The time when you are expecting your little bundle of joy is truly special. Maternity sessions are created to celebrate that.
Just Some Reasons to have a Maternity Professional Photo Shoot.
- This period doesn't happen too often in life :) If it's more than once in a life time, every time it's different and special. It passes pretty quick, as well, though sometimes it doesn't seem that way to a woman whose body and hormones are changing. But even if you have to force yourself to schedule, plan and go for a photo shoot, the uniqueness of the experience and the memories will be well worth your efforts.
- The birth of a baby and busy days afterwards erase a lot of memories of the pregnancy time. When your energy seems to come down to zero, you can look at your maternity pictures and remember how gracious you were, how much love you felt for someone you haven't even seen but felt under your heart, that now this tiny miracle is in your hands and needs that love again, your strength, your care, your warmth. You will look at those pictures and realize what an amazing job you did by carrying for 9 months and giving birth to your wonderful child. Your energy will be recharged. (I recommend a nap going along with that, too ;) )
- A maternity photo session is also a great opportunity to show and preserve in pictures all your affection and tenderness between you and your partner, as well as both of you to your unborn baby.
- A maternity photo session allows you to feel pride with you changing body. It's changing but it's also sheltering a new developing life. That should be celebrated. Fine Art Photography specifically uses a collection of tools to create perfect final images of your expecting experience, concentrating on a beauty of it rather than any flaws.
- You will show the pictures to your child after he/she is born and grown. What can demonstrate the strength of unconditional love better than the photographs of a parent who loves and cares for a child even before a child is born.
When during a pregnancy is better to have a professional maternity photo session?
I recommend to schedule a maternity photography session when a woman is on her 24th to 32nd week of pregnancy.
There are no strict rules, obviously. A lot depends on your health conditions, body structure, size, number of pregnancies.
Even the style of the photoshoot you're looking for can affect your decision when to come for a photo session. You will decide, what style fits you best and when to schedule the session for, for example - on the 24th week in a fitted body suit with a smaller belly or on the 32nd week for a session covering your body in silks.
One woman would prefer to have pictures with active poses or showing more of her body while the other would choose to have a romantic family maternity session. So for someone who prefers the first style, I'd recommend to come in for a photo shoot earlier rather than later, when a future mom is getting a bit less flexible for the sake of a baby and can get more tired faster. While an option with traditional standing and sitting poses can be suitable even for later terms.
Anyways, my advice would be to contact a photographer starting at your 2nd trimester to begin talking and planning.
What style photo session to pick and what to wear?
The style of your maternity photo session will depend on your personality and direct preferences.
The wardrobe will represent the style.
Let me give you some ideas on what types of maternity photo shoots can be created.
Classic Nude and/or in Silks/Drapes/Lace - usually it's dramatic shots, very artistic, sensual and creative. The photographer uses light to its best advantage, creating beautiful silhouettes, making accents on the beauty of the pregnant body and the tender deep connection between the mother and a child. Often it's a representation of a play of light and shadow in its best meaning. Shadows hide unnecessary, leaving us guessing, while light concentrates on important details. Pictures look good in black and white and in color.
Posing is very important, as we want to show a woman with all gracious curves, proudly presenting her body that nourishes a new life.
Often we use light silk or similar fabrics to cover some parts to create beautiful picture. Photographs of moms-to-be in soft silks or delicate chiffon coming out being really airy, light, depicting the magic of the phase of the pregnancy.
There are also endless possibilities to create amazing scenes with other types of fabrics, like sumptuous lace or elegant satin and many other.
Dressy - To illustrate how extraordinary and magnificent the period of pregnancy is we want to make a woman feel extra special. A chic, wonderful dress along with makeup and hair style will make a woman feel exactly this way. The photo shoot organized to celebrate her in a new role will be memorable and exclusive.
Usually the maternity dresses are long, often with trains. Colors can be any. Pastels colors are popular but deep tones are also look very nice. I'd suggest to avoid patterns.
Almost any style/silhouette of a gown works, tight on a body or flowy - it's important here that your photographer guide you through the right posing with advantageous arms and legs placement. Don't forget that there are very beautiful dressy bodysuits with ruffles, beautiful tops and underwear as another variant of this type of photoshoot.
Casual - If you think of yourself as not a "romantic" or "dressy" type of person, who treats pregnancy as an adventure, maybe you want to have a casual photo shoot, where you'd wear jeans, a shirt, or a jacket, being barefoot or wearing heavy boots. Fun times! Relaxed, comfortable, easy, hip, and chic - that's how I'd describe this type of a maternity session.
Thematic shoots - if the baby is about to be born close to some popular holiday, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc. a photoshoot representing the theme of a holiday is possible. We can use for example the colors, patterns, symbolic props and accessories, which traditionally used for those holidays.
Humor/Funny shoots - Some parents-to-be chose humorous interpretation as their theme. The family can have a laugh about a woman getting a bump (or partners can even compare each others bellies), about a family getting bigger and bigger, about the future chores and sleepless night coming ahead of you. We can direct and document many fun moments.
Creative shoots - like any photo shoot a maternity session should tell your story, yours and only yours. So any idea you might have could become a starting point for a future photo shoot. We can capture many different stories, like you being totally in love with your baby, some family tradition, even how your pet is waiting for a baby. Anything that represents that very special period for you should be creatively included in your photo session.
Mix of styles is possible too.
By getting to know you better during our initial consultation, I will help you with identifying what style might be closer to your personality. Or you may have a clear idea already. I will be listening to you and making my best to visualize your wishes.
I have a big choice of maternity wardrobe pieces, fabrics, and accessories. You are free to borrow them for your ideal photo session.
Maternity photography sessions can be arranged outdoors or in the studio.
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