maternity photos

What to expect from a pregnancy photoshoot in Dorset with Karen Wiltshire Photography

What can you expect from a pregnancy photoshoot with me? Well, if you’re a mum-to-be considering a maternity session, keep reading to find out.

I'm an award-winning Dorset maternity photographer and have worked with many lovely expecting ladies over the years.

maternity photos
Beautiful baby bump

Will you choose an indoor or outdoor maternity photoshoot?

While I have a custom-designed photography studio in Poole and I love to do indoor, studio-based maternity sessions, I also adore going on location in and around Dorset with my maternity clients.

The type of pregnancy photoshoot you choose will likely be dictated by the time of year and the weather.

My outdoor maternity photoshoots are available almost all year round. It’s only in the winter that I generally don’t shoot maternity outdoors. I imagine you’d rather be in the warmth and comfort of the studio at that time of year!

Naturally, when the weather is good, my outdoor maternity sessions are very popular, and it’s clear why. Open space and a natural setting are lovely to have as a photoshoot backdrop.

maternity photos
Beach bump time

Pregnancy photoshoot portraits: Examples through the seasons

To inspire you on what’s possible in the season that you’re expecting your baby, here’s an overview of what each season offers in terms of flora and fauna.

Spring pregnancy photoshoots

Everything outdoors starts to come alive from April onwards, so if you’re expecting your baby in the spring then an outdoor pregnancy photoshoot is possible among the bluebells, daffodils or delicate blossoms. 

From May, colour flowers like azaleas and rhododendrons also start to bloom and the greenery fills out which looks wonderful in the photos.

Summer pregnancy photoshoots

Summer (hopefully) brings with it warmer weather and longer, lighter evenings. This is the time of year when I love to get out and about with maternity clients and their families either on the beach or in the local woodlands.

‘Golden hour’ in the early evenings is a great time for photos and, if we’re lucky, we can include the setting sun in the portraits.

Around May/June, wildflowers come into their own. I know of local poppy and rapeseed fields that we can visit. Slightly later, around June/July, we could seek out patches of long summer grasses.

Then, in August/September, sunflowers add some vibrant colour and drama to outdoor maternity portraits. Lavender is lovely in Summer too, although sadly there aren’t any lavender fields in Dorset. Since we have so much else to enjoy though, let’s not worry about that!

Related reading: How to stay cool when pregnant in the summer

Dorset maternity photographer
Maternity sunset

Autumn pregnancy photoshoots

Autumn is a beautiful time for outdoor photos too and is probably my favourite time of year to shoot outdoors actually.

The colours are gorgeous; fiery reds, burnt oranges and bright yellows. Leaves are falling and there’s a carpet of colour on the ground. The light is also soft and warm, and the temperature is generally still pleasant so you shouldn’t feel a chill either.

I know some lovely locations in and around Poole and Bournemouth where it’s stunning in autumn time, as shown in these examples.

If you’re expecting your baby in autumn, just imagine it! This could be you!

Pregnant lady photoshoot in the new forest
Beautiful Autumnal Bump photoshoot

Winter pregnancy photoshoots

Unless we’re having a particularly mild winter, or you’re feeling brave (!), during the winter all maternity sessions are done in my photography studio in Broadstone, Poole.

Indoors, I use flattering studio lights and a variety of neutral printed backdrops to create flattering maternity portraits such as those shown here.

Pregnant lady
How serene

Other things you should know about my maternity portrait sessions

So, I hope that was useful as a guide to what you can expect from a pregnancy photoshoot throughout the seasons of the year.

If you opt for an outdoor pregnancy photoshoot, we can visit a location of your choice or I can suggest somewhere, and we can achieve a good range of photographs from just one location. 

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I can advise you on what to wear – it’s all part of the service. I can also provide a selection of beautiful maternity photoshoot dresses. You’re welcome to pick whichever one takes your fancy and borrow it for the duration of the shoot. These are luxury designer maternity gowns that will make you feel amazing and that look stunning on everyone! 

Ready to book your outdoor pregnancy photoshoot?

I really enjoy maternity photoshoots, and just love to help excited mums-to-be in those final weeks of their pregnancy by creating beautiful portraits for them to treasure.

If you like the bump photos you see here and are expecting in the next few months, do get in touch to enquire or make a booking so that I can create the same for you!


beach maternity photoshoot

Beach Maternity Photoshoot

Beach Maternity Photoshoot

Are you looking to capture your beautiful bump with a beach maternity photoshoot and create some beautiful photos?

Well, whether you are pregnant now and ready for a photoshoot or just planning ahead ( love organised people ) you’ve certainly come to the right place. It’s no secret maternity photos are one of my favourite sessions, especially if we can combine the photoshoot with a magnificent Sunset! Where better than a beach maternity photoshoot to get fantastic sunset photos.

beach maternity photoshoot

I love all the wonderful locations we have here in Dorset, but the beach maternity photoshoots, especially in the summer are amazing. Sandy toes in the water, beautiful dress, suntanned bump what could be better?

Here are some hints and tips to help your beach maternity session go to plan.

