What to Do With Your Maternity Photos: 3 Ways to Commemorate This Special Season

HELLO! I’m Jessica from Jessica Lockhart Photography. As a Perth maternity photographer, every time I step behind the lens for a maternity session, I feel the weight and the wonder of what we’re capturing. This isn’t just about growing bellies and glowing mamas – it’s about the beginning of someone’s story. Sometimes, it’s even about bridging the past and the future through photos that will carry meaning for generations.

For me, this especially rings true as both a photographer and a mother. When I was pregnant, I felt an immense longing. My mother and my mother-in-law had both passed away when my husband and I were still children, so there were so many questions I wanted to ask – questions about pregnancy and early motherhood that never got answered. That absence sparked something in me. I didn’t want my own children to ever wonder what it was like before they arrived, so I documented each of my pregnancies not just with photos, but with stories, too. Weekly diary entries, ultrasound pictures tucked between pages, and photo albums full of love and anticipation. Today, those albums are gifts I hope my children will treasure – glimpses into the love that welcomed them here.

If you’re wondering what to do with your maternity photos, or unsure whether it’s even worth having them taken (especially if you’re not feeling your best), I promise there are beautiful, emotionally rich ways to make these images a part of your family’s legacy. Consider how unique maternity product photo ideas in Perth can enhance this experience.

Let’s Talk About the “What Now?”

After a maternity session, a common question I hear is: “These photos are so special… but what should I actually do with them?”

Many mums don’t necessarily feel their most confident during pregnancy. Some feel unsure about displaying their maternity photos around the house or sharing them online. Others want something meaningful but discreet – something that will stand the test of time and still feel relevant after baby arrives.

That hesitation is totally normal. In fact, many of my clients share the same gentle hesitancy. But here’s the beautiful part: your pregnancy photos don’t have to be loud or showy. They can be quietly powerful, lovingly personal, and surprisingly flexible in how you choose to showcase them.

Let’s explore three heartfelt ways to commemorate your maternity photos that move beyond the typical gallery wall – ideas that will hold their meaning long after the bump becomes baby.

1. Create a Keepsake Album to Look Back On (And Pass Down Later)

My absolute favourite way to preserve maternity photos is in a small, beautiful album. There’s something so practical yet deeply emotional about these albums – you can flick through them when you’re feeling nostalgic, tuck them into your nightstand, or pull them out during quiet moments to remember how it all began.

Even better? Your child can one day look through it too.

I made an album for each of my pregnancies, carefully curated with the images that meant the most and little notes along the way. Think of it like a love letter to your baby before they arrived. Maybe it’s especially special for daughters, who may one day look at those pages while expecting their own child, but I promise sons appreciate them too. A physical reminder of your love – long before they could remember it for themselves.

2. Display a Small, Meaningful Print in Your Personal Space

Not all photos need to go straight to the living room wall. For mums who don’t feel completely at ease with full-sized prints on display, I recommend selecting one or two favourite photos from your session and printing them as small tabletop pieces.

A framed image on your nightstand or on a shelf in the nursery can be the perfect quiet celebration of this chapter. Especially during the final weeks of pregnancy, these little displays can be comforting reminders of the journey you’re on. Later on, you can pair it next to a newborn photo of the same spot or moment, creating a beautiful then-and-now reflection.

This kind of intimacy is one of the reasons I love photography – it doesn’t always have to shout. Sometimes the slightest image can hold the deepest meaning, and this is true when exploring creative maternity product photo ideas in a place like Perth.

3. Be Brave and Share a Canvas on your Wall

This idea is fabulous for those who loved every moment of being pregnant and want to remember this brief period in time by displaying their images proudly in their home.

Canvases are a contemporary alternative to traditional framed prints. Metal prints are particularly vibrant and durable, while canvas prints offer a softer, more artistic texture. Both are ideal for a bold, modern statement in your home. 

Displaying your motherhood journey is a way to honour your experience, preserve those often fleeting emotions of pregnancy, and create a keepsake that truly stands out.

 

Why It Matters So Much

Pregnancy, for all its ups and downs, is a fleeting season. And I say that with such tenderness, because I know it doesn’t always feel fleeting when you’re in it.

But these moments deserve to be remembered. Even if you didn’t feel your most radiant, even if you were anxious or unsure – it’s part of your story, and one day, you or your child may long to see it again. That gentle curve of your belly, the serene joy in your expression, the quiet anticipation in your eyes.

When we take the time not just to capture these moments, but to thoughtfully honour them through prints, albums, or small keepsakes, we’re doing more than just photography. We’re building bridges to memory. We’re creating legacy.

Ready to Make the Most of Your Maternity Photos?

If your maternity session is just around the corner – or if you’re wondering whether now is the right time – I’m here to help guide you through it. Together, we can ensure your session feels calm, joyful, and entirely authentic to your journey.

At Jessica Lockhart Photography, I offer custom-designed maternity albums and print options designed to blend seamlessly into your real life and real home. Whether you’re dreaming of a soft-touch album you can hold close, or a few meaningful images to incorporate into your nursery – I’d love to create something that feels just right for you.

Let’s make sure your story gets the love it deserves.