Are you looking to take creative pregnancy pictures but don’t know where to start? This maternity photoshoot guide will answer most of your questions. From the photoshoot preparation time to choosing your outfits, and getting portraits taken – we will discuss it all in great detail.
Whether this is your first, second, or even fifth pregnancy, this time is worth celebrating! Motherhood is one of the very unique parts of life that begins with a celebration of the beginning of life. Memorize this special time with professional photographs that will bring a warm smile to you every time you see them.
WHEN SHOULD YOU DO THE MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT?
If you are planning to do pregnancy announcement pictures, those are best to do during the first trimester. You want to get these pictures taken before your baby bump starts showing if you really want to surprise your friends and family. There are many cool and creative ideas for pregnancy announcement photos that you can find on social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, and Google.
It’s best to schedule the maternity photoshoot in your seventh or eighth month of pregnancy. This is when future mommy’s belly takes on the perfect round form and is just the right size for pregnancy pictures.
Every woman is different, and their body changes may come at slightly different times. Scheduling the session too early may result in her tummy appearing almost invisible. However, waiting until the ninth month is even a worse idea. During the last month, some future moms tend to gain a lot of weight, or their legs may swell up, making it hard to move around and pose. But the biggest setback is that she is risking not even making it to the photoshoot if the baby decides to come early.
Plan to schedule your maternity photo session a few months before your due date, and it will save you a lot of hassle and headache. You will truly enjoy this photoshoot and have enough time to share and savor your images before your precious one arrives.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MATERNITY SHOOT?
Only with thorough preparation will you have a successful maternity shoot. Don’t get intimidated by this. A lot of these points are things that you already know and are aware of. Every professional photographer specializing in maternity pictures will give you tips and suggestions on how to better prepare for the photoshoot.
If you are looking for a maternity portrait photographer in the Sacramento, California area, Bidun Studio Photography will gladly offer you our services. You can see more of our photography style and maternity portfolio here.
PREPARE IDEAS & INSPIRATIONS
Do you know what style of pregnancy pictures you are most drawn to? Most of the couples we work with have an idea of what images they like. Maybe it’s a romantic outdoor photoshoot of the parents-to-be, or light & airy session of mommy in a few different maternity dresses, or more of a fashion style shoot in the studio. Whatever ideas and inspirations you have, bring them to the table as you are planning the maternity photoshoot with your photographer.
One of the top go-to places for inspiration is Pinterest. This platform allows you to conveniently organize and save your favorites into specific folders for reference. Just by doing a simple search, you will start getting ideas for your pregnancy photoshoot. You will clearly see which style of images appeals to you the most.
ARRANGE HAIR & MAKEUP AND STYLING
The main subject of a maternity session is the mommy-to-be and her round belly. If the outfit that she’s wearing does not highlight the mom, then it’s a serious issue. The outfit is crucial in a maternity photoshoot, and we will discuss this in much more detail below.
Every woman loves to get pampered, and getting the hair & makeup done for a photoshoot is one of those enjoyable experiences. If you prefer to do your own hair and makeup – go ahead. But we strongly encourage you not to stress out about this and rather delegate it to a professional. You will be much more relaxed and in a better mood if you arrange for an artist to work on your makeup and hair.
Read more of our tips and ideas on how to better prepare for a portrait session.
PREPARE YOURSELF MENTALLY
Besides all the physical preparations, it’s important to get yourself mentally ready for the photoshoot and to enjoy the whole process. If you prepare your outfits and arrange for hair & makeup ahead of time, it will eliminate all last-minute stress.
The pregnancy photoshoot is your time to get beautified and enjoy being in front of the camera. It might be beneficial to have your husband joining the photo session to give you moral support and confidence. Additionally, it will allow the photographer to capture more authentic and romantic moments.
Arriving at the photo session prepared and in a wonderful positive mood will result in much better pregnancy pictures. You don’t want any nervousness or doubt to show through the photos.
