How to Prepare for Maternity Portrait Session

How to Prepare for Maternity Portrait Session

Expecting a new baby is an exciting moment in every woman’s life. It a time for love and passion about new unborn baby even before they have met. The feeling of growing new life although often followed by pains and aches, makes every new mother glow and shine. And what a better time and way to capture the joy and excitement than maternity portrait session.
I love working with expecting mothers and her husband or partner to craft beautiful and artistic pregnancy portraits. I feel like each mother deserves to have these moments captured and recorded in framed prints to remind her of the day when she was so in love with her unborn baby.

When should I schedule my maternity session?

I recommend to schedule your session is between 28 and 36 weeks of your pregnancy. During that time, woman’s belly has a lovely round shape. The transformation of your body is both beautiful and in the same time interesting to capture on photos. After the 36th week most women start to feel too bloated and uncomfortable during the session. Another advantage is that also gives you plenty of time to select and order your pregnancy photographs.

Can I include props?

Yes. Finally, the accessories. Many women think this is not a good idea for maternity session, but when applied with moderation and with a good sense of taste, accessories add additional focal point and interest to your photos. And this is not just jewelry? You can bring bay shoes, ultrasound picture of your baby, banner you are your husband created, pictures, stuffed animals or simply your favorite flower. I have photographed a husband pretending to water his wife tummy with a cute little watering can, just to give you another idea. Possibilities are endless.

What should I do to prepare on the day of my session?

If you wish to show your bare tummy, remove tight-fitting clothing and accessories such as socks, undergarments, watches, and bracelets at least two hours before your session. This helps to avoid elastic/clothing marks. Wear loose-fitting clothing to your session to help keep your skin smooth. In addition, try to moisturize your knees and elbows at least an hour before your session to avoid the shiny belly look and staining your clothes. Hands are important, too – get a manicure or a light polish (only neutral colors) for a more finished look in a close up of your hands around your belly.

What should I wear?

Make sure what you decide to wear is comfortable but also shows off your bump. Solid colored shirts focus the attention on your tummy’s shape and your glowing expression. Large patterns distract, so try to avoid big floral prints, swirls, plaids, and stripes. Different women feel comfortable in different styles, but here are a few things to note:

Black clothing gives you a slim silhouette.
Form-fitting clothes with a little stretch will compliment your figure rather than loose clothing.
Long sleeves tend to be the most flattering, but sleeveless and spaghetti straps work well. Avoid t-shirt length sleeves.
If you want to show your bare belly, consider wearing a top and skirt or pants that won’t leave binding marks across your tummy.
Choose silk or cotton fabrics, as they drape beautifully around a pregnant body.
Empire-waist blouses and dresses, button-up shirts, tank tops, long drawstring skirts and tie dresses can really enhance your shape.
Dark jeans and black tapering yoga pants make your legs look long and slim.
Don't forget your feet! Pick footwear depending on your clothing. If your toes are exposed in a sandal-style, you might want to get a pedicure.
If you choose tighter clothing, consider your undergarments. You might not want lines showing through your clothing.
When choosing ways to show your style, consider a cheerful scarf, sweater, or even chunky jewelry can add fun splashes of color.
Accessories can enhance and personalize your style when used moderately – you want your belly to be the center of attention in your photos. A cheerful scarf, sweater, or even chunky jewelry can add fun splashes of color, I do have selection of maternity dresses, ask for your options.

We have seen photo ideas that others have done that we really like. Can we share those ideas?

Yes! I encourage you to know what you want from your session. Just please let me before your session so i have time to prep and include in my plan.

Posing Helps Create Great Photographs:

Big part of having beautiful pregnancy portraits is the posing. If you have any specific pose or poses in mind, make sure to talk to me before the start of your session. This will allow me to incorporate and prepare.
Also discuss about what poses you are comfortable or willing to put a limit up to. Are you comfortable posing without any clothing? Are you looking for more intimate or more conservative poses? Are you looking for high key (bright and white background) images or low key (moody and black background) images instead? Are you looking for color or black and white images? More lifestyle or more artistic? These are all personal preferences and expectations which will help me to pose and capture for you. So don’t assume. Talk to me and agree before the session.

Calm Down and Enjoy:

This is the most important and yet most neglected advise I can give to my clients. Sure you will be excited and would do anything in your power to look great in your images, but if you are not relaxed or uneasy, then this will show into your final photographs. So take a mental not to yourself and plan to relax before the session. Try not to schedule anything to close of too hectic before the session. Go to your favorite spa, pamper yourself with manicure and pedicure, have your hair and makeup done in a salon instead of you trying to do everything before the session. Taking a short nap is another way to feel relaxed and well rested.
During the session, let the me take care of the details. Enjoying the moment and sinking into the excitement will make you look and feel great. This is all what the maternity portrait session is all about. You are beautiful and your maternal glow is amazing. It is great to be mother and you should enjoy every minute of it. You hired a qualified and skilled photographer. Let me take care of the photo shoot.
To book session or just answer your questions you can contact me juodisphotography@yahoo.com or true the contact form.