In-home sessions are one of my favorite ways to photograph maternity so I’ll be sharing my in-home maternity session tips for photographers. There’s something about being in the comfort of your own space — surrounded by meaningful little details — that instantly makes people relax and settle into the moment.
But shooting indoors comes with its own set of challenges, especially when you’re relying on natural light. In this post, I’m sharing five simple tips for photographing in-home maternity sessions, using images from a recent session that I loved. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your workflow, I hope this gives you inspiration and practical takeaways for your next indoor shoot!
Maternity Session Tips:
1. Turn Off All Overhead Lights
Before I even take out my camera, I turn off every overhead light in the space. It might seem counterintuitive, but mixing indoor bulbs with natural window light can really mess with skin tones and shadows — especially if you’re not using flash.
Instead, I rely completely on window light. I position my clients near bright windows or in naturally lit corners of the home. It keeps everything soft, clean, and true to color — and makes editing so much easier later.
Settings: ISO 2000-f 2.0-1/1600
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Raise Your ISO
Some of these photos were taken at ISO 2500 — and I’m not afraid to admit it! Cameras like the Canon R6 (which I shoot on) handle higher ISOs beautifully. It’s better to embrace the light you have than underexpose and lose quality later.
My go-to settings indoors are usually:
- Aperture: f/2.0–f/2.8 for that soft depth of field
- Shutter speed: at least 1/200 to avoid motion blur
- ISO: anywhere from 500–3200 depending on the time of day and room
3. Give Clients Style Guidance
Styling makes such a huge difference with indoor sessions. I always recommend soft, neutral tones and flowy, comfortable clothing that highlights the bump but doesn’t distract. Think textures like knits, linen, or lace, and avoid logos or busy patterns.
For this session, mama wore a beautiful eyelet top with light blue drawstring pants, and later changed into a fitted cream knit dress. The colors blended perfectly with their home and kept the focus on emotion.
4. Find the Light — and Move Around
You don’t need a huge, bright house to make beautiful images. I usually shoot in 2–3 rooms max: near a bedroom window, on the couch, or even in a hallway mirror. Look for clean backgrounds and soft light, and change up your angles to keep the gallery interesting.
Sometimes I’ll shoot from above on the bed, then move to a standing pose near a mirror, then finish with cozy shots on the couch. The movement helps keep things natural, especially if a partner or pet is involved.
Settings: ISO 1000-f 2.8-1/2000
5. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection
My favorite images from this session aren’t the “perfect” poses — they’re the quiet ones: mama resting her hand on her belly, dad sneaking in a kiss, the dog gently nudging in to say hi. I give a few soft prompts, but mostly I just let the moment unfold.
Let go of trying to make everything look overly posed. Instead, pay attention to the details — how their hands rest on each other, the softness in their smiles, the way light hits her face.
Maternity Session Tips Bonus: This Session at a Glance
- Location: Client’s home in the Hudson Valley
- Lighting: All natural light
- Camera & Lens: Canon R6 + RF 28-70mm f/2.0
- ISO Range: 500–2000
- Editing Style: Natural, warm, true-to-tone
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the fence about offering in-home maternity sessions — do it. They’re intimate, relaxed, and incredibly meaningful. And with the right light and prep, they can turn out beautifully.
If you found this helpful, I’d love to hear from you! I’m always down to chat photography, editing, gear, and growing your creative business.
And if you’re a photographer in the Hudson Valley (or beyond!), feel free to reach out — I offer limited mentorships and love helping other creatives grow. 🤍
Want to see more in-home maternity inspiration? Check out this indoor maternity session
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