WHERE TO TAKE THE MATERNITY PICTURES
It’s easier to choose the photoshoot’s location once you are set on the style of images you are going for. Maternity photoshoot locations include a variety of outdoor areas, but can also be at-home lifestyle pictures or in-studio photo sessions. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of these settings.
OUTDOOR PREGNANCY PICTURE IDEAS
Many couples prefer to choose outdoor locations such as parks, lakes, rivers, and urban areas. The outdoor environment makes it easier if more than one person is being photographed. The children can run around and not interfere while their mommy is getting pictures taken.
Depending on the time of the year, you will have different location choices. For springtime maternity photoshoots, you would want to consider beautiful blossoming orchards, a local park, a flower field, or somewhere by a creek.
Summertime offers many wonderful spots with beautiful natural backdrops and greenery. Some of the more preferred locations are beaches and other places by the water. It’s always a great idea to be close to a water source during the hot summer days to cool off.
We wouldn’t recommend outdoor maternity photo sessions in the winter, as the weather conditions may not be the safest thing for the mom. But photoshoots in the fall are absolutely breathtaking. The bright-colored trees and foggy mornings help to create the most stunning maternity portraits.
The best time for on-location photoshoots is during the golden hour – a few hours before sunset time. In natural light photography, the main element is the proper lighting. It’s impossible to achieve those beautifully lit portraits if shooting at the wrong time of day.
Learn more about our natural light photography tips and ideas in this post.
IN-STUDIO MATERNITY PHOTOS
Portraits taken in a studio differ significantly in their style and perception. In-studio maternity photos appear more glamorous and look like straight out of a magazine cover. These pictures are harder to achieve, but oh so worth it.
Studio photoshoots have a lot of advantages for the client. There is no need to worry about a sudden weather change, or anyone photobombing your pictures. The client has the convenience of doing multiple outfit changes, fixing their hairstyle, and, most importantly, having a place to sit down for a little rest. Maternity photoshoots in the studio can be scheduled way ahead of time, without worrying that the weather might not work out.
If you love the style of studio portraits and want this type of images for your maternity pictures, then search for a local maternity photography studio. Your fine art portraits will be worth displaying on the walls of your home.
LIFESTYLE AT-HOME MATERNITY PICTURES
It’s getting more and more trendy to do lifestyle photoshoots at home. When we think about this idea, we will see many benefits to this type of session. If the couple recently purchased a home, decorated and customized it in their personal style, why not use it as the photoshoot location?
Photoshooting at home, allows the couple to feel more relaxed and natural in front of the camera. There is no rush to get all the shots before the sun sets down. There is no risk of being soaked by sudden rain. The couple is at the comfort of their home, while also able to get outdoorsy shots out in the backyard.
At-home photo sessions let the photographer get creative while using different rooms for pictures and utilizing furniture and other props. It’s the perfect setting for the couple or family to feel comfortable, cozy, and excited for their photographs.
If you have never done a lifestyle at-home photoshoot, consider doing that for your maternity photo session or even the newborn session. Not only will you have images from the time when you were carrying your little one, but also lifetime memories of your home at that time.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR A PREGNANCY PHOTOSHOOT
Maternity photoshoot is all about mommy and her future baby. The pictures must masterfully highlight mommy’s belly, and it’s impossible to achieve that without the right outfits and poses.
So what are the outfit ideas for a maternity photo session? A long maternity dress is the best type of outfit for this shoot. The dress can be either form-fitting or loose, depending on your style and preference. A form-fitting dress better accentuates the person’s figure and tummy. In a loose bottom dress, the subject needs to help show the belly with the correct hand poses.
Like in any other professional custom photoshoot, your outfits shouldn’t be casual or something thrown together at the last minute. Some photography studios offer a maternity dress collection for their clients’ use, which is an amazing deal. You can get an opportunity to shoot with a professional photographer while wearing any of the beautiful maternity dresses that you like. I suggest that you research photographers in your area to find the one who specializes in this genre and offers a maternity gown selection.
