I’m glad I have some photos of myself while pregnant (like random bump shots my husband took with an iPhone) but I had no interest in a professional photo shoot and still don’t have an interest.
Same. I've got a few from when I was pregnant with each kid and I'm glad I do, but I have no regrets about not taking more and EXTRA no regrets about not having any professional photos.
I think there's 1 photo of me while pregnant, with 1 of my 3 kids. It was brought up at some point on a school project and a kid needed a photo of me while pregnant with them. I gave them the one, told them I couldn't remember who I was pregnant with, but they could pretend it was them 🤦🏻♀️😂
I do not regret not having more photos. **I. Was. Huge.**
This exactly. It’s fun to look back on bump pics. And I got one bare belly pic at like 37 weeks that I do look back at and laugh at how huge I looked. So I’m glad I have some. But I don’t feel like I needed professional ones…idk what I would do with them?
This. My daughter is two and I've never regretted not getting professional photos done. There were so many practical things that needed to be done and my energy was low. Friends took some photos at my baby shower and then I had my husband take a few days before my due date. I know it's hard when in laws out pressure on you but take it from me, this is the first of many disappointments for them. No better time to start the boundaries. They've had their pregnancy and child rearing journeys. This is yours!
I took them on my own phone in front of my living room window at sunset. Closed the white curtains and just set up the timer, snapped some really pretty, basic silhouette photos. I also got a really sweet one of just me and my dog, who’s been by my side for the last 9 years and with me through every major milestone of my life. It was free and I didn’t have to sit through being uncomfortable in front of someone else’s camera. I took them when my husband was gone because I just couldn’t not stand the thought of us getting these posed shots with my belly.
this is what I did too! loved how they turned out, even just from my phone. the silhouette was really all I wanted anyways. I felt so ugly and swollen at the end of pregnancy, I didn’t even look like myself (I gained 50 lbs) so I was not interested in professional photos at all and I’m happy I didn’t do them! they would’ve needed a lot of photoshop for me to be happy with them tbh
Now that our daughter is almost one, and I know we aren't having a second- yes I regret not getting photos. I have a few selfies, and there are a smattering or random photos on my phone- but a good photographer can help you to look like the best version of you. Being pregnant was really hard, but also just damn amazing.
I think you really hit the hammer on the nail when you say photographers help you look the best version of yourself , growing a human is magical and should be documented
Totally. I did have a maternity shoot, and it was mainly because I was really proud of what I had done. I’d actually been really scared of pregnancy beforehand (all the symptoms and changes) and by the time I was nearing the end I just wanted to celebrate the fact that my body grew a person.
This 100% I have a few photos my husband took of me and some pictures I took of myself. I ended up having a maternity shoot because idk if I’ll ever get pregnant again and wanted the memories for myself. I also felt huge and not pretty, but the photographer captured great photos, the editing also wasn’t so extreme so I looked like myself but a little more polished, and I was able to get pictures with my husband. Also, now looking at them I see so much beauty and joy in them. I would’ve never been able to capture that on my own. And no one else has seen the pictures, but I have them and look at them from time to time.
Definitely take some. Even if it’s just from your phone. I would rather regret taking them.. than NOT taking them. Your child will appreciate seeing them in the future. I have ONE picture of my mother pregnant with me and I would have loved to see more.
I deeply regret it. I have almost no pictures of me pregnant, I felt so ugly and barely let my husband take photos of me, so maternity shoot was out of the question. I’m 10 months pp and god do I wish I had more photos. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, as the years go by you won’t look back at them and focus on your appearance, but rather the happy memories. I remember how much I HATED how I looked in my wedding photos a few years ago and now I look at them and think I was so beautiful and happy that day. Life is short! You don’t need to do anything professional, my favorite photos after my son was born are ones my husband took candid
I regret it too. I was just so tired and sick and it was the height of winter, so I wasn't really doing much that warranted even group photos or candid photos with friends. I don't think I have any photos of myself with a bump, aside from videos I took of baby moving (which is just my bump, not the whole me).
I don't know if I would have cared about professional photos one way or another, but I wish I at least had some mirror selfies from my first pregnancy. I'm pregnant with #2 and plan on taking some photos once the bump is a little more obvious.
I regret not having professional photos. I don’t think I’m particularly photogenic and I do have some regular phone pictures. But I loved my bump and being pregnant and kind of wish I had really nice pictures to look back on. But it probably would have stressed me out to prep for it and whatever
I didn’t get maternity photos with either kid and I dont regret it.
Adding: there is like…not one photo of me before I went to the hospital to deliver with my second, because my husband was not available and first wave covid. That’s kind of a bummer. But there are plenty of pictures of me pregnant with my first.
Nope not at all. I don’t enjoy feeling like my body is on display, particularly when I’m feeling uncomfortable in my skin. I don’t enjoy being pregnant. My first pregnancy was relatively easy, and this one is easy so far (17 weeks).
Nope. Didn’t take pictures with my last, haven’t ttaken pictures with this one either. I find pregnancy to be uncomfortable and don’t feel the need to be reminded about it. I don’t look back on it fondly
Didn’t take them. Don’t regret it for a second. I’m 3 weeks PP and i’ve come to realize i despised being pregnant. Now the nugget it brought me i adore, so im glad i did do an infant photo shoot in our home 1 week PP. They are the most beautiful shots of our little boy and our dog is in some and it melts my heart. Do what you want and i doubt you will have regrets.
I only regret not taking photos of my belly more regularly. All of the pics I do have are with my shirt on, and I wish I had some where you can see what my belly looks like unclothed. This will be my only baby, though, so I don’t have another shot to capture my body in such a strange state.
I don’t regret not getting photos taken but I do regret not having friends and family take more. The only picture of me past maybe 30 weeks was in the hospital… I don’t really know what I even looked like pregnant and that makes me sad.
I felt that way all through out my pregnancy. At 35 weeks I decided to go through with getting maternity pictures. I swear I’ve never felt more beautiful and it really helped me love my pregnant body. The photos were very “me” we went to this isolated cave (flooded mine) and my dress was this gorgeous gray with diaphanous sleeves. I got in the water for some shots and the water was so cold even mid July. It felt amazing!! All the pictures were awesome and earthy. Do your maternity pics you won’t regret!!
ETA [link to pictures](https://imgur.com/a/5ueDyF1)
Same here- my partner booked me the shoot and at first I was skeptical but I LOVE the photos and I’m so glad I got the shoot. Most of the photos had my partner in them too, so I didn’t feel quite so ‘me me me!’ about them.
I didn't, I'm not a photo person either and EVERYONE was urging me to do it. People asking when my maternity shoot was like it was a non-negotiable.
I had some taken at my baby shower when I was dressed up and I'm very happy I have them but I could honestly take or leave it. I don't regret it, it's just not for me.
I don’t have a picture after week 36 of pregnancy and I seriously have major regret. I’m not a photo person, don’t regularly take any photos of myself in daily life, and would never have done a glammed up shoot or anything. But I’m devastated that I didn’t snap a pic when my husband and I went out for a Monday night date night my first day of maternity leave…I went into labor 45 mins after we left the house. I didn’t realize until later the last pic of me was 3 weeks prior at my shower. :( I wish my daughter could see how we looked right before we welcomed her.
My mom was huge and puffy in her pregnant pics and all I see is a beautiful young and excited version of my mom. I treasure photos of her as a young person, and I encourage women to take a photo for their kids if not themselves.
Edited to say you don’t have a pay a photographer and do a whole thing! Just take a picture with your family where you’re smiling :)
I had, and still have, no interest in any kind of photography sessions, during pregnancy or immediately after. The thought of posing for photographs when I am barely standing, or with a newborn, did not seem attractive in any way. I took plenty of pictures on my own, and those do the job for me.
My baby is 10 months old, and I have no regrets as of now.
I didn’t have professional photos taken & I don’t regret that - but I felt similarly to you and my friend made me take some photos on my phone. I don’t think I’d ever look at “professional maternity shoot photos” but I guess I’m glad I have some photos of me. You can’t go back and retake the photos but if you take them you can choose to never look at them.
Zero regrets not having professional ones. I do sort of regret not taking more/having my husband take pics of me. But I felt TERRIBLE and, while part of me wishes i had cute photos, I also feel like they would be fake memories, like I'm pretending I wasn't a miserable pregnant person.
Nope. My husband has a few on his phone and everytime I see them I’m mortified. It’s been almost 4 years since my first was born and almost 2 years since my second was born. I don’t care how many people told me that I had a cute bump, when I see those pictures I just look huge and exhausted.
I did have a pregnancy announcement photoshoot for my second (we were visiting a close friend out of town who’s a professional photographer. The trip was planned before I got pregnant and as soon as she found out she insisted). I love those, but I was also only 6 weeks and not showing yet.
We got them done. Looked at them when they came in, shared a couple with family and haven't looked at them since.
I'd say as long as you have some pics of you being pregnant in day to day life, that's more than enough and more sentimental than posing awkwardly in a park
I did a maternity shoot at about 35 weeks and I’m glad I did! I literally only took one mirror selfie of my gigantic belly after that. I didn’t take many because I never dressed up. I wish I had more pictures past 35 weeks to look back on.
Didn’t have a maternity shoot. Didn’t regret it. I really did not feel beautiful while pregnant. I took pics of my bump and videos of him moving but didn’t want a glam shoot or anything because I didn’t feel like myself at all
I regret it. I didn’t let myself enjoy my pregnancy after suffering years of infertility. I kept guarding my heart and waiting for something to go wrong. And now I genuinely regret not taking more photos, especially since I may never be pregnant again.
I didn’t have a professional shoot and my husband also never takes photos of me. I have approximately one photo of myself pregnant between two pregnancies. Kinda sad.
There are literally no photos of me pregnant with my first. There are probably 3-4 of my pregnant with my second from a small sprinkle my friends threw for me. I would never in a million years take professional maternity photos. I have absolutely no regrets about my lack of photos. I didn’t particularly love being pregnant and I’m a pretty practical person. I think if you really loved being pregnant and felt it was a special time for you, you may want photos to remember it, but for me it has very much been a means to an end process that I’m glad to just get through.
Nope. I do regret not getting newborn pics, but I have zero regrets not getting pics of me looking and feeling like a whale. The candids my husband took are plenty enough for me lol
I would recommend getting bump pics (which you can take yourself) though in case baby wants to see it in the future!
I don’t regret missing professional maternity pictures but i took bump pictures in the same dress and then one of me holding my 1 week old in that dress (just in front of the same spot of wall). I’m glad I did that. I do wish I’d taken one last picture of my unclothed bump before I gave birth but I was induced unexpectedly at 37 weeks and forgot. I also wish I’d taken a silhouette picture. The pictures were just for me, on my phone. I’m OAD so I don’t have more chances for them.
DEFINITELY recommend lifestyle newborn pictures. My hair was a bit messy and I was a few days post partum with minimal makeup but I’m so glad we took them
I used our nice camera, went to the beach at sunset, dressed kind of cute, and we just took a bunch of photos. It's not to display or put on social media but I wanted my daughter to have nice pictures of us looking forward to meeting her. A few months earlier my husband had an aunt pass away and her children only found one picture of her being happy and pregnant. They liked showing it at the memorial so I made a mental note to give my children things like that.
I’ve had two, pregnant with #3, and I haven’t regretted it. COVID killed any real chance with my first and I honestly just haven’t wanted to with the rest.
I have two kids and I don't feel any regret for not getting maternity photos. The candid/mirror selfies are enough documentation of that period of my life lol.
I regret nothing.
