Rhode Island Maternity Photographer

MATERNITY

before everything changes

Maternity sessions give us the chance to slow down and honor this in-between chapter. There is so much beauty in the waiting, and I love creating photographs that feel graceful, personal, and full of feeling.

A man and a woman stand face-to-face, touching foreheads and smiling, with the woman holding her pregnant belly.

Maternity Portraits With Heart

Pregnancy has a way of feeling long and fleeting at the same time. That is part of what makes it worth preserving. When I photograph maternity portraits, my goal is to create images that feel calm, honest, and beautifully composed. I want you to feel like yourself, while also giving this chapter the care and attention it deserves.

Whether this is your first baby or your family is already growing, these portraits are about holding onto the anticipation before everything changes again.

a few maternity portraits

These images reflect the kind of maternity photography I love most: soft light, natural connection, and portraits that feel personal, graceful, and timeless.

Pregnant woman in a sheer lace dress stands by a lake in a park, gently cradling her belly, with trees and a bridge in the background.
A pregnant woman poses in front of a black backdrop, wearing a zebra-patterned skirt and heels, with one arm raised over her head.
A couple poses together, with the woman holding her baby bump, as a dog stands on its hind legs in front of them. Dried floral arrangements decorate the dark background.
A person in a gray sweater and pink scarf holds a pair of tiny black baby shoes over their pregnant belly while standing on a wooden floor.
A pregnant woman in a brown dress stands facing a young girl in a floral dress. They are holding hands and smiling at each other in a bright, softly lit room.
A person in a sleeveless top with a pregnant belly stands with another person's arms wrapped around them, hands resting on the belly.
Two people hold colorful toy blocks spelling "IT'S A BOY" in front of a pregnant belly, with the image mostly in black and white except for the blocks.
A woman in a long red dress stands beside a brown horse in a grassy orchard, holding her pregnant belly and looking at the camera.
Pregnant woman in a white bikini stands waist-deep in water at sunset, with boats and a shoreline visible in the background.
A pregnant woman in a long, flowing red dress stands indoors by a window with white curtains, gently holding her belly and looking down.

What to expect

Maternity sessions are meant to feel relaxed and lightly guided. Before the session, I’m happy to help with location ideas, timing, and what photographs well so you feel prepared rather than overwhelmed.

During the session, I’ll give you direction when needed, but I also want there to be room for stillness, movement, and real connection. The goal is to create photographs that feel elevated without losing what is honest about this chapter.

Spacious room with wood flooring, a red couch, white bench, green plant wall, photography equipment, and large windows with sheer curtains.

Studio or on location

Maternity portraits can take place in my Warwick studio or on location somewhere in Rhode Island, depending on the setting and mood you’re drawn to.

If you love a clean, softly lit environment, the studio may be the perfect fit. If you’re imagining something more seasonal, coastal, or open, an outdoor session may make more sense.

Related sessions

A newborn baby with closed eyes is swaddled in a dark blue blanket, resting on a soft, white textured surface.

Newborn + Fresh 48

If you’re thinking ahead to the first days with your baby, you can also explore newborn and Fresh 48 sessions designed to preserve those earliest moments with care.

Three women stand together by the water, smiling at the camera, with a large bridge in the background under a cloudy sky.

Family Portraits

If your family is already growing, family portraits are a beautiful way to continue documenting the chapters that follow.

About Nicole

I’m a Rhode Island portrait photographer with over twenty years of experience and a BFA in Photography from the Hartford Art School. My work is centered on natural connection, beautiful light, and creating photographs that feel both artful and real.

Many of the families I photograph return for newborn portraits, family sessions, and later milestones, and being invited into those chapters over time is one of the most meaningful parts of what I do.

Woman in a white pinstripe blazer and black pants sits on a white block, holding a Nikon camera and smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

Frequently asked questions

Most maternity sessions are photographed during the later part of pregnancy, when your baby bump is clearly visible but you are still feeling comfortable enough to enjoy the experience. Typically, scheduling your session around 32-34 weeks is ideal.

I usually recommend clothing that feels comfortable, flattering, and true to your style. Flowing dresses, fitted pieces that highlight your bump, and soft, timeless fabrics often photograph beautifully.

Yes, absolutely. Maternity portraits can include your partner, children, or both if you want this chapter documented in a more connected way.

Both can be beautiful. The studio offers a more minimal, softly lit setting, while an outdoor location can bring in more season, texture, and atmosphere. The right choice depends on the look you’re drawn to.

Yes, often. Many families choose to plan both so they can preserve this chapter and the one right after it with the same overall feel and care.

Contact Nicole Gesmondi Photographer

Next steps… Let’s talk

There is so much beauty in this chapter, even in the waiting. If you’d love to preserve it with intention, I’d be honored to photograph it well.