When to take Maternity Photos If Your Baby Is Due in Summer

When Should You Take Maternity Photos for a Summer Due Date?

If you’re expecting a summer baby, you’ve probably already started wondering when to schedule your maternity photos. Too early, and it doesn’t quite feel like a maternity session yet. Too late, and you’re uncomfortable, exhausted, and just ready to meet your baby.

It’s one of the most common questions I get—and the timing can feel surprisingly confusing at first.

Short answer:
The best time for maternity photos is between 30–35 weeks pregnant. If your baby is due in summer, that usually means planning your session for spring or early summer, depending on your due date.

From there, we can fine-tune timing based on how you’re feeling, the kind of light you love, and where you want your session to take place.

Planning Maternity Photos in the Bay Area (What to Expect)

The Bay Area Has Its Own Rules—this is the part most people don't expect.

If you're picturing a warm, golden, summery session - the kind with long light and bare arms - you need to know that the Bay Area has its own climate agenda. Spring and early summer here are often cold, foggy, and windy. That gorgeous warm sunshine you're imagining? It usually lives inland, not at the coast.

That said, I genuinely love a foggy beach session. There's something romantic and a little cinematic about it. It can be just as beautiful and special as a sunny day, as long as we go in with the right plan and mindset.

One of my clients wanted a warm sunset session. In the Bay Area, that's always a bit of a gamble with the fog. We ended up driving to a hilltop ridge that sits above the fog line - and honestly, the light up there was magical. The fog spreading out below us turned into this unexpected, dreamy backdrop. It worked out better than either of us anticipated.

The point is: flexibility and knowing your location options make a huge difference here.

Maternity Photo Timing by Due Date (June, July, August)

I always aim to have moms in front of my camera somewhere between 30 and 35 weeks. That's when the belly is beautifully round, you still have your energy, and we're not cutting it too close.

That said, I've done sessions earlier and later, and we always make it work. If the belly hasn't quite popped yet, I'll just have you hold your bump to draw the eye there. If you're further along and a big outing sounds like too much, we keep it simple and close.

Here's a straightforward breakdown by due date:

June Due Date
Ideal timing: Mid-April to mid-May

July Due Date
Ideal timing: May to early June

August Due Date
Ideal timing: June to early July

If you're looking at this and realizing your window is coming up soon - or has already passed - reach out anyway. We'll figure out what works.

A Few Things to Know Before Booking

The Bay Area is not always warm in summer.
If you want that sun-soaked, golden-hour look, we'll want to plan for an inland location. If you're open to something moodier and coastal, the fog can actually be stunning.

Comfort matters more than the calendar.
I want you to feel good during your session. If 35 weeks sounds late but you're still feeling great, we can wait. If 28 weeks is where you're at and life is getting complicated, we'll work with it.

Booking sooner gives us more options.
The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility we have with timing, location, and weather backup plans. Summer weekends fill up, and having a cushion to reschedule if the fog rolls in is always a good thing.

Why This Matters

Your maternity photos aren't just about the belly. They're about this season - the anticipation, the love, the realness of it all. And when we get the timing right, the whole session feels easier and more relaxed, which means the photos end up feeling more like you.

You don't need perfect weather or a perfect plan. You just need a window that works and someone who knows how to make the most of wherever we land.

Common Questions

Is 36+ weeks too late for maternity photos?

Not necessarily—but it can be more physically uncomfortable, and we have less flexibility if your baby decides to arrive early. If you’re feeling good, we can absolutely make it work, but I usually recommend aiming a bit earlier when possible.

What if I already feel big at 28 weeks?

Totally valid—and honestly, pretty common. If you’re feeling your best earlier, that’s what matters most. We can absolutely schedule your session sooner so you feel comfortable and confident.

What if I missed the ideal window?

Reach out anyway. We can always adjust and make something work.

Can my partner, child, or dog be included in the session?

Always. Most of my sessions include partners and older siblings, and I get lots of requests for dogs (and other pets) too. We’ll plan things in a way that keeps it feeling relaxed and makes it a good experience for everyone involved.

What if the weather is bad or the fog rolls in?

This is very normal in the Bay Area. We can either pivot locations (for example, heading inland for more sun) or lean into the moodier coastal look, which can be just as beautiful. I always build in a little flexibility when planning.

Do I need to book early for a summer due date?

Yes—especially for weekend sessions. Spring dates tend to fill up quickly, and booking early gives us more flexibility with timing, location, and weather backup options.

Let's Find Your Perfect Window

If you're due this summer and you've been putting off reaching out, consider this your sign to just go ahead and do it.

I'd love to help you figure out the timing, talk through locations, and make sure your session feels easy from start to finish. Get in touch here and we'll take it from there.

The fog might show up. The light will still be beautiful. I promise.