How Much Does Maternity Photography Cost in Chicago? [2026 Price Guide]
A complete guide to maternity photography pricing — so you can choose what's right for you.
Pregnancy is such a beautiful, fleeting time. It makes sense that you want to capture it and it makes sense that you want to understand what you're investing in.
If you've been researching maternity photographers in Chicago, you've probably noticed prices range anywhere from $200 to $1,500 or more. That's a big difference, and it can feel confusing.
Here's what we want you to know: there's no "right" or "wrong" price. Different prices simply reflect different experiences and different results.
Understanding what goes into each price point will help you make an informed choice one that's right for you.
Understanding the Price Differences
Budget Sessions: $200–$400
At this price point, you typically get:
Outdoor sessions at parks or public locations
Shorter session time (30–60 minutes)
Basic photo editing (color correction, brightness)
Digital files delivered
You provide your own wardrobe
This can be a good option if you're looking for natural, casual photos and you have outfits you feel great in.
What to keep in mind
At this price, photographers generally can't include extras like studio space, wardrobe, or detailed retouching.
These things have real costs that need to be covered somewhere.
Mid-Range Sessions: $400–$700
Here you'll often find:
Longer sessions (1–1.5 hours)
Studio or outdoor options
More thorough editing and basic retouching
More photos in your final gallery
Some photographers offer a limited selection of dresses
This is a nice middle ground, you get more time, more attention to detail, and often better editing.
Full-Service Sessions: $700–$1,500+
At this level, you typically receive:
Private studio with professional equipment
Full wardrobe access (designer gowns, accessories)
Complete posing guidance throughout your session
Professional retouching on selected images
Family members and pets included
A comprehensive experience from start to finish
Why the higher investment?
Because providing this level of service requires significant ongoing costs — studio rent, wardrobe collection, professional equipment, years of specialized training, and time for detailed retouching on every image.
Comparison: What Your Experience Actually Looks Like
To make the difference clearer, imagine two scenarios:
Scenario A: The $350 Session
You arrange to meet at a park. You arrive in your own dress — something you found in your closet or bought specially. You hope it photographs well.
The photographer shoots for 30–40 minutes. You're not quite sure how to pose — you do what feels right. If it's windy, cold, or too hot outside — you deal with it. There's nowhere to change.
A week later, you receive 20–30 photos. The editing is basic — colors adjusted, brightness tweaked. The things that bother you in photos (skin, poses, small details) — they stay as they are.
Total: $350 for the session itself. But if you add dresses ($100–200), a makeup artist ($100–150), and hair styling ($100–150), the total comes to about $650–850.
Scenario B: The $850 Session
You arrive at a private studio and are warmly welcomed. Your partner can relax in the lounge area while you get your makeup and hair done at the same time by two specialists (a 4-hands service).
Then you walk over to the wardrobe and choose from dozens of designer gowns, the same ones you’ve been saving on Pinterest. You don’t need to buy or look for anything in advance.
The photoshoot begins. The photographer fully guides you through posing: where to turn your head, how to place your hands, and what expression to make. You don’t need to think, just follow the guidance and relax.
Your favorite music is playing in the studio. There’s a private place to change, and no strangers around.
Within two weeks, you receive 150+ photos that you can keep. You then choose the images you want retouched, and afterward you receive 8 professionally retouched photos. Your skin looks flawless, and everything that may have bothered you is carefully refined. The photos look like they belong in a magazine.
Total: $850 and you don't need to buy anything else. Everything is included.
What This Comparison Shows
| $350 Session | $850 Session | |
|---|---|---|
| Real cost | $650–850 (with dress & makeup & hair styling) | $850 (Everything is already included, including makeup & hair styling.) |
| Session time | 30–40 minutes | 1 hour |
| Wardrobe | Your own | Designer — your choice |
| Location | Park (weather, people) | Private studio |
| Posing guidance | Minimal | Complete direction |
| Retouching | Basic filters | Magazine quality |
| Comfort | Depends on circumstances | Guaranteed |
The price difference is $200. The difference in experience and results is enormous.
What You're Actually Paying For
It helps to understand what goes into professional maternity photography:
A Dedicated Studio
A private space in Chicago means:
Complete privacy for outfit changes
Professional lighting designed for flattering results
Professional equipment
Lounge areas for guests
A calm, comfortable environment just for you
No worrying about weather, crowds, or finding parking
Maintaining a professional studio in Chicago is a significant monthly expense for any photographer.
