Free Photography Bundle ($180 value): PS actions, LR presets, photo overlays, & print templates!
Get it here.
Do you want to give your clients maternity photos that they will love? There are a number of different poses and possibilities when it comes to maternity photo shoots, and here we’ll take a look at 15 shots that can serve as a foundation of your own sessions. Of course, adding some creativity to incorporate unique shots and putting your own twist on the shots is a great idea, but these basic poses will give you a great start.
1. One Hand Above the Belly, Other Hand Below
The belly is obviously the star of the maternity session, so have the mother place her hands around it.
2. Both Hands Below the Belly
Either from a profile, like the photo below, or taken from the front, this photo is another excellent option that features the belly.
Photo by Rockin Shutters
3. Father Embracing Mother
Including the father is also a great idea whenever possible.
Photo by Jason Corey
4. Mother and Father Kissing
You can have the couple kiss on the lips, and having the father kiss the belly is another popular option.
Photo by Jason Corey
5. The Whole Family
If the couple has any other kids getting some photos of the whole family is another great idea.
Photo by Felipe Fernandes
6. With Baby Shoes
Baby shoes are a popular prop for maternity sessions. They can be used either standing, as shown below, or with the mother laying down and the shoes resting on the belly. Another option is to have the shoes in the foreground sitting next to the mother, the same concept as the blocks photo in the next point.
Photo by Bayu Aditya
7. With Blocks
If the couple has chosen a name for the baby you can spell out the name with baby blocks. The blocks can either be placed next to the mother, or on the belly with the mother laying down. If a name hasn’t been chosen you could spell out the words “boy”, “girl”, or “baby”.
Photo by latteda
8. Silhouette
The silhouette is a great option for showcasing the belly. You can capture a silhouette outdoors, like the photo shown below, or by having the mother stand indoors near a window.
Photo by Greg Munroe
9. In Nature
Fields, gardens, and forests all provide excellent settings for your maternity sessions.
10. Looking Down
Have the mother look down at her belly. You can experiment with several different hand placements.
Photo by Brian Khoury
11. Lying Down
You can have the mother lay down on a bed or outdoors.
Photo by Felipe Fernandes
12. Hands in the Shape of a Heart
Another classic maternity photo, and you can include the father in this one as well.
Photo by Marcela Navarro
13. With the Ultrasound Photo
For another fun prop, include a photo from the ultrasound with either the mother or the couple.
Photo by Esther Gibbons
14. Ribbon Around the Belly
Another option for showcasing the belly is to wrap a ribbon around it. Pink and blue are commonly used for this purpose since they can represent girls or boys.
15. Close Up of the Belly
Let the belly take all of the attention! You can experiment with angles from different perspectives, with the belly exposed or covered by clothes.
Photo by Cesar Sanctis
