The
Complete Guide to MaternityPhotography
"A woman's guide to feeling comfortable, beautiful and completely yourself in front of the camera."
Written by Emma Williams — Newborn Safety & First Aid Certified Photographer, Founder of Manawa Studio.
Kia ora,
Let's talk about pregnancy photographs.
Not the perfectly posed version of pregnancy you see everywhere. The real version. The version where your body is changing faster than you can keep up with it, nothing seems to fit quite the same, you may feel absolutely beautiful one day and completely unlike yourself the next, and somewhere amongst all of that, you've started thinking...
"I think I want photographs of this."
Maybe you've imagined yourself in a beautiful gown, your hands resting over your bump, soft light across your skin.
Maybe you want something more fashion-inspired.
Maybe you want photographs with your partner and children.
Or maybe you have absolutely no idea what you want yet. That's okay. You don't need to arrive knowing how to pose, what to wear, where to put your hands or which photographs you want. You just need to arrive. I'll take care of the rest.
First things first —
When should you have your maternity photographs taken?
There isn't one magical week that works for every woman. Generally, maternity photographs are beautifully timed somewhere around 30–34 weeks, when your bump is beautifully present but you are often still comfortable enough to move, stand and enjoy your session. But pregnancy doesn't follow a calendar perfectly.
Some women carry small.
Some carry beautifully round.
Some pregnancies arrive with swelling and discomfort earlier than expected.
Some mums simply feel more like themselves at 28 weeks than they do at 34. So rather than chasing a particular number, I want to know you.
Your due date, how you're feeling, whether this is your first pregnancy, how you're carrying and what you would like from your photographs all help determine the right time. And if you're expecting twins, have been advised to deliver early, or your pregnancy is being monitored more closely, we'll talk about bringing your session forward.
When should you book?
This is one of those things that is much easier when you don't leave it until the last minute. Your due date gives us a starting point, and then we'll choose your actual session date closer to the time. I recommend getting in touch during your pregnancy rather than waiting until your bump feels "big enough". There is no prize for waiting until the final few weeks. Your photographs are about your pregnancy, not achieving a particular size.
"But I don't feel particularly beautiful right now."
I hear you. Pregnancy can be a strange relationship with your own body. You can love your baby more than anything and still look in the mirror and wonder who that woman is.
Your face changes.
Your clothes don't fit.
Your skin changes.
Your body becomes something you are constantly aware of. And sometimes people tell you that you're "glowing" when you are actually exhausted and wondering how on earth you're going to get your shoes back on. So if you're thinking, "I'm just not one of those women who looks amazing in photographs," please know this:
You don't have to arrive feeling beautiful.
You don't even have to feel confident.
You don't need to know how to stand in front of a camera.
That's not your job.
You don't need to know how to pose
This is probably one of the biggest worries women have before a photography session.
"What am I supposed to do?"
The answer is: you don't need to know. I'll guide you. We'll move, rather than hold stiff poses. I'll show you where to place your hands, how to angle your body and where to look. Sometimes it's tiny movements. Sometimes it's simply breathing, turning your face towards the light or letting your hand rest naturally over your bump. And sometimes the most beautiful photograph happens in the moment between the things I asked you to do. You don't need to perform for the camera. You just need to let me photograph you.
And what on earth are you supposed to wear?
This is where things get much easier.
You don't need to spend a fortune buying maternity clothes specifically for your photographs. At MANAWA, your wardrobe is part of the experience. We'll talk about colours, textures, shapes and the feeling you want your photographs to have.
Perhaps you want something soft and feminine.
Perhaps you want flowing fabric.
Perhaps you want something beautifully simple.
Perhaps you want something with a little more fashion and drama.
And perhaps you've seen a colour you love but have no idea whether it will work with your skin.
We'll work it out together. Your clothing doesn't have to hide your changing body. It should help you feel comfortable in it. Head over to MANAWA's What to Wear for Your Maternity Photography Session: A Complete Guide.
What colours photograph beautifully?
There isn't one colour that looks beautiful on every woman. Your skin tone, hair, eyes, the lighting, the backdrop and the feeling we are creating all matter. This is one of the reasons I don't believe in simply handing every woman the same three dresses and calling it a wardrobe.
Your photographs should feel like you.
Soft neutrals can create something timeless.
Deep, warm tones can bring richness and depth.
Earthy shades can feel beautifully connected to the natural world.
Lighter tones can create something delicate and ethereal.
And sometimes the colour you would never have thought to wear is the one that makes your skin come alive.
We'll look at all of that together and for now I have created the MANAWA Guide What Colour clothes Suit Your Skin Tone?
What if I want something a little more glamorous?
Maternity photographs don't have to look a certain way.
They can be soft and intimate.
They can be elegant.
They can be artistic.
They can be fashion-inspired.
They can be quiet and understated.
Or they can have a little more drama.
