Three Tips for Maternity Photo Sessions



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Maternity portraits have become a huge trend over the last decade. Moms and Dads want to be able to remember such a special milestone in their lives and relationships and there is no better way to do it than to have portraits taken. Many parents do it for themselves, but many also do it so they have a keepsake for their child when they get older. It’s a great session to offer for your business, but it’s not as easy as it may seem. Pregnant women can sometimes be, ahem, somewhat cranky and down on themselves for feeling like a swelled up version of their former selves. With that being said, here are three things to keep in mind when you schedule your next maternity shoot…

1. Plan for when the mother-to-be is 30 to 36 weeks along

For best baby-bump results, it is best to wait until momma is late in her third trimester. The reason for this is so that it allows the baby bump to be fully developed. Before this time, a lot of women feel like they just look fat and it’s not a distinguishable maternity bump. Also, for many women, the third trimester can be the easiest because she is out of the morning-sickness stage of pregnancy. One other thing to consider is that sometimes, due to unplanned circumstances, the mom may have to push the session back – so I recommend to aim for week 30 so she still has six weeks of flexibility before it’s too late.

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2. Brainstorm the location together

Some women I have worked with wanted to do their session in their home and in the morning because it was easier for their family situation (one mom had three other children that she wanted to be included in some pictures, but wanted to have the flexibility of laying them down for a nap afterward so she could get beautiful portraits without the rugrats underfoot). Another woman wanted to do hers at the same park where her mother had gotten maternity pictures when she was pregnant with her, using a similar dress and headpiece as her mother. We ended up having to push the session back once due to inclimate weather, but man it was SO worth it! When brainstorming a location with your mother-to-be, think of something lush, easy to walk to from the parking area, and has a place to sit and rest when they get tired mid-way through.

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3. Keep it simple

The beauty of maternity pictures is really capturing the bond between a mother and her baby that forms before the child is even born. You don’t want to have a ton of distractions in the background or something that looks totally unrealistic or complicated. Some of the most stunning pictures I have seen are of the mom sitting with a hand on top and underneath of her belly, looking down at it in love. Another great one is the “heart hand” pose where the mom stands and makes a heart around her bellybutton with her hands. Use flowers, sun flare, pine trees, soft things, pastels, and even the sonogram picture as props. (See our Maternity Photography Pose Guide for ideas.)

Overall, things should run like one of your typical sessions as far as clothing and preparation goes. I usually discourage anything black, white, or patterned near the face, but I have found that for maternity sessions, it’s often really beautiful if the mother wears something white or a pastel color. Just remember to take it easy on mom and speak positive affirmations to her throughout so she doesn’t lose confidence. Empower her and encourage her to embrace the beauty of her form during this special time and the results will be spectacular!