What to wear

When you book a maternity session with me, we can discuss the kind of photos you are hoping for. I have a great selection of designer maternity dresses available for you to use and most are suited to the Beach. If you prefer to wear your own dresses then Asos is a great site for beach type maternity dresses for that relaxed floaty Boho look. Pale, pastel colours look great on the beach and white can look fab against the sand and waves. The beach in the summer can be busy so if you want to change then be aware you may have to shimmy inside a blanket to change on the beach, especially out of hours when the toilets facilities will be closed.

Related reading: What to expect from a pregnancy photoshoot

maternity photography dorset

Time of Day

My absolute favourite time of day for any location photoshoot would be the “golden hour “. At the end of the day, the light is just sublime. We could do sunrise but that would take some dedications from both of us to be at the beach for 4.30 am. 🙂 So the golden hour is probably best! That last hour or so before sunset has just the most the beautiful soft light. We all love that golden glow in photos and really is super flattering to us ladies. We can make the most of the golden light and hopefully get some great sunset photos too. I can’t stress enough how important the right light is for the photos, sunset can be late in the summer so Beach sessions tend to be between 7-9 pm to make the most of the light.

Beach Maternity Photo shoot

Can I bring my partner?

Absolutely! 100% yes! Dads-to-be are just as excited about the new arrival and often get a little overlooked so yes bring him along. We can include him in as many photos as you like. A simple pale coloured shirt with shorts or trousers will compliment you perfectly and look great in the photos. Dads love the special time with you and the bump, sometimes they can get a bit forgotten.

Pregnancy Bump photo

Can I bring my other children?

Oh yes, of course, you can! I just love to capture the older children at maternity sessions. They are super excited too about the arrival of their new brother or sister. If we are going for a sunset shoot then remember to get the little ones to have a nap in the afternoon so they make it into the evening.

What stage in my pregnancy is best for photos?

Oh, this really is a good question, and it really is different for everyone. I’ve had some ladies with tiny bumps at 38 weeks and others completely fed up and “popped” by 30 weeks. Generally, I recommend booking a session between 28 and 36 weeks. So before you have gotten too tired and fed up and still feel like you are “blooming”. That way you will look back on the photos in awe of your bump and still be able to make it back to the car having gotten your steps in on the beach. Walking in the sand can be fairly tiring when not pregnant, so add pregnancy into the mixed and you could be exhausted if later on in your pregnancy.

Maternity photoshoot

How do I book?

Well booking your beach maternity photoshoot couldn’t really be any simpler, check out my maternity booking information here 

My maternity sessions are currently discounted, so grab an absolute bargain.

Just drop me a line with your due date and the type of maternity session you’d like and we can go from there. I can’t wait to hear from you and get some great bump photos for you.

Bye for now

Karen x


maternity portrait

Maternity portraits: Exciting collaboration with European maternity fashion designer

Maternity Portraits

I don’t get a lot of spare time, particularly during the summer holidays when I have been juggling the care of my two children with a busy photography business, but last week I did get a day off!

I used it wisely. I escaped the studio and got out and about to do some experimental maternity portraits, along with my friend and fellow photographer, Gary Hill.

in the news

As you may know, maternity portrait photography is one of my core services and I love taking photos of gorgeous mummies-to-be.

Photographing a woman in her final stages of pregnancy is truly special.

The pregnancy ‘glow’ and the fully rounded tummy make for stunning portraits.

My maternity clients tell me that they love looking back on their pregnancy photos, long after their babies have been born.

Developing my portfolio of maternity portraits

So, in a bid to continue developing my portfolio of maternity portraits I took a day out recently with some beautiful pregnant ladies.

I recently collaborated with the amazing European maternity fashion designer, Mii-Estilo, and I had some of her gorgeous gowns for my maternity models to wear.

Designer maternity dresses

Based in the Netherlands, Ingrid of Mii-Estilo creates the most stunning maternity dresses. They accentuate every gorgeous baby bump and curve and come in the most flattering colours and designs.

I literally have fallen in love with her dresses, and so was thrilled to be able to use a number of them for my test shoots. I even got to use some of the dresses from her latest collection!

The gowns I used came in the most striking colours, for example, this rich red wine hue of this ‘Bordeaux Red Bellis’ Dress. It had an extra-long train – which I just loved too!

Experimenting with light and working in all weathers!

I took photos of my models in the forest and at the beach, to get a variety of shots.

The weather and the lighting were certainly a challenge! I battled strong winds and bright sunshine to get these great maternity portraits.

But that was the whole point of the day really. I had wanted to try photographing the ladies in difficult circumstances; at the times of the day when the natural light was harsh and therefore most challenging to work with, and in all weathers.

In this lovely beach shot, it was dark and spitting with rain so I think Beth did an amazing job!

maternity portrait

In this one, this beautiful lady braved the gorse which was super prickly too!

And in this one, the sun was really bright but this portrait worked out brilliantly.

I’m thrilled to share the results of those test shoots with you here. I thoroughly enjoyed the day (big thanks to my lovely models Lindsey, Sarah, Beth and Kimberley), and I am absolutely delighted with the maternity portraits I took.

Which is your favourite? Do let me know in the comments!