Shannon Payne Photography
Nashville Newborn & Baby Photographer
100 Country Club Dr #102, Hendersonville, TN 37075
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 615.348.5808
I have a confession: I never had maternity photos made during either of my pregnancies.
In my defense, maternity photos were not as popular 15-20 years ago as they are today. But even then, I had so many of the same worries that expecting moms do today. “What do I wear?” “What if I don’t like the way I look in the photos?” “Where do I even have these photos taken?”
The good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Outdoor maternity photos are a beautiful way to document this special season in your life. As a Nashville maternity photographer, my goal is to make the process easy and enjoyable. In this post, I’ll walk you through when to schedule your outdoor maternity photos, what to expect before and after the session, what to wear, and how to choose a location.
In this outdoor maternity photo guide, I’ll cover:
- When to schedule maternity photos
- What to wear for outdoor maternity photos
- What to expect
- How to choose an outdoor location
- How to include your spouse, children, or family
Why Outdoor Maternity Photos Feel So Special
Imagine snuggling up with your babies on a blanket, laughing with your husband as you hold hands and walk close together, and golden light catching your hair and your bump just right…. Outdoor maternity photos are all about connection, movement, and memories. Our time together won’t be spent with stiff, unnatural poses. I’ll guide your family as you snuggle, laugh, and enjoy this sweet time before baby arrives.
When to Schedule Outdoor Maternity Photos
Maternity photos are a little different than regular family photos because you can’t always choose the season that looks best for portraits. As new parents all quickly learn, so much depends on the baby… and in this case, your due date.
If this is your first pregnancy, I recommend scheduling maternity photos when you are around weeks 30-34. If this is your 2nd pregnancy or there is a chance your baby may arrive early, I recommend weeks 28-32.
Because of this timing, it’s best to book your maternity photos during your 2nd trimester. This gives us plenty of time to plan your session, choose a location, talk through outfits, and reserve the best date based on your due date.
We want maternity photos scheduled when your belly is really showing, but before you feel too tired or uncomfortable to fully enjoy the experience.
If you are already thinking ahead to newborn photos, this post on when to schedule newborn photos will help you understand why it is important to book early.
What to Expect Before Your Outdoor Maternity Session
As soon as you reach out to me for your maternity photos, I will be ready to walk you through the process. My goal is to make planning your session feel easy, organized, and enjoyable. This experience should be fun, not like one more thing on your pregnancy to do list.
Booking
Outdoor maternity sessions take place just before sunset for that beautiful glowing light. Once you reach out, I will send you available dates, and we will choose the best option based on your schedule and due date.
I typically plan to meet 1 hour before sunset, but the time may slightly change as the session gets closer depending on the location we choose and the weather forecast.
Planning
Once we have the date set, we get to start planning. This is the fun part!
I will send you information on what to wear for outdoor maternity photos. You can send me photos as you are choosing outfits. I love helping with styling and creating style boards so you can visualize how everything will look together.
After we have your outfits selected, we will talk through location options and choose a setting that fits the overall feel you want for your maternity photos.
By the time your session day arrives, you’ll know where to go, what to wear, when to arrive, and what to expect. This way you can relax and enjoy the experience.
What to Wear for Outdoor Maternity Photos
Choosing outfits for outdoor maternity photos may feel intimidating, but styling your family is one of my favorite parts of the process. You do not have to figure it out on your own. I’ll help you choose clothing that photographs beautifully and feels like you.
The first thing to consider is color. The colors you choose will make one of the biggest impacts on the overall look and feel of your images. For outdoor maternity photos, I recommend neutrals, earth tones and muted tones.
Neutrals include shades like cream, tan, oatmeal, khaki, brown, and soft white. Earth tones include greens, browns, rust, mustard, and warm gray. Muted tones include soft shades such as sage green, mauve, dusty rose, and muted blue.
I typically recommend avoiding deep colors like navy blue, bright colors such as hot pink, and pastel colors.
Next, keep patterns in mind. A mixture of solid colors and a few small patterns can work well together. I recommend avoiding large, bold patterns, logos, or anything that pulls attention away from your connection.
If you are already planning ahead, I also have a guide on what to wear for newborn photos.
What to Wear for Mom
I suggest choosing mom’s dress first. You want to find something that you feel good and confident wearing. I usually recommend a long, flowy dress that highlights your bump and creates soft movement in your photos. Dresses work well outdoors because they add texture and a little bit of romance to your photos.
Look for dresses with soft fabrics, flattering sleeves, and a silhouette that defines but doesn’t hug your belly.
What to Wear for Dad
For dad, simple and classic is best. A neutral button-down shirt, henley, or sweater works well. Pair this with neutral colored chinos or jeans.
