Preparing for a maternity photoshoot is not as simple as it seems. There are many questions you have to ask yourself.

Is this your first maternity session? What type of look do you want?

Do you want outdoor images or studio images or both? Outdoor images with natural light in pretty nature backdrops, the city and urban surroundings, at your home during a lifestyle session, or what about in the studio? What about multiple locations?

Is the shoot going to include your spouse, older children?

Do you want beautiful art portraits for your home? Often our clients want a larger art piece to hang in a main room in their home and another in their bedroom or master bath. Are there other areas to put a grouping of smaller portraits in your home?

Would you like to create a memory book? Our custom albums start with creative maternity images, followed by images from your newborn shoot. Custom designed and hand made our albums are priceless heirlooms you and your children will cherish forever.

To have a successful photoshoot, you need to choose some goals you want to achieve and discuss your goals with your photographer.

Before we get into anything, you should consider timing. It’s all about timing. We recommend doing a maternity shoot 6 to 8 weeks before your due date. You may not be showing too much at 32 weeks. If you are not showing as much as you want, then you may want to push back your shoot closer to 36 weeks. Nervous about waiting too long or looking too big? Then 10 weeks before your due date might be a good choice! Ultimately, it’s all based on your preference and how you want to look!

Clothing

Clothing can make a huge difference in the feel of your photos. Your clothes need to complement the location. Patterned clothing for other types of photoshoots are gorgeous, but not for maternity regardless if we are going for a soft image or an image with great dramatic lighting, as solid colors work much better than an outfit with a pattern.

Strong patterns will distract your attention to the clothes, instead of you. You want the images to be soft, it’s best to go with mostly solid colored clothing.

Flowing maternity dresses is a great way to add a fashion look to your images. You can find dresses like these on Etsy or see if your photographer has similar types of dresses.

We have many dresses for our maternity clients to use. Show examples of the type of look you want to your photographer so they can bring an assistant to achieve the desired effect.

Want another way to achieve the flowing look? Use fabric!

Keep in mind if you use fabric, the fabric will fall to the ground leaving your body exposed. Bring the right undergarments for your different outfits. We always suggest nude or skin-colored spandex and bandeaus.

You’ve been growing your precious baby for months! Be proud, let your belly show! Pick some dressed that open up in the middle to show your belly.
Pick dresses that are form fitting.

Color can change everything.

The color of your clothing or fabric should be chosen according to the background. Here the color in her dress makes the image pop from the water and background while the image still feels soft and delicate.

The color of the dress is important depending on the location. The pink in her dress is a beautiful contrast against the purple wisteria.

The color of the dress is important depending on the lighting technique used and the time of day. This dusk image is very dramatic with the red dress contrasting against the blue desk background.

And of course, white is always flattering for maternity photography.

Posing

A professional photographer will be able to direct you in posing during your shoot. Different poses will make a giant difference to help you look great and feel amazing both during your photoshoot and after! Knowing flattering poses will be helpful.

Turning your body away from the camera will show off your baby bump and slim your arms and legs.

Use your hands to shape the clothing around your belly an accentuate your well-earned curves!

Being photographed from a high angle will remove double chins and slim down your body.

Lay down, baby, lay down

This trick is not just for pregnant woman. Laying down is flattering for all women, of all shaped and sizes.

Images with you loved one should reflect your relationship.

Connection is everything.

Locations

If your goal is wall art for your home, the location you choose with your photographer can make or break the deal.

We offer our clients painted canvas that transforms a single photograph into gorgeous wall art. This is not just a landscape of a waterfall, but also serves a reminder of such a precious and delicate time of life.

The background compliments the image and turns it into an art piece.

Beautiful lighting & a simple background

Studio shoots are a good option too create timeless portraits. Perfect for dramatic lighting, privacy for a more intimate shoot and a great option for a shoot during winter.

Dramatic lighting shows off the belly.

This studio image has a fashion style look & feel.

Remember, it is all about you, so choose a simple background.

Lighting

Lighting is the mood of the image. It can truly turn an ordinary image into something extraordinary. Show your photographer that look you want so they can be prepared, and make sure they are experienced and capable of giving you the look you love.

Being backlit by the sun is truly stunning when done correctly. Everyday is not a sunny day. When this happens, a good photographer can create the sun for you. Not only does it look like sunshine on her but the clouds look very dramatic. Using studio lighting outdoors is also used to capture the deep blue sky.

We love to shoot at sunset & dusk to create an image full of romance.

The right photographer will have an assistant at the shoot with you to help achieve these desired moods.

What now?

I hope this has been helpful in looking great and feeling beautiful at your maternity photoshoot. Contact us to schedule your maternity photoshoot and join the moreland photography experience.

Thanks!