Maternity model alert! As a Chicago maternity photographer, this expecting mama made my work so easy with one gorgeous shot after another. Her secret? Confidence, joy, and natural beauty. Pregnancy comes with so many physical and emotional changes, but this lovely lady is rolling with it all, and this fun, intimate, and chic maternity session reflects all of that. Kendal and Jake are going to be the *best* parents to their precious baby boy, and it was an honor to document this exciting stage in their family’s story.

From Then to Now

I first worked with these two in 2019. Jake reached out and had one request: he wanted snow in their photos. Serendipitously, we ended up with the most beautiful downtown Chicago snowy engagement session! Fast forward to this session, where I got to capture their pregnancy announcement and maternity photos. (And soon, we’ll photograph them as a family of three with their new baby boy! My heart skipped a beat just thinking about it!)

I’ve said it before, but I wholeheartedly love being a life photographer because I get to tag along on journeys that unfold beyond the engagement stage and wedding day. And for you, the beauty of lifestyle photography is that you get a timeless, consistent style from chapter to chapter throughout your life. True-to-color portraits that are minimally processed will never go out of style and work well with any décor or display, so you can easily mix and match over the years. I often recommend a studio for maternity portraits so that you are the focal point above all else (and you might feel more comfortable in a private setting). 

Maternity Studio Sessions at A Darling Studio with Meg

Kendal loved the idea of doing a studio maternity session, and I suggested A Darling Studio, which offers tons of softly filtered natural light and clean, crisp white accents. It was perfect for her style and vision!

(Note: this studio works well for personal branding, newborn, family, and editorial couple’s sessions, too! A studio session is the way to go anytime you want classic, minimalist portraits like these. They’re also a bit editorial, like they belong on a magazine cover—or your walls!)

These are not your retro 90s studio portraits! This studio is chic and modern (no cheesy backdrops), and Kendal had the cutest outfits that highlighted her adorable bump. We started with dressy attire: a sleek and elegant black dress against a white backdrop; and then she changed into cute relaxed, casual outfits. The black bodysuit and hat combo was FIRE! I love, love, love this take on maternity portraits with a nod to the boudoir look. 

For the perfect added touch, Kendal brought a GORGEOUS bouquet that we had so much fun incorporating into the session. The florals added a soft, whimsical touch without detracting from the classic look. Her hand-tied bouquet elevated these images beautifully with artistic flair. Little props always add some depth and texture into photos.

When to Book Your Maternity Session | Chicago Maternity Photographer

It is truly incredible how a woman’s body morphs to allow a little life to grow and thrive – it’s such a beautiful thing! 30-36 weeks (7-8 months) is the ideal time to book your maternity session, and it’s a good idea to reserve your date as soon as possible since there isn’t much wiggle room there. I know it can seem a little daunting (or exhausting) to do a photo session late in pregnancy, but use that as an opportunity to get pampered. Book a spa day. Get your hair and makeup done. Get a new outfit you love to show off that precious bump. And I promise I will make the session as comfortable and relaxing as possible—trust me, you’re gonna love it! A maternity session often adds a fun confidence boost during that final stretch of pregnancy. You will be glad you made a point to document this incredible part of your journey into parenthood.

Have questions or need a Chicago maternity photographer? I’d love to help! Get in touch with me here for more info on maternity sessions.