What To Expect During Your Maternity Photo Session
Pregnancy and the journey of motherhood is a powerful time of life filled with lots of changes, growth, and introspection. It's an experience and purpose worth both honoring and documenting! If you're considering booking a maternity session that's a gentle and creative experience designed to honor yourself and the life you're creating, here are a few things to get you prepared for what to expect.
When Should I Book and How Do I Prepare?
Best time to book
The best time to book a maternity session is between 26 and 32 weeks. This is the perfect time to show off your bump, and remain most comfortable during your session. It also ensures that you have your photos before baby comes! You can still book, earlier or later than this if you feel it's right for you!
Time frame
During your session we will shoot for roughly an hour to capture a variety of poses and looks. Along the way we will take breaks when needed.
Are dads allowed?
If you're wondering if your partner is allowed, the answer is YES! These sessions are designed to show off not only you as a woman through the journey of motherhood, but also about your family as a whole. There will be many poses dedicated to just you, but we can absolutely add dad in as well for several photos.
Attire
When it comes to attire, I would suggest options with neutrals, fabrics that flow with movement, tighter options to show off the belly, and clothing you feel like you'd be comfortable in for an hour of moving around. Come with a few options, some more dressy, and some more casual if you feel like getting photos with a variety of outfits! If you are bringing the family along, I would suggest staying away from color and patterns that clash. A great idea for dads is to bring along a dressy option to match with a nice dress of yours if you're bringing one, and an elevated, casual option like jeans and a plain shirt.
If you have a certain idea for a look, but aren't sure about it, reach out to me and we can chat about it together.
Posing
how does posing work?
Throughout our time together, we will move through a series of comfortable poses that show off you and your bump in flattering and elegant ways. We can add in a few props like chairs or fabric if that's your thing! Upon booking you will have the option to choose what props you're interested in. My goal is to make you as comfortable as possible, while looking your best! If you are nervous or aren't very used to being behind camera, do your best to remember that this shoot is to capture you for exactly who you are and show off your beautiful essence as a mama to be. Please know I'm never expecting perfection from you, my job is to softly direct and invite relaxed vibes and simplicity!
Location Options
Studio v. outdoors
There are a couple things to think about when deciding between a studio session versus an outdoor session. Studio sessions offer an environment with controlled lighting no matter the time of day or year. They provide simple backgrounds that make you stand out more as the subject which is wonderful for a session dedicated to you and the body carrying your baby. Style wise they tend to bring a more timeless and modern feel to your photos.
Outdoor sessions bring more of a whimsical feel. You get to spend time connecting to nature while we shoot and there's a large variety of elements to play around with as a part of the scenic background. The time of year does matter when shooting a maternity session outdoors because of weather. You may not find it ideal to spend time outside under the sun on a hot day, or a frigid windy day. If you prefer to have your session outdoors we will do our absolute best to choose a day with the most ideal weather for that time of year. Along with the aspect of weather, there will most likely be more walking involved to get to the desired location (at least compared to a studio session) which is something to take into consideration.
No matter the location you choose, studio or outdoor, both can feel natural and connected in their own ways!
The Importance of A Maternity Session
The images captured during your maternity session will be some of the most powerful images you'll withhold. They represent a deeply meaningful season filled with immense change both mentally and physically, and a woman who's strong and capable of all of it. These images will become family heirlooms to look back on and remember the true beauty of family, womanhood, and new beginnings.
I'd love to connect with you and talk about the next steps in booking your session and creating a memorable experience together.
