Hi mama, I'm so excited you're here. Thank you for trusting me to capture this incredible chapter of your life. I take this work very seriously, and my goal is to give you photos you'll want to hold onto forever. ✨

As a mom of two who has been pregnant twice, let me tell you something I wish someone had told me: you are not going to remember exactly what this felt like. Not the way you think you will.

You'll remember the big things, of course. The first kick. The day you found out. The nursery coming together. But the in-between moments, the way your hand rested on your belly without thinking, the curve of your body at 32 weeks, the specific shade of tired in your eyes during the third trimester, the miracle of it all... those slip away faster than you'd believe.

That's what these photos are for.

And one more thing, mama. Recently a client told me she almost didn't book a maternity session because she had gained weight and didn't feel beautiful. Looking back at the photos she eventually did take, she now sees herself completely differently. She sees the goddess she actually was.

I want you to hear me on this: we deserve these photos even when we don't feel beautiful. Especially when we don't feel beautiful. Bloated, tired, swollen, not quite ourselves... that's the version of you who is growing a whole human. Who will give birth to them. Who will nurture them with her body.

That is not a body that needs to apologize for anything. That is a goddess. My job is to show you what I see when I look at you.

So grab a cup of your favourite warm drink, get cozy, and let's plan something beautiful together. 💛

A man and woman standing on a trail surrounded by autumn-colored trees, smiling and holding hands, with the woman wearing a white cardigan and the man in a dark shirt during an outdoor maternity photoshoot in Boucherville Islands, near Montreal

What to Expect From Your Maternity Session

Maternity sessions with me are about honouring your body and the strength it's carrying. Here's the quick rundown:

Length: About an hour. That's plenty of time for outfit changes and a few different setups within one location. I never put a timer on it. If we go a little shorter or longer, no problem. I don't rush my clients.
Where: In-home, outdoor, or a mix. We'll talk through which fits your vibe (more on this below).
Who's in the photos: Just you, or you + partner, older kids, and pets. Maternity sessions when the family is expanding are some of my favourite to photograph. It's so beautiful to capture the older sibling kissing the belly or the partner holding you exactly the way they will when baby arrives.
The vibe: Slow, warm, intentional. There will be flowy fabrics. There may be golden light. There will absolutely be moments where I tell you you look like a goddess, because you will.

When to Book Your Session

The sweet spot is between 28 and 35 weeks of pregnancy.

This is when your belly is beautifully round and unmistakable, but you're still comfortable enough to move, pose, and enjoy the session. A few things to factor in:

If this is your second, third, or fourth pregnancy, your belly will likely pop earlier. We may book closer to 26-28 weeks.
If you're carrying multiples, we'll plan earlier (around 24-28 weeks).
Your comfort matters most. If you feel ready at 26 weeks or not until 36, we'll work with where you are.

I recommend booking your session as soon as you have your due date locked in. Maternity windows fill up faster than people expect, especially in spring and summer.

In-Home vs Outdoor: How to Choose

I love both equally, and the right choice really depends on the kind of session you're imagining.

In-Home Sessions

In-home is intimate, slow, and personal. Your space, your decor, your morning light. You're at your most comfortable, which makes a real difference when you're 8 months pregnant and not loving the idea of trekking somewhere.

This is also the option to choose if you want:

Boudoir-style or more sensual photos. Soft sheets, lingerie, robes, partial drape. We'll talk through everything beforehand so you know exactly what we're capturing.
A shower or bathtub session. Soft natural light, warm water, the world quiet around you. Some of the most stunning, intimate images I create.
Photos that include your home itself (the nursery, your bedroom, the kitchen where you've been craving everything).

If you have a backyard, we can also start indoors and step outside for a bit of greenery without going far.

A pregnant woman and her partner sharing a kiss in a living room.

A pregnant woman with dark hair standing on stairs, holding her belly, wearing a cropped top and blue jeans, smiling and looking down during an in-home maternity photo session in Dorval, montreal

A man and woman sitting on a couch, the man comforting the pregnant woman by holding her hand and shoulder, with a dark background.

