Jessica Shepard Photography » pregnancy

What to Expect at a Maternity Session

Jessica — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:30:38 +0000

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

Family Maternity Portraits {In Studio}

Jessica — Mon, 03 May 2010 20:36:41 +0000

I met Fabi at a mom’s group last summer, when we took our girls strawberry picking at a farm, just outside of Hillsboro. This past weekend, she brought her hubby and two year old daughter to my Portland studio for a maternity photo session.

Often maternity photos are thought of as the pregnant woman alone. While these are part of what I do, I think it’s important to capture images of the whole family, to really document this time in their lives. Something about the existing family as is gets to me, since I know how much life changes from pregnancy to being a mom. I imagine with your second baby, it’s still a whole new world.

Maternity Photography

Jessica — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:56:48 +0000

Amanda and Mark are just a few weeks away from having their first, a baby boy. They had me over for a maternity session to document this special time in their lives. The couple raises five chickens and two cats, who were all a part of our photo session.

Amanda & Mark – I’ll let you know when your web gallery is ready. Best wishes for a happy birth!

Maternity Photography Special

Jessica — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:38:14 +0000

I was not one of those happy pregnant people. I enjoyed feeling the kicks and squirms, and greatly looked forward to meeting my new baby. I think I was a tad cranky and anxious throughout pregnancy. I am also someone that is much more comfortable as the photographer, not the model. Despite all this, I am so thrilled that I took the time to have such a special transitional time in my life documented with photographs.

Starting around week 12, when no one could even tell I was pregnant, I had my hubby photograph my belly every couple of weeks. Then around week 37 of my pregnancy our awesome doula, Taffy, did a photography session for me.

As I photographer, I love maternity portrait sessions. Though not all women feel beautiful during pregnancy, most glow with excitement, and their round bellies look splendid. In celebration of my baby turning one in a few weeks, maternity sessions booked in January will be at a special rate.

These portraits are typically done in your home late in the third trimester of pregnancy. For all maternity portraits booked this month, the price is $85. In addition to my time and talent, this includes an online proofing gallery, and your favorite two images printed as 5x7s. I also offer hard bound hinged albums, digital packages, and a Baby’s First Year series.

Email me for more details or to schedule a session.