Planning your maternity session and wondering what you should bring?
First of all, you definitely don't need a bunch of props to have beautiful maternity photos! Some of my favorite maternity images are simply you and your partner enjoying this special chapter of life together. But if you want to make your session feel a little more personal, bringing along a few meaningful items can be such a fun way to tell the story of your growing family.
Whether you want to include your ultrasound photos, your baby's first little shoes, a cozy blanket, or even a handwritten letter to your baby, there are so many ways to incorporate personal details into your maternity photos without making everything feel overly staged.
I've put together some of my favorite maternity photoshoot props and ideas to help you get inspired before your session.
And remember, you definitely don't need to bring anything! Think of these as ideas and inspiration, not a checklist. If you want, you can pick a few things that mean something to you, and we'll find natural ways to incorporate them into your session!
Start With the Things You Already Have
Before you go shopping for anything, take a look around your house! Some of the sweetest maternity session props are probably things you already have.
Your Positive Pregnancy Test
That tiny test is the reason this whole chapter began, so why not bring it along? Your positive pregnancy test can be such a meaningful little detail to photograph, especially because it's something you'll probably want to tuck away and keep forever.
Ultrasound Photos
Your ultrasound photos are another easy and meaningful thing to bring to your maternity session. If you have multiple ultrasound photos from different stages of your pregnancy, feel free to bring them all! We can decide during your session which ones make the most sense to include. You could even get a cute frame to put one of them in on Etsy here!
Baby Clothes
A little onesie, sweater, dress, or outfit that you've picked out can add such a sweet touch to your maternity photos.
[This is such a sweet choice, or an embroidered outfit is cute too!]
Baby Shoes
Tiny baby shoes are another one of those little details that photograph really well. Whether you've already picked out your baby's first pair or received them as a gift, bringing them along can be a simple way to represent the little person you're waiting to meet.
[A cozy neutral set here is a great option if you don't have one already!]
A Stuffed Animal
Have you already bought your baby a stuffed animal? Bring it! This can be especially meaningful if it's something you plan to keep in their nursery or a toy that eventually becomes one of their childhood favorites.
[Shop cute baby stuffed animals]
A Baby Book
A baby book can be such a sweet addition to a maternity session, especially if you're already planning to read it to your little one someday. You could bring a favorite childhood book, a classic children's story, or even the first book you've purchased for your baby.
[Who didn't love The Very Hungry Caterpillar when they were young?!]
Want to Add a Few Extra Details?
Maybe you don't already have a lot of baby items, or maybe you just want to create more of a cozy lifestyle feel for your session. Here are a few things you can bring or pick up specifically for your maternity photos.
A Cozy Blanket
A cozy blanket is one of my favorite things to bring to a maternity session because it can be both practical and photograph beautifully. We can use it for sitting, cuddling, wrapping around yourselves, or creating a little picnic setup. It can also make your session feel more relaxed if we're spending time outdoors. And the best part? You get to take it home and keep using it!
A Picnic Basket
If you want your maternity session to feel a little more like an afternoon together rather than a traditional photoshoot, consider bringing a picnic basket. Fill it with your favorite snacks, fruit, or something you've been craving during pregnancy. We can find a pretty spot to sit down, relax, and enjoy a little time together while I photograph the in-between moments. You don't have to have an elaborate picnic either. Sometimes a blanket, basket, and a few favorite snacks are all you need.
[Shop my favorite picnic basket here, or if you want one with added accessories then go with this one! ]
Flowers
Flowers can be such a pretty addition to maternity photos, especially if you want a softer, more romantic look. You could bring a bouquet of your favorite flowers, pick up something seasonal, or even use dried flowers if you'd like something you'll be able to keep afterward. And you don't have to spend a fortune on them! A simple grocery store (like Trader Joes!) bouquet can photograph beautifully. I love using just a bunch of some Babys Breath for maternity sessions the most!
A Pregnancy Journal
If you've been keeping a pregnancy journal throughout your pregnancy, bring it with you! This can be such a meaningful item to photograph because it represents everything you've experienced during this season, not just the way you look at this point in your pregnancy. You could write in it during your session, read through some of your favorite entries together, or simply photograph it alongside some of your other maternity details.
[Here is a sweet way to journal your pregnancy journey!]
A Letter to Your Baby
This one is a little more sentimental, but I absolutely love the idea of writing a letter to your baby before your maternity session. Write about how you're feeling, what you're excited about, what you're nervous about, or what you've been dreaming about since finding out you were pregnant.
