Image:© nico piotto/Getty Images
Taking maternity photos is the perfect time to reinvent the wheel. Meaning, while you’re definitely going to cherish a beautiful shot of you, your partner and your baby belly, your friends and family are probably also going to get a kick out of a few weirdly candid snaps mixed in.
Whether you’re pregnant or just need a good laugh, our fave over-the-top maternity shots can give you some inspiration. Because having a baby doesn’t have to be so serious:
1. Push it real good
Is she practicing her push face, or is she just sick of standing in a field all day? Either way, we love this mom-to-be’s commitment to character.
2. “Barely” pregnant
Call it brave, or call it disturbing, but this couple has some cojones. Normally, the mom is the one who has to take it all off for the pregnancy photo shoot (for the sake of the art), so we appreciate this dad pitching in.
3. The most sympathetic of pregnancies
Speaking of dads who are all in, this dad appears to be totally supportive of his partner’s pregnancy — so much so that he’s upstaging her in the maternity photo shoot. Hey, the only thing that’s going to get you through parenting in one piece is keeping your sense of humor.
4. A word of warning
Wise words — and a super adorable pregnancy announcement, if we ever saw one. But really, better safe than sorry.
Next Up:“Fur baby” approves
5. “Fur baby” approves
You might have to do a double and triple take on this one, but it’s truly one of our favorites. If your pet is like a member of the family, then this creepy side paw makes for the perfect new family picture.
6. Totally owning it
There’s nothing that screams “proud papa” (besides handing out cigars in the waiting room) like taking credit for your handiwork. With a big and beautiful belly that seems almost ready to pop, we’re going to say — job well done.
7. Air pump baby
Photographer Patrice Laroche had fun in this series of maternity photos with the mother of his child, Sandra, as he documented her pregnancy as he “pumped” up her growing baby bump until… poof! Their baby daughter Justine arrived! This is such a fun way to capture each stage of the pregnancy!
8. Mommy mermaid
This is such a gorgeous shot of a pregnant mom underwater, with the silhouette of her baby bump framed against the blue water. I’m not only impressed that she was able to maintain this pose in the water, but how did she keep her face from looking scrunched up and weird? Perhaps she really is a Mommy Mermaid…
More:25 adorable, affordable baby shower favors you can make yourself
9. Brr baby! Cool Alaska maternity photos
These maternity photos are gorgeous —and we have to give serious props to the expecting mom who bared (almost) all in the snowy landscape in Alaska. “Everyone worked in tandem: One person was handling the flash, someone would keep her wrapped in coats while I was testing the lights and composition, another person would give fabrics a flow, and once everything was ready for a scene, I’d give a signal to reveal the mom,” said Ed Hafizov, creative director and photographer at Zorz Studios. “I shot for about 10 to 20 seconds, then she was wrapped up again and given a hot drink from a thermos while I was analyzing the output or preparing to the next scene.”
Next Up:Ballerina baby
10. Ballerina baby
“Our babies inspire us even before they’re born. This mommy-to-be hadn’t been on point for 10 years, but she was determined to try again as a special gift to her little girl,” said Sophie Kormos of Michael Kormos Photography. “I’m sure this image will hold a special place in Mommy’s heart, as well as her little ballerina’s.”
11. Fifty shades of… pregnant?
This expecting couple was ready to prove that just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you still can’t be kinky! This Fifty Shades of Grey-inspired maternity photo is not for the timid —and let’s hope the baby never gets a look at this picture once he’s older, because that could get a little awkward.
12. WTH maternity photo
We aren’t sure what inspired this expecting mom to wrap herself up in a white trash bag and strike this awkward pose… but we are sure glad she did! We can’t stop looking —and giggling.
13. Yep, I’m huge
In case you didn’t already feel huge, this hilarious maternity photo would do the trick! The dad looks tiny as he stands in the distance with his hands up to Mom’s “due any minute” baby bump.
More:If you’d take parenting advice from a prince, you’re in luck
14. Blooming flower baby
This mom turned her body into a blooming flower, courtesy of body painter Anastasia Durasova. Her baby bump is truly a work of art!
Next Up:Sympathy weight (or make that sympathy watermelon!)
15. Sympathy weight (or make that sympathy watermelon!)
This couple got the guy in on the fun in this cute maternity photo shoot! The dad-to-be shows off his “sympathy weight” as he holds a watermelon over his stomach and melons over his chest.
16. What are you doing to me, Ma?
We can see what the parents are going for in this photo series; however it looks like the baby isn’t quite having fun as he is cradled awkwardly in the blue sheer fabric.
More:A baby wriggled out of his mom’s womb in the most incredible C-section ever
17. Bump in the road
Baby bump ahead! This photo is creative and fun — and is sure to slow down traffic.
18. Egyptian baby
This couple got the dad-to-be in on the fun! “Mommy-to-be was a fashion stylist, and she’d envisioned an Egyptian theme for her maternity portraits,” Kormos told us. “She personally designed the costumes and accessories. Just imagine the newborn session!”
19. What’s in your belly?
What’s in your belly? Mom has a baby, sister has apple juice and daddy has beer! The next photo in the series shows off the newborn baby — as dad holds a beer and sister drinks her apple juice. Cute!
Originally published Dec. 2013. Updated Sept. 2016.
