Best Maternity Photography in Canberra
A maternity session is a lovely way to celebrate your bump and mark this stage of your pregnancy. Most sessions happen between 28 and 36 weeks, either in a studio or on location around Canberra. This guide explains what to expect, what you'll pay, and how to choose the right photographer.
1. Kirative Images - Photography
Bonner, ACT
Kirative Images, based in Bonner ACT, is a multi award-winning studio photographer specialising in newborn, child and family portraits. Kira offers studio sessions including newborn, maternity, sitter (6 months–2 years), cake smash, and dream dress sessions for girls aged 3–12, serving Canberra and surrounding suburbs.
2. A Shot Above the Rest Photography
Fyshwick, ACT
A Shot Above the Rest Photography is a Canberra-based studio run by multi-award-winning photographer Melissa Flanagan (Adv. Diploma, AIPP accredited). She shoots newborns, maternity, family portraits, children's milestones, christenings, engagements, and weddings, delivering relaxed and natural imagery across studio and on-location settings in the ACT region.
3. Jessica Kennedy Photography
Franklin, ACT
Jessica Kennedy Photography, based in Franklin, ACT, is an award-winning, internationally recognised photographer with over 10 years of experience. Specialising in newborn, maternity, family, and cake smash photography, Jessica delivers natural, light-filled imagery in a signature style of simplicity, neutral tones, and delicate textures. Studio and on-location sessions available in Canberra.
4. My Precious Moments Photography
McKellar, ACT
My Precious Moments Photography is a McKellar, ACT studio operating for over 15 years. Photographers Dragana and Aleksandar specialise in newborn, maternity, cake smash, and family photography. Sessions blend candid and composed styles with handmade props and personalised styling. Prints are crafted in-house.
5. Thorson Photography
Ainslie, ACT
Thorson Photography is run by Amanda Thorson in Ainslie, ACT, with 15 years' experience. She offers relaxed, candid sessions for newborns, maternity, families, children, weddings, and boudoir. Her style emphasises natural moments over posed shots — cuddling, breastfeeding, and real family life rather than formal portraiture.
6. Eddison Photographic Studios
Forde, ACT
Eddison Photographic Studios in Forde, ACT is a multi-discipline studio offering baby/maternity and family/portrait photography alongside weddings, corporate, real estate, product, sports, events, drone, and 360° virtual tours. Studio space is equipped with lighting and backdrops; location shoots also offered across Canberra.
7. Jenna Mac Photography
Gowrie, ACT
Jenna Mac Photography is an award-winning Canberra-based photographer located in Gowrie, ACT. She specialises in newborns, families, weddings, motherhood, and events. She creates images designed to become framed artwork and wall art, helping clients preserve meaningful moments. Gift vouchers are available.
8. Olia Photography
Crace, ACT
Olia Photography is based in Crace, ACT, offering natural, timeless photography in a relaxed documentary style blended with portraiture. Olia shoots family, newborn, maternity, and wedding sessions, keeping editing natural with true-to-life colours to authentically preserve genuine moments.
9. By Xi Photography
Bruce, ACT
By Xi Photography, based in Bruce, ACT, specialises in family and children photography including newborn, baby milestones (3–12 months), cake smash, in-home family, maternity, and children sessions. The studio offers both studio and on-location shoots, capturing heartfelt family moments.
10. Trang Arya Photography
Gilmore, ACT
Trang Arya is a Canberra-based photographer offering newborn, maternity, and family photography sessions. With a storytelling and artistic approach, she captures genuine emotions and connections. Sessions are designed to be relaxed and comfortable, preserving fleeting moments for families.
11. Photography by Emma
Bungendore, NSW
Photography by Emma is a Canberra/Bungendore-based photographer with 12 years' experience specialising in newborn, maternity, and family photography, as well as weddings. She shoots in-studio and on-location, prioritising a relaxed, authentic approach with transparent pricing and no hidden costs.
12. Jodi Bingley Photography
Flynn, ACT
Jodi Bingley is an award-winning Canberra photographer based in a home studio in Flynn, ACT. She specialises in maternity, newborn, baby, and family photography, creating soft, timeless, emotive images. Sessions are calm and unhurried, with a focus on genuine connection and baby safety.