Outdoor Sessions

Outdoor maternity sessions are pure magic, especially because I shoot them at golden hour (the hour or two before sunset). Soft warm light, dreamy backgrounds, that almost-cinematic feel. If you're imagining flowy dresses and a sun-drenched setting, this is your move.

My favourite outdoor maternity locations:

The beach (honestly my number one). Cap-Saint-Jacques in particular feels otherworldly at golden hour, and the open space gives gorgeous, uncluttered backgrounds.
Boucherville Islands for a more lush, natural, riverside feel.
Tulip or lavender fields in season (these book up fast, so plan ahead if this is on your wishlist).
Fruit picking farms or orchards if you want something a little more whimsical.
Picnic setups in a beautiful park or by the water.

I'm also always up for exploring new locations. If you've been dreaming of a horse farm, a waterfall, a river, or somewhere specific to you and your story, tell me. Let's go.

Pregnant woman outdoors at sunset, stretching her arms above her head in a field captured during an outdoor maternity photoshoot in Boucherville Islands near Montreal

A couple embracing by the water at sunset, with the woman in a white lace dress and the man in a white shirt and dark pants.

A pregnant woman with light skin wearing a white head scarf, a blue jacket, and white pants standing in a tulip field holding a small basket of flowers, with a cloudy sky background captured at a Maternity photoshoot in the Tulip Fields, Laval

What to Wear

Outfits can make or break maternity photos. I mean it. What you wear has more impact on the final images than almost anything else. So let's get this right.

The Vibe

Soft, flowy, feminine, a little dreamy. Think:

Long flowy dresses that move with the wind (linen, silk, chiffon)
Form-fitting pieces that show off the belly (a fitted slip dress, a bodysuit with a long skirt)
Robes or kimonos over nice underwear or a bralette
Beautiful lingerie if you're going for boudoir
A gorgeous bathing suit if we're at the beach
Knit dresses or sweaters for cozy winter or in-home sessions

Stick to soft, neutral, or muted colours. Creams, soft whites, dusty pinks, sage, sand, blush, soft taupe, deep terracotta. These photograph beautifully and let you be the focus, not the outfit. Although I’ve been loving colourful outfits lately!

Avoid

Bright neons (they cast colour onto your skin)
Busy patterns (they distract from the belly)
Logos
Anything stiff or structured (you want movement and softness)
Things you wouldn't normally feel beautiful in

Underwear Matters

If you're wearing anything sheer, flowy, or open, plan your underwear. Nude-toned, seamless pieces work best. Or skip it if you're comfortable doing so under longer skirts or fabric.

How to Choose What's Right for You

The most important thing: pick what makes you feel sexy and beautiful right now. Not what made you feel sexy pre-pregnancy. Right now, at 30 weeks, with this body. Trust me, when you feel good in what you're wearing, it shows in every single frame.

Some moms want their photos covered, ethereal, and goddess-like. Some want sensual, intimate, and a little boudoir. Some want a mix. All of these are beautiful. There's no "right" way to do maternity photos. Just your way.

I've Got You On Outfits

I love helping clients style their maternity sessions. Send me your outfit options and I'll tell you what will work best on camera.

I've also curated a full list of maternity outfits I love 👉SHOP MY EDIT HERE. Tons of options at every price point. You can shop directly through these links (I get a tiny commission, but the price is exactly the same for you whether you go through my link or not).

A person kneeling on a bed, wearing a black bra and white shirt, holding their pregnant belly with one hand, in a softly lit room.

Close-up of a pregnant woman wearing white lace lingerie, holding a white lace umbrella, with soft natural lighting captured during an in-home boudoir maternity photoshoot in Montreal

How to Prepare in the Weeks Before

Take Care of Your Body

Your body is doing the most miraculous, exhausting work of your life. Be kind to it in the days leading up:

Hydrate. A lot. Water makes your skin glow on camera.
Sleep when you can. Easier said than done in the third trimester, I know.
Moisturize your belly daily. Skin photographs beautifully when it's well-hydrated.
Rest the day before. No big errands, no marathon nesting projects. Take it easy.

