maternity

Why do mothers take photos of their bellies?

The minute the mother finds out she’s pregnant, her relationship with her child begins. The baby hasn’t arrived, but they’re already being imagined, talked about, and loved. As the belly grows, it becomes a visible sign of pregnancy. As the months go by, it then becomes a marker of how close a mother is to meeting their baby.

There’s anticipation, excitement, and ever-growing love for someone she hasn’t even met yet. So much so that she should plan a maternity shoot with her baby still in her belly.

Many may start to wonder, “Why have a whole photoshoot of yourself and your belly? Wouldn’t it be better if the mother waited until her baby was born? Wouldn’t that save the mother money?” Well, we at Stories don’t have an answer to that, but we can help you understand why mothers take photos of their bellies.

It’s more than just a baby bump

The first answer is simple: maternity photos aren’t simply about documenting the size of a belly but about capturing a deeply personal moment.

Pregnancy is filled with moments that may seem ordinary at first, but over time, they become moments mothers want documented for later reminiscing. Think of it as the first chapter of the relationship between the mother and baby. It’s like an introduction to the characters and to how they intertwine.

A photograph gives mothers a way to hold onto those moments. Yes, the belly itself is temporary. It grows for several months, and eventually, the baby arrives, and everything changes. But a photograph can preserve the version of a mother who was still waiting — still carrying her baby, imagining them, and preparing to meet them.

Perhaps that’s part of why maternity photography is in such demand — it can feel so intimate — just a mother and her baby in her belly.

A commenter on the Chinese platform Zhihu shares, “We [husband and I] took lots of maternity photos ourselves on our balcony. Of course, there were plenty of pictures showing off my belly — it came from the same feeling as wanting to show off and share pictures of the baby…it really felt so amazing [that] I had a baby growing inside me, and I was such a happy mother. That was genuinely how I felt at the time. I was basically this little pregnant woman glowing with joy!”

The second answer: it’s a way of celebrating the mother.

Look at a photograph of a mother smiling, one hand resting gently on her belly; you might see nothing but joy. What the photograph doesn’t show are the months that came before it — the morning sickness, the back pain, the swollen ankles, the foods she had to give up, the restless nights, and countless uncomfortable moments that came with carrying a baby.

Yes, pregnancy can be beautiful, but it isn’t always easy.

Behind that smile is a mother whose body has been changing, stretching, and adapting to make room for a new life. She spent months putting someone else’s needs before her own before they even arrived.

That is worth remembering.

But is a maternity photoshoot worth the investment?

Of course, there’s a question that many would ask: Is a maternity photoshoot worth paying for? Especially when the mother will be hiring a professional photographer again to photograph her baby later on?

A professional photoshoot is a luxury, especially when a phone can simply capture the baby bump for nothing. But professional photography offers something different: allowing mothers to step away from documenting themselves and simply experience it.

Professional photoshoots are intentional — lighting, backgrounds, composition, and details. They can create images that reflect the mother’s personality and beauty. And while it may seem like maternity and newborn photo shoots document the same journey, they capture two completely different moments.

At the end of the day, whether a professional maternity photoshoot is worth the investment depends on family and personal values. For some mothers, it’s about celebrating the changes their bodies go through; for others, it’s about preserving a special chapter of their life before everything changes.

Whatever your reason, there’s no right or wrong way to capture this season. What matters is having photographs that feel true to you and your family.

If you’re still unsure about taking the next step, reach out to us. We’re always happy to chat, answer your questions, and help you plan a maternity photoshoot that feels comfortable, meaningful, and right for you and your family.

Grace Tan In At Home, Beautiful Everyday, Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Maternity, Portraits, Studio

What You Wear Matters More Than You Think

Let’s be honest. The first question before any shoot is always, “What should we wear?” Usually followed by a few outfit changes, a bit of overthinking, and at least one “does this match?” moment. And fair enough, it’s not always the easiest question to answer.

But maybe the better question is, “What tends to work well on camera?”

Because while a good outfit can elevate a photo, the right choices can really help everything feel a little more natural and put together, without taking attention away from you.

Let’s talk colours

Colours don’t just sit there looking nice. They’re doing quite a bit behind the scenes. They reflect light, affect skin tones, and influence how a photo feels overall.

Very bright colours can sometimes reflect onto the skin more than expected.
Very dark tones can feel a little heavier in photos.
And when there are too many different colours in one frame, it can start to feel a little busy. And not always in a good way.

This is why softer tones, neutrals, and earthy palettes tend to work so well. They keep things balanced and let the focus stay on people. Also, they are generally easier to match as a group, which helps when everyone is trying to agree on what to wear at the same time… which is usually where things get a little chaotic.

Things that tend to work better

Over time, we have noticed a few things that tend to photograph more smoothly:

Coordinated over matching
Outfits that complement each other often feel more natural than everyone wearing the exact same thing. A little variation actually makes the whole photo feel more alive and a lot less stressful to put together.
Simpler patterns
Smaller prints or textures tend to photograph more cleanly and keep the attention where it should be. Nothing too loud, nothing too distracting, just enough.
Softer colour tones
Muted or toned-down colours are usually more flattering on camera and easier to work with. They also tend to age better when you look back at the photos later.
Comfort matters
Outfits that feel easy to move in help you stay relaxed and present during the shoot. If you feel good, it shows. If you don’t, that usually shows pretty quickly too.
Staying true to your style
Photos always feel more natural when you look like yourself, just a little more put together. No need to suddenly become someone else for the day. You don’t need a whole new personality just for photos.

