“Why get maternity photos when we’re already planning newborn pictures?” This question comes up more often than you might think. Many expecting parents assume that newborn photos will capture everything they need to remember about welcoming their baby. But after photographing families through both milestones for years, I can tell you that each session tells a completely different – and equally important – part of your story.

Let me share the journey of one beautiful couple who discovered exactly why get maternity photos in addition to their planned newborn session.

The Summer Maternity Session

This sweet couple first came to my Cedar Rapids studio during those warm summer months, expecting their first baby. Like many first-time parents, they had that mix of excitement and nervousness about what to expect during their maternity session. Would it feel awkward? Would the photos capture how special this time felt?

Through my guided approach – talking about their love story, their dreams for their baby, their journey to parenthood – something beautiful happened. The camera captured not just her glowing bump, but the anticipation, the wonder, and the profound love already growing in their hearts.

Those maternity photos preserved a moment in time that would never come again – the quiet before the beautiful storm, when their baby existed in possibility and dreams.

Fast Forward: The Newborn Session

Months later, they returned to my studio with their precious new arrival. This time, everything was different. They were familiar with my studio and knew what to expect from working with me, and that comfort created an entirely different energy – more relaxed and confident than their first visit.

Their little one was perfectly sleepy, melting into those classic newborn poses we all cherish. But here’s what struck me most: watching these new parents hold their actual baby boy in the same space where we had celebrated the promise of that baby just months before.

Why Both Sessions Matter: The Complete Story

Your Maternity Photos Capture:

• The anticipation and dreams before baby arrives
• Your body creating life – something truly miraculous
• Your relationship as a couple before you become parents
• The quiet, contemplative moments of pregnancy
• Your hopes, excitement, and wonder about who this little person will be

Your Newborn Photos Capture:

• The reality of your dreams coming true
• Your baby’s first days earthside
• How tiny and perfect they are right now
• You as brand-new parents, learning and loving
• The beginning of your family’s next chapter

Together, these sessions create a complete visual story of one of life’s most profound transformations.

What This Couple Discovered

“I’m so glad we did both sessions,” this new mama told me as we wrapped up their newborn shoot. “Looking at our maternity photos now that he’s here – it feels like a lifetime ago, but also like yesterday. I can’t imagine not having those pictures of when he was still just ours to dream about.”

This is exactly why get maternity photos in addition to newborn pictures. Each session preserves emotions and moments that the other simply cannot capture.

The Practical Benefits Too

Beyond the emotional value, there are practical reasons why scheduling both sessions with the same Cedar Rapids maternity photographer makes sense:

You Already Trust Each Other: By your newborn session, you know my style, my approach, and what to expect. This familiarity helps you relax completely and focus on enjoying those precious first days.

Consistent Storytelling: Your images have a cohesive look and feel that creates a beautiful narrative from pregnancy through baby’s arrival.

Better Experience: You’re not starting from scratch with a new photographer when you’re sleep-deprived and adjusting to life with a newborn.

Package Benefits: Many photographers offer package deals when you book both sessions together, providing better value for documenting this complete journey.

For Expecting Moms Wondering “Why Get Maternity Photos?”

If you’re on the fence about maternity pictures, thinking newborn photos will be enough, consider this: your pregnancy is not just a prelude to your baby’s arrival – it’s a profound, transformative experience worthy of being documented on its own. Understanding why get maternity photos becomes clear when you realize these moments will never come again.

You’ll never be pregnant with this baby again. Those flutters, that anticipation, the way you place your hands on your bump – these moments deserve to be preserved just as much as your baby’s first yawn or tiny fingers.

Your body is doing something miraculous right now. Pregnancy is one of the most incredible things your body will ever do. These photos celebrate that strength and beauty.

This is your love story expanding. Maternity photos capture the moment your love grows to make room for someone new – a feeling you’ll want to remember forever.

The Complete Journey Matters

As a Cedar Rapids maternity photographer who has had the honor of documenting countless families through both milestones, I can tell you that families who have both sessions never regret it. They treasure having the complete story – from anticipation to reality, from couple to family, from dreams to the beautiful truth of holding their baby.

Many clients ask me why get maternity photos when newborn pictures seem more “important,” but I always remind them that each captures irreplaceable moments that the other cannot. Together, they create a complete visual story of one of life’s most incredible journeys.

Ready to Document Your Complete Story?

If you’re expecting and wondering whether to invest in both maternity and newborn photography, I’d love to chat about creating a complete documentation of your journey into parenthood. From the anticipation-filled days of pregnancy to those precious first moments with your baby, every part of this story deserves to be beautifully preserved.

Your maternity photos will remind you of the dreams and wonder before baby arrived. Your newborn photos will celebrate the miracle of those dreams coming true. Together, they create a priceless visual legacy of how your family began.

Ready to begin documenting your complete journey? Contact me to learn more about maternity and newborn packages that honor every part of your story – from anticipation to arrival and beyond.

Each month I participate in a blog circle with other photographers to bring you more fun ideas and tips – take a look at this post on why get maternity photos Lorraine Claire Photography