Pamper Yourself

This is one of those rare moments where you absolutely should put yourself first:

Get your nails done. Hands end up in so many maternity photos (cradling the belly, holding the partner's hand).
Hair appointment or a fresh blowout. Whatever makes you feel polished.
Get a professional makeup artist if it's in budget. Worth every penny. I can recommend amazing MUAs if you want.
A facial or massage in the week leading up. Pure goddess energy.
Wax/groom whatever you'd want to feel polished about.

You deserve every single bit of this. ✨

Don't Forget Practical Comfort

Bring comfortable shoes for getting to and between locations. Heels and uneven ground at 32 weeks is a recipe for misery.
Eat before the session. No hangry mamas. Having a real meal before is essential.
Pee right before we start, and feel free to ask for breaks. You're pregnant. We're going at your pace.
Bring a snack in case you need a quick boost.

A couple sitting on grass in a natural outdoor setting, with the woman wearing a patterned dress and the man in a light t-shirt, illuminated by the setting sun.

Including Your Partner, Older Kids, and Pets

I love photographing maternity sessions with the whole family. There's something so beautiful about capturing the family right before it expands.

With Your Partner

We'll do a mix of:

You solo (still the centrepiece of the session)
You + partner together
Partner-and-belly moments (hands, kisses, foreheads touching)

If your partner is camera-shy, don't worry. They are not the focus and I'll keep their part of the session short, simple, and easy. Most partners end up surprised by how natural it felt.

With Older Siblings

If you have older kids, bringing them is one of the most heartwarming things you can do. Watching a toddler kiss their mom's belly or a big kid press their ear against it to "listen to the baby" wrecks me every single time. These photos become some of the most treasured ones from the whole session.

Pack snacks, bring a comfort item, and follow all the same tips from my family prep guide. I'll keep their part of the session quick and fun.

With Your Pets

Yes, please bring the dog. Pets are part of your family and they belong in the photos. Same prep applies: groom them ahead of time, bring treats and a leash, and let me know if they're nervous so I can adjust.

A woman is lying on her back, pregnant, smiling as a young girl kisses her belly. Two children and an adult are also present, gathered outdoors on a grassy area captured at a Maternity photoshoot in Boucherville Islands, near Montreal

A couple sitting on a rug with their dog in a home, smiling and petting the dog captured at an in-home maternity photo session in Montreal

What Happens After the Session?

Once we wrap, I'll professionally edit your images with care and a whole lot of love. Within a few weeks, you'll get an online gallery where you can:

Download your favourite images
Order fine art prints and wall art directly through your gallery
Share with family and friends who have been waiting impatiently for these

Please print your photos, mama. Don't let them live on a hard drive forever. Your child should grow up seeing the photo of their mom carrying them. There's something deeply powerful about a kid pointing to a wall and going "that's me in there." Print them. Frame them. Tell the story.

Screenshot of Pic-Time, the gallery delivery software of Jen Blanco Photography.

A Note for Camera-Shy Moms

The most common things I hear from maternity clients before their session:

"I don't usually like how I look pregnant." "I feel huge and uncomfortable." "I don't know what to do in front of the camera."

Listen. I hear you. I felt all of those things during my own pregnancies. And I want you to know two things:

First: I will guide you through every single moment. You won't have to figure out what to do with your hands, or where to look, or how to stand. That's my job. I'll prompt you, compliment you, fix your hair, tell you when to breathe.

Second: You will not regret these photos. I have never had a client tell me they wish they hadn't done a maternity session. I have heard countless women say they wish they had.

You are doing something miraculous. Let me show you what that looks like.

the fun part begins now, mama!

All of these are recommendations, not rules. At the end of the day, I want you to feel comfortable, beautiful, and like the absolute goddess you are. If you have any questions, please reach out. ♥️

Jen!

The Ultimate Maternity Photoshoot Prep Guide