Where to Take Your Maternity Photos: An Elegant Studio Session in the Minneapolis Area

This post is part of my Where to Take Your Maternity Photos series, where I share the beauty of capturing this special time in different settings — in-studio, outdoors, and at home. Each location brings its own unique feeling to your maternity photos, and today’s post is all about the beauty of capturing your photos in a studio setting.  As a Minneapolis maternity photographer, it’s my job to help you decide which option is best for you, so I hope you find these helpful!

Why Choose a Studio Maternity Session?

A studio gives you total control. Lighting is beautiful and consistent no matter the weather or season (and we all know Minnesota weather likes to keep us humble). You don’t have to worry about wind, snow, swarms of mosquitoes, or that random 40-degree day in May. Studios also offer a clean, minimal backdrop that naturally highlights your connection, your bump, and the emotion of this chapter. Many studios have gorgeous natural light and curated furniture, which creates a soft, polished look. If you want an elegant, timeless aesthetic, studio sessions are a dreamy fit.

Are there any Drawbacks to Photographing in a Studio?

It depends on what you call a drawback, and what type of vibe you’re after!  Studios can feel more structured than outdoor or in-home sessions. If you’re someone who thrives on movement, color, and scenery, you might miss that open-air feeling. There’s also a time limit and studio rental fee, so there’s a little more planning involved.

Studio sessions are best if you’re looking for classic, romantic looks. Neutral tones. Peaceful moments. Winter babies. Anyone wanting a calm, beautiful, stress-free setting.  When you book your maternity session I will help you decide what works best for your vision and vibe.  

Every maternity session feels special, but Kaia’s was something truly peaceful and radiant — the kind of session that reminds me why I love what I do. She was 35 weeks pregnant with her first baby during our late-October photoshoot.  Together, we chose a private studio in Minnetonka for her maternity photo session.  This is a beautiful space that feels like it was designed for soft, glowing light and quiet connection, giving the photos an almost ethereal feel. It’s full of large windows that look out onto tall trees, and the natural light spills across the room all day long. From the moment Kaia arrived, I knew this was going to be one of those sessions that felt effortless — full of laughter, calm energy, and moments that seemed to stand still.

What to Wear to a Maternity Session?

The #1 priority is for you to feel amazing!  This is your time to shine.  I typically recommend neutral colors, or pinks or blue tones depending on your baby’s gender.  I also have a growing client wardrobe filled with beautiful pieces that look amazing on camera and you don’t have to think twice about it!  (more on that later)

For Kaia’s 45-minute maternity photoshoot, she brought 4 of her own outfits and borrowed one from my client wardrobe.  We began the session with a piece from my client wardrobe — a white, off-the-shoulder (or can be pulled up) full-length dress (first photo below!) that flowed gracefully as she moved.

Then she changed into a short, flirty white dress.  It was the perfect look to show off her natural joy and excitement for the journey ahead.  Her next dress was a stunning, elegant off-the-shoulder sweater dress that fit her just perfectly.  It had a little more modern, yet classic look and the texture was a beautiful contrast against the white backdrop.

Next came a more casual outfit: jeans paired with a cropped white tank that showed off her growing belly. I love this look for maternity sessions — it feels confident and real, a little glimpse into everyday life that still photographs beautifully. We ended the session with a long, ruffly white dress — full of movement and romance. It was the perfect closing look with her pregnancy glow.

During a 45-minute session you can choose if you’d like one outfit, or 5!  In a small studio space it’s easy to slip in and out of outfits and gives so much variety to your final gallery!  Kaia’s outfits were beautiful, and I hope it gives you a little inspiration.  All of my clients receive a Welcome Guide upon booking, which will help you prepare for your session including outfit tips and colors that photograph well.

The AWP Client Wardrobe

Deciding what to wear for maternity photos (and postpartum photos, family photos, or any photos for that matter!) is an added stress and something that I want to help you avoid!  I have a new (and constantly growing!) client wardrobe that is available to my clients.  This is just a little something extra to help you feel relaxed and pampered and photo-ready.    

Creating Timeless, Elegant Images

My goal for every maternity session — whether it’s in-home, in-studio, or outdoors — is to create images that feel heartfelt and timeless. I want you to look back and remember not just what this season looked like, but what it felt like.  My style is soft, elegant, and feminine.  If this is the vibe you’re going for we will be great together!

In Kaia’s session, she chose to take pics without a partner – with the focus solely on her and her growing baby.  This feels so soft and special and it’s a time for her to pamper herself and take a moment to show off her peaceful elegance before she’s officially a mom!  The addition of the pink and white floral bouquet really added to the feminine vibe that we were going for in Kaia’s session.

Creating a Peaceful Experience

My goal with every maternity session is to create a calm, comfortable experience — one where you can truly enjoy this moment. Pregnancy is such a fleeting chapter, and it deserves to be remembered beautifully. When you step into the studio, I want you to feel cared for, confident, and completely at ease.

Before every session, we talk through your outfits, the overall vibe you love, and the emotions you want captured. During the session, I’ll guide you gently through natural poses that flatter your growing bump while keeping everything relaxed and authentic. I want you to look back at your images and feel the peace, the anticipation, and the love you carried during this time.  Kaia’s session was the perfect example of that — light, calm, joyful, and completely her.

Maternity Sessions with Angela

Maternity photos are best taken between 28 and 34 weeks, when your belly is looking cute and you’re still feeling comfortable. Whether you prefer a light-filled studio session or something outdoors surrounded by nature, I’ll help you plan every detail — from wardrobe and styling to location and timing — so your experience feels completely seamless.

For more information on Maternity photography with Angela, visit my Maternity website HERE!

I hope to meet you soon!

xo,

Angela