MATERNITY DRESSES FOR IN-STUDIO PHOTOSHOOT
If you are shopping for your own maternity dress, there are a few pointers to keep in mind. For in-studio photo sessions, always choose neutral colors as bright tones tend to be very distracting. A solid black or white form-fitting dress will look very classy in this setting. Photographers who shoot in the studio know how to highlight the person using the studio lights artistically.
Even though body-fitting outfits and dresses help bring attention to the subject of the photo, there are other unique styles to choose from. Maternity dresses with long flowy skirts are perfect for coming up with creative shots. We can toss up the skirt’s edge to create a movement effect or do sitting or laying down poses while utilizing all of that extra fabric.
Your best bet is to bring a solid pastel color dress to a studio photoshoot. Consult your photographer for tips on which outfits and colors will look best with their studio backdrops. Always try on your outfits close to the photoshoot date to make sure everything fits perfectly, and there won’t be surprises on the day of.
MATERNITY DRESSES FOR OUTDOOR PHOTOSHOOTS
Outdoor photoshoots give a little more flexibility for an outfit selection. Depending on your photoshoot location, you can choose a dress that has some pattern or is in slightly brighter tones. For outside photo sessions, it’s better to pick flowy dresses as they offer more room for creative poses.
Flowy dresses are great for walking shots, and if there is wind – the fabric will move beautifully, creating a natural look. Choose your outfit according to the photoshoot location, as various dress tones will complement different area settings.
You can find many online shops specializing in quality maternity dresses that are perfect for creative photoshoots. Some of the couture maternity boutiques are Sew Trendy, Miss Madison Boutique, Belly Baby Wear, and more.
You can also find gorgeous maternity dresses in a well-known online store – the Etsy shop. Since products sold through Etsy are handmade, it’s possible to customize your order to make sure you are getting exactly what you were looking for.
WHO CAN JOIN THE PREGNANCY PHOTOSHOOT
The title ‘maternity photoshoot’ implies pictures of the expectant mother. However, there are ways to help make this photo session more personal and creative. By including your significant other, you can get a much more personalized and romantic photoshoot.
When both partners are present in the session, it shows the family’s completeness. The future mom feels more confident and relaxed in front of the camera if her main supporter is there as well. Maternity photoshoot can feel strange for first-time moms, so it’s a big plus to have the daddy join in the session.
The photographer has the ability to capture more creative portraits of the two expecting parents. Think of it as an engagement photoshoot, except there is a baby bump that will restrict some of your movements and poses. Nonetheless, the pregnancy pictures will be especially memorable if it’s the couple’s first baby.
If you have kids already, why not include them in the photo session as well? Of course, it will be more of a family-type photoshoot, but I’m sure that these are the type of memories that will last a lifetime. Your spouse and children are essential family members, so letting them join the photoshoot can greatly benefit the session’s outcome.
Don’t worry about the perfect poses – it’s the memories that are worth the most. But on the other hand, if you have very young children who might be hard to cooperate, don’t feel obligated to include the whole family into the photoshoot. At the end of the day, it’s all about showcasing the new addition to your family – and you are the person in the spotlight.
PROPS IN YOUR PHOTO SESSION
Pictures with props or personal items will sure bring back warm feelings from the photoshoot time. Some couples love including props and little things that have a special meaning to them. Others may be on a more minimalistic and natural side. There is no right or wrong side to this – it’s totally up to each couple’s preferences.
While the pregnancy reveal photoshoots generally include pictures of the baby’s first ultrasound, during the maternity photoshoot, the couple usually knows the gender of the baby and can use props that represent that. The props can include anything such as baby’s most current ultrasound pictures, a pair of baby’s first shoes, a little outfit, a stuffed animal, a personalized banner – pretty much anything that’s personal and symbolic for the parents.
