As a McKinney maternity photographer, maternity photos are something I talk about often with my clients — not because they’re trendy, but because they matter in a way you don’t fully understand until that season has passed.
Personally, I did maternity photos with my last two kids — but I didn’t with my first.
And honestly, I don’t regret much in life… but that is one thing I truly regret.
We tried for several years to have our son, Samuel. When I finally became pregnant, it was such a precious, emotional time. It was my first pregnancy that went to term, and I was filled with so many feelings — excitement, fear, hope, and disbelief that this was really happening.
At the time, we couldn’t necessarily afford maternity photos. Looking back, I wish we had set aside the money to do them. Not because I needed perfect photos — but because that season meant so much.
I think part of the reason I didn’t do maternity photos was because I was scared. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I didn’t want to celebrate too much before I knew everything would be okay. And now, years later, I wish I had documented that moment — that version of me, that version of our family, and that chapter of our story.
This is something I tell my clients all the time:
You are never going to regret doing maternity photos — but you might regret not doing them.
Maternity photos aren’t just about the baby bump. They’re about this exact moment in your life — before everything changes.
Your body is doing something incredible. Your family is on the edge of becoming something new. And once that baby arrives, life moves fast. Sleepless nights blur together, routines change, and suddenly that pregnancy feels like a distant memory.
Photos allow you to go back.
After I had my first son, I made sure to do maternity photos with my other pregnancies. I have three kids now, and those maternity photos are some of my favorite images of our family.
Why? Because they capture us right before we changed again.
They show:
As an Allen maternity photographer, I’ve seen how meaningful these moments are for families — especially when older children are included. Your family will never be the same once another baby arrives — and that’s a beautiful thing.
Once you have two, three, or four kids, it becomes incredibly hard to remember:
Maternity photos freeze that time. They give you something tangible to hold onto when memories start to blur.
Years from now, you’ll look back and remember:
“This was us. This was our life right before everything changed.”
Maternity photos aren’t just for today. They’re a gift to your future self — and to your children.
One day, your kids will see those images and understand how deeply they were wanted. How loved they were even before they were born. How your family looked as it waited for them.
That is something truly special.
Because I’ve lived both sides.
I’ve lived the regret of not doing them — and the joy of having them. And I can confidently say that maternity photos are always worth it.
They capture a fleeting season.
They tell your family’s story.
They allow you to remember something you might otherwise forget.
And most importantly — they remind you just how far you’ve come.



Jennifer L. Kirk Photography serves families across McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Prosper, Allen, and nearby areas, creating timeless portraits that celebrate love, connection, and family.