7 Creative Maternity Photo Prompts for Natural, Emotional Images
When my pregnant mamas fill out their Maternity Session questionnaire online, one of the most common things they ask is, “Can you help me pose?” or “I am so awkard in front of the camera and have no idea what to do with my hands.”
And I get it. Being photographed can feel vulnerable… a little uncomfortable… and awkward. And during pregnancy, those feelings can feel even more exaggerated.
But that’s exactly why you hire a professional. Ive been photographing pregnant mamas for 13 years, and I would never expect you to know how to pose! That is my job to help with.
I remember standing in front of the camera during my maternity photoshoot when I was pregnant with my twins, and feeling all of those same things. I definitely didn’t feel like I was at my “most beautiful.” at that moment in my life, most mamas don’t. But I treasure those photos so deeply. I look back and think “Wow! I really did that!?”
It’s an empowering moment and one that I am so grateful I have documented.
See, my job isn’t just to take photos… it’s to gently guide you, support you, and show you what you can’t always see in yourself in that moment. Because the truth is, there is a quiet kind of beauty during pregnancy… one that maybe you don’t see with your own eyes, but it is there, and it deserves to be honored.
As a Salem, Oregon maternity photographer serving Portland & the Willamette Valley, my approach is always centered around helping YOU feel comfortable, supported, and more like yourself in front of the camera. Because when you feel that way, the images naturally follow.
If you’ve been drawn to maternity photos that feel soft, emotional, and real… these are the exact creative prompts I use to create them. While I primarily work outside on location, these will also work for studio maternity sessions.
As a reminder, while doing ALL of these prompts, please don’t forget to include the basics of maternity posing as well.
The Basics of Maternity Posing:
Have mama pop her knee closest to you to elongate the leg and showcase the belly.
Pull her chin forward
Roll shoulders back, and stand straight
Slight bend at the waist and bring shoulder towards me
I adjust these a bit depending on the outfit mama is wearing, but these are the basics.
“Look Back Over Your Shoulder” Prompt
This is one of my favorite creative maternity photo prompts because it is such an easy one for mama’s to understand and do. And you can get a variety of images and angles just from this one prompt! (Which we photogs all know are the best kinds of poses. :)
Instead of starting by facing the camera, this prompt allows mama to relax a little. That small shift, from turning away to slowly looking back, creates a softness that feels almost candid. It removes that initial pressure of being “on” right away, which helps you settle into the moment more naturally.
It’s simple, but incredibly effective for creating images that feel relaxed and unposed. You can then have her look at you, or Sometimes I will say “Look over at your husband and see if he can get you to laugh!”
How to do it:
Start by facing slightly away from the camera
Slowly turn your head back over your shoulder
Let your expression stay soft and relaxed
Pause for just a moment at the end of the movement
I have some examples below on how to achieve this look.
This example of “Look over your shoulder” is one of my favorite angles. It causes mamas body to turn slightly away, while their face turns towards you. This mama was due with her little guy soon, and she actually did both studio and maternity images! We got so many gorgeous photos of her. And her little guy was the tiniest little peanut!
This is an example of when mama looked over her shoulder, at her partner, and he made her smile. I love the way she is looking at him in this photo! Absolutely darling.
This is an example image of the same prompt, but photographed more from the front! There are truly so many different image you can get from this one prompt, and it’s a perfect one to start your session with.
2. Place Hands On Belly Prompt
This one is all about connection… not just between mama and her baby, but this includes her whole family. Partner, and other siblings as well!
It’s one of those creative prompts that feels incredibly simple and fairly easy to do on the surface, but it carries so much meaning in the final image. Moms request this one all the time when they have other children. Because when you bring everyone in close and layer hands together, the image it creates naturally brings a sense of closeness and everyone’s excitement for baby.
How to do it:
Have your partner place their hands gently around your belly
Invite children to add their hands in as well
Let everyone gather in close, naturally
Look down at baby, at each other, or simply close your eyes
Bonus: If you have a toddler not wanting to put their hand on the belly, hide a yogurt bite or fruit snack under mom’s hand so they try to grab it. See the image below for an example of when I did exactly this.
It this beautiful image of everyone hands on mamas belly, I actually had mom hide a treat in her hands and asked her twins to try to get it! If you look closely you can see her hand closed up around the snack, haha! Mama really wanted this image, and I was determined to get it for her. I love how it turned out!
