Maternity Photos: 5 tips for amazing shots!
Let's talk maternity photos! I invite all you future mamas to book one of my maternity packages between your 28th and 36th week of pregnancy.
What if maternity photos, beyond just letting pregnant women keep a memory of their baby bump, could also capture all those emotions and sweet everyday moments? What if your pregnancy photos could tell a story that you could read just as much in your facial expressions as in the places you choose and what you're doing?
That's the kind of family photo session or maternity session that really makes my heart sing!
Here are 5 tips for a memorable, original, and meaningful maternity photo session to get those magnificent pictures.
Photo credit: Arianne Nantel Gagnon photographer
The Maternity Session: My Vision as a Family Photographer
Organizing a maternity photo session lets you capture and celebrate this super important time in your life. It's such a unique and fleeting moment; it's a season of your life that will sometimes be as sweet as crazy, as memorable as it is intense.
A maternity session is also a great way to document your family's journey. You might have couple (and wedding!) photos, then family photos... You'll feel like you're re-reading your family's story every time you open your photo albums.
My vision as a professional photographer is to create photo sessions that beautifully document your pregnancy journey.
Imagine!
Imagine baby #1 in your maternity photos for baby #2! Their excited face and reactions when they feel the baby move in your belly! Or them quietly playing with their favorite toy while you read in the living room, pregnant with baby #2. Or even baby #1 and baby #2 playing together while you bake your grandma's cookie recipe.
That's why I love creating sessions where we put your pregnancy (and your baby bump!) into its real context: your family, the special moments you're living, the growing love, and all the preparations for baby's arrival.
5 tips for maternity photos that tell your story
Heads up! You might not want to follow my advice if you're looking for those 'perfect' Instagram-ready photos. BUT, if you're a nostalgic soul like me and you want maternity photos that truly speak to you and bring out all the emotions, then this is totally for you!
The goal here isn't to create a staged scene that looks like a magazine cover. We want REALNESS and authenticity!
1. Choose a symbolic or meaningful place
I totally love studio sessions, but if you're hoping to add a touch of nostalgia, if you want to showcase your REAL life, I'd really encourage you to pick a spot that means something special to you and your partner.
Here are a few ideas:
At your place! After all, that's where your child and family will grow up! If you ever move, you'll be so happy to look back at your photos and remember all the rooms in that old house or apartment.
The spot where you love doing an activity with your partner! Taking photos while you're doing your favorite couple or family activity is the perfect way to get candid shots and capture genuine emotions through the lens. That'll bring back some beautiful memories too!
A symbolic place that has its own story (like the family cottage, for example). When you look at your photos, you'll remember the story behind them.
Photo credit: Arianne Nantel Gagnon photographer
2. Focus on the small everyday moments
A pregnancy photo session is also a chance to capture your family's journey into motherhood.
Think about the things you usually do as a couple or with your family. By just acting naturally, like you do every day, you'll forget about the camera a bit, and I'll be able to capture those real emotions much better.
Here are a few examples:
Mom cutting her son's hair while pregnant with baby #2 because it's a special moment for her. Baby #1 using their banana plushie to 'talk' to baby #2 in mom's belly. The couple decorating the baby's room or sharing a sweet moment in the kitchen.
I want you to feel completely yourself, to recognize yourself in the photos, and for those beautiful memories to flood back! A laugh, shared glances, a warm hug – that's what makes photos truly vibrant and full of life.
3. Choose comfortable clothes to feel like yourself
When it comes to clothes, I really encourage you to let your personality shine through!
Still, here are a few tips to help you out:
Go for complementary colors instead of matching ones.
You can definitely wear patterned clothes, but it's best to avoid anything too busy; we don't want your outfit to steal the show in the photo. Also, try to skip any logos.
Feel free to add clothes with texture, like corduroy, velvet, or wool.
Bring along accessories that mean something to you or that show off your personality. This will help create photos that truly capture who you are.
4. Let's let go and embrace imperfection
When you pose, it always shows a bit. We're going to take that stress away; I want you to feel relaxed in front of the camera. Natural interactions just shine so much more than stiff poses! We're talking about photos of your life's spontaneous moments. Basically, we'll try to let go and embrace imperfection during your maternity photoshoot. Imperfect photos have an authentic charm that makes them feel more alive.
Just be in your little love bubble and connect with your favorite people. Think of the session as quality time together, not just a photoshoot. We'll have fun, we'll laugh, there might even be some tears, but it's totally okay!
Photo credit: Arianne Nantel Gagnon photographer
5. Let's get creative!
Photo credit: Arianne Nantel Gagnon photographer
We don't do maternity photoshoots every day. So, we can totally try new things and let creativity flow. The photos can go beyond what you usually see on social media. For example, by playing with light and angles, and using props, we can create different vibes that truly show off your personality and your family's. As a maternity photographer, I believe creativity is what truly makes a maternity photo stand out.
Choosing a maternity photographer who can meet your photo expectations
I think it's important to have a good connection with your photographer so you'll absolutely love the results of your maternity photoshoot. Every photographer has their own style and way of doing things. So, here are a few tips to help you find the perfect match:
Check out what your future photographer specializes in. What's their approach? Do you like how they present themselves on their website and social media?
Take the time to look through their portfolio and check out their social media to see if their photo style inspires you.
Feel free to ask questions and talk about your inspirations. The more info you share about yourself and your family, the more personalized the session will be. Don't be afraid to overshare!
You can learn more about me and my style here: about.
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Ideally, we book your maternity photoshoot when your belly is quite visible. Generally, we recommend doing it between the 28th and 36th week of pregnancy. We don't want you to be too tired either!
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The number one rule is: comfort! We also love flowy clothes and dresses that highlight your beautiful bump. We can take photos in jeans and a crop top (or a bra).
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It's pretty similar to other types of photoshoots. We'll take the time to chat about your expectations. I'll make sure you feel comfortable. We'll take photos in different spots, and you can change outfits to add variety to your pictures.