Weddings & portraits

Maternity Shoot Shot List

Maternity sessions are about shape, so most of the list is about angle and light rather than variety. Backlight and profile do most of the work.

Include partners and siblings early — these images are usually for the family, not for a portfolio.

Shots
23
Groups
4
Format
Checklist

The shot list

Solo

  • 01Full profile, hands on bump
  • 02Backlit silhouette
  • 03Three-quarter turn towards camera
  • 04Close portrait, face only
  • 05Hands on bump, close, no face
  • 06Looking down at bump
  • 07Full length environmental
  • 08Fabric or dress in motion

With partner

  • 09Partner behind, hands together on bump
  • 10Facing each other, foreheads touching
  • 11Partner kissing bump
  • 12Both hands on bump, close
  • 13Walking together
  • 14Both looking at camera, half length

With siblings

  • 15Child hugging or kissing bump
  • 16Child listening to bump
  • 17Whole family together
  • 18Child's hands on bump with parents'
  • 19Candid — child playing near parents

Detail

  • 20Ultrasound photo held or on the bump
  • 21Baby shoes or clothing
  • 22Any name or announcement detail
  • 23Wedding rings with bump behind

Tips for this kind of shoot

  • Backlight is the most reliable maternity light. Shoot into the window or into the sun.
  • Profile and three-quarter angles do most of the work — straight-on rarely flatters a bump.
  • Book between 28 and 34 weeks. Earlier reads as unclear, later is uncomfortable.

Use this list on your next shoot

Storeyz keeps your shots in story order for planning and regroups them by location for the day — then you tick them off on your phone as you get them.

How to use a list like this

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