Who to Include in Maternity Photos? Tips for MN Moms.

Deciding Who to Include in Your Maternity Session

As you’re dreaming of booking a maternity photoshoot, one of the first questions moms ask is surprisingly hard to answer:

Should these just be photos of me, or should everyone be in them?

As a Minneapolis and Edina maternity photographer, I’ve created this post to help you understand your options and make your maternity photoshoot experience just right for you. Most moms-to-be think they need to choose one direction — either portraits focused just on mom or full family images — but there isn’t a correct formula. Who you include really depends on your stage of life, what you want these photos to represent, and which relationships feel most important to remember right now.

Maternity photos aren’t only about documenting a pregnancy. They’re about documenting the connections already present before the baby arrives.

The goal of a Minnesota maternity photography session isn’t to perform for the camera — it’s to preserve what this moment actually feels like for your family.

And that looks different for everyone.

Going Solo

A moment that belongs only to you

Many women choose to do part — or even all — of their maternity session alone. This is especially common with a first baby, or when a mom wants portraits that feel clean, elevated, and heirloom-worthy.

When the focus is on mom it’s just so beautiful, empowering and elegant. There is no need to think about who’s in the room – you own it, girl and look like the most beautiful version of yourself. Honestly, these are my absolute favorite photos to have framed in your bathroom or bedroom!

You and Your Partner

Enjoying the connection before your life changes forever.

Almost every partner walks in saying they’re awkward in front of the camera. Almost every partner leaves saying, “That wasn’t bad.”

They don’t need to pose. They don’t need to know what to do with their hands. I make things feel as naturally as possible showing the special connection you have with your partner. Things are about to change – fast! For the better of course.

And years from now (trust me!), you’ll appreciate having photos of the two of you before life shifted into sleepless nights and newborn schedules.

Including Toddlers or Older Children

Special time with kids before they meet their new sibling.

Parents usually worry this will be the stressful part of the session. It rarely is.

Children don’t need to sit still or smile perfectly. They move, interrupt, lean in, and wander — and that movement is exactly what makes the images feel honest. A child resting against a belly or asking about the baby creates photographs that can’t be posed, only noticed.

For many families, these become the most emotional images from their Minneapolis maternity photography session because they mark the moment a child first became a sibling.

Including Pets

The family member who already knows

If your dog is part of everyday life, they naturally belong in at least a few photographs. We usually include them at the beginning so they can relax afterward, and the images end up feeling effortless rather than staged.

Later, families often realize these photos documented a chapter of life that changed just as quickly as the newborn stage.

You Don’t Have to Choose One Version of Your Story

A session can include multiple connections

You can opt for your maternity session to include multiple parts — individual portraits, parents together, and family images — without feeling rushed or overly structured. Nothing is forced and no one remains in front of the camera longer than they want to be.

The Purpose of Maternity Photography

Families often arrive thinking these photos are about remembering how they looked.

They leave realizing they documented who was waiting. This is my favorite part! Even if you don’t feel truly ready for photos at this moment you will look back on your photos and see the glow of anticipation that lasts forever.