In this tutorial, we share 7 practical tips for good maternity photography. Maternity photography is not as easy as it looks. When I first started doing maternity photography almost made a promise to myself that I would quit. A promise was sworn by myself never to take the dreaded maternity photo.
You know the one…lying on a couch with your legs crossed. Your arms are crossed above your head, and you have your baby in one arm and the other over her belly. Yes, this maternity photography pose is common, and yes is the photographer’s job to make it work. The only way you will create a memorable photo is to break the routine and be spontaneous.
The maternity photography pose that makes most moms cry is the baby in the middle with mom’s arms around her belly. This photo is complicated to do and requires a lot of posing and planning. Start the session early; make sure you have plenty of time to set up and get the session organized. Get dressed up for the session, and you may need to buy new clothes or borrow from friends. It is best to keep your body in one piece for this one.
The first few maternity photography sessions will not be perfect. You are just getting started. As your body gets used to the different positions and poses, your photography skills will improve. Keep trying new things and practicing until you find a comfortable position that works best for you. Do not be afraid to experiment.
During the earlier weeks and months of your pregnancy, you may find yourself nursing your baby. You may want to keep the session hidden or change the angle slightly. Remember, you may have some spots when you are pregnant, making it harder to have a clear shot. A clear shot of your belly will make your photoshoot easier.
During your last trimester and pregnancy, you will likely be doing most of your maternity photography sitting. This will allow you to concentrate on other details during your pregnancy, such as wrapping your baby and placing the ultrasound images. It will also allow you to position the baby more accurately and take fewer chances with positioning errors. Always practice the wrapping techniques with an older version of yourself before trying it with your child. The last thing you want is to take maternity photography with an ugly or misaligned baby bump on your tummy.
After the birth of the baby, your maternity photography may be somewhat disjointed. You will not be able to take any new life moments, but you can feel like you accomplished something. Take the opportunity to remember all of the good times you had during your pregnancy. Maintain a journal and write down the special occasions you might have missed if you had not captured them in your shots. This will give you something to look back on when you are doing your future maternity photography.
If you would like to have some great maternity photography, you need to contact Maternity Photography. They have experience in capturing these moments. Keep in mind that there is some risk involved with pregnancy, and you don’t want to take any unnecessary risks that could harm you or the baby. Talk to your photographer about how many sessions you are willing to shoot maternity portraits. If you have a few babies already, you might only need one session during your pregnancy.
Choose a relaxing location for your maternity photo session. Choose a location where you can lay back and have some quiet moments. The more comfortable you feel, the better your photos will turn out. If you are at home, try to take the photo session indoors instead of in a public area. You might also ask the mom to stay in the bedroom while you snap the pictures.
During maternity photography sessions, you should try to keep your poses simple. Do not try posing in difficult positions, or you could end up with stiff or bunched arms. Stay comfortable throughout the session and avoid having to move around constantly. You can do light posing in between poses as well. Try not to change the poses too often; instead, maintain your consistency throughout the pregnancy.
Your photographer should ask you questions about your pregnancy and your diet during pregnancy and postpartum. A good photographer will ask questions about the things you are still concerned about even after the pregnancy and what you would like to have done differently during your post-partum weeks. Ask your photographer what foods or drinks you should stay away from during your maternity sessions, and ask if certain positions or tasks you need to avoid during pregnancy.