The complete guide for your maternity photoshoot
Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful and transformative periods of your life.
It’s the time when you and your partner prepare to become parents, when your body creates the miracle of life, and when each day brings new emotions and anticipation. Maternity photography is the perfect way to capture this special period and preserve the memory forever, not just for you, but for your child, who will one day look at these photographs and see how much they were anticipated and loved.
At our Milton Keynes studio, I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of expecting mothers and documenting their unique journeys to motherhood. Every session is special, every story is different, and every photograph captures the beauty, strength, and radiance of pregnancy.
This complete guide will provide you with all the information you need to prepare perfectly for your maternity session and to obtain photographs you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
📅 When Is the Perfect Time for Maternity Photos?
One of the most frequent questions I receive is: “When should I schedule my maternity photoshoot?”
The Ideal Period: Weeks 28-36
The ideal time for maternity photography is between weeks 28-36 of pregnancy, with weeks 28-32 being the sweet spot. Here’s why this period is perfect:
- Your bump is visible and beautiful – rounded and prominent enough to look spectacular in photos
- You’re still comfortable – you can do various positions and movements without major discomfort
- You have the necessary energy – not yet exhausted from the final weeks of pregnancy
- You have that pregnancy glow – at its maximum!
- Enough time before birth – for planning, editing, and photo delivery
💡 My Advice: Book your session 2-3 weeks in advance to secure your desired date. Our studio books quickly, especially during popular months like spring and autumn.
Maternity + Newborn Bundle
Many families from Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, and Luton choose to book both the maternity and newborn sessions together, ensuring they have the complete journey documented, from anticipation to the first days with baby. Ask about our maternity + newborn bundle with 5 extra digital photos (towards the newborn photoshoot only)!
👗 What to Wear: Maternity Dresses and Outfits
One of the biggest questions and sources of stress for expecting mothers is: “What should I wear to the photoshoot?” At our Milton Keynes studio, we’ve made this process incredibly simple and enjoyable!
Our Collection of 35+ Maternity Dresses
We have an exclusive collection of over 35 professional maternity dresses in various styles, colours, and sizes, all included FREE in your package! You don’t need to buy or rent anything.
How Many Dresses Can You Use?
The number of dresses you can use depends on your chosen package:
- Bronze – 3 different dresses.
- Silver – 4 different dresses.
- Gold – 5 different dresses.
Can You Bring Your Own Outfits?
Absolutely! If you have a special dress or outfit that holds meaning for you, you’re encouraged to bring it. You can combine our studio dresses with your personal outfits to add variety to your final gallery.
Please note: the total number of dresses used during the session will always be according to the package you choose, whether the dresses are from our studio collection or brought by you.
Underwear and Accessories
What to bring (mandatory):
- 🩱 Skin-toned (nude) underwear – beige, cream, or shade closest to your skin tone
- 🩱 With or without straps – depending on the dresses chosen
- 🩱 Bring several shade variations to match perfectly with the dresses
Why it’s important: Nude underwear camouflages under transparent or open dresses, creating an elegant and professional look in photos.
👨👩👧 Outfits for Partner and Children
Family photos are included in all our maternity packages! Here’s how to prepare your partner and children for the session.
For Your Partner/Husband:
Best choice: White or black shirt. Why? These neutral colours match perfectly with ALL dresses in our collection and create an elegant, cohesive look in photos.
Other good options:
- ✓ Shirts in neutral colours: grey, beige, navy
- ✓ Simple sweaters, without logos
- ✓ Simple t-shirts in neutral colours
- ✓ Classic trousers (dark jeans, dress pants)
For Children:
- Simple clothes in white, black, cream, or navy
- Simple dresses for little girls (avoid large tutus or themed costumes)
- Simple shirts or t-shirts for little boys
- Avoid large logos or colourful prints
- Choose comfortable outfits in which children can move easily
- Clean and classic footwear (or barefoot)
💡 Pro Tip: Bring multiple options for each family member. During the session, we’ll choose together the combinations that look best with each maternity dress. More options = more variety in your final gallery!
✨ How to Prepare for Your Maternity Session
Proper preparation makes the difference between good photos and spectacular photos! Here’s the complete step-by-step guide:
1. Book at the Right Time
- Schedule between weeks 28-36 (ideally 28-32)
- Book 2-3 weeks in advance
- Contact us on WhatsApp: 07448283821
- £49 deposit secures your date
2. Pamper Yourself in the Days Leading Up
- 💧 Hydrate well – drink plenty of water for healthy, glowing skin
- 😴 Get enough rest – quality sleep to look fresh
- 🧴 Moisturise your skin – apply lotion daily, especially on your bump
- 💅 Manicure and pedicure – well-groomed nails will appear in photos
- 👗 Avoid tight clothing – that can leave marks on skin
3. On the Day of Your Session
- 🚿 Cool shower to feel fresh
- 💄 Makeup: natural or professional
- 💇 Hair styled: styled, curled, or simple – however you feel most beautiful
- 👕 Wear comfortable clothes for travel – you’ll change at the studio
- 💍 Remove jewellery that might leave marks
- 🥤 Eat light and stay hydrated
4. What to Bring to the Studio
- 🩱 Skin-toned (nude) underwear – mandatory!
