If you’re expecting another baby, chances are you also have another little person who’ll be joining your maternity session.
One of the first things parents often say to me is:
“I’m worried my toddler won’t cooperate.”
My answer?
They don’t need to.
As a family photographer (and a mum myself), I know toddlers were never designed to stand perfectly still, smile on cue or look at the camera every five seconds.
And honestly?
I wouldn’t want them to.
Some of the most meaningful photographs come from simply letting children be themselves.
Your Toddler Is Part of This Story Too
Maternity photos aren’t just about celebrating your growing bump.
They’re about documenting a huge milestone for your whole family.
Your toddler is on the brink of one of the biggest changes they’ll ever experience, becoming a big brother or sister.
Their excitement, curiosity, cuddles and even those wonderfully cheeky moments all deserve to be remembered too.
There’s No Pressure to Perform
My sessions are relaxed from the very beginning.
Rather than asking children to sit perfectly or smile at the camera, I gently guide families into moments that feel natural.
We might go for a little walk.
Share cuddles.
Talk about the baby.
Play a game together.
Give Mum’s tummy a kiss.
Or simply let your toddler explore while we capture those beautiful in-between moments.
Some children are full of energy.
Others are shy.
Some want endless cuddles, while others would rather collect shells or look for sticks.
All of those personalities are welcome.
The Best Photos Usually Aren’t the Ones You’re Expecting
Parents often imagine the “perfect” maternity photograph as everyone looking at the camera.
While we’ll always make time for a few traditional portraits if that’s important to you, my favourite images are usually the ones in between.
The tiny hand resting on your bump.
A spontaneous cuddle.
Your toddler making everyone laugh.
The way they naturally reach for your hand.
Those are the moments that become priceless years later.
Don’t Worry If Your Toddler Needs a Break
Little children have little attention spans.
That’s completely normal.
If they need a cuddle, a snack, a run around or a quiet moment with Mum or Dad, we’ll simply work around it.
There’s no rush.
Keeping the session relaxed almost always leads to happier children, and more genuine photographs.
A Few Tips Before Your Session
To help everyone enjoy the experience, I always recommend:
- Choosing comfortable clothing that your toddler can move freely in.
- Bringing a favourite snack and a drink.
- Talking positively about the session beforehand.
- Avoiding putting pressure on them to “be good” or “smile nicely.”
The less pressure children feel, the more naturally they tend to engage.
These Are the Last Photos Before Everything Changes
One of my favourite things about photographing growing families is knowing these images capture a chapter that only lasts for a little while.
Very soon, your toddler won’t be your youngest anymore.
Your family dynamic will change forever.
These photographs become a beautiful reminder of the anticipation, the excitement and the love you shared before your newest little family member arrived.
You Don’t Need Perfect
If there’s one thing I’d love you to take away, it’s this:
Your toddler doesn’t need to be perfectly behaved for beautiful photographs.
They just need to be themselves.
Because years from now, you’ll remember exactly who they were at this age, the big personality, the endless energy, the tiny cuddles and all the little quirks that made them uniquely them.
And that’s exactly what I hope to capture.
To book your maternity photos, you can contact me here.