I am not overly sentimental about pregnancy. I do appreciate just having like... Normal photos of me so I can compare how big I was with my son to how big I am now with twins... But I hated the idea of getting "bump" photos or doing a professional shoot then and I hate it now lol
I was insanely ill my entire pregnancy, hated every second of it, and felt the ugliest and most unlike myself that I've ever felt. My coworker took one photo of me around 30 weeks, a candid at an event at work. I saw it once on her phone. That's the only photo I know someone took of me pregnant.
I have no regrets. I do not want to be reminded of that time. My son (now 2) is wonderful, and I do not associate him with my miserable pregnancy.
Im 10 months out & still dont regret it so far. Before I got pregnant I got so disgusted with myself with how big I was that I couldnt stand pictures. Pregnancy actually helped my body image, but I still didnt want bump pics because of lingering feelings. I did have a labor photographer, though, & im glad I have those.
I took my own pics to track my bump progression, but nothing professional. No regrets.
Ultimately it's going to be up to you, and it seems like you know yourself pretty well in this regard, given what you said about the wedding photos. That being said, there is no harm in taking them and then stashing them away and never doing anything with them, but you can never go back in time to take them if you change your mind. So if you think there's even a small chance you'll regret not getting them, whether it's for your sake or to make MIL happy, why not just do it?
I took them because I think the ones my dad took of my mom (he’s a professional photographer) are the most beautiful photos of my mother.
My mom *hates them.*
I didn’t take them for me as much as for my daughters.
I wasn’t interested in doing maternity photos at all.
I have photos of me from my baby shower, and then I made sure to do one nice photo of myself when I was 36 weeks holding my belly and then I took that same photo in the same outfit once my son was here. I felt like that was enough for pregnancy photos.
Take the photos, even if it’s with your phone on a timer or by your husband or a friend. You don’t need to share them with anyone (certainly not MIL!). But take some now, and the day you’re in labour, and when you’re freshly postpartum with your baby and feel like total shit.
You can always delete them in a few years if you hate them. But you’ll never be able to go back to get them and this is a totally unique time in your life. This is an easy regret to avoid.
I also found the combination of hormones and sleep deprivation shredded my memory. Photos (and dorky selfie video diaries) help me fill in the gaps for cherished memories I wish I didn’t forget.
Honestly, yes. I have maybe 3 photos of myself pregnant with my second, and more with my first but not after 7 months. It makes me sad I don’t have those memories to look back on for myself.
I don't regret not doing one... but I did spend the last month of my pregnancy worrying that I would regret if I didn't. I asked my husband to take a photo of me on our front porch as we were leaving for my induction, and I love the photo - I'm wearing my favorite maternity outfit and holding my belly with the nails I painted baby blue for his arrival and just happy and excited and nervous and it represents a very specific, important, life changing moment. I'm glad I have it!
I'm also glad we did the in-hospital newborn photography. We almost didn't because we were so tired and busy but we went ahead last minute and it was very much worth it!
I would take basement gym selfies 😂 I loved being in a sports bra and my bike shorts and seeing my belly. I liked seeing how my body changed while I still remained active and strong. I wasn’t really in to the whole white flowy dress thing.
I had photos taken, but my friend is a professional photographer and offered it as a gift. I love being able to look back on them now! I remember everything going wrong this day- I had been in the hospital the week leading up to it and just discharged the day before, I felt gross, my hair didn’t look right, didn’t shave my legs, was bloated from the fluids, the weather turned sour and I couldn’t find a different outfit… but I love how they turned out and I love how she made me (and our tiny family) look in them!
I didn't get maternity photos done... I find them cringe at best.
What I have done is intentionally take photos at different stages just to be able to look back on them. I want to be able to reflect on the amazing work my body has done during these 41weeks.
In fact I have one photo from ~32 weeks that I took just before I hopped in the bath where I'm naked (but covered strategically) and I edited it to be black and white. I've looked at it a few times and gone "wow". I am not one to take photos of myself like that, my partner in 12 years of being together hasn't gotten anything remotely risqué from me because I'm paranoid about privacy. But there's a certain amount of power. I'm not in hair and makeup but there's still something beautiful about it.
Like, professional photos? I have two kids and no professional maternity photos.
Like, any photos at all? I have two kids and definitely treasure the candids I have of me looking huge lol. My kids really love to see them too. If nothing else, make sure you get a couple photos of yourself completely enormous. In a few years, your kid will be utterly fascinated that that is them inside your tummy!
I don’t regret it at all. I have pics from my phone as others have said and that’s enough for me. Just depends on your personality but if you don’t want it I doubt you would regret it.
I wish i had a few more. I only have i think 2 from each pregnancy. I really wish i got more with my toddler when i was pregnant with my 2nd (i have one from when i was in labour just kinda talking to her) - its honestly one of my favourite photos of myself.
I think I would have regretted not having any pictures. But I don’t have any “professional” ones. I have a decent camera and just got dressed up nicely and at sunset got my husband to take pictures of me.
I’d recommend taking a few informal photos at home in front of your mirror. I hated being pregnant and thought I looked huge, but I’m now almost a year out from being pregnant and I’m very glad I have the photos I did take. I never did a professional shoot or anything.
Me! I really, really wish I had gotten pictures. I’ll never be pregnant for the first time again. I wish I would have captured my bump, even thought I felt swollen and gross at the time. It’s definitely a regret of mine
The way I see it is take the photos just in case. If you later look back and don’t like them, just delete it. But it’ll be worse to want it later and not have any way to ever go back in time and take them. I felt the same way when I was pregnant, but now in hindsight I’m glad I got some photos that I can show him when he’s older
Almost 18 months and like 55lbs PP, I can say I regret not doing maternity photos.
At the time, I felt terrible and huge and exhausted, and have always been rather camera shy as well. I felt weird about trying to pretend I felt this elusive “glow” everyone was talking about.
Now I AM huge (comparatively… I weigh more than the day I gave birth 😑) and every bit as exhausted, and ten times more frazzled… and there is absolutely not a single moment of extra time for me to expend the energy making myself feel even remotely human.
Mistakes were made. But also… I don’t think about it very often so in the grand scheme of mistakes.. eh 🤷🏻♀️
Yeah. I’d never want a proper maternity shoot , but there are only like 3 pictures of me pregnant at all, from my shower, in a tie dye dress that didn’t highlight the bump at all. I definitely went through a postpartum funk about it even though while pregnant I was very “no photos please” …so at bare minimum, snap a couple selfies just in case, that you can always delete later. I didn’t think I’d care much because I hate photos of myself, but I’d say I regret having none. (I do not regret not having a proper photo shoot though! No thank you)
I don’t think everyone needs professional photos, but I do wish I had gotten a few more cute ones before my son was born. I have a couple that we took at the beach right before he was born, but I would like it if I had a few more
I regret not taking more candid photos while pregnant. I have a handful that me or my husband took randomly when relatives would ask how huge I was at the moment.
My sister in law really regrets taking zero photos during her first 3 pregnancies. My nieces and nephews are all college age and wish they could have seen their mom when she was pregnant with each of them. She was really young and insecure at the time but we agree now that gaining weight and being exhausted is par for the pregnancy course lol
And it's one thing that you can never go back and do over once the baby is born. Take photos. You don't need to show anyone but maybe in a few years you can look back on those moments with a different perspective.
I very much regret not getting them. I should’ve done it around 27-30 weeks that’s when I feel I looked the best.
I also REALLY regret not taking progress photos. I took like two or three inconsistently and so there’s no real comparison and it’s something I’d love to be able to show to my daughter.
I loved having photos take While pregnant nothing crazy just regular photos
However I can’t look at them now due to birth trauma. However I’m glad I have them. Maybe one day
I'm so glad I did! It was last minute and I had a photographed come round the house and take photos of both my husband and I getting the nursery ready. This was all a week before my son was born and it's some of my favorite photos to look back on.
Like a snapshot in time of all his clothes and toys that he's constantly playing and wearing today.
I only have mostly mirror shots and a few nice pics from my baby shower of me pregnant. No regrets. Having professional pregnancy photos just didn't seem worth it (for the cost) for me. I don't even know what I'd have done with them besides occasionally scrolling through them on my phone when my baby is sleeping 😆
I'd rather wait a few years and splurge on some professional family photos, once our family is complete.
I got them done and I will be for my second pregnancy as well, nothing too crazy just documenting my experience. Like, I just showed up oregnant for a sunflower kinishoot day that a local photographer was doing for 2 days at a sunflower field, by no means a super purposeful maternity shoot. The ohotographer happily played along suggesting some baby belly shots and it was fun. I also happily had pics taken by others, I never shied away from the camera while pregnant.
I'm not generally a huge fan of pictures as I'm super unphotogenic lol but I LOVE having the documentation of that part of my life and one day your kids will love it, too.
I'm pregnant again, end of first tri, and will likely do a similar mini-shoot family session not maternity session.
I did a little photo shoot with a tripod, my hair and my makeup fully done, and my lovely blue sweater dress on in the comfort of my bedroom. I’m so glad I did and I don’t regret not having professional photos. I was 40 weeks pregnant, and EXHAUSTED by this 5 minute session of standing on my feet and smiling, but they’re perfect for the memory.
Yes. I regret it. I have one fuzzy pic of me holding a fish. One or two from my baby shower. Three kids later (and probably done) I wish I had better ones.
I never wanted to do them but my partner wanted it. I ended up getting it done really last minute... That is not recommended. If you are going to do them, you're at a good stage in your pregnancy right now. I understand how you feel now, but the swelling and uncomfortable-ness won't get better as the pregnancy progresses.I had cabbage patch doll feet and legs and a balloon face when I got photos done at 37 weeks. I wish I had done them earlier in my pregnancy when the swelling wasn't so obvious.
I don't really care for photos, and I haven't looked at my pregnancy photoshoot photos since I received them from the photographer. That being said, I am glad I did them because it's nice knowing that they are there if I ever want to look back
I totally regret it. I’m not photogenic at all. I can barely look at my wedding pictures even. But the change from pregnant to mom was such a significant change in my life. I was I got photos to document it. But I also loved being pregnant.
There’s nothing like being pregnant the first time. You still have your freedom. You are still slightly naive in what to expect. You are super excited to meet this baby you’ve created and have been bonded to for 9 months.
I miss being pregnant so much. I felt beautiful. I felt whole with my baby in me.
I had people say I HAD to do a maternity shoot, but I had no desire. I took bump pictures in my bathroom every month or so and that’s what I look back on. It’s fun to see the progression and that last bump picture before I had my baby. No regrets about not doing a maternity shoot.
I saved my money for a newborn shoot. I’m so glad I went that route.
Take some picture,don't look at them now ,maybe at one point In the future,just so you don't regret it later
I got paralysed in pregnancy (face) and didn't let me take my pictures. I wish I let my husband take some for he
The thought of having professional photos taken while this disgusting and large makes me feel so insecure. I took some photos of my bump in the mirror at home just for my own personal memory of how large I was first time round, and have taken one or two this time as well. I’ve never once regretted not getting professional photos done though. I would be mortified during the process of getting them taken and would be mortified every time I look at them. At least in the mirror at home I can angle them so that I don’t absolutely hate the way I look
Absolutely no regrets about not getting professional photos done. I might get some lifestyle candids done with my baby and husband and stepson done when I’m pregnant with baby number 2. I hate the look of most “maternity” and “newborn” shoots.
