Your friend is eight months along. The bump arrives before she does. And you’ve been going around in circles for weeks: what do I get her that isn’t another baby basket?
That’s exactly the problem with most gifts for pregnant women: they’re designed for the baby, not for her. The 0-3 month onesies, the nappies, the stuffed animal. All very useful, sure. But she — as a person, as a woman, as your friend — ends up a little sidelined.
A group of friends from Maresme solved this differently. What they put together for their pregnant friend is the best gift for a pregnant friend we’ve seen come through our studio. This is their story, with all the details, so you can copy it if you want.
If you’re curious about more options before reading on, you can check out these original gift ideas for a friend that we’ve also put together on the blog.
How the idea came about (and why it wasn’t a classic baby shower)
These friends didn’t want to do something generic. From the start, they were clear they wanted an original gift for a pregnant friend that had something to do with them — their group, who they are together.
“They didn’t want a typical session. None of those perfect photos you see online.” — Tami (Wonderstory)
The idea came from one of the friends who had already been to YOULO with her family a few months earlier. She knew how it worked, she knew what an hour in a private room with no photographer directing every move could give you. And she knew it would fit the group perfectly.
“The idea came about because one of them had already tried the experience at our self photo studio YOULO with her family.” — Tami (Wonderstory)
They decided to make it a surprise for the mum-to-be. They organized a day out in Barcelona — lunch included — and finished the afternoon with the session. Without telling her where they were going until they arrived at the door.
Why they chose this over anything else
A classic baby shower has its logic. But it means organizing it at someone’s place, preparing food, decorating, coordinating schedules. And in the end the focus usually lands on gifts, one after another.
What they wanted was something where everyone could take part equally, where the pregnant friend was the star but without any pressure, and where each person walked away with something of their own. A shared experience, not a formal event. That difference changes everything.
From Vilassar de Mar to Plaza Catalunya: how they organized everything
The logistics were simple. From Vilassar de Mar there’s a direct train to Plaça de Catalunya on the Rodalies line. Some of the group came by train, others drove and parked at the Saba car park at Plaza Catalunya, right next to the stop. From the square, the studio is a five-minute walk.
For this kind of day out with friends in Barcelona, YOULO’s location works well for exactly that reason: no parking hassle if you come by train, and easy parking if you come by car.
The last-minute room change
They had booked the small room. But when they met up a few weeks before to confirm the details, two more friends joined. They called to switch to the large room — the 40 m² space we have in the studio — and it was the right call.
With more people, ideas multiply too. They needed that space to move around, change backgrounds, shoot in different group combinations. The self photo studio in Barcelona has that flexibility so the session adapts to what the group needs — not the other way around.
What they did inside (ideas you can copy)
Here’s the good part. Because what these friends did inside the studio is the kind of thing that only happens when nobody is watching or directing.
“The best part — they were completely alone. No one watching. Just them in front of the big mirror, with the remote to fire the camera.” — Tami (Wonderstory)
That freedom is what makes it different. With a photographer in the room, there’s always a filter. Someone saying “more natural”, “turn a little”, “smile”. Not here. The remote was in their hands — literally.
The bomb on the bump
The first thing they did was grab a marker and draw a huge bomb on the mum-to-be’s belly. Complete with a fuse.
“They drew a huge bomb on the mum-to-be’s belly. Between bursts of laughter they took photos pointing at the drawing, hugging her, exaggerating every gesture.” — Tami (Wonderstory)
The funny pregnancy photos that came out of that are the ones they remember most. Not the perfect side-on pose with soft light. The ones with real laughter, exaggerated expressions, looks of surprise. That’s what stays.
Baby clothes, accessories, and changes of pace
They had also brought tiny baby clothes. Each one picked a piece and took a photo holding it. Then they pulled out the accessories in the studio — big glasses, hats — and kept going.
The rhythm went like this: one moment all squished together, the next jumping at the same time, then a serious pose that nobody held for more than two seconds before cracking up. Group shots, pairs, individual portraits. That way, each person walked away with her own memory as well as the group one.
Creativity flowed on its own precisely because nobody was telling them what to do. With a photo session with friends at YOULO, the result depends on you — and when the group clicks, that’s the best thing that can happen.
Why it worked better than a typical gift
There’s a clear difference between giving an object and giving a shared experience. With an object, she receives it, opens it, says thank you. With an experience, you’re all inside what’s being created.
In this case, the pregnant friend was the star — she had the bump, she was the one being celebrated — but everyone took part at the same level. Nobody was watching from the outside. There was no photographer capturing the moment while they lived it. They lived it and captured it at the same time.
No photographer doesn’t mean no quality
A common question is whether the photos turn out well without a professional in the room. The answer is yes, and nobody explains it better than someone who’s already been through it.
As Daz Daz shares in their Google review:
“The whole process was flawless and we had an incredible experience from start to finish… Even without photographers behind the camera, we had a human connection that we loved.”
That’s what sets this format apart from taking photos with your phone anywhere. The studio, the lighting, the big mirror that helps you see yourself — everything is set up so the photos come out well without you having to think too hard about it. You focus on having a good time; the set does the rest.
What everyone takes home
They didn’t just take home the group photos. Each person also took home her individual portraits and the pair shots. The full gallery, that same day. Among the original gift ideas for pregnant women out there, few can give something to everyone involved — not just the guest of honor.
Conclusion
In a few years, when those friends look at those photos, they won’t just see an eight-month bump. They’ll see who they were together in that moment. The bomb joke, the laughter, the hats. The afternoon in Barcelona before everything changed.
“It wasn’t just a photo session. It was an afternoon between friends celebrating a chapter that’s about to change everything.” — Tami (Wonderstory)
That’s what you were looking for when you asked yourself what to get her. Something that’s for her, not just for the baby. Something you can experience together, not just receive. The best gift for a pregnant friend doesn’t fit in a basket.
If this story has inspired you, our gifts for pregnant mum page has all the options available in the studio, with details on formats and how to book.
Tami · Photographer and founder of Wonderstory I’ve been capturing real moments in Barcelona for over 6 years. Every article I write comes from what I experience in the studio with my clients.
