How to take the best maternity photos

Maternity photography is fast-growing, but documenting a women’s body during pregnancy can be challenging. However, with a little sensitivity and planning your shoots carefully, your maternity photographer can give expectant mothers not only photos that they’ll cherish forever, but an experience they’ll never forget.

If you’re having your first or adding to the family nest, maternity is a special time for everyone, so capturing those special moments are essential. I have put together some tips on how to prepare for your up and coming maternity session and if you are trying this at home, hopefully some features may help to create a more striking and personal result. Hopefully this guide will show how to take the best maternity photos.

When should you take the Images

Capturing private images at home throughout your pregnancy would be a great way to keep track off you developing, but for the best results I recommend to schedule your session at a studio between 31 and 36 weeks of your pregnancy. During that time, a woman’s belly has a lovely round shape. The transformation of your body is both beautiful and in the same time interesting to capture on photos. Capturing your bump at full roundness it definitely going to improve your final images, and give you amazing results. If you decide to shoot at home find a location that is clear of clutter and possibly a clean crisp backdrop.

Preparing props

Capturing your bump alone is fantastic, but personalising the images with your own baby props will create a special and personal result. If you have had a baby shower, include props or gifts that you may have received, such as baby booties, stuffed animals, shoes, socks, or adding a simple rose can make the images look creative.

What to wear

Plan to bring different clothes and outfits to your session, as having different outfits in your pregnancy photos is a good idea, and will give you more variety. Fabrics, knits, scarfs are a great idea as these will give you a more artistic result. If you’re wearing Stretching garments and clothing, be careful as these leave marks on your beautiful round belly. Plan to remove any tight clothes from your body before the start of your session to allow any marks to disappear. I always suggest bringing 3 outfits along to a session. A button down shirt, and some boy-type shorts, as this will make you feel a little more comfortable covered up and its a classic look in maternity photography. Option 2 is Yoga pants and a tight tank top or singlet. A great coverage if you want to show other family members the final results. For a final look, bra and lingerie set. Don’t be scared to show off your body and embrace being pregnant.

Collect ideas

If you’re attending a professional studio it’s always a good idea of understanding how the day works. The photographer should have a great variety of options for your portrait session, but collecting examples of maternity portraits you like and showing your photographer will help personalise. You can find lots of great examples on the internet, in books or baby and maternity magazines, or by looking at friend’s portraits. It’s much easier to show your photographer what you like that try to explain it in words.

Include the Family

It’s a great idea to include your husband or older children to your session. Having others be part of your session allows the photographer to create more family like images and it is a great time for your older children to show the love for your unborn baby. Ask them to talk to their baby brother or sister- it will be not only special for you, but the interaction will make an amazing photo opportunity. I recommend using a photographer that is experienced with either family portraits or especially with toddlers, plus use someone you’re comfortable with. That way you can embrace the opportunity to relax, enjoy and stress less about the situation.

Capture with a difference.

Since most of the weight you’ll gain is in your belly, shooting straight on often gives the illusion that you’re not pregnant. If your using a professional photographer, ensure they should be slightly below your eye level, as shooting from above elongates and gives a slimming effect. Don’t be scared to play around with lighting, and creating shapes with your belly. Shooting in black and white strips away all the distractions in the image and really brings the focus to you. It is classic, timeless and always a beautiful result. Be as creative as possible! Embrace your curvy silhouette.

Hesitations

Exposing skin can be embarrassing for some, but feel at ease and comfortable with your body. We recommend exposing as much skin as possible. Speak to your photographer about birthmarks, stretch marks or tattoos you may have, as these can be easily removed in post production, or hidden if you don’t want them featured. Don’t be nervous! There is not right or wrong if you are trying this at home. Relax, take a deep breath, and just be you. Try to avoid looking at the camera and always smiling in every photo. Make the experience fun, with laughing and smiling naturally and this will add to the photograph and the experience of taking them.