Where everything starts to click

So instead of overthinking every detail, here’s a simpler way to look at it. Think of your outfit as part of the overall frame, not the main focus.

Soft, balanced colours.
Simple textures.
Pieces that move easily with you.

And most importantly, something you feel comfortable and confident in. That usually does more for a photo than anything else.

If there’s one thing to take away

Photos are not really about the outfit. But the right outfit can help everything come together a little more naturally. More than anything, it’s about how you feel in what you’re wearing. When you’re comfortable, when you feel like yourself, it shows in ways you don’t have to think about.

So keep it simple, comfortable, and true to you. Because the best photos are the ones where you feel like yourself in them.

Oh, and this year’s colour of the year

Oh, and speaking of colours, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2026 is Cloud Dancer. Which, yes, is a very nice way of saying a really good shade of white. It’s a soft, airy white that leans slightly warm. Calm, minimal, and very easy to work with. The kind of colour that feels clean and effortless. It also photographs really well. It doesn’t compete for attention and pairs nicely with almost everything. It’s one of those colours that just works without needing too much effort.

You don’t have to go all in, but it works nicely as a base or layered with softer tones. And if nothing else, it’s a very safe option when no one can decide what to wear. What do you think, something you would wear for a shoot, or more of a background kind of colour? If you would like to read more about colours, check out this other blog post we wrote.

And if you are ever unsure what to wear, we are always happy to guide you through styling for your session.

Jasmine Tai In Maternity, Portraits

Alex & Mechell’s Maternity Photoshoot

There’s that unique spark in every couple’s story— a strong bond that makes the journey of life feel like one big adventure. For Alex and Mechell, it’s their shared love of video games. These two have always enjoyed creating fun memories, challenging each other in the game world, and cheering each other on. But now, as they prepare to welcome their little one into the world, their game is changing—it’s leveling up in the most profound way. This maternity photo session is a beautiful reminder that parenthood isn’t just an important responsibility—it’s an adventure, a game of its own, filled with joy and love, and plenty of “levels” to conquer.

Credits:
Photography by Stephen

Grace Tan In Maternity, Portraits

Prop ideas for your maternity photo shoot

A great way of celebrating that baby bump growing inside of you is through a maternity photo session. The best time to do this is between your 30-36 week of pregnancy. You should be nice and shapely then! If you are planning for a maternity session, you should also give some thought to the props that you could bring along to make the photo shoot more fun. Props can add depth, meaning, and a touch of personality to your photos, making each session unique. Here are some creative prop ideas that can elevate your maternity photo shoots.

1. Ultrasound Photos

The ultrasound is your baby’s very first photo! This tiny glimpse into the life growing inside of you adds a personal and emotional touch to the images. It’s a great prop to also reuse in your newborn baby portrait session. It never gets old!

2. Baby Clothes

Including a favorite baby outfit or onesie in the photo shoot can add a cute and personal element. This prop is not only adorable but also creates a sense of anticipation of the future.

3. Baby Shoes

Tiny baby shoes are an adorable addition to any maternity photo shoot. You can place the shoes on the your belly, in your hands, or next to other props. It’s even more fun when you have matching shoes too!

4. Personalized Signs

Personalized signs with the baby’s name, a due date, or a meaningful quote can make a maternity photo shoot feel even more special. These signs can be simple chalkboards, wooden plaques, or even banners. Have an older sibling hold the signboard, and that can be really meaningful as well.

5. Floral Crowns and Bouquets

Flowers can add a soft touch to your session, creating a serene environment. You can opt for fresh flowers that match the season, or choose faux flowers that align with the colour scheme of the session. If you are planning on a photo shoot in a bath tub, you can also add petals into the water.

6. Books

Books are a wonderful prop that can represent the story you will share with your child. There are many personalised books options nowadays, and you can include your baby’s name in the book as well.

7. Sentimental items

You could bring along items that hold a special meaning for you. For example, this could be a piece of jewelery, your wedding bands, a family heirloom, or even your own childhood toy.

We hope this article gives you some ideas on how you can personalise your maternity photo session with props. It brings us great joy to celebrate the anticipation of a newborn. View our maternity portfolio here or contact us to schedule your maternity session!

Bin Bin Tan In Casual Portraits, Family + Children Portraits, Maternity, Portraits, Studio

Types of Backdrops in Our Studio for your Family Photoshoot

Although we love doing photoshoots outdoors (check out our article for best parks) and at our client’s homes, we understand why you might prefer a studio session – it’s more comfortable, convenient, plus it has air conditioning! You won’t even need to do housekeeping, we’ll get the space sorted for you before you arrive! A studio photo session can be ideal for those reasons, but it doesn’t have to be generic. You can inject your own personality and flair to the shoot by selecting a backdrop to match your style. Below are the options available should you choose to do a session in our studio.

1. Classic or plain backdrop

If you’re those looking for a timeless and classy look, you can opt for a plain studio backdrop. We have backdrops in white, grey and black. You will also have the choice of shooting with our studio’s brown walls if these colours don’t work for you.

To help decide on your backdrop colour, plan your outfits and look in advance to ensure your clothes match with the background. The colour of the backdrop can influence the final outcome of the pictures – for classy vibe, opt for a darker background or choose a lighter background for something simple and versatile. If you have a special theme or idea in mind, please let us know!

2. Lifestyle

Lifestyle photography involves more authentic background settings – think contemporary furniture and even plants! At our studio we have a variety of couches, rugs, pillows and blankets that you can incorporate into your shoot. These items will give a cosy feeling and will lend a more natural look to your photos. Plus they make the shoot more comfortable!