If you are not a fan of photoshoot props, no rule says you have to use them. A carefully selected maternity dress and professional hair and makeup is all you really need to look and feel beautiful and have a great time during the session. If you take the time to find a photographer specializing in maternity pictures and love their photography style, you have hit the jackpot.
MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT POSES
By now, you should be familiar with how and where to find outfits for your pregnancy photoshoot, which locations work best for the session, and whom to bring along. Poses play a major role in any type of photo shoot, including the maternity session. Let’s address this topic in more detail and visuals.
HANDS ALWAYS SUPPORTING THE BABY BUMP
Whenever we photograph an expectant mom, we ask her to gently hold her round tummy with one or both hands. Doing so shows the love and tender care the mom has towards her unborn child. It also helps to showcase the pregnancy by making the belly appear more prominent and round. On the other hand, positioning your hands this way prevents arms and hands from looking awkward or unnatural.
STANDING SIDEWAYS TO THE CAMERA
Depending on your outfit, sometimes it may be hard to see the pregnancy belly distinctly. The best body position for a maternity picture is standing sideways to the camera. With hands hugging the stomach, you can look either into the camera or down on your future baby.
It’s important to do some movement with the legs as well, to create a feminine body shape. Try bending the knee of the leg closest to the camera, and it will give you a beautiful s-shape. No matter if you are wearing a body-fitting dress or one with a loose bottom, posing your legs is essential for creative maternity pictures.
MATERNITY PICTURE POSES WITH HUSBAND
One of the best “props” during a maternity photo session is to include your husband. It may sound funny, but it’s a fact that not all men like to get pictures taken. Nevertheless, having both partners during the photo session gives the photographer much more freedom with creativity and posing.
When the husband joins the photo shoot, the photographer can implement many artistic and romantic posing ideas. The couple will have a variety of pregnancy pictures for lifetime memories.
STANDING POSES ARE BEST FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS
While different photoshoots such as engagements or family pictures allow for standing, sitting, or even laying down poses – in maternity photography, the majority of photos are taken standing up. The main reason for it is that this is the most comfortable position for pregnant ladies.
During the last few months of pregnancy, sitting poses can be very challenging and uncomfortable. A high level of movement is also very energy draining for the pregnant. Our best choice is to choose locations that don’t require a lot of walking, and poses that are comfortable for everyone.
Standing poses are the best for maternity photos, but we must remember about hands and body posture. With just slight hand movements, head turns, and leg positions – we can get a wide variety of images. Though standing poses are preferred, that doesn’t mean that all images will look alike. A professional photographer will know just how to pull out the right emotions and direct his clients with the most suitable poses.
IDEAS FOR MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT
Every couple is unique in their ideas and photoshoot vision. That’s why we strongly recommend creating a mood board of your favorite images. If you take the time to plan out and prepare for your photo session, it will run smoothly and provide you with better results. It’s less challenging for the photographer to work with clients who know what they want out of their session.
Let’s look into some ideas that you may want to use for your maternity pictures.
MATERNITY PICTURES AT THE BEACH
If your last trimester of pregnancy happens during summer, there are good news and bad news. The bad news is that it’s harder to tolerate the heat during the summer months. But the good news is that couples have much more freedom with choosing a perfect photoshoot location.
Pictures at a beach are one of the best choices for expecting parents. If you have a favorite secluded beach spot where you like to spend time relaxing – why not go there for unforgettable maternity pictures? Your photographer should also be knowledgeable in helping you choose an optimal beach location.
The variety of backdrops and sceneries at the beach is pretty epic. There can be sand, trees, tall grass, logs, water, and of course, the sunset sky. The couple can feel at ease while the photographer captures all the special moments of their growing family.
Find more creative and fun photoshoot ideas at the beach from our article.
MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT WITH A DOG
Are you a dog parent as well? Bring in your dog to this personal photoshoot. We understand just how important pets are in your life, and it would be unfair not to include your dog in the photo session. To add more personality to the photoshoot, you can add some unique props as well. A fun prop could be a chalkboard with the words ‘big brother’ standing next to the family dog.