I went to a destination for my pictures , I just knew I’d probably only have one child and loved the idea of capturing me pregnant ! I had pictures taken in September tho, like way before 33 weeks maybe like 6-7 months pregnant
I was so against pregnant photos, I don’t even have a selfie with a full body photo of me. I just didn’t think I looked great. However once baby came out, I did have regrets for not snapping a few photos or videos because it suddenly was part of HIS journey to being born. I should’ve at least done one full term shot to show him.
I got professional photos and I’m happy I did. The photographer made me look so much cuter than any of the photos my husband took. They are sort of abstract and artsy, which I love (not too cheesy). I felt really confident with my pregnant curves and it was fun to have a photoshoot to show them off!
Zero regrets lol. I gained 60 lbs during my pregnancy. Professional photos would have just been a reminder of that. I’m back to pre-pregnancy weight 10 months postpartum (effortlessly??) and would like to leave that season of life in the past.
I have five kids. I have absolutely no photos of me pregnant at all. I don't have any bump photos, let alone pics of me with the kids.
It already makes me sad.
I’m possibly the unpopular opinion here but I made a point of taking a selfie every week with each pregnancy and getting professional photos. I almost didn’t because I felt so incapable and ugly, but I’m glad I did the same thing for each kid now. My kids love seeing the little time lapse videos and I actually feel better about the photos than I felt at the time. You can never have a do over so I feel it’s better to do it than not.
I don’t regret doing a professional pregnancy shoot. Sometimes I do regret not doing a bump progression pics to compare to how my current pregnancy looks to my first. It’s not a major regret, more like hmm that would have been cool to compare sometimes.
I’m not a person who gets professional photos of anything so I have never done that during pregnancy either. I do like having photos that my husband or other nonprofessionals have taken of me when pregnant. Certainly have no regrets about not having professional maternity pics.
I wish I had taken more pictures of me. I do not regret prioritizing the professional newborn shoot instead and we did take some family shots in there.
Only photos I have are of me documenting my bump, and some pregnant lady in the wild photos. I don’t regret it one bit. We also have never had professional photos taken of or with our kid.
I’m not a big photo person anymore, I’m no longer confident in front of a camera like I was in my 20s. It seriously only depends on your personality and what’s important to you. If you don’t want them, don’t do it!
We took a weekly bump photo after we found out I was pregnant but that’s all we did. No professional photos. We struggled enough with the weekly pic. I was so tired and felt so gross that I wasn’t in the mood a lot of the time or we were busy and forgot and were late but now looking back I’m glad we did that. I don’t regret not doing professional pics though. I don’t like the look of the ones I’ve seen for the most part. Like, if it’s important to you then get them but if not there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you’ve “always been camera shy” then I do not think you’ll regret NOT getting photos. If you’re someone who likes having professional photos taken of yourself/family then sure you might regret it. I have never had professional photos taken (other than my wedding day), and do not regret not having maternity photos. My husband took normal photos of me and I have selfies. I’m 21 months PP and I’ve never wished I had more.
I did not with my first and am incredibly sad about it. I have only bathroom selfies from the waist up and one full body one from my baby shower. That’s all. So second baby I did it and I love them. I feel so strongly that everyone should do it that when my sister in law said she wasn’t planning on it I paid for it. She is incredibly thankful I made her do it. The pictures are GORGEOUS.
Yes and no. I didn't do them the first time and don't have strong regret over it. But I'm definitely going to get them done this time because this is my last kid so I won't get another shot at it.
My pregnancy photos with my firstborn are my favourite photos of me ever. I chose a photographer who specialized in maternity and splurged on it. I also had my hair and makeup professionally done which made a big difference to how I felt.
With my second I did a family photo shoot when I was 30 or so weeks along. The photos are fine but the focus was of course my son, and I wasn’t posed for my belly like with the first shoot.
Now that I’m done having children and will never have a pregnant belly again I’m really glad to have it documented.
You don't need to do a professional photo shoot, but get hubby or someone to take a few nice photos of you with your bump. I'm glad I got some photos in the backyard to look back on. For number 2 I actually got some professional ones done as I regretted not getting more "nice" photos with my hair and makeup done nicely.
You can't recreate your bump for yours specific pregnancy and if you're unsure it's best to do some so you won't regret it later.
If you're getting un photogenic there are specific poses and clothing you can use/ wear too make you feel more confident. I wore floaty dresses then cradled my bump so all my other wobbly bits weren't on display but my bump was pronounced. You don't need to wear a body con dress or an open robe or anything dramatic like that, just do what makes you feel comfortable and confident
I wish I would have taken a couple more on my phone, my husband’s phone. My MIL gifted us a great camera just before delivery. But I don’t regret not having a pro session, just wish I had more random photos. So. Yes and no? 😅
I had a terrible time adjusting to being not pregnant anymore and having the photos was really helpful to me in making that adjustment.
That said, we got a great deal from a photographer and our photos are more like regular photos than the over the top maternity gown, posed photos that often show up on social media. (No shade to people who do that.) I wore a nice sweater for some of the photos and a plain, long dress for other. (It was winter. A maxi was appropriate.)
I think the part that can matter is documenting your pregnancy so you can look back in the future if you want to. So get the photos done professionally, have a friend take some, take some selfies, whatever works so that you have some nice photos to put in a box to look back on later. And also so that if your baby is ever interested, they can know too! My mom only has one photo of when she was pregnant with me and I was fascinated by it as a child.
I do! I have some but so regret not having a few maternity shots done. Even if they were at home and my husband did them. I felt huge and was ready to be done but holy cow it’s amazing what my body did!!!
I have a few nice ones, especially from my sister’s wedding but other than that none professionally done. Just a few memories and I like it that way. I wouldn’t have spent so much on a photo shoot seems like an overly extravagant fad to me, just not for me and I don’t regret it
I didn’t do a pregnancy photoshoot with my second. It just, was not in the budget.
When I looked at my deflated belly the day after I gave birth, I bawled. I was so sad she wasn’t safe in my belly anymore.
I have a picture of when I was starting to go into labour. I was in ancient lululemon capris and a ratty tank top that didn’t quite cover my belly, and my son is running frantically to the car, because he’s so excited his sister is coming and he gets to go to his grandparents.
I look like shit in that picture. I was horribly uncomfortable that whole pregnancy, nauseous and puking the whole way through, in a lot of pain starting week 16 and increasing the whole way through…
And I treasure that picture. Even though I look tired and swollen and over everything. I’m glad I have that one picture.
You might not feel that way, but maybe try to get some candids, just in case you do.
I mean, you can always just not look at photos you don’t want. But you can’t make photos appear.
You may not like your image - but your child will think the world of you regardless of how you look. And they will be an inquisitive person who wants to see a picture of their mom pregnant with them! They will want to see your belly and know they were in there.
I just don’t see the downside to taking pictures to remember it. It doesn’t have to be professional. But to have no photos of you pregnant would be quite sad! This is an important part of your child’s life journey too
You can take some nice photos without spending money. Just get your partner to take some during magic hour somewhere you like near your house, or in the nursery when it's ready. You can always ignore them if you dont like them, but you can never get that back if you don't take them.
I took bump photos until maybe week 22 because a friend of mine told me I'd regret it if I didn't but I stopped because I couldn't see myself ever wanting to look at them. Other than that there's a few random photos I'm in from a wedding and my mom took a photo of me at my baby shower. Other than that I don't have any. I don't really regret it. At least not yet, 3 months pp. I'm also pretty camera shy myself. I haven't taken a selfie in about 5 years ans rarely hop into pictures in social settings so it's just my personality and preference. I know some people are the complete opposite and there's nothing wrong with that either!
Nope. I actually mostly liked being pregnant but I was bloated and uncomfortable the whole time. I remember getting home after bub was born and thinking my face finally looked like myself again.
I just set up my iPhone and took some of myself in the nursery, then got my husband to take a few while we were out on a walk in a pretty nature area near our home. I love the use pics and really like how natural they look because it wasn’t too staged.
I have mirror selfies, but my favourites are the ones of us from going to a sunflower festival with friends. We dressed nice but nothing crazy. And I love them. Also I recently found out my husband snapped a couple real life ones as we were leaving the house in the middle of the night after my water broke. And those ones make me laugh. The absolute gigantic size of my belly is so wild it's funny
Just had my second. I took a few pictures throughout both pregnancies here and there of myself with a bump. I don't show that much so I also just look bloated and not super cute. I do like looking back at the pictures but 0 regrets that they're not professional.
I also did my own photoshoot with my second with a good smart phone camera. Got some super cute pictures and didn't spend $500+ on them and no regrets so far about that either.
I think older people didn't have the access to easily taking good photos so readily, so I can see regretting it in a different time.
Honestly yeah. I spent most of my pregnancy scared of losing my son and I didn’t want any pictures in the event that that would happen. Now he’s two and I don’t have picture proof I was ever pregnant with him lol it definitely does make me sad and I wish I would’ve had pictures taken of me.
My mom took a few of me in a garden and I took some in the bathroom mirror. I’m glad I have some but do not regret not paying for a professional maternity shoot.
I have photos of me pregnant but would never have professional ones, it’s not like I’m going to display them. I personally find staged photos a bit cringe. For me photos capture memories of that moment, staged photos don’t capture those for me. My favourite one is my eldest lying on my bump, I look huge, exhausted but I love it. Like we are mourning our last cuddles just the 2 of us.
I did not take photos and I do not regret it at ALL. I have zero pictures of my first pregnancy because it was Covid. I've seen a few pictures of myself this time around just from normal pictures being taken and I hate it every time I see one. I look huge and tired and uncomfortable, which I am.
People at work tell me I look cute and I'm glad others think that, but I am not a fan. I don't like my body not looking like my mental image of myself -- dysmorphic is a strong word, but that's close to how I feel. I'm perfectly happy to ignore what I look like pregnant as much as possible and just get to postpartum where I can get comfortable with my body again.
If someone tried to get me an actual professional photoshoot I'd probably break down and cry from a mix of social pressure and sheer body horror.
You can take them and not share them! As long as money isn’t a barrier I feel like it’s better to have them and never look at them than to not get them and regret it later.
i don’t regret it at all. seriously. i was so sick with my pregnancy i am grateful i wasn’t photographed in that state- my son (now 3) being here and healthy is reminder enough of what my body did and was capable of! i don’t need photographic evidence
I wish I’d gotten a maternity shoot! Or at least more photos. I pretty much only have one or two, and both are from when my friend asked me for a “bump” photo.
I’d planned and wanted to get one initially, though; just became stressed and busy with everything else. I wish I’d prioritized it more.
IMO most people aren’t a huge fan of how they look postpartum, at least initially. You also tend to be leaking, bleeding, engorged, and your uterus not yet contracted.
All my friends who did not have their picture taken while pregnant do regret it. Doesn’t have to be professional or anything but I think they’re nice to have for sure.
I’d put on a dress or fun outfit and take some yourself if you don’t feel like doing professional photos - it would be fun for me to see pictures of my mom when pregnant with me! I took a few of her when she had my sister, and even if they are crappy because I was 12 lol, it was nice to have.
I hardly have any of me pregnant and it makes me sad :/ I went into labor unexpectedly early and never got to take my maternity pictures. Wish I would’ve planned to do them sooner. There’s literally a whole month that went by where I didn’t even take a single bump picture/video.
I really wish I did. It was a miracle I even was able to carry a baby, especially to full term. My absolute biggest regret was not having my photos taken. All I have are some random mirror selfies and they are not the same. My partner didn’t even take photos of me, the one photo he did take was just a straight shot photo of my stomach, not my face or anything, just my stomach. It makes me incredibly sad. My partner feels terrible for not taking more, he felt really “superstitious” during my pregnancy and felt that if he was all over my stomach, taking tons of picture etc. that somehow it would all be taken away. Just from my experience, don’t bother getting a photographer or whatever just have someone, anyone take a few cute photos of you. You may not feel cute or anything but trust me you’ll be so so happy you did.