13. Jade Clarke Photography
Duffy, ACT
Jade Clarke Photography is an award-winning studio specialising in maternity, newborn, cake smash, and family portrait photography. Previously based in Duffy, ACT, now operating in Adelaide, South Australia. Jade offers both studio and on-location sessions, creating artistic family portraits for display in the home.
14. O photography
Canberra, ACT
Candice is a Canberra-based photographer offering weddings, elopements, engagements, family, maternity, and newborn photography. She covers Canberra, the South Coast, and the Snowy Mountains. Her style is candid and documentary, focusing on natural, unforced moments across life's significant chapters.
15. IM Photographer - Newborn and Wedding Photography
Greenway, ACT
Ivana and Milan are Canberra-based photographers specialising in wedding, newborn, maternity, and family photography. Based in Greenway, ACT, they offer personalised sessions blending creativity and attention to detail, capturing candid moments and timeless portraits for clients across the Canberra region.
16. Jess Lee Photography
Evatt, ACT
Jess Lee Photography, based in Evatt, ACT, specialises in family, maternity, and newborn photography. Focused on on-location sessions, Jess captures authentic moments and epic sunsets, delivering easy, fun, and beautiful portraits of families and newborns.
17. Heartstory Photography
Belconnen, ACT
Award-winning Canberra family photography studio established in 2009, based in Belconnen with a second location in the NSW Blue Mountains. Offers maternity, newborn, baby, children, and family portrait sessions in-studio, on location, and at clients' homes. Known for natural, emotive imagery across all family types.
18. Holly & Sage Photography & Birth Doula Services
Fyshwick, ACT
Holly & Sage Photography in Fyshwick, ACT offers family and newborn portrait sessions, maternity (bellies), baby photography, and birth story photography. Also provides birth doula support. Sessions focus on celebrating family connection with love and light. No specific studio or on-location detail explicitly stated.
19. Bronwyn Parsons Photography
Kambah, ACT
Bronwyn Parsons Photography is a Canberra-based studio in Kambah offering newborn, baby milestone, maternity, family, and cake smash sessions. Newborn and cake smash sessions are held in a purpose-built climate-controlled studio; maternity and family sessions are shot outdoors at golden hour. Flat-rate pricing from $550.
20. BlueSphere Photography
Crace, ACT
BlueSphere Photography is based in Crace, ACT, serving Canberra and Regional NSW. They offer family portraits, newborn shoots, and maternity sessions, often held at iconic outdoor locations. Additional services include weddings, events, headshots, and commercial photography.
Canberra has a strong community of pregnancy and family photographers, and this page features some of the most highly rated in the region — including Kirative Images, A Shot Above the Rest, Jessica Kennedy Photography and others listed above. Below is a practical rundown to help you decide what you want before you book.
What a maternity session involves
A maternity shoot is designed to capture you (and often your partner and older children) during pregnancy. Sessions usually run between 45 minutes and two hours, depending on the package and whether outfit changes are included. A good photographer will guide you through flattering poses that suit your stage of pregnancy, manage the lighting, and help you feel relaxed in front of the camera.
Many studios keep a wardrobe of maternity gowns and accessories you can borrow, which saves you buying something you'll only wear once. If you'd rather wear your own clothes, ask whether the photographer offers a style guide so your outfits work well with the location and lighting.
What to expect on the day
Arrive with plenty of time so you're not rushed. If hair and makeup are included or arranged separately, that usually happens first. Your photographer will walk you through a series of poses and prompts — there's no need to know what to do beforehand. Sessions are generally gentle and paced to suit you, with breaks for water and rest as needed.
If your partner or children are joining, the photographer will usually start with the group shots while everyone is fresh, then move to solo bump portraits. Bring a couple of outfit options, comfortable shoes, and any meaningful items like ultrasound photos or baby shoes if you'd like them in the frame.
Studio vs on-location sessions
Studio sessions offer controlled lighting and a clean, timeless look. They're weather-proof, which matters in Canberra where conditions can change quickly, and they suit elegant gown-style portraits.