Don’t get me wrong – the dog is not just some pet that you can use comic props with. Your dog is a family member and an integral part of the maternity photoshoot. There are lots of ideas for picture poses with a dog that your photographer can use.
PREGNANCY PHOTOS AT AN OPEN FIELD
The open field is a stunning maternity photoshoot location. It can be a wildflower field in the spring/summer season, a gorgeous meadow, or just tall dry grass. Areas like these convey a sense of tranquility and infinity. It’s a perfect setting for a maternity photo session, as the couple can relax, be themselves, and genuinely enjoy the experience.
Try choosing an open field location that has unique backdrops such as mountains, or a hilltop. Sunset photoshoots will be especially gorgeous with such scenery. Lighting plays a vital role in outdoor photography, so always choose the golden hour for your photoshoots. A few hours before sunset time, aka the golden hour, is the best time for natural light photoshoots.
I recommend you to read our post on natural light photography for ideas on how to choose the best time for outdoor portraits.
MATERNITY PICTURES IN THE SNOW
The season of your maternity photoshoot is not something you can plan out ahead of time. If your photo session falls during winter months, and you are not afraid to go for an outdoor photoshoot – have your pictures taken out in the snow. I’m pretty confident that you will have incredible images and unforgettable memories from your photo session.
There are many ideas for winter maternity pictures if you go to a scenic location, such as a forest or lake dock. It’s essential to wear outfits that will not only complement the environment but also keep you warm during the photoshoot. Solid dress colors are the best option for the maternity outfit. Don’t forget to get a coat that matches your outfit and warm snow boots.
Having a little snowfall is always such a great addition to the photoshoot. It can set a romantic mood to your session, and a feel of a real winter wonderland. If there is no actual snowfall, have someone sprinkle some snow on you, to create that effect. The images will be super magical and impressive.
Some of the fun ideas you can incorporate during the session are building a snowman together with your partner, having a pretend snowball fight, or using baby props. For these fun activities, make sure you are both wearing comfortable and warm outfits.
PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS WITH KIDS
Some couples prefer to take photos as a whole family. If that interests you – discuss it with your photographer to better prepare for the photoshoot. It’s a great idea to incorporate maternity photoshoot into the family photo session.
With all your kids and spouse present in the session, the photographer must highlight the pregnancy while capturing everyone on the camera. It’s best to use the traditional poses for family pictures, as expecting mom hugs her round baby bump. Walking shots are also preferred as they allow for some action and bring out emotions from the people.
To better spotlight your baby bump, we can do a close-up shot of both parents and all the kids’ little hands circling the mommy’s belly. It will show the love and care the new baby is already receiving from his closest family.
PREGNANCY PICTURES IN THE STUDIO
Pregnancy pictures in the studio have a special and unique look. If you love the solid studio backdrops and fine art photography style, I suggest you look for a maternity photographer with a studio.
Keep in mind that studio photoshoot outfits might differ from outdoor shoots in style and color. Choose solid color dresses for your session, as those won’t be distracting from your image. If photographing with your spouse, coordinate colors and styles of your outfits according to the studio background setup.
Photoshoots in a studio can be either using natural/window light or studio light. Window light portraits come out in soft, airy tones, which a lot of women love. When using artificial lighting, we get more contrasty and dramatic portraits that look straight out of a magazine cover. Discuss it with your photographer, to see which type of lighting suits you best.
The studio setting has many perks for the clients, such as being able to shoot at any time of day and not be limited by time, having multiple outfit changes, and just the comfort of being in an indoor environment. Another thing is that photographers can offer studio props for more artistic images.
When shooting in a studio, your poses won’t be limited to just standing or walking. A creative photographer will guide you to a variety of standing, sitting, and maybe even laying down positions. A comfortable studio setting can be your best choice for professional maternity pictures.
MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT BY A CREEK
Have you considered getting your pregnancy portraits taken in a secluded spot such as by a creek? Typically these areas provide gorgeous backdrops for any photo session. The trails along the creek, the greenery, and the water can be incorporated into the photoshoot. This type of location will look magical for the pregnancy couple’s pictures.
To add even more artistic photos to the photo session, you can try adding a decorated swing. If the photoshoot location has a tree branch that can hold a person sitting down, you may include this cool prop. Ask your photographer if this idea is possible to achieve at the given location and what supplies may be needed.
MILK BATH MATERNITY PICTURES
A lifestyle maternity session at your home can include pictures in a milk bath. Yes, this idea might sound weird for some, but in a wide creative photography world, this is one of the artistic ways to get photographed. If this idea appeals to you, and it’s something you want to have for your memories – then go for it.
It’s relatively simple to set everything up for this shot. You will need a few gallons of milk and lukewarm water, fresh rose petals, candles, and yourself. You can skip any of the suggested props and include something that you like. Try personalizing your photoshoot to your liking.
SILHOUETTE PREGNANCY PHOTOS
As previously mentioned, the best way to highlight the expectant mother’s belly is by posing her sideways to the camera. Doing so helps show off the perfectly round baby bump, which is the center of attention in this type of photoshoot.
Silhouette pictures are best to be taken outdoors during sunset time. When the mom is positioned with the light directly behind her – it will create a beautiful silhouette. If we add daddy into the picture, we can come up with some romantic images. We can incorporate ideas such as daddy and mommy gently holding the baby bump, dad kneeling to kiss the bump, or the couple exchanging a kiss with each other. The photographer needs to keep an eye on the baby bump, making sure you are turned the right way, and your bump is visible in all the pictures.
PREGNANCY PICTURES WITH A HORSE
Are you a horse owner or someone who loves horses and wants to include them in maternity pictures? It can be an excellent theme for a photoshoot. Noone will be going horseback riding, most definitely, but we can still take plenty of creative images with your favorite animal.
The main goal when photographing in unusual circumstances is to make sure we follow all safety precautions. All photos must be taken from a safe distance for both client and the horse. If we are photo shooting with your own horse, it will be a more effortless and smooth session. Picture poses can include walking the horse, petting it, feeding, or even brushing or braiding its mane. It’s really up to you and your imagination what ideas you want to incorporate in this photoshoot.
PICTURE IDEAS IN A LONG FLOWY DRESS
Isn’t it interesting how a simple outfit change can ultimately improve the picture outcome? It especially applies to maternity photoshoots. Wearing a long flowy dress offers lots of possibilities for posing during the session.
The flowy fabric makes it easy to throw it up in the air to create artistic portraits. These types of images are often performed in the studio with the help of a few assistants. Flowy dresses are also comfortable for sitting and laying down poses. The ideas are pretty limitless when you are working with such a beautiful and comfortable outfit.
BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES
Some couples really love the classic black and white pictures – I love them too, to be honest with you. There’s something super intriguing in b&w photos that makes the viewer spend a little more time examining them.
The secret to the best monochrome image is that it must be taken in the studio, and subjects must be wearing the right color outfits. Sure any outdoor image can be turned to b&w with a few simple clicks in Lightroom, but will it look its best?
The best colors to wear for black and white maternity photos are either white or black. When paired with an opposite color backdrop, you will get astonishing portraits that all your friends will envy. These portraits will be like straight out of magazine cover.
Find more tips and ideas for black and white portraits in our detailed post.
CONCLUSION
If maternity photoshoot was something you weren’t completely settled on yet, I hope this post has helped you get some ideas and inspirations.
First, you must determine your photo style and which photographer may be a good fit for you. Then, create a mood board for your session and choose outfits and a location. If you prepare everything ahead of time, then the photoshoot day will go smoothly, and you will thoroughly enjoy the experience. After a successful photo session, you will enjoy the memories you are creating with your family.
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Photographer: Sergey Bidun
Written by Maria Bidun
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