- 👗 Your own dresses if desired (optional)
- 👕 Outfits for partner and children
- 👟 Elegant footwear (if desired)
- 💄 Touch-up makeup for retouching
- 🪮 Brush/comb for hair
- 💧 Water bottle
- 🍬 Light snacks for energy
5. Personal Accessories and Details (Optional)
- 📸 Ultrasound photos – first image of your baby
- 👶 Baby shoes – adorable and symbolic
- 🎩 Hats – for style variation
- 🧸 Children’s toys – for photos with siblings
- 📝 Letters or signs – with baby’s name or due date
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t feel obligated to bring accessories! Our dress collection is so beautiful that many mums choose simplicity and let the dresses be the stars. Minimalist photos are often the most elegant and timeless.
📸 What Happens During Your Session?
I know many expecting mothers are nervous before their first professional photoshoot. Here’s exactly how everything unfolds at our studio so you’ll feel prepared and relaxed:
Your Arrival
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for:
- 🅿️ Comfortable parking (directly in front of the studio)
- ☕ Relaxation and settling into the studio
- 👗 Time for choosing dresses
- 💬 Discussion about your preferences for the session
The Session Process Step by Step
Step 1: Dress Selection
Together, we’ll explore the collection of 35+ dresses. I’ll show you the different styles, and we’ll select the dresses that make you feel most beautiful. The number of dresses depends on your chosen package.
Step 2: Photography
This is where the magic happens! For each dress we’ll create:
- 📸 Solo portraits – highlighting your beauty and bump
- 💑 Couple photos – intimate moments with your partner
- 👨👩👧 Family photos – with children, if you have them
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to pose! I’ll guide you through each position, show you how to stand, where to look, and how to position your hands. Most of my clients say the session was much easier and more fun than they expected!
Step 3: Wrap-up and Next Steps
At the end, we’ll discuss what’s next: when you’ll receive the gallery, the selection process, and the delivery of final photos.
📦 After Your Photoshoot – What’s Next?
Our post-session process is transparent and simple, so you know exactly what to expect:
Your Timeline
Day 1-4: Receive Preview Gallery
Within 1-4 days after your session, you’ll receive a private link to your online gallery. This gallery contains:
- ✓ All photos taken (130+ images, depending on package)
- ✓ Images with watermark (for selection)
- ✓ Password-protected private access
- ✓ View on any device (phone, laptop (the best option), tablet)
Selection Process: You’ll have approximately 5 days to select your favourite photos from the gallery, or if you fall in love with more images (which often happens 😊), you can select extra photos and purchase them once your selection is complete.
- Bronze: Select 15 photos
- Silver: Select 25 photos
- Gold: Select 35 photos
Day 5-30: Professional Editing
After you send me your selection, I’ll begin professional editing of your photos. Each image will receive:
- ✨ Colour adjustments – perfect and natural tones
- ✨ Exposure corrections – brightness and contrast
- ✨ Retouching – natural and subtle
- ✨ Artistic cropping – perfect composition
- ✨ Watermark removal – clean images
Guaranteed delivery within 20 working days of selection.
You’ll receive a new link to your final gallery containing:
- 📥 HD download – high resolution, no watermark
- 📥 Digital format – JPEG optimised for print and online
- 📥 Unlimited access for 30 days to download anytime
Post-Session Options
- 📕 Premium Album 20x20cm – £169
- 📕 Premium Album 30x30cm – £249
- 📕 Acrylic Album 30x30cm – £269
- 🖼️ A3 Print (30x42cm) – £30 (framed)
- 🖼️ A2 Print (42x60cm) – £50 (framed)
- ✨ Acrylic Wall Decor – from £110
- 👶 Baby hand/foot cast – from £70
- 👨👩👧 Complete family cast – from £200
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include my partner and children in photos?
Absolutely! Family photos are included in ALL our packages. We encourage partners and children to participate in capturing this special family moment.
Do I need to buy or rent maternity dresses?
NO! We have a FREE collection of 35+ professional maternity dresses included in your package. You don’t need to buy or rent anything!
How long until I receive my photos?
Preview gallery: 1-4 days after the session. Final edited photos: 20 working days after selection. Everything is delivered digitally via HD download.
Can I reschedule if the baby arrives early?
Yes, we completely understand that pregnancy can be unpredictable! With 14+ days’ notice, you can reschedule once, no penalties. Contact us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule!
What colour underwear should I bring?
Nude/skin-toned (beige, cream) is essential! Bring several different shades to match perfectly with each dress.
Can I receive all unedited photos?
Yes! All unedited images in JPEG format (without watermark) are available for £300 as an add-on.
Where is the studio located?
Address: Unit 10A Cuckoo Hill Farm, Castlethorpe Rd, Potterspury, Milton Keynes MK19 7HQ. FREE parking directly in front. Search “Mihai Gonguta – Photo Studio” on Google Maps.
🌟 Why Choose Mihai Gonguta Photography?
There are many photographers in Milton Keynes, but here’s what makes us different:
✨ Experience and Professionalism
- Specialist in maternity, newborn, and family photography
- Hundreds of happy mothers and thousands of photos taken
- 5-star reviews from 70+ clients
👗 Impressive Dress Collection
- 35+ maternity dresses – largest inventory in the area
- Constant updates with new models
📍 Convenient Location
- Milton Keynes location with FREE parking
- We serve: Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Luton, Leicester
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 5 Stars by 70+ Mums
“Wonderful experience! Mihai made me feel beautiful and comfortable. The photos are absolutely stunning!”
Sarah M. – Milton Keynes
📞 Book Your Maternity Session Today!
Don’t let time slip away; the perfect period for maternity photos is short! Our studio books 2-3 weeks in advance, so secure your date now.
£49 deposit secures your desired date
We respond quickly to all messages – usually within a few hours!
Recent Maternity Sessions