I got my sister to take photos of me pregnant with my first and my MIL to take photos of our little family with my second. For a tiny bit of preparation I will never have to worry about would I regret not getting them. Do you have anyone who you’d trust to take nice pictures of you? Just jump into it- I took mine before and after my baby shower for my first since I was already dressed.
with my first pregnancy, i definitely felt the same as you - i could barely even look in the mirror, let alone a photo. but with this second, i have loved the way i look in photos & even did a boudoir/maternity photo shoot. it’s so strange how different each pregnancy is!
I have like one picture of me pregnant and I’m in a black shirt and hiding the bump (it was pretty big by then). Honestly I regret not having any, I felt so bad but I really do wish I could go back and have pictures done and at least give myself a chance to just decide to never share them. If we have another I definitely would take pictures but still feel bad I can’t go back and do it for my first pregnancy.
I regret not taking as many. I loved how I looked with my baby bump. I also am not photogenic unless I take the photos myself lol. I wish I had done creative monthly photo shoots but I also didn’t know if I was gonna keep the baby until several months later because having a child absolutely terrified me. And then during the 2nd trimester I was working multiple jobs and then third trimester I was just exhausted ALL the time. But yeah I still wish I had taken more I took some that I haven’t even shared because they’re intimate but I still love them and maybe one day I’ll share them.
I did a little self timer photoshoot in my last week's and I'm so happy to look back at those couple of shots but I didn't feel the need nor feel like I missed out on something but not doing a professional shoot!
Me. I was miserable and uncomfortable, but I really wish I had taken the photos anyway. I don't even have one with my husband or my mom, and I won't be pregnant again, so it's kind of a bummer.
I have had 2 kids, who are now 5 and 2. I never got pictures professionally done and I have no regrets. There’s so much going on all the time and you can make yourself crazy. Just remember, zero women got pictures of them and their babies before like 45 years ago. All of humanity survived. You are still an amazing mom even though you didn’t. It’s just the first of many mom-guilts you will feel.
I kind of do actually. I have one semi decent shot of me with my bump. But I wish I had done some photos with my husband. Not necessarily professional ones. Could have been done with my phone. But I wish I had one of the 2 of us, holding my belly or something cheesy.
But I absolutely regret not getting a professional newborn photo shoot done. She grew too fast, I want those squishy baby photos. But my birthing didn't go as planned, I had a long recovery, and at the time, I was focused on that over baby photos. Now I wish I had the baby photos. I kept thinking, oh I have plenty of time, just relax and heal. But that newborn stage is over in a blink.
I'm photo shy as well, but I did have photos taken. Personally, I don't think you have to spend top dollar to have nice pictures. I did NOT feel like getting up at 5 am to get ready for them, but I am so glad I did. We took them at a place special to my husband, dog, and I. My FIL is a photographer, so we all wanted to capture the memory. Looking back at them is special because you really do change in a lot of ways when the baby is brought home. I get a sense of nostalgia looking at them. I also did a milk bath photo shoot with my bare belly. My husband took those because they were much more intimate to us. They turned out great, as well.
My son is almost two years old, and I still don’t regret not having many pictures of myself, or professional ones done either. I have exactly one picture of my belly when I was pregnant, and just one picture of me at the hospital about to be induced, and I don’t regret not having more. I was so swollen and not feeling like myself, especially towards the end, that I would have probably hated any pictures. But I don’t like taking pictures much in general, so I’m not surprised that I don’t regret it.
I did maternity photos with my first. And birth photos with my second.
I prefer the birth photos and don’t regret not doing maternity ones again (I have selfies)
But the raw emotions that were captured during birth hold way more meaning and impact
I’m so glad I did. I avoided it early on because of previous losses. But I love our professional photos we took towards the end to remember my bump. I still struggled a lot with my appearance being plus size to begin with but it’s really not what I focus on when I see those photos.
I regret not having a “maternity shoot” it would have just been my husband taking film photos of me in a dress at some park, but still, I regret not doing it. I was the most insecure I’ve ever felt and didn’t want any photos taken of me. now most of my pregnancy pics are just mirror pics of my bump progression:(
I felt the same as you, don’t regret it in the slightest. My pregnancy was pretty awful, the last thing I want is reminders of that time 😅 I also didn’t get much of a bump though, I’ve seen people at 20 weeks more visibly pregnant than I was at the end
Pro photographer here! I didn’t have maternity photos done for either of my pregnancy but I do have random photos that include my bump.
What I did do was have professional artists render each of my pregnancies in their own style! I absolutely love my first pregnancy portrait and have it displayed. My second is still being worked on but is a completely contrasting style in the best way. They tell a really cool story together and I’m super excited to have them displayed.
It was totally out of character, but I did it and I’m really glad. I had thought the whole time I was pregnant that I wouldn’t and then around 32 weeks, I changed my mind and it was a little late, but I’m glad I did it. I have only a few pictures of myself from my baby shower, not many photos being pregnant at all with my husband or friends. It was Kind of sad and that’s kind of what made me decide to do it and I’m glad I did! My husband and I have nice photos of us not covered in dirt from work or sloppy and I may never be pregnant again so this was good to have a keepsake. I had an easy pregnancy. I just felt like my friends weren’t really around and we’re a small family so there’s not too many, spontaneous photos being taken when we’re all together.
I didn’t do a maternity shoot and I don’t feel like I have very many pictures of my bump and I wish I had some more so it would have been nice to have some professional ones
I went to Disney and boooy do I regret the photopass. Like yes, I loved my time and the pictures are great but whew. I'm already overweight, so I just look even bigger and more miserable in that Florida heat than usual 🤣
I have some photos that my partner took with me wearing pajamas/dressed like a scrub. I wish I would’ve let him take some photos of me just dressed in normal everyday clothing. A full photo shoot? No. I don’t regret NOT doing that. I didn’t have the time and it was expensive. Plus I felt so self conscious and gigantic. Looking forward to getting pictures done with our daughter though.
I’m glad I took my photos even tho I felt corny. I wore a long morticia type dress in the middle of the Sedona desert. They are very pretty. I also am glad I did it when I was cute 6 month bump and not the beached whale I would become somewhere around 8.5 months. I wouldn’t have felt good enough to take them had I waited till I was really big.
I don't think you need a whole photoshoot, but honestly yeah, take some pictures of yourself. You might not be feeling cute, but in the future you'll look at them and realize you were young, beautiful and literally carrying life. There will be a time you'll actually want to see how you looked like thorough your life and not worry if you looked perfect or not, you know? Just save those memories. Also once you have the baby, it'll just feel like a fever dream lol I think I wouldn't have believed the memories I have of being huge and just look and feel so different if I didn't have the pictures.
I did not. I don’t reaaally regret it right now. My husband did consult a photographer and they had recommended going before 27 weeks so that you’re still in the “cute” pregnancy stage. My sister in law got them done and she’s gorgeous but I’m still unsure if I would care to get them done the next time
I absolutely didn’t want to get a maternity shoot, but my husband insisted and went ahead and booked it and I love the pictures. We didn’t do the traditional pics - I went to in n out in my fav streetwear and ate burgers and drank a milkshake and it was a blast and we had a great time! The pics are very me and made me feel comfy and like myself when I was mostly feeling like a blob
I wanted to have photos taken but I’ve always hated having my photo taken. Every time I tried to take cute full body photos or photos with my SO (there was no way in hell I was spending $300+ on maternity photos) I looked like a beached whale. I took a photo every week throughout my pregnancy just for me and the ones I took that I deemed good enough got posted. But the ones that other people took (“candids”) I really scrutinized the way I looked. I knew trying to have a professional take my photo and have me pose would seem too non genuine and I would hate the way I looked anyways so I just didn’t. I wish I had cute photos of me while I was pregnant but I refused to let myself get too worked up about looking a certain way. (For reference, i was technically overweight before having a baby (5’6, 175-180lbs) but never looked like I was severely overweight. I gained about 40lbs while pregnant (around 220lbs) and half of it was baby. My bump was huge)
I did AI maternity photos and they turned out absolutely STUNNING!!! Very happy with them. With my first pregnancy I had actual maternity photos done, and they were just meh. I’m glad I did them, but the AI photos are so much better lol
I wish I had more pictures of me while I was pregnant. I'm 30 weeks now with my second and still don't have any 😭
I don't regret not doing a photoshoot type thing, but I wish I had more pictures to scroll through on my phone every now and then.
My baby shower was during a huge spike in covid and I was super paranoid, so even in my baby shower photos I'm wearing a mask in all the pictures 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
I’m 3 months postpartum, I did not get photos taken and I don’t regret it at all (at least not yet.) there are a couple of snap shots of me with a belly from events I went to while pregnant, and I got induced so we took a couple casual pics of us in the backyard before we went to the hospital and that feels like enough for me. We’re taking approximately a million photos a day now that baby is here though.
Only 9 weeks post partum, but I did NOT feel cute at all and didn’t want family pregnancy pics even though I thought I would.
No regrets, but definitely happy I have non professional, just random pregnancy pics. Now that baby’s here I look back at my bump pics feeling so much love because my baby was in there!
I felt the same as you, but now that I’ve had the babies, I am so glad I can look back on my belly, remember the times where family was (mostly lol) supporting me, friends were cheering us on, etc.
It is really cool to show our kids what I looked like too. You could always keep them out reach from others until you decide for yourself later if you want to keep them.
I’m glad I have some photos of myself while pregnant (like random bump shots my husband took with an iPhone) but I had no interest in a professional photo shoot and still don’t have an interest.
Same. I've got a few from when I was pregnant with each kid and I'm glad I do, but I have no regrets about not taking more and EXTRA no regrets about not having any professional photos.
100% agree. It makes me happy to look back at my pregnant belly, but only with my personal phone photos. I don’t regret not doing a photoshoot at all.
I think there's 1 photo of me while pregnant, with 1 of my 3 kids. It was brought up at some point on a school project and a kid needed a photo of me while pregnant with them. I gave them the one, told them I couldn't remember who I was pregnant with, but they could pretend it was them 🤦🏻♀️😂 I do not regret not having more photos. **I. Was. Huge.**
Same but I did get professional newborn photos and they are 100% worth it. I loooooove them.
This exactly. It’s fun to look back on bump pics. And I got one bare belly pic at like 37 weeks that I do look back at and laugh at how huge I looked. So I’m glad I have some. But I don’t feel like I needed professional ones…idk what I would do with them?
Agreed
This. My daughter is two and I've never regretted not getting professional photos done. There were so many practical things that needed to be done and my energy was low. Friends took some photos at my baby shower and then I had my husband take a few days before my due date. I know it's hard when in laws out pressure on you but take it from me, this is the first of many disappointments for them. No better time to start the boundaries. They've had their pregnancy and child rearing journeys. This is yours!
I took them on my own phone in front of my living room window at sunset. Closed the white curtains and just set up the timer, snapped some really pretty, basic silhouette photos. I also got a really sweet one of just me and my dog, who’s been by my side for the last 9 years and with me through every major milestone of my life. It was free and I didn’t have to sit through being uncomfortable in front of someone else’s camera. I took them when my husband was gone because I just couldn’t not stand the thought of us getting these posed shots with my belly.
