There is something about the final weeks of pregnancy that makes time feel a little strange.
You are counting down the days. The nursery might be ready. The hospital bag may be packed. You are wondering when you will finally meet the little person who has already changed your world.
And somewhere in between the appointments, the planning, the tiredness and the excitement, there is this beautiful little chapter that is about to disappear.
Your pregnancy. Your growing belly. Your family before it changes forever.
As a Brisbane maternity photographer, I have had the privilege of photographing many women during this extraordinary season. And lately, maternity photography has felt especially close to my heart.
Because I am about to become a Grandma myself.
The days before everything changes
My eldest daughter is expecting a baby, and I have found myself thinking about pregnancy in a slightly different way.
I remember what it was like to be pregnant myself. The anticipation. The excitement. The wondering about who this little person would become.
But watching your own daughter experience it is something else entirely.
There is so much joy.
And, if I’m being completely honest, a little bit of worry too.
You want to help. You want to make everything easier. You want to give them all the wisdom you have gathered over the years.
But mostly, you just want to freeze time for a moment.
Because you know how quickly it all changes.
One minute, you’re holding your pregnant daughter’s hand.
Then suddenly, you’re holding your grandchild.
And that is exactly why I believe maternity photography matters.
Why have maternity photos taken?
The short answer is simple:
Because this moment won’t last forever.
Your belly will change. Your baby will arrive. Your family will grow. And life will quickly become wonderfully busy.
Maternity photographs give you something tangible to return to.
They allow you to remember not only what you looked like, but how you felt.
The anticipation.
The excitement.
The connection between you and your partner.
The little hands resting on your growing belly.
The feeling of knowing that someone you haven’t even met yet is already so deeply loved.
These are the moments that become part of your family’s story.
You don’t need to wait until you feel “perfect”
One of the things I hear from expectant mums is that they don’t necessarily feel beautiful during pregnancy.
Maybe your body feels unfamiliar.
Maybe you’re tired.
Maybe your ankles are swollen and you’re counting down the days until you can sleep comfortably again!
And that’s okay.
You don’t need to feel perfectly glamorous to have beautiful maternity photographs.
In fact, some of the most meaningful maternity portraits are incredibly simple.
A beautiful silhouette.
Your hands resting over your bump.
Your partner looking at you.
A quiet moment between mother and child.
A little sibling leaning in to say hello to the baby.
These don’t need elaborate props or complicated styling.
They just need you.
Even 40 weeks pregnant can be worth capturing
Recently, I had a beautiful mum-to-be come into the studio for a maternity shoot when she was already 40 weeks pregnant.
Yes, 40 weeks!
At that stage, we were very aware that baby could decide to make an appearance at any moment.
There was something rather special about knowing that this could be our last opportunity to photograph her pregnancy before she became a mum.
We took our time and captured her beautifully, simply and naturally.
And then, the very next morning, baby arrived.
It made the photographs feel even more precious.
Because they weren’t just photographs of a beautiful pregnant woman.
They were photographs of the very last days before their family changed forever.
What should you wear for a maternity photoshoot?
You don’t need to overthink your wardrobe.
For my signature black and white maternity photography, simple clothing often works beautifully.
Soft fabrics, underwear, a simple dress, bare shoulders or a beautifully draped piece of fabric can all create timeless portraits.
The focus isn’t really on the outfit.
It’s on you, your beautiful bump and the connection between you and the people you love.
If your partner or children are joining you, simple and complementary clothing helps keep the focus on the family rather than the clothes.
The result is classic, elegant imagery that won’t feel dated years from now.
Why black and white maternity photography?
Black and white photography has always been at the heart of my work.
I’ve specialised in my signature black and white style for many years because it has a beautiful way of removing distractions and bringing the emotion forward.
Without colour competing for attention, you notice the little things.
The curve of a belly.
A hand.
A smile.
The way a partner looks at you.
The tiny details that tell the story of this particular moment in your life.
And perhaps most importantly, black and white photographs have a timeless quality.
Years from now, you won’t look at the image and think about whether a particular colour or trend was fashionable.
You’ll simply see your family.
What if I want to include my partner or children?
Absolutely.
A maternity session doesn’t have to be only about Mum.
In fact, some of my favourite maternity photographs are the ones that show the family waiting for their newest little person.
A partner’s hand resting gently on your bump.
A little girl kissing her baby brother or sister.
A child cuddled up beside Mum.
The two of you looking at each other and realising that life is about to become very different.
These photographs tell a bigger story.
They’re not simply pregnancy photographs.
They’re photographs of a family becoming something new.
Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment
If there’s one thing more than 30 years of photographing families has taught me, it’s that life rarely waits until everything is perfectly organised.
There will always be another appointment.
Another thing to buy.
Another room to tidy.
Another reason to say, “We’ll do it next time.”
But pregnancy is one of those seasons that really does have an ending.
Once your baby arrives, you will never be pregnant with this baby again.
And while there will be countless beautiful moments ahead, you will never quite get this particular one back.
So if you’ve been thinking about having maternity photographs taken, don’t worry about whether you feel camera-ready.
Don’t worry about whether you know how to pose.
Don’t worry about having the perfect outfit.
Come as you are.
I’ll guide you through the rest.
A little reminder for every expectant mum
Make the most of this precious time.
Even the waddling.
Even the tiredness.
Even the endless appointments.
Even the moments when you’re wondering how on earth you’re going to fit anything else into your day.
Because one day, you may find yourself looking back and wishing you could experience it all again.
The little kicks.
The anticipation.
The growing belly.
The feeling of knowing that someone you love more than you can imagine is already on their way.
And one day, you’ll be able to show your child these photographs and say:
“This is you, before we met you.”
That is something worth remembering.
Book Your Brisbane Maternity Photoshoot
If you’re expecting a baby and would love to capture this beautiful chapter before everything changes, I’d love to photograph you.
My maternity sessions take place in my natural-light studio in Greenslopes, Brisbane, where we can create relaxed, timeless portraits that celebrate you, your growing family and this extraordinary season of life.
You don’t need to know how to pose. You don’t need to bring a whole suitcase of outfits.
Just bring yourself, your beautiful bump and the people you love.
Let’s create something you’ll treasure long after your baby has arrived.
[Book your maternity photoshoot →]
Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity Photography
When is the best time to have maternity photos taken?
Many women choose to have their maternity photos taken during the later stages of pregnancy when their bump is beautifully visible. However, there isn’t one perfect week for everyone. The most important thing is choosing a time when you feel comfortable enough to enjoy your session.
Can I have a maternity photoshoot at 40 weeks pregnant?
Yes. A maternity session can still be beautiful very late in pregnancy, although at 40 weeks it is important to allow for the possibility that baby may arrive at any time. Every pregnancy is different, so comfort and safety should always come first.
Can my partner and children be included in my maternity photos?
Absolutely. Including your partner and children can turn a maternity session into a beautiful record of your family just before it grows.
What should I wear for maternity photography?
Simple, comfortable clothing works beautifully for maternity portraits. For black and white photography, neutral tones, soft fabrics, simple lingerie and classic silhouettes can create timeless images without distracting from the connection and emotion in the photograph.
Where are maternity photoshoots held in Brisbane?
Katrina Christ Photographer’s maternity sessions are held at her natural-light studio in Greenslopes, Brisbane, Queensland. The studio provides a calm, private environment where expectant mums can relax and be gently guided through their session.
Why choose black and white maternity photography?
Black and white photography places the focus on emotion, connection, expression, shape and light. It also has a timeless quality, making it particularly beautiful for maternity portraits and family artwork.
