress you see throughout this post is not only comfortable, but it is of incredible quality and the brand offers many styles in a wide variety of colors. I highly recommend checking them out.

pregnant woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot

Plan outfit changes accordingly

If you plan to change your outfits during the shoot make sure that everything is organized. Consider packing outfits vs items and keep them all organized in separate bags so that when you are ready to change there is no wasted time.

pregnant woman sitting on bench during a beach maternity photoshoot

Choose colors wisely

Since this shoot is planned for the beach you don’t have to necessarily stick to neutral colors. Pastels work beautifully during sunrise and bold colors tend to work best if you’ll be shooting mid-day.

Just be sure to choose colors that don’t easily blend into your backdrop.

woman doing maternity photos at the beach

Book your photographer ASAP

Photographers often book out months in advance and if you’re specifically looking for an affordable maternity photographer, it could be even longer. It’s a good idea to book your photography session asap to ensure you get the date you want/need.

woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot

Don’t forget the little details

Will you be doing professional hair and/or makeup for your photoshoot? Just like a photographer expert makeup artists and hair stylists tend to book months in advance. Decide who you’d like to use for your special day and make that phone call!

Choose Your Props

Props are great for maternity photoshoots because they give additional ways to capture images with a twist. For a maternity shoot, you might want to consider adding a flower crown for your hair, a comfy blanket to sit on, an ultrasound, a onesie, balloons, etc.

woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot

Choose the time of day wisely

When doing a photoshoot at the beach the time of day is extremely important. But what time is best for a beach photoshoot? Sunrise is typically the best option but if you have to, sunset is a good time as well.

Both sunset and sunrise keep you from fighting with the harsh sunlight. Additionally, a morning sunrise and/or a gorgeous sunset provide absolutely stunning backdrops for maternity beach pictures.

The photos throughout this post were done at sunrise and I 100% believe choosing to do them at this time of day was the best decision we made!

You can see in this photo above that this was the end of our session as the sun was becoming stronger. This is why it’s imperative to schedule your maternity portraits at the proper time of day.

pregnant woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot

Bring a change of clothes

Do you plan to snap some shots on the jetty or at the waterline? If so, be prepared with a change of clothes! I didn’t anticipate being in the water AT ALL and therefore, my drive home was a bit uncomfortable!

Had I known ahead of time that we were going to get wet, I would have packed a bag of dry clothes for after.

pregnant woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot

Plan for the weather

Luckily, my due date was August so it was nice and hot where we live when we took these beautiful photos. However, if you are expecting your baby girl or boy (or both!) in the winter months, you’ll want to be prepared for inclement weather.

If you’re lucky enough to live where the weather is beautiful year-round like sunny San Diego or West Palm Beach, you might not have to worry so much, but us Northeast girls must always be prepared!

A great option for a cover-up would be a faux fur shawl. Not only will it keep you warm but it is also an accessory that can complement almost any dress.

pregnant woman at a beach maternity photoshoot

Shoot from angles that show off your bump

This is something the photographer should already know, but you don’t want to take all of your photos directly from the front of the camera. Play around with angles and you’ll be surprised at just how much you love the beautiful photos you capture.

Some of my absolute favorite photos are from my maternity shoots and I’m so glad I decided to do them.

Hopefully, these tips have helped you feel more confident planning your beach maternity photoshoot. Following these simple steps will ensure you get the most beautiful portraits of such a memorable time in your life.

pregnant woman at a beach maternity photoshoot

Don’t schedule photos too close to your due date

Everyone is always given a due date for their soon-to-be new addition. However, this is always just a rough estimate. The baby could have plans of its own and decide to come 2 (or even 3) weeks early!

Don’t plan your beach photoshoot too close to your due date in the event your little one decides to make his/her debut ahead of schedule. You definitely want to be showing significantly, but not so close to birth that your risk missing out on photos should the baby come early.

So what week is best for a pregnancy photoshoot? A good timeline for maternity photos is the end of the 7th month into the first week of month 8.

Maternity Photoshoot Dress

My G O R G E O U S mint-colored beach maternity dress is c/o Sew Trendy Accessories. I am obsessed with it!!!!

Sew Trendy Accessories was so wonderful to work with and got me my dress so quickly. It fit perfectly and the color was exactly what I was expecting.

The neckline is an adjustable sweetheart neckline and can be worn like I have it or brought up to be a bit more straight across the top. There are also options to add shoulder coverage, a side slit, and a longer train.

It also comes double-lined for better coverage (I didn’t wear undergarments!)

This dress is the “Audrey” style in the color “Pale Mint”. 

If you’re in need of a gown for your maternity photoshoot I highly recommend going with Sew Trendy Accessories. Their customer service is amazing and the quality of my dress really couldn’t be beat! Use code “INSTACLAUREN” for 10% off your order.

Where To Buy Maternity Dresses For A Beach Photoshoot

Although I highly recommend Sew Trendy Accessories for maternity gowns, there are plenty of other places to find gorgeous dresses as well.

Here is a list of some of the best maternity dress retailers:

Pink Blush

I shopped at Pink Blush quite a bit throughout all 3 of my pregnancies. The dress selection offers a wide variety of both styles and sizes and the prices are affordable.

Asos

If you have an edgier vibe style, check out Asos. While the brand offers something for almost every taste they certainly don’t lack in the edgy department. Prices vary but they tend to be a more affordable option.

Amazon

Listen to me! Do NOT breeze past Amazo!! Amazon fashion has gotten REALLY good and the prices are often unmatched. You may have to try a few styles before you find “the one”, but I promise it’s 100% worth giving it a try.

Etsy

If you’re looking for something unique, custom, or handmade, Etsy is the place to be. With hundreds of thousands of designers from all over the world, you’re bound to find something you love.

Sexy Mama Maternity

As the name suggests, Sexy Mama Maternity has some seriously sexy maternity dresses. The brand is comparable to Sew Trendy Designs and offers plenty of curve-hugging styles to show off that bump.

Shein

If you’re looking for cheap maternity dresses for a photoshoot then Shein should be your first stop. Shein is a fast fashion brand known for incredibly cheap apparel. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time for returns/exchanges as Shein sizing can be quite tricky.

Mama Bump Rentals

Do you prefer to rent a maternity gown for your photoshoot? Mama Bump Rentals has dresses in almost every style and fabric imaginable.

The great thing about a rental from Mama Bump Rentals is that instead of spending a few hundred dollars on a dress you’ll only wear once, you can snag a gorgeous dress for as low as $35!

pregnant woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot
pregnant woman doing a beach maternity photoshoot
woman at a beach maternity photoshoot
woman sitting on a bench during a beach maternity photoshoot

Photos by Amanda Fitzpatrick ( who always does an excellent job!)

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2 Comments

  1. Good Afternoon…Hope you are well…I wonder if you can help me, I’m looking for a dress like this one for the 20th Feb…How much would it cost…
    Kind Regards
    Carolynne – 0636495577

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