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Capturing the essence of motherhood through a maternity photo shoot is a wonderful way to preserve the joy and beauty of your pregnancy, allowing you to cherish these special moments for years to come. It is the best way to document your pregnancy glow and your baby’s precious moments even before birth. You need to do some meticulous planning before you proceed to keep that happy glow on your face intact forever. However, that does not include you being conscious about your growing body. Read on as we provide some useful tips that make you stunning for a great maternity shoot.
Top 10 Tips For A Great Maternity Photo Shoot
Capturing each significant phase of your pregnancy journey – from the announcement of your pregnancy, the gender reveal, the maternity photo shoot, the baby shower, and all the way to the birth of your little one – can help you cherish these memories for years to come. Keep these tips in mind before you book your photo shoot and you are sure to have beautiful and memorable photographs:
1. Choose a photographer who makes you comfortable
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How comfortable you are during the shoot shows in your photographs, so ensure you either know the photographer or, if it’s someone new, spend time knowing him or her. Many photographers will offer a free consultation where you can meet them, do your planning, and see if they feel like the right fit for you.
- You need to be calm and comfortable posing in front of the photographer.
- Request for previous maternity photo shoot photographs from the photographer. Most photographers will already have galleries on their websites. This will give you a fair idea of the photographer’s style and work.
- Ask him for ideas and see if they match what you have in mind.
- See how receptive he is to try out something new with you if he has not done it before.
- Understand if he will be doing some editing on the photographs, as some images may need some touch-ups. Ask the photographer about the type of edits they usually do.
Chalk out the plan for the photo shoot – location (home, studio, outdoors), lighting (depending on location, this will help you decide the kind of makeup to use), time allotted, number of outfit changes, a number of final photographs, if there is a hair and makeup package.
2. Timing
Time your photo shoot around the mid of the 7th month of your pregnancy or after taking your maternity leave.
- You and your baby bump will look plump and beautiful.
- The pregnancy glow will be at its best around this time.
- You will be free from your initial period of nausea and tiredness.
- Energy levels will be at an all-time high!
- Depending on the plan, you may end up spending a lot of time shooting, be sure to carry some snacks, because ‘Mommy and the baby need to eat’.
3. Location (home, studio, outdoor)
Choosing a location is very important and it depends on the final look of photographs you would like to have.
- At home, you may be the most comfortable and if you have some intimate poses in mind, this would be the ideal location.
- Studios can be great for certain poses or some creative concepts with props.
- Outdoors with lots of greenery or the ocean can make you feel like you’re the star in Hollywood’s next romantic movie. Try and ensure you don’t have bystanders staring at you though!
Quick tip4. Creative poses
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The million creative poses you can do when you’re shooting a baby bump are just amazing!
- Go through blogs and social media posts to see if any pose or maternity photoshoot ideas interest you.
- If you have your own creative, unconventional ideas, be sure to discuss them with your photographer.
- Depending on where you’re shooting, there are poses that work great with certain locations.
- Once you have zeroed in on some poses, try them out at home in front of a mirror, along with your facial expressions.
- Ultimately, your photographer should guide you on how to pose and what to do with your hands, face, legs, etc. As the expert, they know how to make you look your best.
Quick tip5. What-to-wear and what-not-to-wear
Your outfits will play a key role in the final look of your photographs.
- Choose an outfit that will accentuate your baby bump and which reflects your personality.
- Maternity gowns with simple, solid colors or stripes with a body hugging fit will look wonderful.
- A bare baby bump also looks stunning.
- You can also wear a front open shirt and unbutton the shirt around your belly.
- Alternatively, a stole or a big drape revealing your baby bump will also look elegant.
- Wear comfortable footwear—doing a photo shoot can be tiring.
- Avoid wearing outfits with too much color, floral prints or checks.
- Avoid wearing heavy jewelry, as it will take away from the importance of the baby bump.
6. Hair and make-up
Adorn a simple style for your hair and make-up.
- Your hair and make-up depend on the lighting and location, but nevertheless, keep it simple.
- Keep it natural with minimalistic make-up, a light foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and a natural-tone lipstick.
