10 Fun Things To Do With Your Maternity & Newborn Portraits

The Ultimate Guide for Pittsburgh Moms from a Pittsburgh Newborn Photographer

Created by a fellow Pittsburgh mama who’s lived it—these are the exact ways I’ve cherished and preserved my own family’s maternity and newborn portraits, and I can’t wait to help you do the same.

Hi, sweet Mama!

If you’ve just inquired with me about a maternity or newborn session—welcome! I’m so honored you’re here, and even more excited to be part of such a meaningful chapter in your life.

As a Pittsburgh newborn photographer, I’ve had the joy of walking alongside hundreds of incredible moms just like you—moms who are soaking in the beauty (and sometimes chaos!) of new motherhood and who know how fleeting this season can be. That’s why this guidebook is such an important first step.

These portraits we’ll create together aren’t just “pretty pictures”—they’re part of your legacy. They hold stories. They carry emotion. They’re something you’ll pass down and look back on again and again.

So if you’re wondering, “What can I actually do with all of these beautiful photos?”—this guide is packed with meaningful, creative, and fun ideas to make sure your images are cherished, not forgotten.

Let’s dive into 10 Fun Things to Do with Your Maternity & Newborn Portraits:

1. Create Custom Heirloom Wall Art

Turn your favorite portraits into timeless wall pieces that become part of your home’s story. Whether it’s a gallery wall in the living room or a bold canvas in the nursery, these daily visual reminders of your growing family become treasured pieces of art—and one day, they’ll be handed down to your children as part of your legacy.

2. Share Your Journey on Social Media

Let your community celebrate this life chapter with you! Post your portraits with a heartfelt caption that tells the story of your motherhood journey. It’s a powerful way to connect, inspire, and document your memories publicly—especially during a time that’s so deeply personal.

3. Design an Heirloom Album That Lasts Over 400 Years

Yes—400 years! These handcrafted albums are made to be passed down to your children, grandchildren, and beyond. They become part of your family’s legacy, holding the emotions of this season between every page. Imagine your great-grandchild flipping through these someday. It’s powerful.

4. Design a Nursery Wall to Tell Baby’s Story

One of my favorite ideas? Add portraits to your baby’s nursery. When my son James was little, he would point to our framed maternity photos and say, “Mama, Dad-da, Baby!”—some of his first words. He connected our faces to love, to belonging, and to family. That’s the power of visual storytelling from day one.

5. Send Out Newborn Announcements

Don’t underestimate the joy of snail mail! Create beautiful printed announcements with your newborn’s photos and send them to friends and family. These often end up on fridges, mantles, and in memory boxes—looked at over and over again with love.

6. Make Fridge Magnets for Daily Smiles

Yes, magnets! Pop your favorite images on magnets and let them be a little spark of joy every time you’re reaching for snacks or prepping dinner. It’s a sweet, practical way to keep those precious faces front and center.

7. Start a Yearly Portrait Calendar Tradition

Every year, create a new calendar with your portraits—maternity, newborn, family, whatever chapter you’re in. Hang it in your kitchen or office and fill it with notes and memories. Then, at the end of the year, keep it. Watch how your family (and handwriting!) grows over time.

8. Create Personalized Thank You Cards

Use your maternity or newborn portraits on thank you cards for baby shower gifts, postpartum meals, or simply to say “we’re so grateful.” It’s a beautiful way to send a piece of your journey back to those who supported you.

9. Turn Photos Into Heartfelt Gifts

Grandparents, godparents, and faraway family members love photo gifts! Turn your images into blankets, mugs, calendars, books—you name it. These make thoughtful birthday or holiday gifts, and trust me, they’ll treasure them forever.

10. Reveal Baby’s Gender in a Beautiful Way

If you’ve waited to share the gender of your baby, what better way than through professional portraits? Whether you post them online, print a reveal card, or show them off at a celebration—your baby’s gender story becomes beautifully documented and shared with joy.