If you're not familiar with the maternity photography process, you may have a lot of questions. That's why a frequently asked questions page for maternity photography is an essential resource for expectant parents. This FAQ page covers all the important aspects of a Dallas maternity photo shoot. With the information at your fingertips, you'll feel confident and excited to have some beautiful images to cherish for years to come.
Best to time to schedule your maternity photography session would be between 28-35 weeks. However, I do realize some women tend to show alot early, while others later in the pregnancy. When you feel you have a noticeably round belly is when I’d recommend booking.
The list of locations will be emailed to you upon inquiry. Locations available are in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Rockwall..etc.
Fine Art Maternity Photography sessions take place in my home studio, located at 4014 Dalton Dr. Rowlett, TX. The studio is a custom designed private space which holds everything needed for your custom photography experience. My Dallas maternity photography studio is stocked with an extensive amount of couture gowns and accessories. Use of these items are all included in your collection price total.
Outdoor maternity photography sessions are scheduled anywhere between 6:30-7pm for the spring/summer months and 3:30-4pm for the fall/winter months. Outdoor maternity photography sessions are always scheduled 1.5-2 hours before sundown. Lighting, is always more aesthetically pleasing with the soft afternoon golden glow. I get asked alot about the heat and humidity during the summer months and I reassure you, it’s never an issue. I’m always conscious of making sure your gown, hair and pose is picture perfect and with that, if any sweat is visible, I always have clients dab it off. It’s actually quite the opposite during the hotter months. A little sweat always gives clients a beautiful shimmery glow in post processing.
Since I also specialize in weddings full time, maternity photography sessions are not scheduled on weekends. They must be scheduled during the week, Monday - Friday.
Yes, I most certainly will! Let’s be honest, most don’t have the opportunity to get professionally photographed by a Dallas photographer on a regular basis so it’s completely normal for clients to feel uneasy and anxious about the whole process. I don’t want you to worry. I come with enough experience to already envision the whole session before we even begin; posing, lighting, angles..etc.
After booking has been confirmed, you’ll also receive a maternity photography session prep guide that’ll discusses in detail, every aspect of your maternity session and how you can prepare with regard to hair, makeup, skin prep, shoes, props, use of gowns..etc.
Yes, I do! I have a wide selection of couture and casual maternity gowns, clients are welcome to use, free of charge. Gown are made of very stretchy, long and forgiving fabric, so they can fit anywhere from a size 2-14.
The fine art maternity session, gives you the option of 5-6 gowns/looks. Outdoor maternity portrait sessions are limited to, one outfit change, only. Clients typically arrive in their first outfit and change into the 2nd outfit during the shoot. You are not allowed to change into two outfits during the session. Maternity shoots take about an hour or so, anything more than your 2nd outfit, will eat up your session time. Not to mention, I've been fortunate to do this long enough to know, having so many outfit changes, can really fluster a client and it's never a quick and easy task for them. However, if you're still wanting 2-3 outfit changes, please note, a $50 fee will be added to your collection total.
If you’re interested in wearing a studio maternity gown for your outdoor session, in-person fitting and consultations aren’t scheduled until the booking has been confirmed with both the contract and retainer, being received. Once the booking has been confirmed, we’ll schedule a time for you to stop by. Maternity consultations usually last about 15-20 minutes and my studio location is 4014 Dalton Dr. Rowlett 75089 .
I do not provide props for outdoor maternity sessions. Props are only used for in-studio newborn sessions. However, I’d recommend bringing a sonogram and (or) baby shoes to incorporate into your session. Your maternity session prep guide will discuss in detail what props you can possible incorporate.
I’ve always believed that the pregnant woman is beautiful no matter where she is so, whatever backdrop you decide on you can’t go wrong.
In-studio maternity photography portraits or on-location can both be amazing, different – yet equally amazing. Nothing will compare to the effects natural lighting has on outdoor maternity photos, especially during golden hour, which is about 1.5 - 1 hour before sundown. It creates such soft, romantic, golden diffused lighting which is perfect if you’re wanting a more traditionalistic approach to your maternity photos.
Aesthetically, studio photos give more of a high-end and lavish feel to your imagery than outdoor photos. It's a controlled atmosphere, which is great for clients that are more comfortable indoors, than they are in the great outdoors, taking into account the summer and winter weather. You’ll have more privacy making it great for shooting tasteful semi-nudes, and nudes and not having to worry about prying eyes. Indoor portraits tend to be more flexible in scheduling since they can be scheduled at any time of the day. Indoor maternity portraits are great for high-risk pregnancies because of the limiting of walking and also, for clients that have significant others that prefer to be limited on the photo aspect of this beautiful journey. These sessions solely focus more on the task at hand, in such a way that artistically and yet tastefully, enhances the miraculous gift of growing a baby- yay-you!
Within a week or two of your maternity photo shoot, I will send you a gallery link for soft proofing. Meaning, once your images have been narrowed down to the deliverable files, I will email you the gallery link of unedited files. From there, you have complete control in selecting the maternity photography photos you would like edited and delivered.
Turnaround on your digital files is 21 days from your maternity session date. Once the said photos have been post-processed, files will be added to another online gallery. I will text you once the gallery has been emailed. From the gallery, you’ll be able to download your high-resolution non-watermarked images to your computers. You will also receive a PDF of your print release/usage rights.
You’re more than welcome to share the gallery with family and friends. Online gallery also has the option to also purchase prints directly from the printing lab. Prints start at $15.00 and orders are shipped directly to the lab and arrive within 2 weeks of the order date.
Yes of course! However, the indoor maternity sessions solely focus on the task at hand; expectant moms. Since the digital count for indoor sessions is a lot less than outdoor, your significant other will only be in 2-3 photos. If you would like them to be more involved in the posing aspect, I would recommend the outdoor maternity session where you can maximize every single pose with different looks/angles/scenery..etc.
As much as I love the sweet idea of having your fur baby involved, pets are not allowed in the studio. If you’re wanting your pet involved, I would recommend the outdoor maternity session.
Collection pricing does not include professional hair and makeup. I included links below too, two vendors, I highly recommend. They have done fabulous work with many of my clients. I'm also available to directly coordinate your hair and makeup appointment with the artist, once we have narrowed down any potentials dates that work best for your schedule.
Please note, I am in no way, personally affiliated with this artist. If you decide to use them, you do so at your own risk. These artist have their own makeup studio so you will be required to arrive to their location. Unfortunately, they are not available to come to the studio.
ROSB Beauty (located in Wylie. Less than 10 miles from my location)
Hair & Makeup By Ann (Plano, TX)
I do! When booking both your maternity and mini newborn session, I’ll include the family and sibling photos free of charge, which will add an additional 4-6 more digital file to the mini newborn session collection. If you book the full newborn session you will receive a $75 discount. For lifestyle sessions, a $50 discount is applied. Discounts are not given to the maternity collection for booking both, only the newborn.
Lily Hayes is highly ranked professional Dallas maternity photographer, pregnancy photographer specializing in beautifully curated maternity photography in Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Carrollton, Allen, Anna, McKinney, Frisco, Wylie, Rockwall and surrounding cities.