4 Tips to Make the Most of Your Maternity Session

This month I participated in two community events geared towards expectant mothers. As a maternity and newborn photographer, you can bet I had tons of conservations on photographing the baby bump. I walked away realizing there were ton of questions on maternity photographs and their purpose, how to feel beautiful, and how to use them in your home. So, today we are tackling maternity photographs and how to make the most of your maternity session.

I love maternity sessions (not surprising I know!). I love maternity sessions as a way to document a season in your life. I love maternity sessions as a way for an expectant mother to feel beautiful. I love maternity sessions as a way to tell your pregnancy story, especially with utilizing the photographs in baby books and photo albums. And, I love maternity sessions as a way to meet your photographer and get comfortable in front the camera, especially if you have newborn photographs scheduled soon after.

1 | Select a photographer you love. 

Pregnancy can leave you feeling… well, not so great all the time. Maybe you are the type of person who takes tons of bump photographs. Or maybe you aren’t. Either way, you will want photographs to remember this season in your life.

One of the perks of hiring a photographer for your maternity photographs means he or she will know the best ways to pose you to feel your best. Maybe you haven’t loved getting in front of the camera with your bump, but a maternity photographer will know how to make you feel beautiful.

Look for a photographer who has poses and a style that you love. Whether you are looking for bright and airy photographs or colorful and dramatic images, search for the right photographer for you. Ask yourself these easy questions: (1) Do I love their posing (candid/action shots versus posed/looking straight at the camera shots)? (2) Do I love their editing styles? Do I love colorful images or would I rather soft lighting images? (3) How will I use these photographs? Will the photographs look great in my home or my baby book?

2 | Make it a day of pampering. 

The easiest way to make a maternity session fun is to make it a day of pampering. Schedule a manicure or pedicure (or both!). Get your makeup done. Get a fresh haircut. Schedule activities prior to your session that will leave you feeling beautiful and relaxed. Pregnant or not, you deserve to have a few hours to yourself. Take advantage of those opportunities and have fun with it!

3 | Go for beautiful.

Select an outfit that you love and will feel comfortable in. For maternity sessions, I suggest two options: outfits that are form-fitting and showcase the bump and/or outfits that are flowy in fabric so that you can have movement with your photographs (flowy dresses photograph beautiful on windy days).  I suggest colors that are neutral or pastel in color as they photograph beautiful on film. Another perk of wearing neutral colors during a session is when you frame the images, they generally look great with any home decor. Regardless of what you choose, select an outfit that you will beautiful in throughout the day.

4 | The more meaningful the session, the better.

I believe locations can make or break a session. Picking something that is meaningful to you and your family is the easiest way to make a session (maternity or not) feel important to you. Whether it is your favorite spot in the city or an area you have always found beautiful or inside your home because you love your porch swing that much, go for something the resonates with you and your family.

So, did I answer all of your maternity questions? If not, feel free to leave them below and I will take care of them!

XOXO – Ashley