There is something so incredibly special about the “half baked” season of pregnancy. You’re not quite at the finish line yet, but you’re no longer at the beginning either. You’re right in that sweet, magical in-between! (Which I personally think is one of the most underrated seasons!). Your body is changing, your heart is already so full, and you’re slowly stepping into a whole new version of yourself. And honestly? This stage deserves to be documented just as much as the more “traditional” maternity session around 30+ weeks.

Larissa’s half baked pregnancy photoshoot at her home in Centennial, Colorado was the perfect example of that! This wasn’t about a big production or a perfectly styled location. It was about slowing down, soaking in the moment, being in a space that already held so much meaning, and capturing her exactly as she was in this season of becoming. Growing, waiting, dreaming, and learning to see herself with brand new eyes.

A pregnant woman sits cross-legged on a couch, smiling and holding ultrasound photos in a living room for a half baked pregnancy photoshootx

A pregnant woman sits on a couch, touching her bare belly and looking at ultrasound photos resting on her lap for a half baked pregnancy photoshoot

A person wearing a ring points to their bare belly while holding a book, shown in a black and white photo.

Why a Half Baked Pregnancy Photoshoot Is More Than “Just Another Session”

Most people think maternity photos are a one-and-done situation. You book them in the third trimester, your partner shows up, you take stunning photos, and boom — done! Yes, those sessions are so important and absolutely beautiful. But your pregnancy journey does not start or end there. A half baked pregnancy photoshoot is all about celebrating the middle of the story, the in-between season that’s quiet, emotional, and honestly so magical. It captures the little changes, the big feelings, and all the moments before you’re fully “showing,” before nesting mode takes over, and before the final countdown even begins. Choosing to document more than one stage of pregnancy means you get the full story, not just one chapter. The softness, the vulnerability, the glow, the love… all of it, long before your baby makes their grand entrance!

A pregnant woman reclines on a light-colored couch by a window, wearing jeans and a black top, looking outside with one hand resting on her head for a half baked pregnancy photoshoot

Larissa’s Half Baked Pregnancy Photoshoot

The Comfort of Documenting Your Half Baked Pregnancy Photoshoot at Home

Your home is where real life happens (and honestly, that’s why I love shooting there so much). It’s where you rest, where you daydream about your baby’s future, and where some of the softest, sweetest moments of pregnancy live. Doing a half baked pregnancy photoshoot at home adds this unmatched layer of comfort and authenticity that you just can’t fake anywhere else. It’s real, it’s personal, it’s you. For Larissa, being in her own space meant she could fully exhale and just be (and you could feel that the second we started the session). No pressure to “perform.” No worrying about who’s watching. Just dreamy light, familiar walls, cozy vibes, and the freedom to exist exactly as she was in that moment. And this is the part that gets me every time: in-home half baked pregnancy photos feel less like a photoshoot and more like a memory in the making. They capture what this season felt like, not just what it looked like… and that is truly everything!

Pregnant woman standing barefoot in a doorway, wearing jeans, a black top, and an unbuttoned white shirt, for a half baked pregnancy photoshoot

Reconnecting With Yourself Through a Half Baked Pregnancy Session

One of the most meaningful parts of this experience had nothing to do with the photos themselves, and EVERYTHING to do with how Larissa felt afterward! Like so many women during pregnancy, she had been struggling with insecurities about her body. That disconnect is so so common, yet it’s something we rarely talk about openly. Our bodies are doing something miraculous and absolutely incredible but that doesn’t always make the changes easy to accept or love. When she received her half baked pregnancy photos, she sent me a message that I will seriously never forget!:

“AHHHHHHHH HELP!!! THESE ARE SO GOOD!!! Thank you so so much, amiga, you're so good at what you do! Seriously, I'm so in love with these and with myself again, thank you.”

There is something so powerful about seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes — especially when you’ve been struggling to recognize your own beauty. Like, hello?! That moment when you finally see yourself and think, wow, that’s really me is everything. This is why half baked pregnancy photoshoots are SO close to my heart. They’re not just about documenting a growing bump. They’re about helping women fall back in love with themselves, reconnect with their bodies, and see their strength, softness, and beauty in a whole new way.

