My Favorite Maternity Photoshoot Prop Ideas (From a Maternity Photographer)

As a studio maternity photographer serving Los Angeles and Maryland, one of my favorite ways to make every maternity session feel unique is by incorporating props into my work. Whether a prop becomes part of the background, helps create a beautiful pose, or simply adds another layer of storytelling, I love how it transforms an image without taking the focus away from the expecting mom.

When I’m renting a studio in Los Angeles, I specifically look for spaces that have 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, these are the props I find myself reaching for again and again.

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 props.

There’s something incredibly timeless about a vintage baby carriage. It quietly represents the exciting journey into parenthood while creating beautiful, elegant portraits that never feel trendy.

Funny story, I actually drove over six hours to pick up my first vintage carriage, pictured below. I knew I wanted to offer something unique to my Maryland clients so made the trek to Newport, VA. 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 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 transform 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 seamlessly into the set.

That’s one of my favorite things about photography—the best tools are often 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 a 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 just outside the frame, but it’s often one of the reasons their portraits feel polished and intentional. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes tools that quietly makes a huge difference in the final image.

7. Mylar Paper

One of the newest 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 completely changes 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.

Choosing the Right Props for Your Maternity Session

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

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 just 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.

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