From a South Jordan Maternity Photographer & Mom

July 9, 2025

When your best friend announces she’s pregnant, your heart fills with joy and you instantly start thinking about how to make her feel supported and celebrated. Of course, she’ll get the baby clothes and bottles but what about the gifts that go deeper?

As a mom and a South Jordan maternity photographer, I get to walk alongside women during some of the most sacred seasons of life. I’ve learned that the most meaningful gifts are often the ones that nourish the mother, not just prepare for the baby.

If you’re wondering what to bring to her shower (or drop off during those early weeks), here are 5 baby shower gifts that your pregnant friend will never forget—including the one that will last a lifetime.

1. A Maternity or Newborn Photography Session

Give your friend the gift of memories. Professional maternity or newborn photography captures this beautiful, fleeting season in a way that lasts forever. Whether she wants a glowing outdoor maternity session, a sweet newborn session at home, or something creative like a milk bath with flowers, I’ll walk her through the process from start to finish, wardrobe, location, and all the little details.

As a Salt Lake City newborn and maternity photographer, I serve families in South Jordan, Draper, Park City, and all across Utah County—offering sessions that are calm, beautiful, and meaningful.

This is the kind of gift she’ll treasure long after the onesies are packed away.

2. A Meal Delivery Gift (from You or a Service)

The early postpartum weeks are exhausting and the last thing any new parent wants to do is cook. Gifting a few home cooked meals, freezer meals, or a delivery gift from a local restaurant or app is incredibly helpful.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s golden. And she’ll thank you again and again for that one night she didn’t have to cook.

3. A Postpartum Care Basket Just for Her

So many gifts are for the baby but what about her? Create a postpartum basket filled with cozy, calming, self-care items like:

• A soft robe or pair of cozy socks

• A beautiful candle

• Lavender or herbal bath soak

• A favorite tea

• Nourishing snacks

• A handwritten note reminding her she’s doing an amazing job

This simple basket reminds her to slow down, rest, and care for herself too.

4. Babysitting from You (So She Can Rest)

There’s no need for a fancy gift card. Instead, write her a heartfelt note that says something like:

You’ve got three breaks from me use them for a nap, a date night, or even just a Target run alone. I’ve got baby covered.

This is the kind of gift that brings tears in the best way. Whether it’s just one hour or a full evening, offering your time so she can breathe is one of the most generous and loving things you can do.

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5. A Comfortable Baby Wrap or Carrier (Perfect for Brunch & Beyond)

One of the most helpful gifts you can give a new mama is a soft, breathable baby wrap or structured carrier. Not only does it promote bonding and help soothe baby, but it also gives her the freedom to move through her day with both hands free.

Whether she’s walking around the house, going on a stroller-free Target run, or heading out for a much-needed brunch with friends, having baby safely and snuggly close in a wrap makes everything feel a little easier and a lot more cozy.

Whether it’s her first baby or her fourth, your friend deserves to feel loved, supported, and seen. The best gifts aren’t always the most expensive, they’re the most thoughtful.

If you’re ready to give her the gift of lasting memories, I offer giftable maternity and newborn photography sessions in Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Utah County, and beyond. I’ll walk her through every detail with love and care so all she has to do is be present.

Because some gifts only last a few months…

But photographs? They last a lifetime. Contact me

I hope you enjoy these beautiful images from a recent maternity workshop I attended this past May here in Utah. It was part of the Gather: The Kinder Path Workshop a space where photographers come together to learn, grow, and create. This particular session featured a warm milk bath filled with daisies and a dreamy, soft wardrobe. I love investing in education and using these creative sessions to inspire how I serve real clients. I also believe in offering more than just photos, I want this blog to be a space that’s both inspiring and helpful, filled with tips for new moms and the friends who love them.