And here is another example of that same prompt. These 3 darling brothers were so excited to meet their new sister Annie. And I love how this turned out! (ps. If you notice, dad had to “help” the toddler touch mamas belly)
3. The “Smell Your Shoulder” Prompt
Ok. yes. I know… it sounds a little strange, and it always makes mamas laugh when I tell them to do this… but trust me on this one. I use it mutiple times during my maternity photoshoots.
This is one of those creative prompts that works every single time, especially when someone feels a little unsure of themselves in front of the camera. The moment you bring your chin down and soften into that movement, everything shifts. Your shoulders relax, your expression becomes more natural, and your body falls into a gentle curve that is incredibly flattering during pregnancy. It’s just the best kept secret!
How to do it:
While their hands are on their belly, have them bring their chin down towards their shoulder, like they are actually “smelling their shoulder”
Have them close their eyes or soften their gaze
Take a slow breath in, and have a soft smile.
Look up at the photographer, or down towards the ground, either works!
This prompt usually makes moms laugh when I say the name of it, so be ready with your camera when she does!
This image using the prompt “smell your shoulder” is so perfect. You can ask them to do it more dramatically, but this is a great start. See how the angles of her body all line up?
And lastly, this image showcases using the prompt a little more dramatically! Really have mama lean into it, and bring her shoulder even up toward her face. It makes such a beautiful angle!
When you use the “smell your shoulder” prompt, and have mama close her eyes, it adds to a dramatic feel. Especially when it is in black and white! Her dress was hot pink! It was stunning!
This is my basic go to image using this prompt. Not too dramatic, but just enough to give mama gorgeous shape.
4. “Bring Your Foreheads Together”
This is a prompt for partners vs just the mom to be. And it is one of those creative maternity photo prompts that feels incredibly simple, feels silly in the moment, but honestly creates the most beautiful images.
When you have your clients gently lean in and get their foreheads close to each other, everything naturally slows down. Their bodies soften, their expressions relax, and the focus shifts away from the camera and back onto each other. It creates a quiet, sweet connection that feels intimate without being overly posed or forced.
However, I will say, for a lot of clients and relationships, being that close face-to-face can feel a little unnatural at first. 😂 And use that to your advantage. It often makes them laugh, helps them break that initial tension, and settle into something more real. Dad usually cracks a joke about his breath, so don’t leave them there too long. 😂
Keep it quick, keep it light, grab your shot, and move on.
How to do it:
Have them stand close with their bodies gently touching
Guide them to lean their foreheads softly together and both have hands on mamas belly.
Have them close their eyes for a few photos, then ask mama to slightly turn her face towards you while keeping her eyes closed.
This prompt creates a perfect triangle composition, between both of their faces and mama’s belly, and it also allows you to play with the light. Don’t be afraid to get a variety of images at different lengths. You can show the whole body, or crop it gently, or even just get in extra close to showcase their hands on mamas belly
This is an exact example of how to photograph this prompt. This is take from far away with my EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Canon Lens.
This example is the same idea, but with their heads not exactly touching. However it still creates that closeness, and triangle of their faces and mama’s belly. I love this image so much. If you can get the sun right behind their heads and play with the light you can get so many different images.
This is the same prompt, but this time I had mama turn her face towards me. It add just another great image to add to your gallery, and one that shows mamas beautiful face!
And then this is that same pose, but with this couple, I got in nice and close for a belly image! I also moved around to get the the sun situated right under her chin for that little burst of light. You can really play with this! This was then taken with my Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM
5. “Take Big Exaggerated Steps as You Walk Toward Me”
If you haven’t realized by now, humor is one of my favorite ways to bring lightness to the session. And this one also feels completely ridiculous. But if you time it right, it looks amazing.
The moment they start taking big, exaggerated steps, their body naturally falls into movement, and it also elongates the legs, and creates a perfect shape and angle.
How to do it:
Have her stand far away from the camera
Take slow, oversized, exaggerated steps as she or they walk forward
Ask her to look all around. Up, and to the sky, or down to the ground (so they don’t trip!)
You can even yell “STOP!” when they find the sweet spot!
The combination of motion and genuine reaction creates images that feel like warmth and beauty. And this one can be done with mama by herself or a partner.
This is an example of when I had my client walking exaggerated, and I caught the moment when she lifted her knee up. See how her dress is flowing out from behind her, and her knee closest towards me gives the belly a nice pop? Also, how gorgeous is this rust colored dress! I believe it was from Baltic Born, which is one of my favorite places for maternity dresses.
