When planning your maternity session, one question often comes up: Should my partner be in the photos too?

The short answer? If they’re willing and you want them to be, absolutely.

While maternity sessions naturally focus on you and your growing baby, including your partner can add another layer of family to your images. This chapter is just as much about becoming a parent as it is about growing as a family together.

If you’re planning your maternity photoshoot in Melbourne, here’s why including your partner can be such a beautiful decision.

Why Some People Choose to Include Their Partner in Maternity Photos

It Tells the Full Story

Pregnancy is deeply personal, but it’s also shared.

Having your partner step into a few frames helps tell the story of this transition as a couple. The anticipation, the support, the excitement about what’s to come. These moments are subtle, but powerful.

You don’t need elaborate poses or dramatic gestures. Sometimes the most meaningful images are the simplest: a hand resting on your bump, standing close together, a shared smile.

Years from now, these photos will become a reminder of where this journey started.

It Can Help You Feel More Relaxed

If you’re feeling even slightly nervous about being in front of the camera, having your partner beside you can make a big difference.

It gives you someone familiar to lean into, laugh with, or share a quiet moment with. That comfort shows in your images. Sessions feel less like “posing for photos” and more like spending time together.

And for many couples, it turns the shoot into a shared experience rather than something you’re doing alone.

Dads or Partners Don’t Have to Love the Camera

It’s very common for people to say, “I’ll do a few, but I’m not great at photos.” That’s completely fine.

They don’t need to perform or be overly expressive. My approach is relaxed and guided – no stiff poses or awkward instructions. Most partners end up enjoying it far more than they expect.

And remember, they don’t have to be in every image. We’ll always capture plenty of beautiful solo shots of you, then bring them in for a portion of the session.

Styling Your Partner

When including your partner, simple coordination works best. Neutral tones, soft textures, and classic pieces photograph beautifully. Avoid clothing with large logos or bold graphics on t-shirts, as these can distract from the connection and emotion in the images. Keeping the look timeless ensures the focus stays on you both.

There’s no need to match exactly – just aim for colours that complement each other. If you’re unsure, I can help guide you while we’re styling your maternity shoot so everything feels cohesive without looking overly planned.

Comfort applies to them too. When they feel at ease, it shows.

Creating Shared Moments Together

For many women, maternity photoshoots serve as a reminder of the time they spent carrying their child. But your photoshoot doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and there’s no reason why you can’t leave with several images – some with you on your own, and some with your partner or other children. If this isn’t your first baby, maternity sessions can easily transition into a family photoshoot in Melbourne.

Pregnancy can feel long in the moment, but it passes quickly. Capturing this stage together becomes part of your family’s story. It reflects not just the physical changes, but the emotional shift of preparing for your new baby.

If you’re unsure whether maternity photos are worthwhile in the first place, you might be interested in reading more about why maternity sessions are worth it. For many couples, having both of you in it together makes the experience even more meaningful.

Capture Your Maternity with Susan Bradfield Photography

Maternity sessions aren’t just about documenting a bump. They’re about capturing this moment in time before life changes.

Including your partner brings balance to that story. It shows connection, support, and the beginning of something new together. If your partner is open to it, I always encourage including them, even if just for a few frames. These images often become the ones families treasure most.

And if you’re still deciding? We can talk it through. Every session is shaped around what feels comfortable, natural, and true to you.