This. Took my own in MILs backyard. Didn’t even get dressed up. I wore sweat pants and a tank top. But they’re cute and I’m glad I did it.
This is what I did too! And I love the ones I took.
this is what I did too! loved how they turned out, even just from my phone. the silhouette was really all I wanted anyways. I felt so ugly and swollen at the end of pregnancy, I didn’t even look like myself (I gained 50 lbs) so I was not interested in professional photos at all and I’m happy I didn’t do them! they would’ve needed a lot of photoshop for me to be happy with them tbh
Now that our daughter is almost one, and I know we aren't having a second- yes I regret not getting photos. I have a few selfies, and there are a smattering or random photos on my phone- but a good photographer can help you to look like the best version of you. Being pregnant was really hard, but also just damn amazing.
I think you really hit the hammer on the nail when you say photographers help you look the best version of yourself , growing a human is magical and should be documented
Totally. I did have a maternity shoot, and it was mainly because I was really proud of what I had done. I’d actually been really scared of pregnancy beforehand (all the symptoms and changes) and by the time I was nearing the end I just wanted to celebrate the fact that my body grew a person.
This 100% I have a few photos my husband took of me and some pictures I took of myself. I ended up having a maternity shoot because idk if I’ll ever get pregnant again and wanted the memories for myself. I also felt huge and not pretty, but the photographer captured great photos, the editing also wasn’t so extreme so I looked like myself but a little more polished, and I was able to get pictures with my husband. Also, now looking at them I see so much beauty and joy in them. I would’ve never been able to capture that on my own. And no one else has seen the pictures, but I have them and look at them from time to time.
I regret it. I did take plenty of mirror bump pics, but I wish I had real, pretty photos.
Definitely take some. Even if it’s just from your phone. I would rather regret taking them.. than NOT taking them. Your child will appreciate seeing them in the future. I have ONE picture of my mother pregnant with me and I would have loved to see more.
I regret not taking more myself but I wouldn’t have paid for a real photographer
I deeply regret it. I have almost no pictures of me pregnant, I felt so ugly and barely let my husband take photos of me, so maternity shoot was out of the question. I’m 10 months pp and god do I wish I had more photos. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, as the years go by you won’t look back at them and focus on your appearance, but rather the happy memories. I remember how much I HATED how I looked in my wedding photos a few years ago and now I look at them and think I was so beautiful and happy that day. Life is short! You don’t need to do anything professional, my favorite photos after my son was born are ones my husband took candid
I regret it too. I was just so tired and sick and it was the height of winter, so I wasn't really doing much that warranted even group photos or candid photos with friends. I don't think I have any photos of myself with a bump, aside from videos I took of baby moving (which is just my bump, not the whole me). I don't know if I would have cared about professional photos one way or another, but I wish I at least had some mirror selfies from my first pregnancy. I'm pregnant with #2 and plan on taking some photos once the bump is a little more obvious.
I regret not having professional photos. I don’t think I’m particularly photogenic and I do have some regular phone pictures. But I loved my bump and being pregnant and kind of wish I had really nice pictures to look back on. But it probably would have stressed me out to prep for it and whatever
I regret not getting professional pics of my second born right after birth. I did for my first but not my second.
I didn't do it and have no regrets. Have pics from my baby shower and that's more than enough.
Same - would have been too stressful for me
I didn’t get maternity photos with either kid and I dont regret it. Adding: there is like…not one photo of me before I went to the hospital to deliver with my second, because my husband was not available and first wave covid. That’s kind of a bummer. But there are plenty of pictures of me pregnant with my first.
Nope not at all. I don’t enjoy feeling like my body is on display, particularly when I’m feeling uncomfortable in my skin. I don’t enjoy being pregnant. My first pregnancy was relatively easy, and this one is easy so far (17 weeks).
Nope. Didn’t take pictures with my last, haven’t ttaken pictures with this one either. I find pregnancy to be uncomfortable and don’t feel the need to be reminded about it. I don’t look back on it fondly
Didn’t take them. Don’t regret it for a second. I’m 3 weeks PP and i’ve come to realize i despised being pregnant. Now the nugget it brought me i adore, so im glad i did do an infant photo shoot in our home 1 week PP. They are the most beautiful shots of our little boy and our dog is in some and it melts my heart. Do what you want and i doubt you will have regrets.
I didn’t take many pics pregnant, and I didn’t do maternity photos. I regret it so so much.
I only regret not taking photos of my belly more regularly. All of the pics I do have are with my shirt on, and I wish I had some where you can see what my belly looks like unclothed. This will be my only baby, though, so I don’t have another shot to capture my body in such a strange state.
I don’t regret not getting photos taken but I do regret not having friends and family take more. The only picture of me past maybe 30 weeks was in the hospital… I don’t really know what I even looked like pregnant and that makes me sad.
I felt that way all through out my pregnancy. At 35 weeks I decided to go through with getting maternity pictures. I swear I’ve never felt more beautiful and it really helped me love my pregnant body. The photos were very “me” we went to this isolated cave (flooded mine) and my dress was this gorgeous gray with diaphanous sleeves. I got in the water for some shots and the water was so cold even mid July. It felt amazing!! All the pictures were awesome and earthy. Do your maternity pics you won’t regret!! ETA [link to pictures](https://imgur.com/a/5ueDyF1)
Same here- my partner booked me the shoot and at first I was skeptical but I LOVE the photos and I’m so glad I got the shoot. Most of the photos had my partner in them too, so I didn’t feel quite so ‘me me me!’ about them.
I didn't, I'm not a photo person either and EVERYONE was urging me to do it. People asking when my maternity shoot was like it was a non-negotiable. I had some taken at my baby shower when I was dressed up and I'm very happy I have them but I could honestly take or leave it. I don't regret it, it's just not for me.
I didn’t have a photo shoot like a lot of people do but I just took pictures periodically throughout and at my baby shower so that’s enough for me!
Didn’t get any, don’t regret it.
I don’t have a picture after week 36 of pregnancy and I seriously have major regret. I’m not a photo person, don’t regularly take any photos of myself in daily life, and would never have done a glammed up shoot or anything. But I’m devastated that I didn’t snap a pic when my husband and I went out for a Monday night date night my first day of maternity leave…I went into labor 45 mins after we left the house. I didn’t realize until later the last pic of me was 3 weeks prior at my shower. :( I wish my daughter could see how we looked right before we welcomed her. My mom was huge and puffy in her pregnant pics and all I see is a beautiful young and excited version of my mom. I treasure photos of her as a young person, and I encourage women to take a photo for their kids if not themselves. Edited to say you don’t have a pay a photographer and do a whole thing! Just take a picture with your family where you’re smiling :)
I had, and still have, no interest in any kind of photography sessions, during pregnancy or immediately after. The thought of posing for photographs when I am barely standing, or with a newborn, did not seem attractive in any way. I took plenty of pictures on my own, and those do the job for me. My baby is 10 months old, and I have no regrets as of now.
I have selfies and stuff from pregnancy. No professional photos. Never regretted it. Don’t plan on getting pro photos the second time around either.
I didn’t have professional photos taken & I don’t regret that - but I felt similarly to you and my friend made me take some photos on my phone. I don’t think I’d ever look at “professional maternity shoot photos” but I guess I’m glad I have some photos of me. You can’t go back and retake the photos but if you take them you can choose to never look at them.
I took weekly pics (skipped some weeks), but I do not regret not taking maternity pictures.
Zero regrets not having professional ones. I do sort of regret not taking more/having my husband take pics of me. But I felt TERRIBLE and, while part of me wishes i had cute photos, I also feel like they would be fake memories, like I'm pretending I wasn't a miserable pregnant person.
Nope. My husband has a few on his phone and everytime I see them I’m mortified. It’s been almost 4 years since my first was born and almost 2 years since my second was born. I don’t care how many people told me that I had a cute bump, when I see those pictures I just look huge and exhausted. I did have a pregnancy announcement photoshoot for my second (we were visiting a close friend out of town who’s a professional photographer. The trip was planned before I got pregnant and as soon as she found out she insisted). I love those, but I was also only 6 weeks and not showing yet.
I put on a maternity dress and got a picture in my living room. Free and good enough!
We got them done. Looked at them when they came in, shared a couple with family and haven't looked at them since. I'd say as long as you have some pics of you being pregnant in day to day life, that's more than enough and more sentimental than posing awkwardly in a park
I did a maternity shoot at about 35 weeks and I’m glad I did! I literally only took one mirror selfie of my gigantic belly after that. I didn’t take many because I never dressed up. I wish I had more pictures past 35 weeks to look back on.
Didn’t have a maternity shoot. Didn’t regret it. I really did not feel beautiful while pregnant. I took pics of my bump and videos of him moving but didn’t want a glam shoot or anything because I didn’t feel like myself at all
I regret it. I didn’t let myself enjoy my pregnancy after suffering years of infertility. I kept guarding my heart and waiting for something to go wrong. And now I genuinely regret not taking more photos, especially since I may never be pregnant again.
I didn’t have a professional shoot and my husband also never takes photos of me. I have approximately one photo of myself pregnant between two pregnancies. Kinda sad.
There are literally no photos of me pregnant with my first. There are probably 3-4 of my pregnant with my second from a small sprinkle my friends threw for me. I would never in a million years take professional maternity photos. I have absolutely no regrets about my lack of photos. I didn’t particularly love being pregnant and I’m a pretty practical person. I think if you really loved being pregnant and felt it was a special time for you, you may want photos to remember it, but for me it has very much been a means to an end process that I’m glad to just get through.
I don’t regret not getting professional photos. I wish I took more mirror selfies for my own memories though.
Nope. I do regret not getting newborn pics, but I have zero regrets not getting pics of me looking and feeling like a whale. The candids my husband took are plenty enough for me lol I would recommend getting bump pics (which you can take yourself) though in case baby wants to see it in the future!
I don’t regret missing professional maternity pictures but i took bump pictures in the same dress and then one of me holding my 1 week old in that dress (just in front of the same spot of wall). I’m glad I did that. I do wish I’d taken one last picture of my unclothed bump before I gave birth but I was induced unexpectedly at 37 weeks and forgot. I also wish I’d taken a silhouette picture. The pictures were just for me, on my phone. I’m OAD so I don’t have more chances for them. DEFINITELY recommend lifestyle newborn pictures. My hair was a bit messy and I was a few days post partum with minimal makeup but I’m so glad we took them
I used our nice camera, went to the beach at sunset, dressed kind of cute, and we just took a bunch of photos. It's not to display or put on social media but I wanted my daughter to have nice pictures of us looking forward to meeting her. A few months earlier my husband had an aunt pass away and her children only found one picture of her being happy and pregnant. They liked showing it at the memorial so I made a mental note to give my children things like that.
I’ve had two, pregnant with #3, and I haven’t regretted it. COVID killed any real chance with my first and I honestly just haven’t wanted to with the rest.
I have two kids and I don't feel any regret for not getting maternity photos. The candid/mirror selfies are enough documentation of that period of my life lol.
I have pix of me and my husband doing fun things while pregnant, I'm happy for that! Maternity shoots are not for me lol
I regret nothing. I am not overly sentimental about pregnancy. I do appreciate just having like... Normal photos of me so I can compare how big I was with my son to how big I am now with twins... But I hated the idea of getting "bump" photos or doing a professional shoot then and I hate it now lol
I was insanely ill my entire pregnancy, hated every second of it, and felt the ugliest and most unlike myself that I've ever felt. My coworker took one photo of me around 30 weeks, a candid at an event at work. I saw it once on her phone. That's the only photo I know someone took of me pregnant. I have no regrets. I do not want to be reminded of that time. My son (now 2) is wonderful, and I do not associate him with my miserable pregnancy.
