By Tata Rossi 13 days ago, Photography Tips
To choose the best time to take maternity pictures, you should consider various aspects: whether this is your first pregnancy, whether you are expecting one baby or twins, your well-being, etc. In this article, you will learn how to organize a photoshoot depending on the circumstances. Find out when to contact photographers and book a photo session.
Maternity photography usually refers to taking images between the 26th and 36th weeks of pregnancy. So, the best time to do maternity photos is the period between the beginning of the seventh month and the end of the eighth month of pregnancy.
The most important thing is to make sure that you will feel comfortable during a photo session. Besides, your bump should be well-visible and look nice and round. Moreover, the span between the 28th and 36th week is a period when a mother-to-be is still full of energy and won’t feel frazzled when posing.
Of course, every woman is different and it is hard to guess how their body will transform. So, there is no one-size-fits-all schedule for a maternity photo session. Therefore, sometimes a photographer can offer to conduct a photoshoot earlier than I have described before.
Expecting multiples. Women, who are expecting two babies should be ready to pose for a photographer between 24 and 28 weeks. In case you are carrying triplets, your photoshoot should happen even earlier, as your belly will be protruding and well-visible already in the second trimester. Excellent well-being and comfort are the most important factors. Besides, a model should not experience difficulties when moving around.
Pregnancy is not the first. During the second or third pregnancy, your bump may become visible much earlier than it was during the first one. Therefore, your maternity photo session should take place earlier in this case.
High-risk pregnancies. No doubt your high-risk pregnancy will go trouble-free. The best time to take maternity pictures in this case is the second trimester.
For announcements. If maternity pictures are planned to be used for announcements or other printed staff, conduct a photo session at the beginning of the first trimester or the time between the 27th and 28th weeks.
A photoshoot conducted by a professional maternity photographer will surely please you with the result. However, you need to have in mind that each shooter has their own view on when to take maternity photos. My recommendation is to organize such kind of photo session once a baby in your belly has turned twenty weeks old.
Since such a term provides you with flexibility over the time of your future session, choosing the most convenient date and time wouldn’t cause problems. Besides, in such a way, you get enough time to discuss all the aspects of maternity images and make sure that the shooting will be adapted to your requirements.
Besides, the season you want to organize a photo session in involves some customizations. Keep in mind that if you want to take pictures in autumn, book in advance, as this is usually the busiest time of the year for photographers.
When preparing for a future photoshoot, a mother-to-be should consider technical and creative details to show her body in the best light. Another handy idea is to use maternity photo props that suit the theme of your photo session.
Remember that 7-8 months is just recommended time to do maternity photos not a stringent rule. You can conduct a photoshoot later provided that you feel good. Incorrect scheduling or too late photo session can involve risks and that’s no fun.
.jpg)
Planning a photo session earlier than recommended, you may not achieve that “full maternity” look, as a bump won’t be so defined and protruded. However, if your only option is to take maternity pictures earlier than 24 or 25 weeks, take advantage of some maternity photo ideas to make that bump perfectly visible. If you arch your back and bend the knees, your belly will be better outlined. Besides, by supporting your stomach, you can emphasize its round shape.
Mothers-to-be should get ready for a photo shoot carefully. Good sleep is paramount, as it helps have a refreshed appearance. Another handy tip is to put some moisturizing lotion on your belly to make your skin look soft and glowing.
In case you have a photoshoot not at home, take some snacks and water with you. Have a rest between poses to feel well at the end of the shooting.
Make sure you have enough comfortable clothes that are nice and bump-friendly. Some pregnant women prefer maxi dresses as this outfit does not constrict movements, minimizes belly restriction, and demonstrates their round and cute forms. Flamboyant patterns are not advisable, so it is better to opt for dresses with some solid prints.
Choosing the outfit, you should focus on the theme of a photoshoot. If you want to demonstrate your bare belly, decide on a crop top and jeans, dress with a slit in the front, and other similar variants, or only stay in your underwear, if you are shooting in a studio.
The models who are eager to hide some parts or are not satisfied with their body shape should opt for long-sleeve dresses, fuller volume dresses, and dress with a slit. The main point is to choose the outfit that reveals your belly but conceals other parts of your body.
The bravest mothers partake in a nude maternity photo session. In this case, you need to wear loose clothes, so there will be no marks on your body when you take the garment off. Comfortable underwear, a loose top, and loungewear are among the most optimal options in this case.
An outdoor photoshoot is the most optimal variant for summer, while indoor locations are more appropriate for cold weather. Remember the rule: the shooting spot should match the style of your photography and help convey your vision.
Outdoor maternity photoshoots offer a myriad of possibilities for every personality. If you are a nature lover, head to beaches, parks, lakes, or beautiful spots with a mountain view. If are not nature but rather a city enthusiast, conduct a photo shoot in your favorite urban locations.
Beyond stunning scenery and eye-grabbing background, outdoor photo sessions give images with a sense of relaxation and ethereality, especially if a photoshoot is planned at sunset. Another aspect you need to take into account when posing against natural scenes is long and tiresome walks that can cause inconveniences for a pregnant woman.
When it comes to indoor locations, the number of possibilities is more limited. You can either pose in an elegant and exquisitely designed mansion or enjoy intimacy in a private studio.
A studio or other indoor location is what you need if you are going to show your body during a shoot. This is also the most optimal option for everyone who prefers classic images with everyone looking directly at the camera. Posing is also easier in such places. The main drawback is the lack of originality as the scenery stays the same during the whole session.
If you feel that the time to do maternity photos has come, you should think about the possible maternity picture poses. Complicated posing is not what will make your photo session successful. Opt for naturalness: touch or wrap your belly, and let your relatives do the same things.
For example, one of the greatest ways to add some intimacy to photos is to rest your head on a husband’s shoulder. Such images will not only look sweet but evoke many pleasant memories.
This collection of actions is great for editing maternity pictures. Besides, they can also work for portrait, wedding, newborns, and couple photos. Make images softer, clearer, and more contrasted and get romantic, tender, and airy images with just several clicks. The actions are suitable for improving RAW and JPG photos in Photoshop CC, CS6, and newer versions.
