13 Couple Maternity Photoshoot Ideas with Easy Poses for Two

Maternity photos with your partner can feel awkward. Where do the hands go? Who looks at whom? Many couples freeze up the second the camera comes out, and the photos end up stiff.

This list shows 13 couple maternity photoshoot ideas, each with a simple pose for two, matching outfit colors and a tip for keeping it natural. Most work in a park, a field or at sunset, and none need a studio. For more settings, see these outdoor maternity photoshoot ideas. Pick two or three that suit you both, and try them in one short session.

1. Laughing Face to Face, Hands on the Bump

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Start with a pose that makes you laugh. She wears a fitted white midi dress with a side slit under a black cardigan, and he wears a white polo shirt. They stand face to face, laugh, and rest their hands together over her bump while the sun glows behind them.

Best for: a first pose that loosens everyone up.

Try this: Tell each other a joke right before the shutter clicks, so the smiles are real.

2. Back to Back with Baby Shoes

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A back-to-back stand puts the bump in profile. He wears a cream linen shirt with rolled sleeves and khaki shorts, and she wears a long rust strapless dress with a smocked top. Their joined hands hold a small pair of white baby shoes with bows, and ivy on a stone wall sits behind them.

Best for: a simple pose with a prop.

Try this: Stand shoulder to shoulder and press your backs lightly together, so the pose looks relaxed.

3. Ready to Spin in a Field in White

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Movement is easier than holding still. He holds her raised hand, ready to spin her, while she wears an open white button-up, a white crop top and white pants, with one hand on her bump. He wears a white tee and jeans, and a soft gray sky sits over the field.

Best for: couples who feel silly just standing.

Try this: Twirl slowly, take small steps and keep your shoes flat. Skip it if the ground is wet or uneven, and ask your doctor or midwife if you are unsure about spinning.

4. Nose to Nose with Heart Hands in a Green Field

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Quiet poses can look the sweetest. They stand in a bright green field with their noses touching and make a heart with their hands over her bump. He wears a plaid shirt and a flat cap, and she wears a black short-sleeve dress with her hair up in a bun.

Best for: a gentle, romantic photo.

Try this: Close your eyes for a second just before the photo, and your faces will relax.

5. Sitting Close at Sunset

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Sitting is easy on the back. She sits in front of her partner in a navy floral ruffle sundress with her hands folded in her lap, and he sits close behind her in a navy tee and jeans. She smiles at the camera while he looks off to the side, and the low sun lights their hair.

Best for: an easy, relaxed portrait, any trimester.

Try this: Sit on a folded blanket or a low stool, and lean a little into each other.

6. Pond Hug in a Pink Slit Gown

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A flowing gown adds glamour. She wears a pale pink off-shoulder gown that opens at the front to show the bump, with a high slit, and looks down at her belly. He stands next to her in a white polo and jeans with one hand on her back and the other at her hip under her hands, which rest on the bump, and a pond catches the golden light behind them.

Best for: a bump-forward photo with a dress.

Try this: Put on a warm cover-up between shots, since gowns with openings can feel cool.

7. Walking Hand in Hand on a Dirt Road

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Walking is the easiest idea on this list. He walks ahead in a navy tee and beige pants while she follows in a white crop top and light wide-leg jeans, holding his hand and looking back with a smile. A soft hazy sky and tall trees fill the background.

Best for: couples who hate posing, second trimester and up.

Try this: Walk at a slow, easy pace and let the photographer take photos for a minute or two. Wear flat, supportive shoes.

8. Baby Shoes in the Pines

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A photo from behind keeps the focus on the story. She wears a white sleeveless dress with a lace-up back and a hem embroidered with red and blue flowers, and he wears a checked shirt with jeans. Together they hold a pair of tiny dark baby shoes between their hands, and dappled light falls through the trees.

Best for: a woodland or park photo, and a good pick for shy partners.

Try this: Take the photo from behind and slightly to the side, so the baby shoes sit in the center.

9. Holding Hands in Close-Up

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Details can say a lot. This close crop shows a white button-front dress with long sleeves and a ruffle at the hem, with one hand under the bump and the other holding her partner's hand. He wears a white tee, taupe pants and a black cord bracelet, and no faces appear.

Best for: private couples who prefer no faces in photos.

Try this: Take a few close-ups at the end of the session, when everyone is warmed up.

10. Heart Hands Between You

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This is a classic with a pretty garden backdrop. She wears a short, flared cream dress with big pink and black flowers, one hand on her belly. He wears a white tee and gray jeans, and their other hands make a heart shape between them at hip level, beside the bump, against bright green leaves.

Best for: a fast, easy photo that anyone can do.

Try this: Hold the heart low between you, next to the bump, and keep your thumbs touching so the shape is clear.

11. Sunset Forehead Kiss Silhouette

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A silhouette hides everything but the shape. He kisses her forehead while his hand rests near her bump, and the setting sun flares between them against a warm orange sky. Tree branches frame the top of the photo.

Best for: golden hour, second and third trimester.

Try this: Stand where the sun sits right between you, and shoot a few frames as the sun moves.

12. Kneeling Kiss on the Bump, Black and White

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This one is an icon of maternity photos. He kneels in front of her and kisses her bump while she looks down at him in profile, with a high bun and a long ponytail. A bright sky behind them turns both into dark shapes.

Best for: a dramatic photo, any couple.

Try this: Ask your partner to kneel on one knee only, and use a pad or a towel if the ground is hard.

13. Reaching Hands at Dusk

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This pose tells a story in motion. She stands in a fitted long-sleeve dress and reaches out one arm, while he stretches his hand toward her in a light shirt and shorts. Between them, a fading green and orange sky fills the space.

Best for: a creative shot for couples who like a bit of drama.

Try this: Take this shot a few minutes after sunset, when the sky still has color.

How to Pose for a Couple Maternity Photoshoot

Posing gets easier when you give each person a simple job. Use this guide to share the work. For solo shots, try these pregnant poses for maternity photos.

Moment	What she does	What your partner does
Opening	Stand tall, hand on the bump	Stand close, hand on hers
Moving	Walk or twirl slowly	Hold her hand and lead
Close	Look down or toward him	Kiss her forehead or touch noses
Detail	Hands under the bump	Hands over hers
End	Laugh and relax	Make her laugh

A few more tips for natural couple photos:

• Match, do not copy. Pick two or three colors and wear different pieces in them.
• Hold poses for a few seconds. Then move, since the best frames come between poses.
• Keep your hands busy. Holding a hand, a baby shoe or a bump keeps them from hanging awkwardly.
• Stay comfortable. Skip long standing, kneeling on rough ground or twirling on uneven grass. If you feel dizzy or unwell, stop and check with your doctor or midwife.
• Dress your partner too. Neutral shirts and solid pants let the bump be the main focus.

FAQ

What should couples wear for maternity photos?

Choose two or three colors that go together, such as white, cream and rust. She can wear a fitted or flowing dress, and he can wear a plain shirt and light or dark pants. Our maternity photoshoot outfits guide has more looks.

What are easy couple maternity poses?

Walking hand in hand, face-to-face with hands on the bump, back to back, and a forehead kiss are all easy. Heart hands over the bump work for shy partners.

How do I make my partner less stiff in photos?

Give them a job, such as walking, holding your hand or making you laugh. Take a few photos from behind or in close-up, so they do not need to look at the camera.

When should we take couple maternity photos?

Many couples shoot in the third trimester, when the bump is clear. There is no single right week, so choose a time when you feel good and ask your doctor or midwife if you have questions.