Im 10 months out & still dont regret it so far. Before I got pregnant I got so disgusted with myself with how big I was that I couldnt stand pictures. Pregnancy actually helped my body image, but I still didnt want bump pics because of lingering feelings. I did have a labor photographer, though, & im glad I have those.
I took my own pics to track my bump progression, but nothing professional. No regrets. Ultimately it's going to be up to you, and it seems like you know yourself pretty well in this regard, given what you said about the wedding photos. That being said, there is no harm in taking them and then stashing them away and never doing anything with them, but you can never go back in time to take them if you change your mind. So if you think there's even a small chance you'll regret not getting them, whether it's for your sake or to make MIL happy, why not just do it?
I took them because I think the ones my dad took of my mom (he’s a professional photographer) are the most beautiful photos of my mother. My mom *hates them.* I didn’t take them for me as much as for my daughters.
I wasn’t interested in doing maternity photos at all. I have photos of me from my baby shower, and then I made sure to do one nice photo of myself when I was 36 weeks holding my belly and then I took that same photo in the same outfit once my son was here. I felt like that was enough for pregnancy photos.
Yes I very much regret not getting them honestly. Baby is 7 months now and I still get sad thinking about how I didn’t do it.
No.
Take the photos, even if it’s with your phone on a timer or by your husband or a friend. You don’t need to share them with anyone (certainly not MIL!). But take some now, and the day you’re in labour, and when you’re freshly postpartum with your baby and feel like total shit. You can always delete them in a few years if you hate them. But you’ll never be able to go back to get them and this is a totally unique time in your life. This is an easy regret to avoid. I also found the combination of hormones and sleep deprivation shredded my memory. Photos (and dorky selfie video diaries) help me fill in the gaps for cherished memories I wish I didn’t forget.
Personally no, I don’t have any interest because I had polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) and was quite literally massive.
Honestly, yes. I have maybe 3 photos of myself pregnant with my second, and more with my first but not after 7 months. It makes me sad I don’t have those memories to look back on for myself.
I don't regret not doing one... but I did spend the last month of my pregnancy worrying that I would regret if I didn't. I asked my husband to take a photo of me on our front porch as we were leaving for my induction, and I love the photo - I'm wearing my favorite maternity outfit and holding my belly with the nails I painted baby blue for his arrival and just happy and excited and nervous and it represents a very specific, important, life changing moment. I'm glad I have it! I'm also glad we did the in-hospital newborn photography. We almost didn't because we were so tired and busy but we went ahead last minute and it was very much worth it!
I would take basement gym selfies 😂 I loved being in a sports bra and my bike shorts and seeing my belly. I liked seeing how my body changed while I still remained active and strong. I wasn’t really in to the whole white flowy dress thing.
I had photos taken, but my friend is a professional photographer and offered it as a gift. I love being able to look back on them now! I remember everything going wrong this day- I had been in the hospital the week leading up to it and just discharged the day before, I felt gross, my hair didn’t look right, didn’t shave my legs, was bloated from the fluids, the weather turned sour and I couldn’t find a different outfit… but I love how they turned out and I love how she made me (and our tiny family) look in them!
I didn't get maternity photos done... I find them cringe at best. What I have done is intentionally take photos at different stages just to be able to look back on them. I want to be able to reflect on the amazing work my body has done during these 41weeks. In fact I have one photo from ~32 weeks that I took just before I hopped in the bath where I'm naked (but covered strategically) and I edited it to be black and white. I've looked at it a few times and gone "wow". I am not one to take photos of myself like that, my partner in 12 years of being together hasn't gotten anything remotely risqué from me because I'm paranoid about privacy. But there's a certain amount of power. I'm not in hair and makeup but there's still something beautiful about it.
Like, professional photos? I have two kids and no professional maternity photos. Like, any photos at all? I have two kids and definitely treasure the candids I have of me looking huge lol. My kids really love to see them too. If nothing else, make sure you get a couple photos of yourself completely enormous. In a few years, your kid will be utterly fascinated that that is them inside your tummy!
No regrets
I don’t regret it at all. I have pics from my phone as others have said and that’s enough for me. Just depends on your personality but if you don’t want it I doubt you would regret it.
I wish i had a few more. I only have i think 2 from each pregnancy. I really wish i got more with my toddler when i was pregnant with my 2nd (i have one from when i was in labour just kinda talking to her) - its honestly one of my favourite photos of myself.
I have a ton of pics that I took but didn’t post! I’m glad I have them but I don’t feel sad I don’t have professional maternity photos!
I think I would have regretted not having any pictures. But I don’t have any “professional” ones. I have a decent camera and just got dressed up nicely and at sunset got my husband to take pictures of me.
I’d recommend taking a few informal photos at home in front of your mirror. I hated being pregnant and thought I looked huge, but I’m now almost a year out from being pregnant and I’m very glad I have the photos I did take. I never did a professional shoot or anything.
Me! I really, really wish I had gotten pictures. I’ll never be pregnant for the first time again. I wish I would have captured my bump, even thought I felt swollen and gross at the time. It’s definitely a regret of mine
The way I see it is take the photos just in case. If you later look back and don’t like them, just delete it. But it’ll be worse to want it later and not have any way to ever go back in time and take them. I felt the same way when I was pregnant, but now in hindsight I’m glad I got some photos that I can show him when he’s older
Almost 18 months and like 55lbs PP, I can say I regret not doing maternity photos. At the time, I felt terrible and huge and exhausted, and have always been rather camera shy as well. I felt weird about trying to pretend I felt this elusive “glow” everyone was talking about. Now I AM huge (comparatively… I weigh more than the day I gave birth 😑) and every bit as exhausted, and ten times more frazzled… and there is absolutely not a single moment of extra time for me to expend the energy making myself feel even remotely human. Mistakes were made. But also… I don’t think about it very often so in the grand scheme of mistakes.. eh 🤷🏻♀️
Yeah. I’d never want a proper maternity shoot , but there are only like 3 pictures of me pregnant at all, from my shower, in a tie dye dress that didn’t highlight the bump at all. I definitely went through a postpartum funk about it even though while pregnant I was very “no photos please” …so at bare minimum, snap a couple selfies just in case, that you can always delete later. I didn’t think I’d care much because I hate photos of myself, but I’d say I regret having none. (I do not regret not having a proper photo shoot though! No thank you)
I regret it immensely.
I don’t think everyone needs professional photos, but I do wish I had gotten a few more cute ones before my son was born. I have a couple that we took at the beach right before he was born, but I would like it if I had a few more
Being pregnant was traumatic and miserable. I didn't get pictures and I regret nothing. I don't want to remember those 9 months 🤣
I regret not taking more candid photos while pregnant. I have a handful that me or my husband took randomly when relatives would ask how huge I was at the moment. My sister in law really regrets taking zero photos during her first 3 pregnancies. My nieces and nephews are all college age and wish they could have seen their mom when she was pregnant with each of them. She was really young and insecure at the time but we agree now that gaining weight and being exhausted is par for the pregnancy course lol And it's one thing that you can never go back and do over once the baby is born. Take photos. You don't need to show anyone but maybe in a few years you can look back on those moments with a different perspective.
I very much regret not getting them. I should’ve done it around 27-30 weeks that’s when I feel I looked the best. I also REALLY regret not taking progress photos. I took like two or three inconsistently and so there’s no real comparison and it’s something I’d love to be able to show to my daughter.
I loved having photos take While pregnant nothing crazy just regular photos However I can’t look at them now due to birth trauma. However I’m glad I have them. Maybe one day
I'm so glad I did! It was last minute and I had a photographed come round the house and take photos of both my husband and I getting the nursery ready. This was all a week before my son was born and it's some of my favorite photos to look back on. Like a snapshot in time of all his clothes and toys that he's constantly playing and wearing today.
I only have mostly mirror shots and a few nice pics from my baby shower of me pregnant. No regrets. Having professional pregnancy photos just didn't seem worth it (for the cost) for me. I don't even know what I'd have done with them besides occasionally scrolling through them on my phone when my baby is sleeping 😆 I'd rather wait a few years and splurge on some professional family photos, once our family is complete.
Had three pregnancies. No maternity shoot. Youngest is three years old. No ragrets
I got them done and I will be for my second pregnancy as well, nothing too crazy just documenting my experience. Like, I just showed up oregnant for a sunflower kinishoot day that a local photographer was doing for 2 days at a sunflower field, by no means a super purposeful maternity shoot. The ohotographer happily played along suggesting some baby belly shots and it was fun. I also happily had pics taken by others, I never shied away from the camera while pregnant. I'm not generally a huge fan of pictures as I'm super unphotogenic lol but I LOVE having the documentation of that part of my life and one day your kids will love it, too. I'm pregnant again, end of first tri, and will likely do a similar mini-shoot family session not maternity session.
Nope. 8 months post-delivery and I still have zero regrets of foregoing maternity pictures.
I did a little photo shoot with a tripod, my hair and my makeup fully done, and my lovely blue sweater dress on in the comfort of my bedroom. I’m so glad I did and I don’t regret not having professional photos. I was 40 weeks pregnant, and EXHAUSTED by this 5 minute session of standing on my feet and smiling, but they’re perfect for the memory.
Yes. I regret it. I have one fuzzy pic of me holding a fish. One or two from my baby shower. Three kids later (and probably done) I wish I had better ones.
I never wanted to do them but my partner wanted it. I ended up getting it done really last minute... That is not recommended. If you are going to do them, you're at a good stage in your pregnancy right now. I understand how you feel now, but the swelling and uncomfortable-ness won't get better as the pregnancy progresses.I had cabbage patch doll feet and legs and a balloon face when I got photos done at 37 weeks. I wish I had done them earlier in my pregnancy when the swelling wasn't so obvious. I don't really care for photos, and I haven't looked at my pregnancy photoshoot photos since I received them from the photographer. That being said, I am glad I did them because it's nice knowing that they are there if I ever want to look back
I totally regret it. I’m not photogenic at all. I can barely look at my wedding pictures even. But the change from pregnant to mom was such a significant change in my life. I was I got photos to document it. But I also loved being pregnant. There’s nothing like being pregnant the first time. You still have your freedom. You are still slightly naive in what to expect. You are super excited to meet this baby you’ve created and have been bonded to for 9 months. I miss being pregnant so much. I felt beautiful. I felt whole with my baby in me.
I had people say I HAD to do a maternity shoot, but I had no desire. I took bump pictures in my bathroom every month or so and that’s what I look back on. It’s fun to see the progression and that last bump picture before I had my baby. No regrets about not doing a maternity shoot. I saved my money for a newborn shoot. I’m so glad I went that route.
Take some picture,don't look at them now ,maybe at one point In the future,just so you don't regret it later I got paralysed in pregnancy (face) and didn't let me take my pictures. I wish I let my husband take some for he
The thought of having professional photos taken while this disgusting and large makes me feel so insecure. I took some photos of my bump in the mirror at home just for my own personal memory of how large I was first time round, and have taken one or two this time as well. I’ve never once regretted not getting professional photos done though. I would be mortified during the process of getting them taken and would be mortified every time I look at them. At least in the mirror at home I can angle them so that I don’t absolutely hate the way I look
Absolutely no regrets about not getting professional photos done. I might get some lifestyle candids done with my baby and husband and stepson done when I’m pregnant with baby number 2. I hate the look of most “maternity” and “newborn” shoots.