I suggest avoiding bright white dress shirts, polos with logos, athletic shoes, and shorts. Dad’s outfit should complement mom’s dress without competing with it.
What to Wear for Children
I usually recommend choosing children’s outfits after mom’s dress is selected. This helps you make sure everything is coordinated without being overly matched.
Comfort matters for children. Soft textures, simple dresses, rompers, sweaters, linen pants, neutral shirts, and small subtle patterns all photograph beautifully.
Locations for Outdoor Maternity Photos
Choosing the right location for your outdoor maternity photos is an important part of the overall look and feel of your session. Some families love the field and sunset look, and other families want water, trees, or flowers.
You do not need to spend hours looking for the perfect spot. When we plan your maternity session, I’ll help you choose the location that works well with your outfits and the season. I know all of the best spots with beautiful lighting and backgrounds.
Since my studio is located in Hendersonville, most of my sessions take place in nearby outdoor locations.
Including Your Family in Maternity Photos
Maternity photos are not just about your baby bump. They are about the people in your family and your connection.
I love including spouses and children in maternity photos. Yes, you have a baby bump, but these are still family photos. We will capture a mix of images of just you, photos with your spouse, and sweet moments with your children.
If you have young children, please don’t worry about them being on their best behavior. I do not expect them to stand and smile the whole time, nor should you! We will play games, and I will guide them using simple prompts that get them interacting naturally.
Some of my favorite maternity photos are the in-between moments…. your child wrapping their arms around your neck, your husband making you laugh, or everyone just snuggling in that magical golden light.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is connection.
Best Seasons for Outdoor Maternity Photos in Nashville
One thing I love about outdoor maternity photos in Nashville is that every season has something beautiful to offer. Since maternity photos are based on your due date, you may not get to choose the perfect season. But… with the right location, timing, and outfits, every season is beautiful.
Spring Maternity Photos
Spring is a wonderful season for outdoor maternity photos in Nashville because the weather is mild, and the trees and flowers begin to bloom. Everything feels soft and fresh!
Spring maternity photos work especially well with light neutrals and muted tones. Field locations are beautiful this time of year.
Summer Maternity Photos
Summer maternity photos in Nashville are beautiful, but we need to keep the heat and humidity in mind for these sessions. I usually schedule summer sessions 30 minutes before sunset to allow the day to cool off a bit. Light fabrics and breathable dresses will keep everyone as comfortable as possible.
Open fields, tall grass, and water locations all work well with summer sunsets.
Fall Maternity Photos
Fall is by far the most popular season for outdoor photos in Nashville. If you are due for maternity photos in this season, I recommend setting a date as early as possible.
For fall maternity photos, I love earth tones, soft browns, creams, rust, and mustard colors. Fall sessions look beautiful in fields and wooded areas.
Winter Maternity Photos
Many clients seem most intimidated by winter maternity sessions. However, winter is beautiful with the right location. The trees may be bare, but winter light hitting tall fields is magical.
For winter maternity sessions, I recommend warm textures, long sleeves, sweaters, and layers. If it is especially cold, we will move the session closer to sunset and add layers.
What to Expect During Your Session
If you feel awkward in front of the camera, please know you are not alone. Almost every mom tells me this before our session.
You do not need to know how to pose, where to put your hands, or what to do. I will guide you through the whole session with simple prompts and natural moves to make you forget about the camera and feel comfortable and confident.
During your outdoor maternity session, we will capture a mix of images of you by yourself, with your spouse, and your family together. We will walk, play games, snuggle, hold hands, and laugh.
It will feel like a family playdate, not a photoshoot.
After Your Maternity Session
After your maternity session, I will select the best images from your session and upload the proofs to an online gallery. You will be able to view your images and choose your favorites.
These photos are perfect for displaying in your home, sharing with your family, and adding to an album.
Maternity photos are a beautiful way to begin your baby’s story. One day your child can look back at these photos and see how much they were loved even before they were born.
Outdoor Maternity Photos Near Nashville, TN
Shannon Payne Photography is a boutique studio located just outside of Nashville TN. I photograph relaxed outdoor maternity sessions throughout the Nashville area.
In addition to maternity photos, I also offer newborn, baby milestone, and first birthday sessions to make documenting baby’s story easy.
Shannon Payne Photography serves Nashville and surrounding areas including Hendersonville, Gallatin, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Nolensville, Green Hills, Belle Meade, Spring Hill, and surrounding Middle TN areas.
Ready to Schedule Outdoor Maternity Photos in Nashville?
If you are dreaming of natural outdoor maternity photos, I would love to help plan a session that feels beautiful and stress-free.
Maternity sessions are best booked during your second trimester so that we can schedule photos during weeks 28-34. Contact me to start planning your Nashville maternity photos.