There’s no better way to capture this special time in your life that with a professional photography session. Here are a few general tips to help you prepare for your maternity photography session–
Wardrobe
Wear something that makes you feel good beautiful! Being comfortable and confident in your clothing will definitely come through in your photos, so be sure to spend time choosing the right option for you. This can be jeans/leggings and a tunic, your favorite maternity dress, or a formal maternity gown. We will do a lot of shots that highlight your belly (obviously!), so the only thing I discourage you from wearing is baggy/really loose-fitting tops or dresses. We want to show off that bump, not hide it!
Keep in mind– what you wear may limit us to certain poses (ie, standing only), if you do not feel comfortable sitting on the ground or on natural landscape in your outfit. But this will be completely up to you to decide!
Sweaters and scarves are a nice option to have on hand, to give your gallery a variety of looks. For full maternity sessions, you have the option to change clothing, but depending on the location, this may not be a private/easy option (newborn/maternity add-on sessions only allow for one outfit).
Solid colors or simple floral patterns are recommended. Stripes can be unflattering in some of the poses, so I do not suggest going that route. I also suggest that your partner not wear anything too busy, so as to not take the focal attention away from you. Jeans and a nice solid button-down shirt is the typical “dad attire”. Cotton shirts/v-necks are also nice. And remember, shoes are part of the outfit too and will be seen in most photos 🙂
Don’t be afraid to choose color vs. neutral creams/tans/whites, but I advise against bright greens, yellows, and oranges, as they tend to cast color on skin. Pinks, blues, pastel greens or yellows, burnt oranges, burgundy, etc. are all lovely choices. I’m including a link to amazon. There are some great inspirations there. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=maternity+dress+for+photoshoot&sprefix=maternity+dress+&ref=nb_sb_ss_orga
Lastly, please pay attention to how your undergarments are seen through your clothing. Sometimes tight maternity dresses can show panty and bra lines. Any need for extensive retouching of these lines will be subject to additional fees.
Hair & Makeup
While always a treat, it is not necessary to have your hair & makeup professionally done for your photo session. If you are applying makeup yourself, it is always recommended to steer away from anything shiny (bronzer, glitter, etc.) when being photographed. A nice matte finish will come across best in photos. A little extra blush is good (but not too much!), and don’t forget the lipstick!
If you don’t usually wear make-up, that’s totally fine too. It still may be a good idea to lightly brush some translucent powder over your face before the session to avoid shine.
In many poses, I will have you look down at your belly. If you have long hair that may fall down across your eyes, I will tuck your hair behind your ear, or over your shoulder, in order to see your face. If this is an issue for you, please consider a hairstyle that will eliminate this problem.
Please don’t forget about your nails. If you have open-toed shoes, this is a great excuse to pamper yourself and get a pedicure! Believe me, nothing ruins a beautiful maternity portrait like chipped nails. If you are unable to get a mani/pedi, please just be sure to take off any old polish you may have left on before our session.
Partners & Siblings
As mentioned above, be sure that you are the star! Yes, it takes 2, but this is a maternity session and it’s all about you and your beautiful belly. Choose your outfit first, then dress your partner and other children in coordinating (but not competing) outfits. Neutral tones are best– tans, grays, blues, pinks (or other pastels) are great choices. Be mindful of busy clothing (no big logos, dinosaurs, trucks, balls, ballerinas, and statement shirts). These can be very distracting and will not be edited out after the session. If you have young girls, I suggest wearing little shorts under dresses.
When other children are present, I will capture family shots, and mom with kid shots first. Then, I let them run off to play while we capture images of mom & dad, and mom alone. If other siblings are very young, I suggest having a family member or babysitter join to help watch them. Maternity posing is a little more involved than regular couple posing, and we don’t want to take away from this time!
Other useful tips–
Don’t forget to apply lotion to bare arms & legs
Bring a water bottle in case you get thirsty
If there is a special baby item you’d like to include, please feel free to bring that as well!
Relax, we’re going to have a great time 🙂
I’m really looking forward to your maternity session! If you have any questions or concerns beforehand, please feel free to email or call me. If you are running late or have any issues the day of the session, please call/text (270)987-6391. I’ll see you soon!