Being pregnant is such a unique time in a woman’s life. Often by late in the third trimester, women feel tired and fat, not sexy in the least. But pregnant bodies are so round and beautiful! When I was pregnant our doula, Taffy with Personal Touch Doula, came to our house and took maternity photos of my hubby and I. I remember it feeling awkward to try to move or pose, but I also know we laughed a lot and I am so glad to have the photos to look back on.
A maternity photo session can be anything you want it to be. Feel free to be creative. Who you bring is something to think about. My portrait sessions include four people. You can bring your best pregnant friend. (I wish I had photos of my best friend and I pregnant. We had our babies one day apart but she is all the way across the country in New Jersey.) Bring your dogs, hubby, other children, whoever you want to be part of your photos. Here are some ideas to help you prep for your maternity photography session.
- Wear a top that shows your belly off (tight, button down, and babydoll styles work well)
- If you are modest and we are photographing outdoors, dress in layers for different looks
- Strappy tank tops are great for simplicity and really accenting your mama to be figure
- Delicate pajamas, a nightie, and flowing dresses work lovely for really pretty portraits
- Something of his – a white button down dress shirt or a blazer
- Whether you wear pants, shorts, or a skirt, think about how it looks when you show off your bare belly
- If you wear a dress, be sure to have a change of clothing so you can lift your shirt for some photos
- For partial nudes, think about the undies your are wearing
- I was just reminded how difficult waxing and shaving can be with a big pregnant belly, Jane Cowan, Portland most incredible esthetician, can help
- If you have any special items for your new baby you might want to bring that for some photos
- Choose a location depending on what you want from your photos – your home, a park, an urban area, or in studio
- If your family is coming along, think about each other’s outfits and how they will go together
- Read my previous post, Getting the Best Family Portraits