And Larissa? She isn’t just a client to me, she’s one of my closest friends! I had the absolute honor of photographing her courthouse wedding, and now I get to walk alongside her as she gets ready to welcome sweet baby Lucas (cue all the happy tears)! Being trusted with milestones like this, especially ones that are so personal and vulnerable, is something I will never take lightly. This half baked pregnancy photoshoot is just one chapter of her story, and I already can’t wait for the next. In the coming weeks, I’ll be photographing her more traditional maternity session with her husband, and together these sessions will tell a fuller, more beautiful story of her journey into motherhood. From the quiet, emotional moments to the shared excitement as a growing family!

A pregnant woman sitting on the floor holding two baby shoes

A woman holds a small pendant on a gold necklace; she wears a black top and a gold ring with a flower-shaped design on her finger.

Half Baked Pregnancy Photoshoot Ideas for At-Home Sessions (Because Yes, This Can Be SO Fun)

Your house already holds so much of your story, so turning it into the backdrop for your half baked pregnancy photoshoot is honestly such a vibe. If you’re starting to dream about your own session and wondering what in the world you’d even do, here are some of my favorite ways to make it feel personal, cozy, and so you (with a little sprinkle of fun too).

Cozy Lifestyle Moments (aka the soft, real-life magic)

Give me all the slow, cozy moments. Bare feet in the kitchen, making your morning coffee, wrapped in a robe by the window, curled up on the couch, or laying in bed with your hands on your belly. These are the moments that feel simple now, but one day you’ll look back and think, wow, that was such a sweet season of life.

Sweet Details & Baby Prep (the little things that make your heart melt)

Tiny socks, ultrasound photos on the nightstand, a baby book, a little corner of the nursery, a name written in a journal… I am a sucker for these details. They tell such a beautiful story and make your half baked pregnancy photoshoot feel even more emotional and intentional. Plus, these are the kinds of photos your future self will treasure so much!

Solo Self-Love Moments (because you deserve to be celebrated too, mama)

This is your reminder that this season is about you too. Slow dancing in your living room, taking a deep breath with your hands on your belly, or just sitting in the quiet and feeling your baby move… it’s powerful, intimate, and it’s such a beautiful way to document your connection with your body and your little one.

Simple, Fun Props (let’s lean into the “half baked” theme)

Okay but hear me out… a carton of eggs, a wooden spoon, cookie dough, an oven mitt, or even a cute little “half baked” sign. It’s playful, it’s personal, and it adds the tiniest touch of fun without taking away from the softness of the session. I promise, these little details make your photos feel even more you!

Make It Yours (this is where the real magic happens)

Light your favorite candle, play your go-to song or playlist, wear something that makes you feel beautiful (a flowy dress, a cozy sweater, or even your partner’s oversized shirt). The best at-home maternity sessions are the ones that feel like a reflection of your real life! Comfortable, emotional, and full of heart.

A pregnant woman lies on her back on a bed in a dimly lit room, with light coming through a nearby window for a half baked pregnancy photoshoot

Why You Deserve Your Own Half Baked Pregnancy Photoshoot

Whether it’s a solo half baked pregnancy photoshoot, a cozy in-home maternity session, or multiple sessions sprinkled throughout your pregnancy, every single stage carries its own kind of beauty. These photos become little love letters to yourself that reminds you of your strength, your softness, your transformation, and the love that was already growing long before your baby ever arrived.

You don’t have to wait for the “perfect” week. You don’t have to fit into some made-up timeline. Your story is worthy of being documented exactly as it is, right now, in this very moment. And if you’re feeling a little unsure about your body, your emotions, or whether you “should” even book a session at this stage, let this be your sign: one day, you’re going to look back at your half baked pregnancy photos and be SO grateful you did! Not just for the memories, but for the way these images will remind you of how powerful, beautiful, and radiant you truly were in this season of becoming.

A person in a kitchen holds up a pint of Ben & Jerry's Half Baked ice cream, with their other hand resting on their exposed belly.

A person with a visible pregnant belly holds a tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and a spoon while wearing jeans and an open shirt.

Let’s Celebrate This In-Between Season Together

If you’re in Colorado and dreaming of your own half baked pregnancy photoshoot, I would absolutely LOVE to document this season for you! Whether it’s in the comfort of your home or somewhere that already holds so much meaning, these in-between moments deserve to be celebrated just as much as the big milestones. You don’t have to wait for the “right” week or the “perfect” version of yourself — you are already more than worthy of being seen, celebrated, and loved exactly as you are right now! Let’s capture this season, and create something that reminds you just how beautiful this moment in your life truly is! Contact me to get started.

Love,
Amandha