Maternity Photoshoot Props: What to Bring & Creative Ideas

One of the most common things expecting moms think about when planning their maternity photoshoot is what they should bring to make their photos feel more personal.

As a studio maternity photographer serving Los Angeles and Maryland, I love incorporating props into my sessions. Sometimes that means using creative studio pieces like ladders, flowing fabrics, or vintage baby carriages. Other times, it’s something meaningful a client brings, like their baby’s first pair of shoes, an ultrasound photo, or clothing that celebrates their cultural heritage.

The right maternity photoshoot props can add personality, tell part of your family’s story, or help create a completely different look without taking the focus away from you.

When I’m renting a studio in Los Angeles, I specifically look for spaces with interesting architectural elements and versatile props available. In Maryland, I’ve collected many of my own favorite pieces over the years that have become staples of my maternity sessions.

While every maternity session is customized for each client, I wanted to share some of my favorite props to photograph with, along with a few meaningful items you can bring to your own maternity photoshoot.

Why I Love Using Props During Maternity Sessions

I don’t use props simply because they’re pretty. Every prop I choose has a purpose.

Sometimes it’s to create depth within the image. Other times it’s to help pose my clients more comfortably, create movement, or add another visual element that makes the photograph feel more editorial and artistic.

One of my favorite parts of planning a maternity session is figuring out how I can use a prop in a way that feels natural instead of staged. Sometimes clients don’t even realize a prop is helping create the final image. They simply know they love how it looks.

Over the years, my style has evolved considerably. When I first started photographing maternity sessions, I loved floral setups and whimsical scenes. Today, my work leans much more toward clean, editorial imagery where every element of the frame has intention.

While my style has changed, my love of using creative props has never gone away.

1. Ladders

If you’ve looked through my maternity portfolio, you’ve probably noticed that I absolutely love ladders.

In fact, when I’m looking for studios in Los Angeles, one of the first things I check is whether the studio has a ladder available. It might sound funny, but ladders are incredibly versatile.

Sometimes they’re used as part of the set for my clients to lean against. Other times I’ll drape fabric across them to add softness and movement to the scene. I also love photographing through the ladder itself to create natural framing and extra depth within the image.

What I love most is that one simple prop can create several completely different looks during a single maternity session.

2. Vintage Baby Carriage

Without question, this is one of my clients’ favorite maternity photoshoot props.

There’s something incredibly timeless about a vintage baby carriage. It represents the exciting journey into parenthood while creating beautiful, elegant portraits that don’t feel overly trendy.

Funny story, I actually drove over six hours to pick up my first vintage carriage. I knew I wanted to offer something unique to my Maryland clients, so I made the trek to Newport, Virginia. A few days later, I somehow ended up purchasing an even larger one. Needless to say, I have absolutely no regrets.

I sometimes decorate the carriage with flowers, especially if my client wants to incorporate subtle hints of their baby’s gender. Other times we keep it completely simple and let the carriage speak for itself.

Both of my vintage carriages are currently available in Maryland, and one of my future goals is to create this same signature look for my Los Angeles maternity clients.

3. Flowers

Flowers have played a huge role in my journey as a maternity photographer.

When I first started photographing maternity sessions, they were one of my favorite styling elements. I created floral floors, flower crowns, and even elaborate floral sets that became some of my most requested looks.

One of my favorite images I’ve ever created features an expecting mother lying in a shallow pool surrounded by flowers, a fashion-inspired interpretation of the traditional milk bath.

That image still holds a special place in my heart because it marked the beginning of my transition toward a more editorial style.

Today, I don’t use flowers nearly as often. My style has naturally evolved toward cleaner sets, sculptural fabrics, dramatic lighting, and architectural elements.

But flowers will always be part of my creative journey because they helped shape the photographer I am today.

4. Fabrics

If you’ve spent any time on my website or Instagram, you already know how much I love fabric.

Most photographers think of fabric simply as something to wear. I think of it as part wardrobe and part set design.

Fabric is one of the most versatile tools I own because it can completely change the feeling of a photograph. Depending on the color, texture, and movement, it can create something soft and romantic or bold and dramatic.

I often drape fabric over ladders, let it flow across the floor, or use it to add movement throughout the image.

Because I carry a wide collection of fabrics, I can create several completely different aesthetics without needing dozens of expensive maternity gowns.

It’s one of my favorite ways to create editorial maternity portraits while keeping every session unique.

5. Apple Boxes

Apple boxes might not look glamorous, but they’re one of the hardest-working tools during my maternity sessions.

They’re incredibly useful for creating different heights, helping clients feel more comfortable while posing, and adding subtle dimension to a set.

When photographing families, apple boxes help create layered compositions so everyone fits together naturally. During solo maternity portraits, they allow me to elevate my clients just enough for dramatic fabric tosses or elegant seated poses.

Most of the time, clients don’t even realize an apple box is being used because it’s hidden beneath flowing fabric or blended into the set.

That’s one of my favorite things about photography. Some of the most useful tools are the ones people never notice.