I love creating photographs that feel like they belong in your home, but that also make you stop for a moment when you see them and if you would like to explore more intimate or semi-nude maternity imagery, that can be approached with the same care and direction.
Nothing is expected. Nothing is assumed. You decide what feels right for you.
What about my partner?
Bring them. Even if they tell you they hate photographs. Even if they say they don't know what to do. Even if they stand there looking slightly terrified when I pick up the camera.
"I'll take care of them too."
Some of my favourite maternity photographs aren't simply about the bump. They're about the way your partner looks at you. The hand resting on your back. The quiet moments between you. The excitement. The anticipation. The feeling that the two of you are about to become something new and if you already have children, they belong in this story too.
What if my children don't behave?
They're children and all have individual personalities. We don't need everyone standing perfectly still, smiling at the camera at exactly the same time.
We'll play.
We'll move.
We'll let them be themselves. Some of the photographs I treasure most are the ones where nobody was looking at the camera at all. Your family is becoming something new too.
Do I need hair and makeup?
You don't have to. But if you'd like it, hair and makeup can be arranged as part of your maternity experience.
Some women want to feel polished and glamorous. Others prefer something very natural.
There is no right answer. The goal isn't to turn you into somebody else. It's to help you feel like the very best version of yourself.
How long does a maternity session take?
Your maternity session isn't something I want you watching the clock through.
We allow time for changing, settling in, choosing your looks and creating a range of photographs rather than rushing through a handful of poses.
Your session can include several looks and different styles, depending on what we decide together.
And because every woman is different, I don't believe in forcing everyone through exactly the same sequence.
We'll follow you.
"And yes, you can change your mind."
You might arrive wanting one particular photograph. Then we try it and you decide you don't like it.
That's okay.
You might think you want something very glamorous and discover that the quieter images are actually your favourites.
That's okay too.
You might see a dress and think, "Absolutely not." Then put it on and completely surprise yourself.
You are allowed to change your mind. This is your pregnancy.
What happens after the photographs are taken?
This is where your MANAWA experience becomes a little different. I don't simply send you a gallery and ask you to scroll through hundreds of images on your phone. Your photographs are carefully selected and brought together for your cinematic viewing experience.
You won't know exactly what you're about to see and I won't spoil it. Because I want you to experience your photographs properly.
To see yourself from the outside. To see the little things you didn't notice during the session.
The way your partner looked at you.
The curve of your bump.
The expression on your face.
The photographs you didn't know were happening and hopefully, that moment where you think:
"Oh. That's me."
Then we choose what becomes part of your home. Your photographs aren't meant to disappear into a folder on a computer. They're meant to be lived with. Held. Seen. Passed down.
The artwork you choose becomes part of your family's story, whether that is a beautiful piece on the wall, an album you can hold in your hands or something that becomes part of your child's childhood memories. This is why I don't think of maternity photography as simply taking photographs. We're creating something you'll still care about long after your pregnancy is over.
A little reminder before you book
You don't need to lose weight first.
You don't need to buy a new wardrobe.
You don't need to know how to pose.
You don't need to be naturally confident in front of a camera.
You don't need to have perfect skin.
You don't need to know exactly what you want.
You don't even need to feel beautiful when you walk through the door.
You just need to be you. I'll take care of the rest and we'll even have some fun along the way.
Choosing your maternity photographer
There are so many beautiful photographers, and choosing one can feel overwhelming. So don't just look at photographs. Look at how they make you feel.
- Do you feel comfortable with the person behind the camera?
- Do you feel listened to?
- Can you see yourself in their work?
- Do they understand what you want?
- Are you comfortable asking questions?
- Do you know what happens before, during and after your session?
And perhaps most importantly...
- Can you imagine trusting them with this part of your story?
Because maternity photography is personal. You're not simply booking someone to take photographs of your bump.
You're trusting somebody to photograph you, at a moment in your life that will never happen in quite the same way again. That matters.
"Your pregnancy will end. Your photographs won't."
One day, you'll hold the baby you are carrying now. You'll look back and wonder how they ever fitted inside you.
You'll forget some of the little details. How your bump felt.
The way you rested your hand over it.
The shape of your body.
The anticipation.
The waiting.
The feeling of knowing that somebody was already deeply loved before you'd even met them.
That's what I want your photographs to hold. Not just what you looked like. How this time felt. That is the part worth remembering.
"Welcome to MANAWA"
If you're looking for maternity photography in Auckland and you'd like an experience that feels personal, considered and completely yours, I'd love to hear from you.
Come as you are.
We'll take it from there.
with warmth and blessings,
Emma
MANAWA Studio
About the Author
Emma is the photographer and founder behind MANAWA, based in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 20 years' experience photographing maternity, newborn, and family sessions, she is an award-winning photographer through the International Newborn Photography Competition and Awards (INPCA) and a regular contributing photographer for Bump, Baby & Beyond magazine. Emma's work is bold, soulful, and editorial — creating images designed to help every child feel they truly belong.