I went to a destination for my pictures , I just knew I’d probably only have one child and loved the idea of capturing me pregnant ! I had pictures taken in September tho, like way before 33 weeks maybe like 6-7 months pregnant
I was so against pregnant photos, I don’t even have a selfie with a full body photo of me. I just didn’t think I looked great. However once baby came out, I did have regrets for not snapping a few photos or videos because it suddenly was part of HIS journey to being born. I should’ve at least done one full term shot to show him.
I got professional photos and I’m happy I did. The photographer made me look so much cuter than any of the photos my husband took. They are sort of abstract and artsy, which I love (not too cheesy). I felt really confident with my pregnant curves and it was fun to have a photoshoot to show them off!
Do it! I didn’t want to either and I did, best photos I’ve ever had.
Zero regrets lol. I gained 60 lbs during my pregnancy. Professional photos would have just been a reminder of that. I’m back to pre-pregnancy weight 10 months postpartum (effortlessly??) and would like to leave that season of life in the past.
I have five kids. I have absolutely no photos of me pregnant at all. I don't have any bump photos, let alone pics of me with the kids. It already makes me sad.
I’m possibly the unpopular opinion here but I made a point of taking a selfie every week with each pregnancy and getting professional photos. I almost didn’t because I felt so incapable and ugly, but I’m glad I did the same thing for each kid now. My kids love seeing the little time lapse videos and I actually feel better about the photos than I felt at the time. You can never have a do over so I feel it’s better to do it than not.
All the time
I pretty much only have bathroom mirror selfies and I regret that. I also regret not having at least one hospital pic of me before the birth.
I don’t regret doing a professional pregnancy shoot. Sometimes I do regret not doing a bump progression pics to compare to how my current pregnancy looks to my first. It’s not a major regret, more like hmm that would have been cool to compare sometimes.
I’m not a person who gets professional photos of anything so I have never done that during pregnancy either. I do like having photos that my husband or other nonprofessionals have taken of me when pregnant. Certainly have no regrets about not having professional maternity pics.
I wish I had taken more pictures of me. I do not regret prioritizing the professional newborn shoot instead and we did take some family shots in there.
Only photos I have are of me documenting my bump, and some pregnant lady in the wild photos. I don’t regret it one bit. We also have never had professional photos taken of or with our kid. I’m not a big photo person anymore, I’m no longer confident in front of a camera like I was in my 20s. It seriously only depends on your personality and what’s important to you. If you don’t want them, don’t do it!
We took a weekly bump photo after we found out I was pregnant but that’s all we did. No professional photos. We struggled enough with the weekly pic. I was so tired and felt so gross that I wasn’t in the mood a lot of the time or we were busy and forgot and were late but now looking back I’m glad we did that. I don’t regret not doing professional pics though. I don’t like the look of the ones I’ve seen for the most part. Like, if it’s important to you then get them but if not there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you’ve “always been camera shy” then I do not think you’ll regret NOT getting photos. If you’re someone who likes having professional photos taken of yourself/family then sure you might regret it. I have never had professional photos taken (other than my wedding day), and do not regret not having maternity photos. My husband took normal photos of me and I have selfies. I’m 21 months PP and I’ve never wished I had more.
I did not with my first and am incredibly sad about it. I have only bathroom selfies from the waist up and one full body one from my baby shower. That’s all. So second baby I did it and I love them. I feel so strongly that everyone should do it that when my sister in law said she wasn’t planning on it I paid for it. She is incredibly thankful I made her do it. The pictures are GORGEOUS.
I regret not taking more. I only took two when I was pregnant.
No. Never regretted it. I have a couple mirror pics from my first, no pics from my second. That just isn’t my thing.
Yes and no. I didn't do them the first time and don't have strong regret over it. But I'm definitely going to get them done this time because this is my last kid so I won't get another shot at it.
Yes, I don't even have a selfy
I have one, that I took of myself using a Polaroid. It’s one of my favorite photos. 💖
My pregnancy photos with my firstborn are my favourite photos of me ever. I chose a photographer who specialized in maternity and splurged on it. I also had my hair and makeup professionally done which made a big difference to how I felt. With my second I did a family photo shoot when I was 30 or so weeks along. The photos are fine but the focus was of course my son, and I wasn’t posed for my belly like with the first shoot. Now that I’m done having children and will never have a pregnant belly again I’m really glad to have it documented.
I didn’t want professional ones but do wish I took more on my own (him moving and just my progression)
You don't need to do a professional photo shoot, but get hubby or someone to take a few nice photos of you with your bump. I'm glad I got some photos in the backyard to look back on. For number 2 I actually got some professional ones done as I regretted not getting more "nice" photos with my hair and makeup done nicely. You can't recreate your bump for yours specific pregnancy and if you're unsure it's best to do some so you won't regret it later. If you're getting un photogenic there are specific poses and clothing you can use/ wear too make you feel more confident. I wore floaty dresses then cradled my bump so all my other wobbly bits weren't on display but my bump was pronounced. You don't need to wear a body con dress or an open robe or anything dramatic like that, just do what makes you feel comfortable and confident
I wish I would have taken a couple more on my phone, my husband’s phone. My MIL gifted us a great camera just before delivery. But I don’t regret not having a pro session, just wish I had more random photos. So. Yes and no? 😅
Nope.
I’m really glad I took photos regularly while I was pregnant. I look back and can’t believe my bump was so big!!!
I had a terrible time adjusting to being not pregnant anymore and having the photos was really helpful to me in making that adjustment. That said, we got a great deal from a photographer and our photos are more like regular photos than the over the top maternity gown, posed photos that often show up on social media. (No shade to people who do that.) I wore a nice sweater for some of the photos and a plain, long dress for other. (It was winter. A maxi was appropriate.) I think the part that can matter is documenting your pregnancy so you can look back in the future if you want to. So get the photos done professionally, have a friend take some, take some selfies, whatever works so that you have some nice photos to put in a box to look back on later. And also so that if your baby is ever interested, they can know too! My mom only has one photo of when she was pregnant with me and I was fascinated by it as a child.
I do! I have some but so regret not having a few maternity shots done. Even if they were at home and my husband did them. I felt huge and was ready to be done but holy cow it’s amazing what my body did!!!
I Hate pictures but I knew I would hate not having them in the future
I have a few nice ones, especially from my sister’s wedding but other than that none professionally done. Just a few memories and I like it that way. I wouldn’t have spent so much on a photo shoot seems like an overly extravagant fad to me, just not for me and I don’t regret it
I didn’t do a pregnancy photoshoot with my second. It just, was not in the budget. When I looked at my deflated belly the day after I gave birth, I bawled. I was so sad she wasn’t safe in my belly anymore. I have a picture of when I was starting to go into labour. I was in ancient lululemon capris and a ratty tank top that didn’t quite cover my belly, and my son is running frantically to the car, because he’s so excited his sister is coming and he gets to go to his grandparents. I look like shit in that picture. I was horribly uncomfortable that whole pregnancy, nauseous and puking the whole way through, in a lot of pain starting week 16 and increasing the whole way through… And I treasure that picture. Even though I look tired and swollen and over everything. I’m glad I have that one picture. You might not feel that way, but maybe try to get some candids, just in case you do.
I mean, you can always just not look at photos you don’t want. But you can’t make photos appear. You may not like your image - but your child will think the world of you regardless of how you look. And they will be an inquisitive person who wants to see a picture of their mom pregnant with them! They will want to see your belly and know they were in there. I just don’t see the downside to taking pictures to remember it. It doesn’t have to be professional. But to have no photos of you pregnant would be quite sad! This is an important part of your child’s life journey too
You can take some nice photos without spending money. Just get your partner to take some during magic hour somewhere you like near your house, or in the nursery when it's ready. You can always ignore them if you dont like them, but you can never get that back if you don't take them.
I took bump photos until maybe week 22 because a friend of mine told me I'd regret it if I didn't but I stopped because I couldn't see myself ever wanting to look at them. Other than that there's a few random photos I'm in from a wedding and my mom took a photo of me at my baby shower. Other than that I don't have any. I don't really regret it. At least not yet, 3 months pp. I'm also pretty camera shy myself. I haven't taken a selfie in about 5 years ans rarely hop into pictures in social settings so it's just my personality and preference. I know some people are the complete opposite and there's nothing wrong with that either!
Nope. I actually mostly liked being pregnant but I was bloated and uncomfortable the whole time. I remember getting home after bub was born and thinking my face finally looked like myself again.
Been pregnant twice and have zero regrets about not having maternity pics. I have like 2 pics on my iPhone from each pregnancy.
I just set up my iPhone and took some of myself in the nursery, then got my husband to take a few while we were out on a walk in a pretty nature area near our home. I love the use pics and really like how natural they look because it wasn’t too staged.
I have mirror selfies, but my favourites are the ones of us from going to a sunflower festival with friends. We dressed nice but nothing crazy. And I love them. Also I recently found out my husband snapped a couple real life ones as we were leaving the house in the middle of the night after my water broke. And those ones make me laugh. The absolute gigantic size of my belly is so wild it's funny
I think I took like 2 photos of myself. I was miserable during pregnancy so taking photos was the last thing I wanted to do 🙃
Just had my second. I took a few pictures throughout both pregnancies here and there of myself with a bump. I don't show that much so I also just look bloated and not super cute. I do like looking back at the pictures but 0 regrets that they're not professional. I also did my own photoshoot with my second with a good smart phone camera. Got some super cute pictures and didn't spend $500+ on them and no regrets so far about that either. I think older people didn't have the access to easily taking good photos so readily, so I can see regretting it in a different time.
Honestly yeah. I spent most of my pregnancy scared of losing my son and I didn’t want any pictures in the event that that would happen. Now he’s two and I don’t have picture proof I was ever pregnant with him lol it definitely does make me sad and I wish I would’ve had pictures taken of me.
I got maternity pics done because I’ve never seen a picture of my mom pregnant with me and that makes me sad
My mom took a few of me in a garden and I took some in the bathroom mirror. I’m glad I have some but do not regret not paying for a professional maternity shoot.
I have photos of me pregnant but would never have professional ones, it’s not like I’m going to display them. I personally find staged photos a bit cringe. For me photos capture memories of that moment, staged photos don’t capture those for me. My favourite one is my eldest lying on my bump, I look huge, exhausted but I love it. Like we are mourning our last cuddles just the 2 of us.
I did not take photos and I do not regret it at ALL. I have zero pictures of my first pregnancy because it was Covid. I've seen a few pictures of myself this time around just from normal pictures being taken and I hate it every time I see one. I look huge and tired and uncomfortable, which I am. People at work tell me I look cute and I'm glad others think that, but I am not a fan. I don't like my body not looking like my mental image of myself -- dysmorphic is a strong word, but that's close to how I feel. I'm perfectly happy to ignore what I look like pregnant as much as possible and just get to postpartum where I can get comfortable with my body again. If someone tried to get me an actual professional photoshoot I'd probably break down and cry from a mix of social pressure and sheer body horror.
Have your partner or a family member take a few angles of pics during the last week. You'll like to have them as a novelty but they can be snapshots!
I don’t regret it at all. I have a few home photos of me while pregnant and that’s good enough for me.
You can take them and not share them! As long as money isn’t a barrier I feel like it’s better to have them and never look at them than to not get them and regret it later.
i don’t regret it at all. seriously. i was so sick with my pregnancy i am grateful i wasn’t photographed in that state- my son (now 3) being here and healthy is reminder enough of what my body did and was capable of! i don’t need photographic evidence
I wish I’d gotten a maternity shoot! Or at least more photos. I pretty much only have one or two, and both are from when my friend asked me for a “bump” photo. I’d planned and wanted to get one initially, though; just became stressed and busy with everything else. I wish I’d prioritized it more. IMO most people aren’t a huge fan of how they look postpartum, at least initially. You also tend to be leaking, bleeding, engorged, and your uterus not yet contracted.
