Maternity · 5 min read
How to Prepare for Maternity Photos in Toronto & Richmond Hill
Your maternity photographs can be quiet and natural, softly styled or more expressive. There is no single look you need to follow. A little planning helps us create a session that reflects how you want to remember this part of your story.
Start with the feeling you want
Think about the photographs you would like to keep on your walls or in an album. Do you prefer everyday connection in jeans and a simple top, or a more styled portrait with fabric and a sculptural silhouette? You can share a small selection of references to explain your taste.
References are a conversation starter. Your session will be shaped around you, the setting and the time we have, rather than a promise to reproduce another photograph exactly.
Plan a manageable wardrobe
Choose clothes you feel comfortable wearing and moving in. A fitted dress can show your silhouette, while an open shirt or soft draping creates a different mood. Discuss any gown or styling requests with Sahar in advance so we can confirm what is available for your chosen session.
Try complete outfits beforehand, including any underlayers. Keep jewellery simple if you want attention to stay on your face and shape. Bring an easy layer for breaks and avoid packing more changes than your session has time for.
Decide who will join you
If your partner or children will be included, mention this when enquiring. We can plan a mix of individual and shared portraits and coordinate everyone’s clothing without making it identical.
For young children, bring a favourite small toy and let us know about their usual routine. A few relaxed moments together can be more meaningful than asking everyone to hold a smile.
Leave room to feel comfortable
Choose a date and time that suit how you feel, and share any practical adjustments you would like us to consider. You do not need posing experience. Sahar will guide your hands, posture and expression, and you can ask to pause or change direction.
Before the day, confirm the location, who is attending and the look you want. Allow time for travel and getting ready so you can arrive without rushing. If your plans change, contact us to discuss the options for your booking.
Choose your timing around comfort and availability
For maternity photos in Toronto and Richmond Hill, enquire while you still have room to choose between dates. Share your estimated due date, preferred month and any travel or scheduling limits. There is no single pregnancy week that feels right for everyone. Your comfort and personal circumstances matter more than copying the timing of someone else’s portraits.
If you need guidance about what activities or positions are appropriate during your pregnancy, follow your care provider’s advice. Tell Sahar about practical preferences such as needing a chair, short breaks or fewer outfit changes. This helps us plan an achievable session without turning your day into a long list of poses.
A real wardrobe example from the Memo portfolio
The Memo maternity portfolio includes a white outfit with sculptural fabric flowers, photographed both in soft backlight and against a darker studio background. The outfit stays central, but the lighting changes the mood: one version feels bright and gentle, while the darker setting gives the white fabric more separation and shape.
This is a practical reference when deciding what you like. You may love the soft light but prefer simpler clothing, or enjoy the dramatic background with a more understated dress. Share the particular detail you respond to rather than feeling that you must recreate an entire photograph. Available wardrobe and the chosen studio setup are confirmed before your session.
Make room for natural and fine-art photographs
Sahar’s usual approach is to begin with a simple, minimal look, such as jeans and a T-shirt, before moving into more styled lighting or fine-art portraits when these are part of the agreed plan. Starting simply can help you become familiar with the camera and the guidance. It also gives your gallery a different feeling from the more sculptural images.
This is a starting point for a conversation, not a fixed requirement. Your preferences shape the session. If you only want natural portraits, say so. If you are drawn to fabric, gowns or expressive light, tell Sahar in advance so the session length and setting can support that direction.
Choose a package around the photographs you need
The maternity mini is a focused option: thirty minutes, six edited photographs and two outfits, for the expectant parent and partner only. A longer session offers more room for changes and a wider mix of portraits. If children will join you, explain that before choosing your booking so you are looking at the appropriate package.
Look at the current maternity package details on the website and confirm your selection with Sahar. Session length, included photographs and participants should be clear before you reserve. A reference board with many different setups may require more time than a short session allows; choosing your priorities is more helpful than rushing through every idea.
Your final preparation checklist
A day or two before your portraits, check the confirmed location, travel time, clothing and who is attending. Pack your complete outfits, comfortable underlayers, an easy cover-up and personal essentials. If your partner is joining you, try the outfits together to check that the colours feel connected. Simple jewellery can work well, but meaningful pieces are welcome too.
For your Richmond Hill, Aurora or Toronto maternity session, arrive ready to explain what feels comfortable and what does not. You can ask for a pause, a different position or a simpler approach. You do not need to know how to pose. The preparation is there to make the experience easier, with space for photographs that still feel like you.
Have a question about your own session? Send Sahar an enquiry and we’ll discuss the details together.