Memories start before baby is born

Sponsored by Solis Photos

Not long ago, maternity photos were considered optional. Maybe a quick phone snapshot in the mirror or a few casual photos taken at a baby shower. Today, that mindset has completely changed. Millennials and GenZ are making maternity photoshoots more popular than ever, and for good reason.

As a maternity photographer in Sioux Falls, SD, I can tell you that pregnancy is no longer something women rush through quietly. It’s being celebrated, documented, and honored. And as a photographer, I’ve watched this shift happen firsthand.

A Cultural Shift Toward Celebrating Motherhood

Social media has played a huge role in the rise of maternity photography. We’re constantly surrounded by beautifully styled images of glowing mothers, flowing fabrics, and intimate, emotional moments. But it’s more than just a trend: it’s a reflection of a deeper cultural change.

Women today want to be seen. They want to remember how powerful their bodies are, how much they’re capable of, and how incredible it feels to create life. Maternity photos are no longer just about “the bump.” They’re about confidence, transformation, and identity.

Pregnancy changes you in ways that are impossible to explain until you’ve lived it. A maternity session freezes this moment in time; the calm before everything changes.

This Season of Life Is Fleeting

Pregnancy feels long when you’re in it, but once it’s over, it’s gone in the blink of an eye. The bump disappears, the baby arrives, and life becomes beautifully chaotic. Many parents later realize they barely remember what it felt like to carry their baby.

Maternity photos preserve that memory. They capture the quiet anticipation. The connection. The love that already exists before the baby is even born. Years from now, these images won’t just matter to you: they’ll matter to your child too. They become part of your family history.

Maternity Photography Has Evolved Too

Modern maternity photography looks nothing like it did years ago. Today’s sessions are elevated, artistic, and deeply personal. Professional photographers now guide clients through wardrobe styling, posing, and locations that flatter the body and enhance confidence. The result? Images that feel timeless, empowering, and emotional. Never awkward or outdated.

Remember That Its About You, Not Just the Baby

One of the most important reasons maternity photography matters is this: it centers you.

So much of pregnancy focuses on the baby: appointments, plans, registries, and to-do lists. A maternity photoshoot is a moment to pause and honor your experience, your strength, and your story. You don’t need a special occasion to deserve beautiful photos. This is the occasion.

Almost every mother I’ve worked with says the same thing after their session: “I’m so glad I did this.” Regret rarely comes from booking maternity photos; it comes from skipping them. My clients have access to a personalized wardrobe they can use, a private studio and all the help in the world on posing so they look fantastic. 

Trends may come and go, but meaningful photographs never lose their value. Maternity photos are an investment in memories you can’t recreate later. If you’re expecting, now is the time. This season deserves to be remembered, and you deserve to feel beautiful while doing it.

Solis Logo 2025

About the Author: Patty Solis is an internationally published, Sioux Falls–based photographer known for her light, feminine portraiture and elegant style. Specializing in maternity, boudoir, and weddings, she celebrates women’s beauty and life’s milestones with heartfelt, artful imagery that honors each client’s unique story. You can contact her at [email protected].