Believe it or not, this image was one using this exact prompt! My client doesn’t even look like she’s walking in the image, but she was. I just waited for the right moment to take the picture, when her knee closest to me was popped up.
6. The “Look Into The Distance”
This is one of those simple maternity photo prompts that feels almost TOO simple… but it consistently creates soft, natural, and emotional images, so I wanted to include it!
When clients are looking directly at the camera, there can be this subtle pressure to “perform.” The moment you take that away and have them look off into the distance, everything softens. Their expression becomes more thoughtful, more relaxed, and a lot less forced. You can have them look at the sky, horizon, or just some random tree behind you. I usually have her move her head around and not just keep it in the same place.
It also gives her direction, so she doesn’t feel awkward, while letting her find her pose. And depending on what you say while they’re looking away, you can shift the emotion from calm and reflective to light and happy really easily.
Hint: If the wind is blowing, have her face the wind!
How to do it:
Have them turn slightly away from the camera
Ask them to look off into the distance, either toward the side, or angled slightly away from you.
Encourage her closing her eyes and keep a gentle smile on her face. Or as I say “keep your mouth happy”
This image creates a peaceful, almost storytelling feel… like you’ve captured a quiet thought of them just reminiscing by herself, instead of a posed moment.
See how just asking mama to “look into the distance” really creates an image where it looks like she is the only one there. As photographers our job is to not be seen. And just capture them having a moment. And this prompt does it.
This has a similar feel to the “look over your shoulder prompt” but instead of her looking towards the ground, she is looking off into the distance. She looks like she is totally alone in this gorgous field, and I love it! I can no longer access this field area, and I am so sad about it!
When I include sitting poses in a maternity session, I always give the same prompt while sitting and ask them to do the same “look into the distance”. Look how gorgeous and contemplative mama looks! I love this image so much.
7. “Give Me a Big Fake Laugh” Prompt
This one is my true favorite, and so I saved it for last.
It might feel a little (a lot) ridiculous at first, but this is one of the most reliable creative prompts for creating real, genuine laughter. Especially if you are including siblings in the session. When you start with an exaggerated, over-the-top laugh for everyone, it almost always turns into something real within seconds.
I always do it myself first, so that they feel more comfortable doing it. And they usually laugh at me too, which is just bonus images. haha. I do what I have to do! :)
How to do it:
Start by you showing them how to do it, with an intentionally big, over-the-top fake laugh yourself.
Then have them repeat you! They can look at each other while they do it too, and that just add hilarity.
Then wait until the fake laugh turns into a real one, and grab your shot.
The shift from fake smile to real and beautiful smile happens quick, so have your camera ready.
This gorgeous smile from mom, feels like her natural REAL and perfect smile. These non-preformative smiles are hard to get out of adults, and so sometimes the extra silliness helps alot. See how perfect it turned out?
This image was when mama was mid-laugh and you can almost hear it in the photo! Her mouth is a little more open then just a smile, and her eyes are laughing too. Such a favorite image.
In conclusion, the difference between a photo that looks nice… and one that feels nice… is a really good prompt. It’s our job as photographers to come prepared to get natural smiles no matter what.
TO DO: By having a list of creative prompts like this ready to go in advance, really take the pressure off needing to perform, and instead allows client to realize they can trust you, and then they let you run the show.
REACH OUT: In my Salem, Oregon studio and outdoor sessions throughout Portland and the Willamette Valley, every maternity session I do is guided exactly like this. There are no awkward moments, there are no pauses while I think of what to have you do next. I am ready to go, and make your time with me as efficient as possible. I know your time is valuable, and that’s why I have these prompts.
You’re never left wondering what to do.
You’re never expected to pose perfectly. Because thats MY job.
I guide you through creative prompts like these so your images feel natural, emotional, and timeless… not forced or overly styled.
Because this season of your life deserves to be honored and remembered exactly as it felt. Even if every day isn’t sunshine and rainbows, every day of pregnancy is one in which you grew a HUMAN. And THAT, in my opinion, is something to celebrate.
If you’re currently expecting and thinking about maternity photos, I would love to create something meaningful with you.
You can view more of my work HERE.
Or you can reach out and start planning your session HERE
~ Lindsay
Serving Salem, Portland, and the entire Willamette Valley
Bonus: If you would like to know my go-to lenses for my Maternity sessions, here are all my favorites. Here is the direct link to my Amazon Storefront where you can purchase them, along with the canon body I use, and adapters etc.
