This year’s maternity photos were really too lovely for words (understatement of the year!), though we gushed about them anyway. There’s nothing like a few natural, light-filled shots of that growing belly to get a mama-to-be ready for babe…

These Joshua Tree maternity photos by Megan Welker also involved some super cute fashionable snaps of Ala out in the desert.

Yuna Leonard captured these mama-son maternity photos of her sister Rina’s second pregnancy.

We saw our share of boho maternity photos this year, but this family maternity sesh from Bina Terré Photography taken in Germany was one for the books. Most stylish family of the year award!

Notice an all-white theme throughout many of these shoots? When it came to these natural light boudoir photos by Renata Amazonas, it was allll lacy romance.

Our weddings editor Jilly set out on a family adventure with Alissa Noelle for her maternity photos. Perfect inspo for the active families out there!

These bare maternity photos coming to us from Heather Shane were all about those raw, natural moments between a couple waiting for baby. STUNNING!

Nothing like a mama all dressed up in the mountains, right? We saw lots of maternity sessions full of pretty natural landscapes but this Calgary mountain sesh from Justine Milton was particularly breathtaking. Boho mamas, click over and get pinning!

Perhaps it’s because we live and breathe the sand and sea, but beach maternity photos will always, ALWAYS be a classic in our eyes. Especially if it involves a cutie future big bro hanging with mom like these maternity photos in Orange County from Miranda North do.

So many of our wedding blog readers are over to the moon for photography by Max & Friends, and this bright and summery shoot by their very own Amanda Gallant instantly sums up why! Don’t miss all the poolside shots of Amber and her hubs.

Can’t forget these rustic fall family photos that Elizabeth Lauren Photography snapped for this soon to be party of 5! Cutest style + joyful sisters + loving parents = one cute maternity sesh.

Don’t miss our best-of 2016 newborn photography!