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Pregnancy Photoshoot

Recently a friend asked me for tips on shooting maternity sessions. I started rattling off some ideas and decided to put them all in one spot. Belly shots are some of my favorites for a lot of reasons. They have definitely gotten a bad rap over the years and we’ve all seen the ‘what not to do’ images on those funny websites, but really they can be so beautiful. It’s a time of anticipation, change and excitement…all of which should be documented! How nice it is to have subjects take direction and it’s also a wonderful time to get to know new parents before you work with their precious newborn. Family maternity sessions with other children (especially toddlers) are a whole other ball game…but these tips can apply too!Posing and AnglesFlattering a mama and her pregnant belly should be high on your list of things to accomplish. There are all types of body types, which means there are countless ways women can carry a baby. What might look great for one mom could not work at all for another. Here are some go to poses and angles for pregnant mommies (and daddies).

1. Hands on the belly

It’s very natural for her to want to touch the bump! This is really effective in drawing attention to her belly and giving her a place to put those hands. Mix it up as much as possible and try hands on the hips, in pockets or even touching her hair can work too.

2. Up high

If you can, stand on something or bring a stool to your session. Height is a great way to flatter your subject and a bigger belly. Get creative! Have your subject(s) lie on a quilt or blanket so you can shoot from above. Getting up high can minimize parts of the body (other than the belly) that might have gotten bigger during pregnancy.

3. Keep it natural

When she looks down at her belly, make sure her head isn’t completely tilted at a weird angle…it can look unnatural and create a double chin. Have her fixate on a point slightly away from her bump. Don’t forget eye contact and with a smile…everyone loves a classic shot like that. Vary expressions from laughter to more intense. I love having the new dad stand off to the side or behind me (just like for a child session) and make silly jokes or dance. Good practice for what’s to come!

4. Get couples close

A fun tip for couples is to ‘squeeze all the air out’ between them. Have him touch her as much as possible (ummm keep it appropriate!). Try to get full body, half body and close ups of both of them together…even without the belly. Basic couple posing can work well here, and if the belly gets in the way just go with it, usually it will make them (and you!) giggle.

5. Straight on

It really depends how ‘out there’ the bump is and what she’s wearing. If you can tell mama is pregnant with a straight on shot, make sure you get one. Twisting to the side is obviously where it’s at for all pregnant moms, but she doesn’t have to be completely turned to the side, 45° angles can work well too.

6. Standing vs. Sitting

Standing is almost always more flattering for pregnant women, but you still want your subject to be relaxed in their posing so tell her to bend a knee or pop a hip. Sitting can be done though and I find it works the best when shooting a family or a couple together. Just be extra aware of your angles.

Composition

One of the things to love about maternity images is the creativity they lend. Now is a great time to play with your composition, color, angles, and breaking rules…especially if you are working with two adults that will take direction. Sometimes that is actually overwhelming and frustrating for me!! When we shoot kids and babies we are forced to take their lead most times, so when we can actually stop for a moment and compose a more interesting shot it can be difficult to think on the spot. Slow down and even plan in your head before the session some new things you’d like to try or experiment with. Photographing ‘just the bump’ has become the thing to do during belly sessions (guilty!) and while I think those shots can be fun, just make sure to include faces as well.Houston Texas.

Location

The options are endless. With a first pregnancy you can really go anywhere! Urban, outdoors, a client’s home and you don’t have to worry about nap-time either! This is a great time to use the sun for gorgeous backlighting (obviously my passion) or even head downtown since it will be almost impossible to do when the baby first arrives. Talk with the new mom about what they expect and want – bright colors and fun feel, more natural or a lifestyle session at home? Don’t forget that you will have a mama that is starting to feel very uncomfortable. Please keep her health in mind by making sure you’re not making her walk a mile uphill or having her plop down on gravelly rocks!Houston Texas.

Wardrobe

What should I wear? This is the most asked question I get from expecting moms before their session and it’s a great one! I always tell them ‘don’t hide the bump…we need to see it, that’s the point!’ I also give them the option of two looks and even have them bring clothes and I’ll help them pick. Keep in mind a spot to have them change since it’s a lot harder to manage a bump in a tight space! Clothes that cling are usually your best bet and more flattering. If mom wears a flowy dress you can make it work, but you’ll probably need her to gather and hold it close under the belly for defined belly shots or try facing her into the wind if you have some. Clothing can also depend on the location and type of session. If you’re somewhere urban then maybe boots and bright colors are in order. More natural and you might have her opt for neutral tones and casual apparel. This is a fun time to accessorize with jewelry, scarves or fun shoes because once she has the baby, fashion might not be high on the agenda. Have the new dad compliment her in his attire, much like you would in a regular family or couple session, just not too matchy-matchy.Houston Texas.

Lenses

I truly believe that you could shoot a maternity session with ANY lens. I tend to use my 85mm and 35mm most of the time. Longer lenses can work really well too. If you do pull out a super wide lens just be careful with the distortion, the last thing you need is for mom to look way bigger than she is. Wide angels can be really great for creativity and getting the whole picture. This is a great time to use a LensBaby, tilt shift or practice shooting wide open!

Photographer Houston Tx

When

When should maternity sessions take place? Again we want to ‘see the bump’ so this might depend on whether or not it’s a first pregnancy. I typically recommend the beginning of the last trimester and hopefully before 35 weeks. Once they reach that point, things start to get uncomfortable – getting up and down is tough work and it’s hard to feel ‘pretty’. If you’ve been pregnant in the past, try to think back and remember. If you do the session too early in the pregnancy you might not be able to tell there is a bump which makes it sort of difficult, since this is the point! The best thing to do is communicate with each other and decide when the time is right. Also make sure there are no complications like risk of preterm delivery, physical limitations, possibility of bed rest or the mom is expecting multiples (and if that were the case you would probably need to schedule her session in the 2nd trimester).

Family

Family maternity sessions can be so amazing but also really tricky. If the older sibling(s) are still very young, it can be stressful to get them in the shot and have mom show off her belly. Remember mom doesn’t need to be chasing them all over so that leaves you and dad to help wrangle. Keep it light and fun. Try to get some ‘classic’ shots like you normally would, but do your best to focus on the interaction between family members. Talk up being a BIG sister or brother. Posing and direction take on a life of their own when you add kids into the mix. Just remember to keep the bump present and try to flatter mom as much as possible. Pets can be a great addition to maternity pictures. I’ve met so many couples that want to include their fur babies. Choose your location wisely when working with animals.

Props

I’ve never been a huge prop person, but they can be really popular in maternity sessions. Sometimes (in my opinion) there is a fine line between something that is cute and something that is overly cheesy. Be upfront with your clients about what your style is by linking them to previous maternity sessions. If the new mom does want to incorporate a prop or idea they’ve seen on Pinterest into their session, pick and choose. Do your best to complete their vision but remember it’s okay to put your own spin on it. Communicating up front is very important here!

Photographer Houston Tx

Emotion

Talk with the mom or the expecting couple before hand about how awkward all of this might feel. Most people feel so silly in front of a camera (I know I do!!) Reassure them it’s perfectly normal and a great warm up for future newborn pictures. I have them focus on the emotions they’re experiencing and keep them in mind during their session. When they really start to anticipate the excitement of a new baby it can show in their faces and body language. Use all those hormones to your advantage!

Photographer Houston Tx

Photographer Houston Tx

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