When Is The Best Time To Schedule Your Maternity Photo Session in Leesburg, Virginia?

There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of waiting for your baby to arrive. With so many things to do to prepare, scheduling your maternity photo session may seem like just another item on your to-do list. But trust me, maternity sessions are such a special way to document this precious time in your life. As YOUR top Northern VA Maternity Photographer, I’m discussing the best times to schedule your maternity photo session.

Quick Answer:When should you take your maternity photo session in Leesburg?

The best time to take maternity photos is between 30 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Your bump is round and full, and most moms still feel comfortable enough to move, pose, and enjoy the session. If you are carrying multiples, plan for 20 to 24 weeks. In Leesburg, reach out during your second trimester to hold your preferred date and season.

Scheduling your Leesburg maternity photo session: Wait Until The Third Trimester!

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that you schedule your Leesburg maternity photo session far enough in advance. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and risk not being able to get an appointment with your photographer of choice, and you don’t want to push it too close to your due date in case the baby decides to make an early appearance. I recommend scheduling your pregnancy photoshoot during the third trimester, around 30-32 weeks. By this point, you’ll have a nice round belly, but you’ll still be relatively comfortable. Now, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, and you definitely have some flexibility both before and after this time frame.

Related: Maternity photoshoot outfit ideas

When Should I Hold An Earlier Maternity Photo Session?

While 30-32 weeks is the ideal time frame for your maternity session, there are always exceptions. Here are a few reasons why you might want to schedule your pregnancy photoshoot a bit earlier:

If You’re Carrying Multiples

You may want to schedule your maternity photo session a bit earlier if you’re pregnant with twins, triplets, or more. Carrying multiple babies often means that you’ll start to show sooner and can get uncomfortable more quickly. If this is you, you can begin scheduling your pregnancy photoshoot between 20 to 24 weeks to get the best photos while you’re still feeling good. Expecting twins? My twin pregnancy maternity post walks through the whole session.

Announcement Photos

Some clients like to do a special maternity photoshoot to announce their pregnancy on social media or with family and friends. If this is something you’re interested in, then you can schedule your session any time after that initial 12-week mark when you’re feeling comfortable posing for photos.

High-Risk Pregnancies

If you’re considered high-risk during your pregnancy, you may also want to schedule your maternity photo session earlier. It’s best to get the photos while you’re still feeling good and before any complications arise. However, it’s entirely up to you and whatever feels the most comfortable to you.

Matching Your Due Date to the Best Season in Leesburg

Here is the part most timing guides skip. When you count back 8 to 10 weeks from your due date, you land on your session month, and in Loudoun County that month shapes the whole feel of your photos. Here is a quick guide:

Summer in Northern Virginia can get hot and humid, so for those sessions we lean on the gentler evening light, when it is more comfortable for you and more flattering in photos. And if your window falls in the colder months, an in-home session is a wonderful option. Your nursery, your favorite chair, and the room where you will bring your baby home all make such meaningful backdrops.

My Favorite Leesburg Spots for a Maternity Photo Session

Oatlands is one of my very favorite places for maternity sessions. The gardens, the historic buildings, and the open fields give us so much variety in one visit. The session featured in this post was taken at 48 Fields in Leesburg, another personal favorite. You can see more from that session in my 48 Fields maternity photography post.

I also photograph maternity sessions in my clients’ homes and in the studio. For a closer look at all of my favorite spots, check out best maternity photoshoot locations in Loudoun County.

When to Book Your Leesburg Maternity Photographer

Once you know your ideal week, the next step is reaching out to book. I recommend contacting your photographer during your second trimester. That gives us time to choose a date in your 30 to 32 week window and to plan everything without rushing.

Once you book, we hop on a call to talk through your vision, your wardrobe, and your location. If we are photographing at home, we talk through your space on that call too, and many of my clients send a few photos of their rooms ahead of time so I can plan for the light. If you would like hair and makeup, I am happy to arrange it. Your stylist comes right to you for a small travel fee paid directly to them.

Not sure what to wear yet? My guide on what to wear for maternity photos is a great place to start.

Planning Ahead for Your Newborn Session Too

If you are booking maternity photos, it is the perfect time to think about your newborn session. Newborn photos are best taken in those first couple of weeks, and that is a hard time to be scrolling for a photographer. You can read more in When Should You Schedule Your Newborn Photo Session?

That is exactly why I created the First Year Collective. It takes you from your maternity session all the way through your baby’s first year, with priority booking for your newborn session, complimentary hair and makeup, album incentives, and a smash cake for the first birthday milestone. One booking, and your whole first year is taken care of.

Frequently Asked Questions About When to Take Maternity Photos

When is the best time to take my maternity photo session in Northern Virginia?

For most moms, the best time is between 30 and 32 weeks. Your bump is round and full, and you are usually still comfortable enough to walk around, change outfits, and actually enjoy your session. If you are carrying multiples or have a high-risk pregnancy, we will plan for a little earlier.

Is 20 weeks too early for a maternity photo session?

For a classic maternity session, 20 weeks is usually on the early side because your bump is still small. It can be a great time if you are expecting twins or more, since many moms of multiples show sooner and feel less comfortable later on. It is also a lovely window for pregnancy announcement photos.

How far in advance should I book a maternity photographer in Leesburg, VA?

I recommend reaching out during your second trimester. That gives us time to pick a date in your 30 to 32 week window, plan your styling on our call, and hold the season you are hoping for. Fall weekends in Loudoun County are popular, so if your session will land in October or November, reach out a little earlier.

What is the best season for maternity photos in Leesburg?

Every season has something to love, and your due date usually decides it for you. Spring brings blooming gardens at places like Oatlands, summer gives you lush green fields and warm evening light, and fall in Loudoun County is full of color. Winter is a beautiful time for a cozy in-home or studio session.

Can I have my maternity photo session at home?

Yes! I offer in-home sessions in Leesburg and across Northern Virginia. We talk through your space on our planning call, and many of my clients send a few photos of their home ahead of time so I already have a plan for the light and the best spots before I arrive.

Is hair and makeup included in a maternity photo session?

Hair and makeup is not a standard part of maternity sessions, though I am happy to arrange it for you. Your stylist comes right to you, and there is a small travel fee paid directly to the stylist. First Year Collective clients receive complimentary hair and makeup as part of their collection.

Should I book my maternity and newborn sessions together?

If you are planning on both, booking them together makes everything so much easier. My First Year Collective takes you from your maternity session all the way through your baby’s first year, with priority booking for your newborn session, complimentary hair and makeup, album incentives, and a smash cake for the first birthday milestone.

Let’s Plan Your Leesburg Maternity Photo Session!

There’s no doubt about it; pregnancy is a fantastic time in a woman’s life. Capturing that feeling of excitement and anticipation through beautiful maternity photos is something that you’ll cherish forever. By following these simple tips, you can be sure that you’ll get stunning photos that perfectly document this fantastic time.

Whether you are due this winter or just found out you are expecting, I would love to help you find the perfect week and season for your maternity photos. I photograph families in Leesburg, Ashburn, and throughout Loudoun County, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Reach out here and let’s start planning.

Want even more maternity resources? Check out these posts:

• What to Wear for Maternity Photos
• Couples Maternity Photoshoot Ideas in Northern Virginia
• What to Expect During a Boudoir Maternity Session in Northern Virginia
• When Should You Schedule Your Newborn Photo Session?

As a Northern Virginia Maternity Photographer, I have had the pleasure of photographing many amazing maternity sessions.  If you’re interested in booking a session or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I would love to chat with you and discuss your vision for your perfect maternity photos.