Surya Garigipati Photography & Films photographs maternity portraits across New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia: planned sessions at home or outdoors, usually in the seventh or eighth month, with location and outfit guidance included and the photographs delivered hand-edited in a private online gallery with a print release. The Flemington studio is rated 4.9 on Google from 38 reviews.
At a glance
| Session | A planned maternity portrait session, on your own, as a couple or with older children |
| When | The seventh or eighth month works well; earlier or later is fine if that is when you feel best |
| Where | At home in window light, or outdoors in a park, a garden or on the shore; travel within 90 miles of New Jersey included |
| Included | Location and outfit guidance, permits where a park needs one, hand-edited photographs in a private gallery with a print release |
| Studio | Surya Garigipati Photography & Films LLC, Flemington, New Jersey |
| Reviews | 4.9 on Google from 38 public reviews: read them |
How we photograph a maternity session
The same way we photograph a couple’s portraits on a wedding day: planned for the kindest light, at a place scouted in advance, and then unhurried. We direct when it helps, for the light and for a frame, and then step back and let the two of you be together. Most sessions are short on standing and long on sitting, walking and leaning, and the pace is set by how you feel that day rather than by a shot list. If older children come, the first ten minutes are theirs, while their patience is fresh.
Where should a maternity shoot happen?
- At home, in the window light of the room where the baby will sleep, which is the photograph many parents want most.
- In a garden or park: Colonial Park’s rose garden in Somerset through June, Sayen Gardens in Hamilton in May, Duke Farms in Hillsborough, the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township, with the season chosen for the bloom.
- On the shore or by the water: Sandy Hook, Spring Lake or the Delaware towpath at Lambertville near our studio, an hour before sunset.
Many parks and gardens require a permit or a fee for professional photography, some do not allow it at all, and the rules change from year to year; we check every location and arrange it before the day. Our locations guide covers the light and the seasons for each.
What to wear
Fabrics that move and show the shape: a long dress or a saree draped simply, a shawl or dupatta for a second look, and colours chosen against the location, with a traditional look and a Western one if you want range. Outfit guidance is part of every session, and the advice in what to wear for an engagement shoot applies here too.
The seemantham, godh bharai and baby shower
Many families mark the pregnancy with a ceremony as well as a session: the seemantham or valaikaappu in South Indian families, the godh bharai in North Indian families, or a modern baby shower. Those are celebrations, covered with a photographer working close to the family at home or in a hall; see our baby shower photographer page. The maternity session is the quiet portrait alongside it.
How do we book?
Tell us your due date, where you would like to be photographed and who will be there; Surya replies personally within 24 hours with a written proposal. Sessions are priced by the session, and the investment page explains how the studio prices its work. Our family photographer page covers the sessions that follow, and you can check your date now.
What families wrote on Google
"Surya and his team did a fantastic job for my Gender Reveal and Baby shower Events and we cannot thank him enough 😊 He exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend him for photography and videography, especially if looking for someone experienced! Thanks much Surya!" — Harika
"Surya was so kind and amazing to work with. He knew exactly what spots to go to for the best angles and was so efficient with whatever time we had." — Gayathri Pratha
Questions about maternity sessions
When is the best time for a maternity photoshoot?
The seventh or eighth month works well for most people: the shape is clear and standing and walking are still comfortable. Earlier or later is fine if that is when you feel best.
Where do you photograph maternity sessions?
At home in window light, or outdoors in a park, a garden or on the shore across New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia. We scout the location, plan the light and arrange any permit.
Can my partner and older children be in the photographs?
Yes. Most sessions include the partner, and children are welcome; their part comes first, while their patience is fresh.
How long does a maternity session take?
About an hour, set by how you feel that day, with more sitting and walking than standing.
How is a session priced?
By the event or the session, not by the hour, in a written proposal after a short conversation, itemised so you can see what each part changes. Single celebrations are where the studio’s investment begins; the investment page explains how it works.
Before the baby arrives
Tell us your due date and where you would like to be photographed. Surya replies personally within 24 hours.
Check Your Date