- If you are doing a photo shoot at home or the studio, you may need multiple touch-ups as lighting can get warm and make you sweat.
- Style your hair as naturally as possible.
- Some photographers may style your hair or do your make-up as well. Alternatively, they may have a tie-up with hairstylists and make-up artists who can be there on the day of the shoot.
7. Use of props
The use of props like your baby’s first ultrasound image, cute baby shoes, a board with your baby’s name, or just balloons can be a great element in maternity photo shoots.
It’s perfectly fine if you don’t have anything in mind too. Your photographer should be able to guide you and come up with sets that beautifully tell your family’s story.
- Once you have decided the props you would like to use, think of how you would like to pose with them.
- Discuss the use of props with your photographer, you can choose the ones best suited for different locations.
- Avoid using too many props in one frame.
8. Involve family members
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Besides taking solo pictures of you and your baby bump, involve your family for a complete experience. Don’t forget to include your pet if you have one!
- You can have a theme for your family pictures or even color-coordinate your outfits.
- If you have an older child (or children), capture some mother child moments with them too.
- Also, take some romantic couple shots as well!
9. Keep it simple
Keep everything simple, from your outfit to location to your poses.
- Maternity photographs are made special by the pure fact that you’re growing a miracle inside you.
- De-clutter the space you’re shooting at, especially at home or outdoors.
10. Have fun
Remember to have fun during your photo shoot; it will bring out the best in everyone. Don’t fret over small issues.
- Keep smiling, have that beautiful twinkle in your eye and know that you’re the most beautiful mother!
- Ensure you have a photographer who says some encouraging words or cracks some jokes.
- Relax, let the photographer do his job, and you will have the most memorable photo shoot.
- You will look beautiful with a nice big baby bump, so go ahead and capture those wonderful moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much do maternity photoshoots typically cost?
Maternity photoshoots by a professional photographer may cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. However, this can significantly vary depending on several factors. Therefore, check with the photographer whose work you love.
2. How long does a typical maternity photo shoot last?
A time duration of half an hour is sufficient to capture numerous splendid photographs. Opting for a session that lasts for an hour would be more advantageous in case you plan to change outfits multiple times. Additionally, while some photographers limit the time, others do not and will shoot until they have captured all the images they had planned.
3. What are some creative ways to display your maternity photos in your home?
You may display your maternity photos by framing them, posting them on your social media, making a unique photo album exclusively for your maternity photos, and using the pictures in a DIY project (like a scrapbook or photo display board) or pasting the images in a baby book that will capture all the pictures related to your pregnancy and the baby.
A maternity photoshoot is a joyous event that fill the parents-to-be with excitement and anticipation as they prepare for it. With a myriad of ideas on props and locations, you may choose the most convenient time and option and plan in advance to capture some amazing memories before the arrival of your newborn. Select a good photographer with whom you are comfortable posing, pick a stunning outfit, and go for the simple yet gorgeous hair and makeup to look elegant in photos. Involve family members, pose effortlessly, smile, and do not forget to have fun. You may read here about creating your own free photo and video journal online to store your precious memories.
Infographic: Advice For A Maternity Photoshoot
Getting a pregnancy photoshoot is one of the most lovely photoshoot trends nowadays. You can have a maternity photo session during the second or third trimester to enjoy and capture moments with your adorable baby belly. Check out the infographic below for some notable points to remember about a maternity shoot.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- To ensure a memorable maternity photo shoot, it’s important to have a flexible schedule and a comfortable environment.
- When choosing a location, prioritize accessibility and safety for both the expecting mother and the baby.
- Keeping makeup and accessories to a minimum can help make the experience more convenient, and packing small snacks can keep one energized and focused.
- The seventh month of pregnancy is often when women feel their best, with a fresh energy and pregnancy glow, making it an ideal time for a photo shoot.
- It’s best to choose comfortable clothing, hire a professional photographer, use props, and experiment with different poses to make the most of the shoot.
Illustration: Best Tips For A Memorable Maternity Photoshoot
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Watch this video and capture your pregnancy glow with these easy tips on how to look great in your maternity photos!
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