THE #1 MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY MELBOURNE

We suggest booking your maternity photography session as early as your mid‑pregnancy scan, around 20 weeks, to secure a spot in our schedule and avoid stress leading up to the photoshoot. 

For your actual maternity photo session, the ideal window is around 30–34 weeks, when your bump is beautifully round and you’re still comfortable enough for a variety of poses.

Around Melbourne, our go‑to outdoor locations are Carlton Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens, both ideal for dreamy, leafy scenes with natural light. Close enough to our studios in Richmond and to Melbourne’s CBD, they’re an easy spot to get to, and always provide a magically dreamy backdrop for your photos. 

We can tailor your maternity photography Melbourne session to suit whichever backdrop you love best, from city views or a garden oasis. If you’re looking for a maternity photoshoot near me, Shmily Photography is easily accessible to most Melburnians.

Shmily Photography has a selection of outfits to choose from, including our luxurious in‑studio collection of gowns, lace robes, bodysuits and silk fabrics, to create unique, flexible styling choices during your session. We can even offer traditional Chinese costumes, adding a timeless look and feel to your photos.

If you’re unsure, you can contact us here or look through our photo gallery of happy expectant couples throughout our website for inspiration.

Aim for something simple, neat and comfortable, and avoid overthinking it. Stick to solid colours or subtle patterns in tones like beige, white, navy, grey or soft blue always work well, as long as it complements your partner’s outfit without clashing.

A button-up shirt with chinos, a fitted tee with jeans, or even soft knits work great. The goal? Keep it timeless and relaxed so the focus stays on her, and that beautiful baby bump (but we know you’ll still look great too).

We provide accessories, but you are also welcome to bring in any special pieces you absolutely love. Jewellery can add sparkle and personality to your pregnancy photography. Elegant pieces like a delicate necklace or sentimental earrings look gorgeous in fine-art maternity images. Just remember to keep pieces minimal, so they accent the frame and not distract it. The main thing we want to capture is your lovely baby bump, and the excitement of expectant parents.

Not necessarily! While 30–34 weeks is ideal, we remain flexible and can often accommodate sessions at 37 weeks, depending on your individual comfort and schedule. If you’re still feeling good and your baby bump looks radiant, we’ll capture it beautifully at any stage of your pregnancy. Just let us know early to make sure we have availability, and to avoid missing out.

To make your maternity photo session relaxed and joyful, follow some of these tips:

• Stay hydrated and well‑rested in the days before
• Choose outfits that make you feel amazing. Remember that feeling comfortable in what you wear will reflect positively on your photos
• Bring white undergarments, as these photograph best when paired against delicate and sheer fabrics
• Chat with us beforehand about your vision or special shots. We aim to provide a personalised experience that is uniquely you!
• Feel free to invite your partner, siblings or pets, to add loving vibes and add spontaneity to your photoshoot
• We’ll handle makeup and hair in the studio, so you can fully relax on the day.

Our Radiant package usually goes for an hour, while our other professional maternity photography sessions typically last 2.5–3 hours in the studio. For those adding an outdoor maternity session, allow 3 hours total to include both settings and outfit changes, without rushing or getting overly tired.

Our Studio package does include professional hair & makeup by our exclusive studio artist. We want you to feel pampered and radiant on camera, so you can fully enjoy the shoot and focus on those special moments.

We offer two packages to choose from:

• $499 for one hour with no make-up
• $699 for 2.5 to 3 hours that includes hair and makeup  

Regardless of the option you choose, our maternity photo sessions are an opportunity to capture your baby-belly glow of expectant motherhood, so the team at Shmily Photography are here to capture this unique moment in time with you, looking your most radiant best.

In 2026, the most sought-after looks in pregnancy photography include:

• Fine art maternity photography, with elegant gowns and soft, dreamy edits
• Artistic maternity photography, often featuring minimalism and natural textures
• Outdoor maternity photography, like sunset shoots or botanical backdrops
• Mixing studio maternity photoshoot portraits with a short outdoor segment is also very on-trend!

Whatever your style and preference, Shmily Photography can deliver a photoshoot that is 100%, uniquely, you!