[Memory Books are also a sweet thing for your baby to read back on one day!]
A Personalized Pregnancy Newspaper
A personalized pregnancy announcement newspaper can be such a cute way to document all of the little details surrounding your pregnancy. You can include things like your baby's due date, your names, the date you found out you were expecting, or even a little headline announcing your growing family.
[Shop personalized pregnancy announcement newspapers on Etsy!]
Coffee + Your Favorite Mugs
Your maternity session doesn't have to be all about baby items. Sometimes incorporating something that represents your normal everyday life together makes the photos feel even more personal. Bring your favorite coffee, maybe some cute custom mugs, and let's make it part of the session!
[Here's a sweet announcement mug, or an announcement sleeve if you'd rather buy a local coffee!]
A Lace Umbrella or Parasol
Want to add a little vintage, romantic feel to your session? A lace umbrella or parasol can be such a pretty addition, especially along the Monterey coast. We can use it while walking along the beach, have you two share it together, or incorporate it into some playful candid moments.
[Shop my favorite lace umbrellas and parasols]
A Cute Pregnancy Announcement Mirror
A cute pregnancy announcement mirror can be such a fun addition! You could use it to announce your baby's arrival, share your due date, or simply add a personalized message that feels special to your growing family.
[This announcement mirror is so cute!]
And Don't Forget Your Fur Babies!
Not technically a prop... but they're absolutely invited when the location allows!! If your dog is part of your everyday life and your adventures together, bring them along! You can also get them cute accessories like a bandana! We can get some photos of you together and also give them some time to run around and be themselves too. Who doesn't love a few photos with their furry best friend?!
Make Your Maternity Session Personal!
Think about this time of your life and the little things you'll want to remember years from now.
What were you reading?
What did you drink every morning?
What did you buy first for the baby?
What little outfit are you already obsessed with?
What did you write in your pregnancy journal?
Those are the kinds of details that can turn your maternity photos into more than just pretty pictures. They become a snapshot of what your pregnancy journey actually felt like. And remember, you don't need props to have an amazing maternity session! Some of my favorite photos are simply parents walking together, laughing, cuddling, enjoying each other, and taking in the moment before their family grows.
Whether we're exploring the coast, having a picnic somewhere beautiful, wandering through nature, or keeping things simple, my goal is always to create maternity photos that feel like you. Bring a few things that matter to you, leave the rest at home, and let's have some fun with it!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
If we're heading outdoors around Monterey or Big Sur, don't forget the practical stuff too! Comfortable shoes for walking, water, layers, and anything else you'll need to stay comfortable are always a good idea to have either in your bag or in the car!
Water
Especially if we're exploring somewhere in Big Sur or along the coast.
Hair Clips
Monterey can be windy! A couple of hair clips or a hair tie can be a lifesaver if your hair starts blowing everywhere.
Sturdy Shoes or Boots
If we're exploring trails, rocks, sand, or uneven terrain, bring shoes you can comfortably walk in. You can always change into something else for photos once we get to our spot. Here's a link to my absolute favorite hiking boots that are comfortable, sturdy, and photograph nicely!
Layers
Coastal weather can change quickly, especially around Monterey and Big Sur. Bringing a jacket or extra layer is always a good idea.
Sunscreen
Even when it's cloudy or foggy, don't forget to apply sunscreen before our time together!
Tecnu
If we're hiking or exploring areas where poison oak may be present, I always recommend having Technu with you just in case. This Tecnu Kit is the BEST to have at home in case you've come in contact with it.
You definitely don't need to show up with a giant bag of stuff. Bring whatever you'll actually need to stay comfortable and enjoy your session!
Remember: You Don't Need Props to Have an Amazing Session
At the end of the day, you don't need to show up with a suitcase full of props!! Some of my favorite maternity images are simply you enjoying this time of life together - walking hand in hand, laughing, cuddling, exploring, or taking a quiet moment to soak it all in. The best “props” are often the things that already mean something to you, or little activities that give you something fun and natural to do together.
Whether we're exploring the coast, having a picnic on the beach, incorporating something special for baby, or spending time somewhere that feels like you, my goal as your maternity photographer is to create photos that feel like an experience you actually enjoyed, not a bunch of poses you had to get through.
So think about what feels meaningful to you during this season, bring a little piece of that into your session, and most importantly... let's have some fun with it!!
Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products that I think could be fun or useful for maternity sessions! If you'd rather shop in person, some of my favorite budget options are HomeGoods, Target, and TJ Maxx! Sometimes you can even find good props at local thrift stores, if you're lucky!