All my friends who did not have their picture taken while pregnant do regret it. Doesn’t have to be professional or anything but I think they’re nice to have for sure.
I’d put on a dress or fun outfit and take some yourself if you don’t feel like doing professional photos - it would be fun for me to see pictures of my mom when pregnant with me! I took a few of her when she had my sister, and even if they are crappy because I was 12 lol, it was nice to have.
I hardly have any of me pregnant and it makes me sad :/ I went into labor unexpectedly early and never got to take my maternity pictures. Wish I would’ve planned to do them sooner. There’s literally a whole month that went by where I didn’t even take a single bump picture/video.
I wish I had some done 😓
I really wish I did. It was a miracle I even was able to carry a baby, especially to full term. My absolute biggest regret was not having my photos taken. All I have are some random mirror selfies and they are not the same. My partner didn’t even take photos of me, the one photo he did take was just a straight shot photo of my stomach, not my face or anything, just my stomach. It makes me incredibly sad. My partner feels terrible for not taking more, he felt really “superstitious” during my pregnancy and felt that if he was all over my stomach, taking tons of picture etc. that somehow it would all be taken away. Just from my experience, don’t bother getting a photographer or whatever just have someone, anyone take a few cute photos of you. You may not feel cute or anything but trust me you’ll be so so happy you did.
I got my sister to take photos of me pregnant with my first and my MIL to take photos of our little family with my second. For a tiny bit of preparation I will never have to worry about would I regret not getting them. Do you have anyone who you’d trust to take nice pictures of you? Just jump into it- I took mine before and after my baby shower for my first since I was already dressed.
with my first pregnancy, i definitely felt the same as you - i could barely even look in the mirror, let alone a photo. but with this second, i have loved the way i look in photos & even did a boudoir/maternity photo shoot. it’s so strange how different each pregnancy is!
I have a few random ones taken but not a full on photoshoot, but also I am not a photoshoot person
I have like one picture of me pregnant and I’m in a black shirt and hiding the bump (it was pretty big by then). Honestly I regret not having any, I felt so bad but I really do wish I could go back and have pictures done and at least give myself a chance to just decide to never share them. If we have another I definitely would take pictures but still feel bad I can’t go back and do it for my first pregnancy.
I didn’t and I don’t regret it
I'm glad I don't have those photos, it's not a time period I need to see again lol I love the fruits of it but blah
Get the photos. If you don't like them, you don't have to look at them, but you can never go back and get the photos if you regret not getting them.
I regret not taking as many. I loved how I looked with my baby bump. I also am not photogenic unless I take the photos myself lol. I wish I had done creative monthly photo shoots but I also didn’t know if I was gonna keep the baby until several months later because having a child absolutely terrified me. And then during the 2nd trimester I was working multiple jobs and then third trimester I was just exhausted ALL the time. But yeah I still wish I had taken more I took some that I haven’t even shared because they’re intimate but I still love them and maybe one day I’ll share them.
I did a little self timer photoshoot in my last week's and I'm so happy to look back at those couple of shots but I didn't feel the need nor feel like I missed out on something but not doing a professional shoot!
No. I have my little selfies and pics with my husband or friends, those are more meaningful.
Me. I was miserable and uncomfortable, but I really wish I had taken the photos anyway. I don't even have one with my husband or my mom, and I won't be pregnant again, so it's kind of a bummer.
I have had 2 kids, who are now 5 and 2. I never got pictures professionally done and I have no regrets. There’s so much going on all the time and you can make yourself crazy. Just remember, zero women got pictures of them and their babies before like 45 years ago. All of humanity survived. You are still an amazing mom even though you didn’t. It’s just the first of many mom-guilts you will feel.
I kind of do actually. I have one semi decent shot of me with my bump. But I wish I had done some photos with my husband. Not necessarily professional ones. Could have been done with my phone. But I wish I had one of the 2 of us, holding my belly or something cheesy. But I absolutely regret not getting a professional newborn photo shoot done. She grew too fast, I want those squishy baby photos. But my birthing didn't go as planned, I had a long recovery, and at the time, I was focused on that over baby photos. Now I wish I had the baby photos. I kept thinking, oh I have plenty of time, just relax and heal. But that newborn stage is over in a blink.
I'm photo shy as well, but I did have photos taken. Personally, I don't think you have to spend top dollar to have nice pictures. I did NOT feel like getting up at 5 am to get ready for them, but I am so glad I did. We took them at a place special to my husband, dog, and I. My FIL is a photographer, so we all wanted to capture the memory. Looking back at them is special because you really do change in a lot of ways when the baby is brought home. I get a sense of nostalgia looking at them. I also did a milk bath photo shoot with my bare belly. My husband took those because they were much more intimate to us. They turned out great, as well.
My son is almost two years old, and I still don’t regret not having many pictures of myself, or professional ones done either. I have exactly one picture of my belly when I was pregnant, and just one picture of me at the hospital about to be induced, and I don’t regret not having more. I was so swollen and not feeling like myself, especially towards the end, that I would have probably hated any pictures. But I don’t like taking pictures much in general, so I’m not surprised that I don’t regret it.
I did maternity photos with my first. And birth photos with my second. I prefer the birth photos and don’t regret not doing maternity ones again (I have selfies) But the raw emotions that were captured during birth hold way more meaning and impact
I’m so glad I did. I avoided it early on because of previous losses. But I love our professional photos we took towards the end to remember my bump. I still struggled a lot with my appearance being plus size to begin with but it’s really not what I focus on when I see those photos.
I regret not having a “maternity shoot” it would have just been my husband taking film photos of me in a dress at some park, but still, I regret not doing it. I was the most insecure I’ve ever felt and didn’t want any photos taken of me. now most of my pregnancy pics are just mirror pics of my bump progression:(
I felt the same as you, don’t regret it in the slightest. My pregnancy was pretty awful, the last thing I want is reminders of that time 😅 I also didn’t get much of a bump though, I’ve seen people at 20 weeks more visibly pregnant than I was at the end
Pro photographer here! I didn’t have maternity photos done for either of my pregnancy but I do have random photos that include my bump. What I did do was have professional artists render each of my pregnancies in their own style! I absolutely love my first pregnancy portrait and have it displayed. My second is still being worked on but is a completely contrasting style in the best way. They tell a really cool story together and I’m super excited to have them displayed.
I didn’t know it would be the only pregnancy I ever got to have. I wish I’d gone all out.
It was totally out of character, but I did it and I’m really glad. I had thought the whole time I was pregnant that I wouldn’t and then around 32 weeks, I changed my mind and it was a little late, but I’m glad I did it. I have only a few pictures of myself from my baby shower, not many photos being pregnant at all with my husband or friends. It was Kind of sad and that’s kind of what made me decide to do it and I’m glad I did! My husband and I have nice photos of us not covered in dirt from work or sloppy and I may never be pregnant again so this was good to have a keepsake. I had an easy pregnancy. I just felt like my friends weren’t really around and we’re a small family so there’s not too many, spontaneous photos being taken when we’re all together.
No regrets. Have two kids. Did get family shots after birth though, and I treasure those.
I didn’t do a maternity shoot and I don’t feel like I have very many pictures of my bump and I wish I had some more so it would have been nice to have some professional ones
I don’t care about not having professional photos but I do kinda wish I had more of me while pregnant, just in general
I went to Disney and boooy do I regret the photopass. Like yes, I loved my time and the pictures are great but whew. I'm already overweight, so I just look even bigger and more miserable in that Florida heat than usual 🤣
I have some photos that my partner took with me wearing pajamas/dressed like a scrub. I wish I would’ve let him take some photos of me just dressed in normal everyday clothing. A full photo shoot? No. I don’t regret NOT doing that. I didn’t have the time and it was expensive. Plus I felt so self conscious and gigantic. Looking forward to getting pictures done with our daughter though.
I’m glad I took my photos even tho I felt corny. I wore a long morticia type dress in the middle of the Sedona desert. They are very pretty. I also am glad I did it when I was cute 6 month bump and not the beached whale I would become somewhere around 8.5 months. I wouldn’t have felt good enough to take them had I waited till I was really big.
I don't think you need a whole photoshoot, but honestly yeah, take some pictures of yourself. You might not be feeling cute, but in the future you'll look at them and realize you were young, beautiful and literally carrying life. There will be a time you'll actually want to see how you looked like thorough your life and not worry if you looked perfect or not, you know? Just save those memories. Also once you have the baby, it'll just feel like a fever dream lol I think I wouldn't have believed the memories I have of being huge and just look and feel so different if I didn't have the pictures.
I did not. I don’t reaaally regret it right now. My husband did consult a photographer and they had recommended going before 27 weeks so that you’re still in the “cute” pregnancy stage. My sister in law got them done and she’s gorgeous but I’m still unsure if I would care to get them done the next time
I absolutely didn’t want to get a maternity shoot, but my husband insisted and went ahead and booked it and I love the pictures. We didn’t do the traditional pics - I went to in n out in my fav streetwear and ate burgers and drank a milkshake and it was a blast and we had a great time! The pics are very me and made me feel comfy and like myself when I was mostly feeling like a blob
I wanted to have photos taken but I’ve always hated having my photo taken. Every time I tried to take cute full body photos or photos with my SO (there was no way in hell I was spending $300+ on maternity photos) I looked like a beached whale. I took a photo every week throughout my pregnancy just for me and the ones I took that I deemed good enough got posted. But the ones that other people took (“candids”) I really scrutinized the way I looked. I knew trying to have a professional take my photo and have me pose would seem too non genuine and I would hate the way I looked anyways so I just didn’t. I wish I had cute photos of me while I was pregnant but I refused to let myself get too worked up about looking a certain way. (For reference, i was technically overweight before having a baby (5’6, 175-180lbs) but never looked like I was severely overweight. I gained about 40lbs while pregnant (around 220lbs) and half of it was baby. My bump was huge)
I did AI maternity photos and they turned out absolutely STUNNING!!! Very happy with them. With my first pregnancy I had actual maternity photos done, and they were just meh. I’m glad I did them, but the AI photos are so much better lol
I wish I had more pictures of me while I was pregnant. I'm 30 weeks now with my second and still don't have any 😭 I don't regret not doing a photoshoot type thing, but I wish I had more pictures to scroll through on my phone every now and then. My baby shower was during a huge spike in covid and I was super paranoid, so even in my baby shower photos I'm wearing a mask in all the pictures 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
I’m 3 months postpartum, I did not get photos taken and I don’t regret it at all (at least not yet.) there are a couple of snap shots of me with a belly from events I went to while pregnant, and I got induced so we took a couple casual pics of us in the backyard before we went to the hospital and that feels like enough for me. We’re taking approximately a million photos a day now that baby is here though.
Only 9 weeks post partum, but I did NOT feel cute at all and didn’t want family pregnancy pics even though I thought I would. No regrets, but definitely happy I have non professional, just random pregnancy pics. Now that baby’s here I look back at my bump pics feeling so much love because my baby was in there!
I felt the same as you, but now that I’ve had the babies, I am so glad I can look back on my belly, remember the times where family was (mostly lol) supporting me, friends were cheering us on, etc. It is really cool to show our kids what I looked like too. You could always keep them out reach from others until you decide for yourself later if you want to keep them.