A Curated Wardrobe Collection
Those beautiful flowing gowns you see in maternity portraits? Quality designer gowns for photography cost $300–$800 each. Building and maintaining a full collection is a serious investment of tens of thousands of dollars.
When wardrobe is included in your session, you don't need to worry about finding something that photographs well or spending money on a dress you'll wear once.
Professional Retouching
Basic editing: Adjusting brightness, contrast, and color — quick and efficient. Takes a few minutes per photo.
Professional retouching: Careful, detailed work on each image — natural skin smoothing, refining details, body shaping so you look your absolute best. This takes 30–40 minutes per photo and requires real skill.
With professional retouching, your photographer can address anything that might bother you in photos — so you can simply enjoy the results.
Years of Specialization
A photographer who specializes in maternity sessions knows:
How to pose you in the most flattering ways for your body and stage of pregnancy
How to work with a changing body
How to help you feel comfortable and relaxed
How to create images that feel timeless, not just trendy
How to naturally involve partners and children
This expertise comes from years of focused practice — not something you learn in a couple of months.
Hourly Comparison: An Interesting Paradox
When comparing prices, it helps to look at the full picture:
| Session | Price | Duration | Per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor session | $300 | 30 min | $600/hour |
| Outdoor session | $400 | 30 min | $800/hour |
| Full-service studio | $600 | 1 hour | $600/hour |
| Full-service studio | $800 | 2 hour | $400/hour |
An outdoor session at $300–400 works out to $600–800 per hour.
As paradoxical as it sounds, some photographers shooting for $300 outdoors earn more per hour than full-service studios. Yet they don't have expenses for rent, wardrobe, equipment, or professional retouching.
The difference? In a studio, you get: private space, wardrobe, professional retouching, more time to relax and explore different looks.
The question to ask yourself: what am I receiving for that time?
How to Know What You're Really Getting
Words like "luxury" and "premium" are easy to use. What matters is what's actually behind them.
Here are some simple questions that can help you see the full picture:
About the studio:
Is there an actual studio address you can visit?
Is it a dedicated photography space or someone's home/living room?
Will you have complete privacy for outfit changes?
Is there a lounge area for your partner and kids?
About the wardrobe:
Can you see ALL available dresses — not just one or two photos?
Are they designer gowns or basic options?
How many choices will you have?
How often is the collection updated?
About retouching:
Will they work on skin texture, body shaping, small details?
Can you see before/after examples of their retouching work?
About experience:
How many years has the photographer specialized in maternity?
Can you see a full portfolio (not just the best 5 photos)?
What do reviews say about the actual experience?
A photographer with genuine premium service will happily answer all of these questions.
Is This Investment Worth It?
Whatever you decide to spend, here's some perspective:
At $600–$1,000 for a full-service session:
That's about $3–$4 per month over 20 years
Images capturing a moment you can never recreate
Something your child will look at with love someday
Memories that become more precious with each passing year
Many moms say their maternity photos are among their most treasured possessions. Especially when their children grow up and ask: "What were you like when I was in your tummy?"
Pregnancy lasts only 40 weeks. The ideal window for photography is about 4–6 weeks. This is your only chance to capture this time.
Maternity Photography at Our Studio
At Filaneyka Photo Studio, we offer full service: a private studio in downtown Chicago, designer wardrobe, magazine-quality professional retouching, and complete posing guidance.
- Private downtown Chicago studio
- Full designer wardrobe access
- Complete posing guidance
- Magazine-quality retouching
- Family and pets welcome
- Just $50 deposit to book
We have several packages to choose from — from a one-hour session to a full two-hour experience with prints and a keepsake collection.
View packages and pricingFrequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to schedule?
Most moms photograph between 28–34 weeks. We recommend booking 4–6 weeks before your desired date.
What if I don't know how to pose?
We guide you completely — every angle, every hand placement, every expression. You just relax and follow along. No experience needed.
What should I wear?
We provide everything! Just show up. We have a full collection of gowns, fabrics, and accessories. If you have a favorite outfit, you're welcome to bring it too.
Can my partner and kids be in the photos?
Absolutely — they're included.
Ready to Book?
Your pregnancy is happening right now. The window to capture it is small.
We'd love to preserve this special time for you.
Book Your Session Just want to chat first?Filaneyka Photo Studio — maternity, newborn, and family photography in Chicago.
A private studio experience with full wardrobe access, professional retouching, and genuine care for every mom.
