Maternity Photo Survey: Approx. 44% Choose Professional Studios, Peak Timing at 8 Months Pregnancy

Real Intentions Behind Maternity Photography: To Shoot or Not to Shoot

'Maternity photography' captures a woman's figure during pregnancy. While it is increasingly visible on social media and in magazines, how many people actually participate? We also looked into the methods and timing used by those who do.

Daishin Sosha-kan and NEXER Co., Ltd. conducted a joint survey of 92 women nationwide with pregnancy experience from May 14 to May 18, 2026.

17.4% Responded 'Took Maternity Photos'

The results showed that 17.4% had taken photos, while 82.6% had not. Those who took photos cited reasons such as, 'I can only capture this look at this specific time,' 'I want to show it to my child in the future,' and 'It is a precious, rare period in life,' highlighting the special nature of pregnancy.

43.8% Responded 'Shot at a Professional Photo Studio'

Regarding the method, 'Professional photo studio' was the most common at 43.8%. This was followed by 'Self-shooting' at 25.0% and 'Shooting by family/partner using a smartphone or camera' at 18.8%.

Reasons for choosing a professional studio focused on quality: 'I wanted to record it properly' and 'It's not a common life event.' Conversely, those opting for self or family shooting focused on convenience and cost, citing 'Saving money' and 'Ease of shooting.'

As indicated in the title, the 8th month of pregnancy was the top choice for timing, suggesting a preference for the period when the bump is visible while the mother still has energy.