Maternity Session Tips for Stunning Pregnancy Photos

Calgary Maternity and Newborn Photographer

Maternity photoshoots are a perfect way to remember this special time during your pregnancy and preparing for your maternity photography session doesn't have to be overwhelming! To help ensure your maternity photo shoot runs smoothly resulting in gorgeous, authentic and meaningful photos that you are sure to fall in love with, I’ve provided some helpful suggestions below when preparing for your session day when we photograph your pregnancy photos. This article will cover our first communication together, what to wear, who to bring to your photo session and even a helpful checklist for on the day of your session. Having this information in advance will help us craft a one-of-a-kind maternity portrait photography experience for you resulting in stunning images that will capture this extremely special time in your life.

Communication and Pre-Session Styling Consultation

When it comes to maternity photography, I believe that communication is key. It is extremely important to me for you to share your idea of the perfect maternity photos so that I can better understand your vision for your maternity session. Prior to your photo shoot, I'll be in contact multiple times to ensure we cover every detail from how you would like to be photographed, to the selection of your backdrops if you are having your photo shoot in studio or to discuss outdoor location options. We will also discuss your comfort level regarding posing and how much bare skin you would like to show. Your maternity session will be fully personalized to you to ensure you end up with the pregnancy photos of you dreams!

The well-being of you and your unborn baby is always top priority so if at any point during the session you become unwell or uncomfortable, we will absolutely reschedule for another time. While most pregnant women can participate in a maternity portrait photography session, I so recommend that if you have any conditions such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure to let me know ahead of time so that I can take appropriate precautions during your maternity photo shoot. If necessary, we can also modify the poses during the session to posed that are more comfortable for you. As always, my goal is to make sure each session is safe and comfortable for the expecting mama!

What to wear to your Calgary maternity photo shoot

Before you assemble your outfit, think about how you want your final maternity photos to look. My maternity photography gallery is filled with lots of maternity photos to provide some inspiration. I recommend wearing something that makes you feel beautiful and confident - this can be dressy or casual! When it comes to dressing for your pregnancy photos, comfort and simple colors should be top of mind. I recommend trying to avoid tops and dresses that are too baggy or loose-fitting, as we do want to show off that gorgeous baby bump. Some popular options include jeans/leggings and a tunic, your favourite maternity dress or a formal maternity gown.

Be sure to bring plenty of items made with stretchy fabrics, such as maxi dresses. You may also want to do some shopping for a few new pieces that can flatter your pregnant form! When selecting colors, bear in mind that you and your baby bump will be the focus of the final images, so opt for neutral tones such as whites, blacks and jewel tones that will look great no matter what background you're against or skin tone you have.

Solid colors and simple floral patterns flatter all maternity poses, while stripes can be very unflattering in most cases. Your partner should stick with something neutral like jeans or dress pants with a solid colored shirt (such as a button-down or V-neck). I usually recommend women go bare foot unless you have a great pair of shoes that still fits and are comfortable. Footwear on your partner will also be on display in most photos, so make sure you match accordingly.

My studio does also have a variety of floor length maternity gowns available to use during your session. All you have to do is select the gown of your dreams, and I’ll take care of the rest! My studio does have a fully equipped private changing room with all that you require for your session and where you can try on the different dresses as well as freshen up at any point during your photo shoot. Let’s make your pregnancy photo session special by selecting an outfit that truly emphasizes your beauty and joy!

Hair, Make-up & Nail Prep

When planning for your maternity session, styling is key! Professional hair and makeup can make all the difference. If you choose to do your makeup yourself, stick to natural looks. Try and avoid high shimmer shadows as they can reflect quite a bit of light and emphasize even the smallest of fine lines. Having a translucent powder is also extremely helpful to minimize shine. That being said there is no need to wear your make-up heavier than normal. It is also important to pay close attention to your nails as they will be seen in almost all of your maternity photos. Nothing can ruin a beautiful maternity portrait like chipped nail polish. I usually recommend a neutral toned nail polish to ensure it coordinates with multiple outfit selections.Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure so every detail looks perfect for the camera.

Who do you want to include in your maternity photos

I always love to include family members during maternity portrait sessions. Parents, partners or any of your other children are always welcome to participate in your maternity session. We will still ensure that the focus of the photos is on you but it can be such a special time for those other family members as well. This is a great opportunity to document their anticipation and excitement as well of your soon to arrive brand new baby. In cases where you are including family members during you photo shoot, we will select your outfit first, then coordinate the outfits for your partner and other children afterwards to avoiding busy patterns and large logos. Neutral colors such as tan, grey, navy and ivory do complement most maternity wardrobe styles. If there are young girls in the photos, shorts under dresses is recommended to keep everyone looking their best. During the photo session I will capture a variety of portraits of you and your family members as well as solo pregnancy photos of just you!

Capture Special Maternity Items in Your Pregnancy Photos

Adding extra items to your photo session can create special meaning in your final portraits and sentimentality! You could include sentimental family heirlooms, ultrasound prints, favourite baby blankets, baby booties or anything else that has special significance to you. These mementos will make your pregnancy photos even more meaningful and unique to telling your story and journey into motherhood.

I know firsthand how important it is to stay hydrated during your pregnancy, so my studio is stocked with a variety of organic snacks and refreshments for you and your family to enjoy. Please do let me know in advance if there are any dietary allergies or restrictions so that I can make necessary adjustments. Your maternity photo shoot should be relaxed and enjoyable so I do plan lots of time for frequent breaks if needed. Ultimately, we will move at your own pace so please don’t hesitate to let me know if you need to take a break!

Maternity photo day checklist

• Bring a variety of outfits you would like to be photographed in

• Nude undergarments (bra & underwear, strapless if you have)

• Any sentimental items you would like included (ie…baby shoes, ultrasound photo)

• Body lotion for dry arms and legs if needed

Before you leave, head on over to MQN Photography! Michele has photographed Baby’s 1st Birthday Photos and they are simply adorable. I highly recommend that if you are in the Minneapolis area that you consider booking a portrait session with her. Her images are simply stunning!