Top 5 Maternity Session Tips
Congratulations on your pregnancy! We are going to share our top 5 maternity session tips with you today.
Maternity portraits are the ideal way to remember your growing bond with your sweet baby forever.
Beauty frozen in time, for you and your family to enjoy over and over. You may not think so now, but some day you will miss this bump.
You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to capture these moments, so you can cherish them forever.
If you’ve never done a maternity session, or a profession portrait session before, you may not know what to expect.
Preparing for your maternity photography session can help ensure that the experience is enjoyable and results in beautiful and meaningful photographs. Here are our top 5 maternity session tips to help you prepare for yours:
1. Scheduling
You want to start thinking about booking and planning your session ahead of time ideally. It’s never too early! Most of our clients contact and book us in the 20-25 week range – typically once you’ve had your anatomy scan and confirmed things are going well.
This gives us plenty of time to get together for a gown consultation at your convenience, and plan the maternity session of their dreams!
As for scheduling the actual session, we typically recommend being photographed in the 28-34 week range for first time mama’s with no known complications.
Within this time frame, your bump is typically bumping well and looking fabulous, and you are still feeling well, and you are able to still stand and move around comfortably. This allows us to have the most variation with posing and gowns.
Mamas carrying multiples, subsequent pregnancies or who are at risk of complication may be photographed sooner.
You can still be photographed later in your pregnancy, but in my experience the last few weeks are the worst – and mobility can become challenging for some ladies. There is a good chance you will have more trouble posing and standing for long periods of time in the later stages of your pregnancy.
Along with the risk of complications developing and/or delivering early, this is why we try to get you scheduled earlier in the pregnancy whenever possible.
2. Your Dream Session
You definitely want to convey any thoughts and desires to your photographer prior to your session. Want to include your spouse/partner/children? Have specific poses you love? Specific gowns you love? Are you interested in/comfortable with nude portraits? Have something sentimental you want to bring to the session? Having a rainbow baby? We want to discuss all of these things ahead of time, so we are all on the same page and no one is left feeling disappointed during your reveal session when you are viewing the images we’ve created together! Before your session, we offer a gown consultation to all of our clients. This is an excellent opportunity to come in and try on any and all gowns you love, and narrow them down to your final selections. We will also discuss all of your posing requests at this time as well. This step is so important!
3. Pamper yourself
This is one of our favorites in our top 5 maternity session tips! You definitely want to invest in some self-care prior to your session!
Your hands are going to be in your images – so you definitely want to get those nails done before your session. It doesn’t have to be extravagant – a simple manicure with neutral polish is fine! Don’t forget your toes though! Those will also show in many photos, so you want them looking good as well. Get a fresh haircut if needed a week or so before your session, or touch up roots if you are still coloring your hair. (always consult with your OB for these things!)
4. Hair and Makeup
We have professional stylists available who provide complimentary hair and makeup services to all of our clients to enhance your experience and final images. Our stylists meet you right at our studio to for your convenience. If you choose to do your own hair and makeup or have your own stylist, that is fine too!
Keep in mind, professional hair and makeup can make you feel more glamorous during the photoshoot. A professional knows how to apply your makeup to enhance your features, and so it shows best in your portraits. If you decide to do it yourself, you will want to apply your makeup a little bolder/darker than you would in every day life. Bring your makeup along with you to the studio for any touch ups you may wish to do! As far as hairstyles go, think about the overall feel of your portrait session and choose a hairstyle that compliments your chosen gowns/looks. If your plan is to create images that are more casual, a simple hairstyle may the option you want to choose. If you are going for more glamorous look, you may want to choose a hairstyle that is more formal and elegant.
5. Location
Are you dreaming of glamorous studio portraits? A gorgeous castle in the woods? The wildflower field on the property that has been in your family for generations? How about a beautiful waterfall?
Most of our clients choose the studio option… well, because Georgia is hot more than it’s not! Especially when you’re pregnant.
It will be important to consider the time of year and the weather when you are deciding on location vs studio. Lighting is also an important factor if you ultimately choose an outdoor location. We will schedule your session at a time of day that will work best to create gorgeous images.
Be prepared for the potential need to reschedule if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, though! There is more flexibility with studio sessions as they can be done in any weather or time of day – and provides AC!
I hope that our top 5 maternity session tips were helpful! There are plenty more tips that we share with our clients upon booking sessions with us and prior to their session! There is so much that goes into the planning and preparing for your maternity portraits!
Remember, the most important thing is to embrace this unique and special moment in your life. Enjoy the process of capturing your pregnancy journey and creating lasting memories to cherish for years to come.
Book your session today!
