How do maternity sessions work with kids?

What does a maternity shoot with a toddler look like? 🤔

This is a question I get so often, so let’s break it down!

For most studio maternity shoots, we do 3-4 looks. A look is an outfit/style and a unique backdrop/lighting setup. I tell moms that we typically focus the first on family photos, and recommend that we wear an outfit that doesn’t require a lot of fuss. Something flowy or casual jeans, because with toddlers there isn’t always time to perfectly pose or get the exact angle we want.

For this segment, we get group shots, candids, formal and playful. We get solos of each child, and also of course get a few of just mom and both parents.

From here, we typically have gotten the best of what we’re going to get from the child. In an ideal world, when the child is done we’d have a family member or friend take the child out of the studio. This is ideal because it will allow mom to totally relax without hearing her name called (600 times) or worrying what is being destroyed in the studio lol. It is also ideal because it allows her partner to stay and to be included in some of the photos in a way that is intimate and relaxed, without the distraction of parenting.

Of course, it is not always possible to have someone take the child, and that is TOTALLY OK! I have no issue at all with kids hanging, I only encourage it because it makes a more enjoyable experience for mom. If there’s nobody to take the toddler, then we have two options. Either Dad can leave with the toddler - for a lot of moms, they really want an hour to themselves to enjoy this experience and that is ideal. For others, they want a lot of couples poses so they opt to just have the toddler stay. This is also fine, and I have a play area that kids love. Dad usually tags in an out, and we all chip in!

So much love to this returning family - I can’t wait to meet baby girl!