Cinematic Maternity Photographer, UK
Meet the Photographer
Hey, my name is SHABAAN
Hi. I’m Shabaan.
I’m a photographer based in the Midlands and I shoot maternity sessions the same way I shoot weddings. Editorial, cinematic.
I have a preference for natural light and real moments over posed setups. That’s not a style I switch on for certain clients. It’s just how I shoot.
Most maternity photographers in the UK work in the soft, bright, studio-lit aesthetic. There’s nothing wrong with that if it’s what you want. If you’ve been scrolling through galleries thinking ‘these are beautiful but they don’t look like us’ this is probably a better fit.
I travel UK-wide for maternity shoots. I’ve shot in Manchester, across the Midlands, and further afield when the brief is right. I've worked in mixed locations, all depending on what the couple wanted and what the light was doing.
The goal is always the same: images that look like you, in a moment that actually happened, edited to feel like something worth keeping on a wall.
Why Book Me for Your Maternity Photoshoot?
The Aesthetic Is Consistent
What you see in the portfolio is what you get. I’m not going to shoot your maternity session with a different camera, a different lens, or a different edit to my wedding work. It’s the same eye, the same approach, the same post-processing. If you’ve seen the wedding galleries and the maternity work and they look like they came from the same place that’s because they did.
I Don’t Direct Much
The images that hold up over time are the ones where something real was happening. I’ll give you a framework for the session, such as where to stand, how to move, roughly what we’re going for and then I step back and wait. The moments between prompts are usually the best frames. The laugh that happened because something was actually funny. The way he looks at her when he thinks I’m not watching. That’s what a maternity gallery should be. I also use pinterest and movie scenes too, such as "do a la la land move" or whatever comes to mind.
Mixed Location Means More Range
We can be indoors and outdoors in the same session. It gives you more to work with, more to do than just "sit like that on your sofa for the 100th time". The outdoor frames tend to be broader, more environmental. There's more light and movement involved too. The indoor work is tighter, more intimate, and has a different light quality entirely. Both together produce a gallery that feels varied rather than like fifty versions of the same shot.
I Travel to You
I’m based in the Midlands but I come to you. That includes Manchester, London, across the north, wherever. Travel is either included or quoted separately depending on distance and I’ll be upfront about it when you get in touch. The shoot in Manchester that’s in the portfolio below was worth the trip. The couple thought so too.
Gallery Turnaround Is Fast
Your gallery is delivered quickly. The couple in Manchester had their images the next day. I know that the wait after a shoot is genuinely difficult. I don’t drag it out.
1.5 hours
90 minutes
75 Photos
Consultation
Best with 1-2 Outfits Swaps
from £280
2 hours
Online Gallery
100 photos
Consultation
Best with 2-3 Outfits Swaps
from £350
3 hours
Online Gallery
150 photos
Consultation
Best for 3+ Outfit Swaps
from £450
What M Said
★★★★★
“Shabaan travelled up to Manchester for our maternity shoot and it was worth every penny. He made us feel completely at ease from the start and captured the most beautiful, natural moments between us. The photos are absolutely stunning, exactly what we wanted. We can’t recommend him enough!! He also delivered the gallery next day, which was amazing!'
— M, Maternity Shoot, Manchester
What to Expect When You Book
We start with a conversation. Not a sales call but just a quick chat about the shoot, where you are, what you’re drawn to, and whether my style is actually the right fit for what you’re imagining. If it is, I’ll send over the details and we’ll get a date locked in. If it isn’t, no hard feelings.
Before the shoot, I’ll ask about the location, indoor or outdoor preference, what you’re planning to wear, and any specific shots or moments that matter to you. I’ll also flag anything worth thinking about from a photography perspective such as light at different times of day, how the indoor space works, whether the outdoor location needs a backup plan for weather. Nothing complicated. Just making sure the session is planned properly rather than improvised on the day.
On the day, I’ll give you a framework for each part of the session and then I step back and let things happen. The moments that end up on walls are almost never the posed ones. I move around you rather than positioning constantly, I wait for the real thing rather than manufacturing it, and I keep the session feeling like an hour with someone you’re comfortable with rather than a photoshoot you’re enduring.
Your gallery is delivered within 2-4 weeks, but you get 10 photos within 72 hours to share the news with your family.
FAQ
What should we wear?
The portfolio gives you the clearest answer. Neutral tones, - predominantly white, - photograph cleanly against both indoor and outdoor backgrounds. That said, wear what feels like you. The aesthetic comes from how I shoot and edit, not from matching outfits. If you’re unsure, send me a photo of what you’re thinking and I’ll tell you honestly.
How far along should we be?
Most maternity sessions work best between 28 and 36 weeks, when the bump is visible, movement is still comfortable, and there’s time to book without rushing. If you’re outside that window, get in touch anyway and we’ll figure out if it works.
Do you travel for maternity shoots?
Yes, UK-wide. The portfolio on this page was shot in Manchester. I’ve shot across the Midlands, the north, and further. Travel within the Midlands is included in the package price. For shoots further afield I’ll quote travel separately but it’s always straightforward and I’ll tell you upfront.
Indoor or outdoor?
Both, in the same session if that’s what you want. Indoor gives you a different quality of light and intimacy. Outdoor gives you space, movement, and a different kind of frame. Mixed tends to produce the most varied gallery. I’ll ask what you’re drawn to and plan accordingly.
Say hello. Let's work together.
Let's capture your big day.