6. V-Flats

One of my favorite “props” isn’t really a prop at all. It’s a V-flat.

If you’ve never heard of one, a V-flat is a large folding panel that photographers typically use to control light. While I absolutely use it for that purpose, I’ve also found it to be one of the most versatile tools during my maternity sessions.

Sometimes I’ll clip flowing fabric to the top of a V-flat to create the illusion that it’s effortlessly floating around my client.

Other times, I’ll position it to bounce light back onto an expecting mom, creating softer shadows and beautiful, even skin tones.

Depending on the look we’re creating, I can also use the black side of the V-flat to deepen shadows and create the dramatic, editorial lighting that has become such a signature part of my work.

Most clients never realize a V-flat is outside the frame, but it’s often one of the reasons their portraits feel polished and intentional.

7. Mylar Paper

One of the newer creative tools I’ve started incorporating into my maternity sessions is reflective mylar paper.

I love experimenting with different ways to photograph through it to create dreamy reflections, abstract shapes, and a modern editorial look straight out of the camera.

Instead of relying on heavy Photoshop effects, mylar lets me create unique visual elements while I’m photographing.

It’s one of those small additions that can completely change the mood of an image, and I love finding new ways to use it during my studio sessions.

As my style continues to evolve, I find myself gravitating toward tools like mylar because they allow me to create photographs that feel artistic while keeping the focus exactly where it belongs, on my client.

What to Bring to Your Maternity Photoshoot: Personal Props and Meaningful Items

While I love getting creative with studio props, some of my favorite maternity photoshoot ideas come directly from my clients.

Bringing something personal to your session can make your photos even more meaningful, especially when it’s an item connected to your baby, your family, or your heritage.

You certainly don’t have to bring a bag full of props. Sometimes one small item is all we need to create a photograph you’ll treasure for years.

Here are a few of my favorite things expecting moms can bring to their maternity photoshoot.

2. Baby’s Sneakers!

This is such a cute way to honor your baby coming. And doesnt have to be sneakers it can be booties, slippers, dress shoes, whatever tiny item you would like to bring to show the coming for your little.

Tiny baby shoes will always be one of my favorite maternity photoshoot props.

There’s something so sweet about seeing those little shoes next to an expecting mom’s belly, especially knowing that one day a tiny pair of feet will actually be wearing them.

And they definitely don’t have to be sneakers!

You can bring baby booties, slippers, dress shoes, or whatever little pair you’ve picked out for your baby.

Some parents choose shoes that represent something they love, while others bring the very first pair they purchased after finding out they were expecting.

Whether we photograph them in your hands, alongside your baby bump, or with your partner, it’s a cute and personal way to celebrate your little one’s upcoming arrival.

10. Cultural Attire and Traditional Clothing

One of my favorite ways clients have personalized their maternity sessions is by incorporating cultural attire.

I’ve had two expecting moms bring clothing that celebrated their cultural heritage, and I loved being able to incorporate something so meaningful into their portraits.

Your maternity photos are an opportunity to celebrate this chapter of your life in a way that feels personal to you. For some families, that includes wearing traditional clothing, incorporating meaningful fabrics, or including jewelry and accessories that represent their heritage.

These details can create beautiful maternity portraits while honoring the traditions and family connections that are important to you.

If you’d like to incorporate cultural attire into your maternity photoshoot, I recommend mentioning it while we’re planning your session. We can discuss how you’d like the clothing photographed, whether you’d like to include other family members, and how much time we’ll need for outfit changes.

I especially love the idea of creating portraits that your child can look back on one day and recognize a piece of their family’s history.

How to Choose the Right Props for Your Maternity Photoshoot

One thing I always tell my clients is that props should support the story, not become the story.

You don’t need to bring every baby item you’ve purchased or feel pressured to incorporate props if you prefer a clean, editorial look.

When deciding what to bring, think about the things that are meaningful to you and your family.

Maybe it’s your baby’s first pair of shoes, a special outfit, an ultrasound photo, or something that’s been passed down through generations.

And if you’d rather keep things simple and focus entirely on beautiful portraits of yourself, that’s perfectly fine too.

Every maternity session I photograph is designed around the family, their vision, and how they want to remember this chapter of their lives.

Some clients love bold editorial portraits with dramatic lighting and flowing fabric. Others prefer a softer, more timeless look with a few carefully chosen details.

That’s why I don’t walk into every session with the exact same setup. Instead, I choose props intentionally based on the overall vision we’re creating together.

Planning Your Maternity Photoshoot in Los Angeles or Maryland

Whether I’m photographing a maternity session in Los Angeles or Maryland, my goal is always the same: to create images that feel elegant, artistic, and personal to you.

I love working with expecting moms to plan their sessions, from choosing wardrobe and styling details to deciding which props will work best with the overall look we’re creating.

If you’re planning your maternity photoshoot and have a few ideas in mind, I’d love to hear about them. We can talk through your vision, the items you’d like to incorporate, and how to create portraits that you’ll be excited to display in your home.

Explore my maternity photography portfolio and get in touch to start planning your session.