https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:40:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408811 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 08:05:21 +0000 McNugget 1408811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Keep the appt.. The photographer will make you feel pretty- that's his talent ! But I think the sexy pregnancy pics are ....not for me. But I've seen some that are just so natural and beautiful, I hope you go for it.. I think you will be glad you did.. Also when your child is grown its nice to have.. I love snapshots of my mom when she was preggers- she passed when I was 22 so I can see how happy she was back then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408725 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 02:18:18 +0000 NurseMommy 1408725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't do formal maternity photos and wish I had. I only have a few bump photos and am sad I don't have much to look back on. BUT, I would honestly prefer to have six month photos instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408719 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 01:57:38 +0000 lemondrop 1408719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't do formal maternity photos and have zero regrets. I did do weekly snapshots on my own just to document it, and it is really cool to compare pregnancies 1 and 2, but that's the extent of it. </p> <p>For me, pregnancy is not an event of sitting and looking peaceful and serene and holding my belly, I have zero interest in seeing myself like that around my house and wouldn't have use for pro photos of this. I do however have a gallery wall of our son at all different stages of his first two years so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408699 Sat, 08 Feb 2014 00:36:35 +0000 tequiero21 1408699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't get any done, no regrets. I do regret not getting newborn pics done. i got a few decent shots, but would've loved great shots. I'd say go w newborn or 6-months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408568 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:24:16 +0000 erwoo 1408568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww... I felt the same way when I had mine done with my second pregnancy. I wish I had did one with my first. I felt pretty blah the whole time but I am glad I had it done. It took so much effort to get my then only child out the door and wait and do it. I wore a dark purple top and black leggings and it didn't make me look like how I felt. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408555 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:18:00 +0000 LovelyPlum 1408555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408407 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:53:09 +0000 littlecasita1122 1408407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I'm one of the few who actually did hang up maternity photos around our house and doesn't think it's weird or awkward...anyways I would suggest taking at least a few maternity pics even if you don't go the professional route. Do you have a friend who can take some of you? Our session included a lot of me and my husband together and I love most of the photos more than our engagement session ones, which is why I did decide to display some maternity pics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408344 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:18:19 +0000 MrsH 1408344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't really want them but since we are one and done I wanted something to remember that phase of my life by. I'm glad I did, although I didn't necessarily like my huge figure I'll be able to look back and remember and show LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408311 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 19:55:32 +0000 googly-eyes 1408311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read the comments but I would rather do a six month session (and did do one actually but not planned til later) than a maternity! Just my opinion though! Sorry you are feeling this way, I can relate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408282 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 19:30:37 +0000 Corduroy 1408282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PPers. Do the 6 month session and an informal session with DH or a friend. Maybe don't even look at the pictures after the session - like the olden days before digital cameras. I didn't do a maternity session but at almost a year postpartum I wish I had more pictures to look back on. You might love them once baby is here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408276 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 19:26:47 +0000 Beehive 1408276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I like your idea best. Move the session to 6 month photos, and do an informal session with your DH so you know you'll have some photos of pregnant you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos/page/2#post-1408195 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 18:18:47 +0000 sunny 1408195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry you feel that way! I did too. I wasn't a fan of the way I looked pregnant and couldn't picture myself putting up those goddess pictures around the house. We took pictures to document the bump and that was enough for us. We did pro newborn pics and 1 year pics and I really wish we had done 6 months photos too. I think we will for our next LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1408072 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 17:03:56 +0000 MrsStormy 1408072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407952 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:15:27 +0000 Aimed 1407952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: cancel if you think you are going to hate them! There's no point wasting the money on something you hate and won't look at.<br /> I have exactly one photo of me pregnant from my baby shower and that's plenty for me!<br /> Bear in mind that this is coming from someone who wasn't even wild about doing wedding and engagement photos- I just dislike forced sentimentality and staged photoshoots feel like that to me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407939 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:10:48 +0000 brady80 1407939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you're on the fence see if you can switch. Maybe have your husband take some pictures of you instead. No need to do something you don't want to do </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407926 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:06:42 +0000 Happygal 1407926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407690 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 14:34:30 +0000 T-Mom 1407690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know how you feel and didn't regret not doing them. I cringe even now to see the informal photos that I do have! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407652 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 14:22:04 +0000 spaniellove 1407652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved reading everyone's experiences! I'll certainly take a few more days to think about it and I'm sure some of this is my ongoing pregnancy depression talking. </p> <p>@MrsStormy: This really helped me clarify how I felt. It's pretty much a waste of the session fee if I don't get anything printed, and I know I won't. Plus DH is a decent photographer and now that we've renovated some rooms we have spaces with great light. So we can try to take some photos in a more relaxed setting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407638 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 14:19:14 +0000 bhbee 1407638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never regretted skipping maternity. We took photos at home here and there that I used in a baby book - like when we built the crib. I generally looked so bloated and not a little cute bump. If it were me I would switch to the 6 month but make sure you have some taken at home on days you feel better. You can always hide them away but you'll have them if you want them - and it won't cost anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407620 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 14:11:35 +0000 MrsStormy 1407620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I would switch to 6 month photos if you can. I got maternity photos done (because a photog friend sort of insisted) and I'm happy with them, but I haven't printed a single one (LO is now 4.5 months) and I'm not sure what I would do with them. I don't regret them, but I probably wouldn't do it again. I think its nice to have pictures of yourself with your big belly, but I think you can accomplish that yourself or have DH do it. Actually my favorite photo of me and my pregnant belly is the week I had my daughter and my husband took it with his phone in my messy house, so there is that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407587 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 13:56:14 +0000 marionberry 1407587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I totally get it! I hated how I looked by the time I got my maternity photos done. I did it anyways though, because well "so does everyone else". Luckily a few turned out ok. When I look back at not having done them I keep thinking of this picture I have of me pregnant, hands on my belly, smiling. It sits in Jackson's room right now, and I think no matter how I think I look in it, one day that picture will be really special to him. You don't have to do it professionally though, maybe have your husband take a photo or two just as a keepsake, and less as a display. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407532 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 13:26:50 +0000 LovelyPlum 1407532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: </p> <p>&lt;&lt;I think there are a lot of expectations that women will love being pregnant. So many of my friends have shared that they did not--they were uncomfortable with the changes, felt gross, were sick, anxious, etc. I think the more people are honest about that, the more women can not feel guilty or disappointed if they don't love it as well.&gt;&gt;</p> <p>This, this, this!! I think it's extra hard when it took you a long time to get to this point. You spend (or I spent) *so* much time longing for it, and when it turns out to be nothing like you expect it will be...well, it's difficult to describe how disappointing and guilt-inducing it is to think that you might not really like being pregnant. </p> <p>Anyways, not trying to threadjack-just wanted to say thanks for your wisdom, even if it wasn't directed to me :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407525 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 13:22:14 +0000 LovelyPlum 1407525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We decided against them, too, largely for the same reason. It's not that I don't love that I'm bringing another human being into the world, it's just that I feel awkward as all heck. Also, I am way, way more judgmental of myself in photographs than I am in real life, and that is saying something, I promise. I spent hours and thousands of dollars on a wedding photographer, and by and large, I really dislike them. I don't think it has anything to do with the photographer, but I see them and think-why do I *still* look so bad, even after touch-ups? Why can't I just be more photogenic?? I had hoped to do maternity photos as a way of feeling more empowered about my body, but listen, that is just not happening. I am positive that I would be way, way more critical of myself having seen the pictures than now.</p> <p>All that to say, we're doing newborn pics, and that's it. Do what feels right to you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407497 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 13:05:18 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1407497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I did!<br /> I didn't feel ugly or anything, it was just "not me". This lady with a huge belly and super dry face and oily hair wasn't me!! I didn't want $100s of dollars worth of photography of someone who felt like a stranger to me. We opted for 4 week photos, 6m photos and 1 year photos (DH &amp; I were in the 1 year photos with LO).</p> <p>ETA: I did my own DIY monthly belly shots in my bathroom ;) that way if my LO is curious, he has pictures and I use them as reference as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407460 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 12:56:01 +0000 Ginabean3 1407460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never did them because I personally would never put them on display in my house and I don't regret it at all. I have non-professional pictures of myself preggo and that is enough for me. Save your $$ for your LO! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407444 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 12:50:31 +0000 Mrs. M 1407444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I felt the same way. I don't like getting my pictures taken in general anyway. I truly love other people's maternity pics, but I knew I would never display any of my own. My husband took weekly pictures of my bump and a few other poses to show our daughter someday. I am pregnant with baby #2 and plan on following the same plan this time. Absolutely no regrets here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407219 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:44:20 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1407219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say go for it, if only because your LO may be curious in the future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407203 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:38:17 +0000 coopsmama 1407203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have formal maternity pictures of my pregnancy taken and I don't regret it one bit. I, too, felt like a whale and I took bump shots for my own memory (and of course pictures at my showers, etc.) but nothing formal and I haven't had a second thought about it.</p> <p>I figured that just because something was popular didn't mean I needed to do it to! </p> <p>All that to say, do what you feel most comfortable doing. :) I don't think any of us can make that decision for you since we don't know what you're feeling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407186 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:34:17 +0000 Happygal 1407186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: :wink: I think there are a lot of expectations that women will love being pregnant. So many of my friends have shared that they did not--they were uncomfortable with the changes, felt gross, were sick, anxious, etc. I think the more people are honest about that, the more women can not feel guilty or disappointed if they don't love it as well. </p> <p>It used to be people had wedding portraits and maybe a family pick now and then. People now document every moment of their lives: capturing the proposal, engagement sessions, weddings, trash the dress, honeymoon shoots, pregnancy pics, birth photographer, newborn photographer, smash the cake......and more! (The pros and cons of all these photos and videos and sharing on social media is a discussion for another thread!) There will be many more happy moments you can photograph down the road when you're feeling better about things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thinking-of-canceling-my-maternity-photos#post-1407176 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:32:54 +0000 snowjewelz 1407176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should keep it! If you can get your hair &amp; make up done, find some clothes that you feel really good in, and if the photographer is good, I am sure he can make sure to shoot you in angles that will make you look fab! </p>