On-location or lifestyle sessions are shot outdoors or in your home. Canberra has some beautiful backdrops — the lake foreshore, bushland reserves, and the National Arboretum among them. Outdoor shoots work best in soft light, so early morning or the hour before sunset (golden hour) is ideal. In-home lifestyle sessions are relaxed and personal, capturing your everyday surroundings before bub arrives.
Some photographers offer both, and many will combine a maternity session with a newborn package at a discount.
Typical price ranges
Prices vary widely based on experience, inclusions and whether you buy a digital package or prints. As a rough guide for the Canberra region:
- Mini or short sessions: around $150–$350
- Standard maternity sessions: around $350–$700
- Premium packages (gowns, hair and makeup, multiple looks, prints or albums): $700–$1,500+
- Maternity + newborn bundles: often $900–$2,000+
These are general ranges only and will change over time — always confirm current pricing and exactly what's included directly with the photographer. Check whether digital files, print release, editing and travel are part of the quoted price or charged separately.
How to choose a photographer in Canberra
- Portfolio and style: Look through a full gallery, not just highlight images. Decide whether you prefer light and airy, dark and moody, or natural lifestyle imagery, and choose someone whose work matches that.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews for comments on how relaxed and professional the experience was. Several photographers on this page hold strong 5-star ratings across dozens or hundreds of reviews.
- Accreditation and insurance: Ask whether the photographer holds professional accreditation (for example through the AIPP or its successor bodies) and carries public liability and equipment insurance. This isn't essential but it's a sign of a serious business.
- Inclusions: Confirm session length, number of edited images, outfit options and turnaround time.
- Comfort: A maternity shoot is personal. Pick someone you feel at ease with — many photographers offer a quick phone or video chat beforehand.
When to book
The sweet spot for maternity photos is 28 to 36 weeks, when your bump is nicely rounded but you're still comfortable enough to move. Around 30–34 weeks is popular. Book your session well in advance — good photographers fill up quickly, and you'll want a buffer in case bub arrives early. If you're also planning newborn photos, enquire while you're pregnant so you can pencil in a tentative date around your due time.
Questions to ask before you book
- What's the total cost and what's included?
- Do you provide maternity gowns or a styling guide?
- How many edited digital images do I receive, and do I get a print release?
- What's your turnaround time for delivery?
- Studio, outdoor or in-home — and what backup do you have for bad weather?
- Can we combine this with a newborn session?
- What happens if bub comes early or I'm unwell on the day?
Taking a little time to clarify these details means you can relax and enjoy the experience, knowing exactly what you'll get.
Other session types in Canberra
Or read the full maternity photography guide, or browse all Canberra photographers.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to have maternity photos taken in Canberra?
Most maternity sessions happen between 28 and 36 weeks, with 30 to 34 weeks being a popular window. Your bump is well rounded by then but you're usually still comfortable enough to move and pose. Book early, as good photographers fill up and you'll want a buffer in case bub arrives sooner than expected.
How much does maternity photography cost in Canberra?
As a general guide, short sessions start around $150–$350, standard sessions run about $350–$700, and premium packages with gowns, hair and makeup or albums can be $700–$1,500 or more. These ranges are indicative only and change over time, so always confirm current pricing and inclusions with the photographer directly.
Should I choose a studio or outdoor maternity session?
Studio sessions give controlled lighting and a timeless, weather-proof look, which is handy given Canberra's changeable weather. Outdoor and in-home lifestyle sessions feel more relaxed and personal, using natural light and meaningful backdrops. Many photographers offer both, so choose the style that suits your taste and your due date.
What should I wear for a maternity photo session?
Form-fitting clothes that show the bump tend to photograph well, and many studios offer maternity gowns to borrow. Bring a couple of outfit options and comfortable shoes. If you're wearing your own clothes, ask your photographer for a style guide so your outfits work with the location and lighting.
Can I book a maternity and newborn session together?
Yes — many Canberra photographers offer combined maternity and newborn packages, often at a discount. It's worth enquiring while you're pregnant so you can tentatively pencil in a newborn date around your due time and secure your preferred photographer for both stages.