⚠️ Mild Nudity Warning: This post includes maternity boudoir photos that show a little skin — all beautiful, all classy, but just a heads-up if you’re scrolling at work or near Grandma.
So, I did a maternity boudoir photoshoot. Pregnant and trying to remember if I shaved behind my knees, lol.
Michael Jones of Sin Boudoir up in Orlando did the shoot, and let me tell you… that man knows how to work magic with lighting. He’s got this calm, reassuring way of making you forget you’re in your underwear in front of a camera. I was nervous at first — not “oh my gosh I’m about to give a TED Talk” nervous, more like “what if my belly looks weird from that angle?” nervous. But then about five minutes in, I was like, okayyyy, maybe I’m the next maternity model for Vogue (the Florida edition).
The timing thing — my one tiny regret
I did the shoot at six and a half months, and honestly, my only regret is not waiting just a smidge longer. My belly was cute, round, and very much “pregnant,” but not quite at that perfect watermelon stage I was secretly hoping for. I wanted that big, dramatic, “look at this miracle of life” belly.
But, I also didn’t want to wait until I was so far along that I couldn’t even see my ankles. Or breathe properly. Or fit into any of the beautiful robes we picked out. It’s a fine balance, right? Like, you want to look all goddess-y and serene, but you’re also trying not to faint from back pain or the smell of someone’s leftover tuna sandwich in the studio fridge.
So, six and a half months it was — and I’m still obsessed with how they turned out. I felt beautiful, strong, and weirdly proud of every stretch mark that’s decided to join the party.
Michael had me pose near these big windows with soft morning light pouring in, and I swear for a second I forgot I was wearing nothing but lace and a strategically placed sheet. It was just me and this tiny human doing our thing. I love love loved that feeling.
I think that’s what this shoot gave me — a pause button. A chance to celebrate my body in a way I never had before. Like, “hey belly, you’re doing some serious work, and you deserve a photoshoot.”
If you’ve ever thought about doing one of these, do it. Don’t wait until you “feel ready.” You probably won’t. None of us really do. Just pick a time that feels right-ish and go for it. You’ll thank yourself later, swollen ankles and all.
I’m sharing some of the photos here, not because I think I’m a model or anything (spoiler: I tripped over a backdrop once), but because pregnancy is wild and beautiful and weird and powerful all at once. And if even one mama out there sees these and thinks, maybe I could do that too, then it’s 100% worth it.
So here’s to soft light, brave bellies, and the kind of confidence that shows up when you least expect it.
