Preparing For Your Maternity Photoshoot: Tips For Expecting Mothers | Dallas Maternity Photographer
How to Prepare For Your Upcoming Maternity Session
updated january 2023
There is nothing on earth more exciting than when you’re expecting a little new addition to your family. More than anything, capturing this time in your family’s story through maternity photos is a powerful reminder of the strength of your body and love for your baby on the way.
Preparing for a maternity photoshoot can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience for expecting mothers. As a maternity photographer, I understand the importance of capturing the beauty and grace of your pregnancy journey, and I want to help make the process as seamless as possible. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing some tips and tricks for preparing for your maternity photoshoot, so you can feel confident and stress-free on the big day.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS?
If you’re wondering when’s the best time to book your maternity photos, I got you. It’s super important to schedule your maternity photoshoot at the right time.
How many weeks pregnant should you be for maternity photos?
Generally, anytime between 28 and 36 weeks is a good time. This is the time when your belly is prominent and round, but you're still comfortable enough to move around. Scheduling your photoshoot at this time will ensure that you get the most out of your session, while still being able to comfortably move and pose for the camera.
But, as we all know, we can’t control when the little one will arrive, and we can’t always act according to their schedule. If you are expecting an early entrance or are having twins, it’s best to book on the sooner side. Also, if this isn’t your first pregnancy, you’re more likely to show earlier and can also book earlier. '
When it comes down to it, no two pregnancies are the same, so your timeline will not look like everyone else’s. As a general rule, though, 28-36 weeks is the bullseye, holy grail window.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS
Once you have a date and time scheduled, it’s important to prepare for your maternity photoshoot by thinking about what you’d like to wear.
Nude, or not?
Some of the most stunning, raw maternity photos aren taken nude. Going nude emphasizes the curves of your budding belly. But of course, not everyone wants to go nude.
Other clothing options:
If you want to keep your clothes on, dressing in clothes that flatter your figure and make you feel beautiful is essential. Dresses, maxi skirts, and flowy tops are great options as they show off your baby bump and are comfortable to wear. I recommend sticking to solid colors, such as white, cream, or gray, as these colors will complement your skin tone and will not detract from the overall look of the photos. Make sure that, if you choose to wear a maxi dress or gown, that the gown you choose fits well, and that it accentuates your baby bump. It should be loose enough to move around in, but not too loose that it hides your bump.Additionally, it's a good idea to avoid busy patterns or logos on clothing, as they can be distracting in the photos.
Here are some fool-proof options I highly recommend wearing to your maternity shoot:
Maxi dresses
Dresses that have a high waistline or slit
Fabrics with lots of texture, like lace or sheer fabric
Long flowy skirts with a crop top or bandeau bra
Cozy, knit pieces
Usually the best route is to go with something that you know is comfy and fits well. Wear things that you’ve already worn before. We want you focusing on being you in front of the camera, not worrying about that itchy tag or the way the shirt rides up your back in a weird way.
WHERE TO SHOP FOR YOUR MATERNITY SESSION?
Here are some of my absolute favorite places to shop for maternity photoshoot dresses and gowns. Seriously, I recommend these shops to all the soon-be-mamas I have the pleasure of photographing for their maternity shoots.
Where To Find the Best Dresses For your Maternity Photoshoot:
BEST MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION IN DALLAS
When it comes to where to take your maternity photos, I have one rule of thumb: let’s make this as easy as possible for all involved. By this I mean, let’s try to choose a location with a bathroom nearby and that doesn’t necessitate a grueling hike. Easy access is everything for a maternity session.
While some prefer to do their maternity photoshoot in a weather-proof, contemporary studio, some prefer a more natural, outdoor setting. If you’re considering an outdoor photoshoot, I recommend choosing a location that has a lot of natural light and greenery, as these elements will add a beautiful, natural touch to your photos. However, it's also important to consider the weather and temperature, so make sure to choose a location that is shaded or has cover in case of sun or rain.
A Place that holds Personal Significance
I understand that selecting a location can feel pretty overwhelming – there are so many beautiful, photogenic locations to choose from in Dallas Fort Worth. When in doubt, consider places that hold a special significance for you. Whether it’s your living room or your favorite park, think about the places where you feel most at peace.
Don’t worry if nowhere comes to mind, I have so many places up my sleeve that I know you would love. I have my go-to list of maternity photoshoot locations in Dallas, so we can start there.
STUDIOS IN DFW FOR YOUR MATERNITY SESSION
The Space on Southside — Dallas, Texas
Artist Uprising Studio — Richardson, Texas
The Lumen Room — multiple locations in Dallas, Plano, and Fort Worth
BRINGING YOUR FAMILY TO YOUR MATERNITY SESSION
Including your family and loved ones in your maternity session adds so much to your final images. It’s my genuine hope that, year from now, you and your family will look back at your maternity photos and will be able to see the true, honest connections between yourself, your baby, your partner and/or any siblings-to-be. However, it isn’t always a breeze to get the whole family on board for your maternity shoot.
I promise you, your session will be so much more fun than anyone’s expecting. As always, it’s important to allow your kids to laugh, goof around, and be themselves. When families join us during a maternity session, I always make sure that the session is full of games and fun, interactive prompts. There will be precisely zero standing stiffly, staring into the camera. Your session will be relaxed, fun, and full of honest connection.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT:
The day of your maternity session
The night before your maternity shoot, pack yourself a bag of items you may need for your session, and try to get a good night’s sleep. The morning of your shoot, wake up and eat a healthy breakfast. If you plan to do your own hair and makeup, make sure to give yourself enough time to do so, and bring any necessary tools or products with you.
Safety concerns
If you’re looking into booking a maternity session, I likely don’t need to tell you that pregnancy can be really, really exhausting. No two pregnancies are the same, and your maternity shoot has the potential to be empowering or quite tiring. Regardless of how your pregnancy is going, gorgeous photographs will be made, I assure you. Just know that you and your comfort lead the way during your photoshoot. I will never ask you to do anything that will make you feel unsafe or uncomfortble.
As a final precaution, if you’re able to communicate with your doctor that you will be doing maternity photos, I’d highly recommend doing so. Your doctor will have unique insight into your body and what it’s going through, and we can plan the shoot around their recommendations.
What should I bring to my maternity photoshoot?
Before your shoot, toss these items in your bag to support you during our session:
Extra clothes for if the weather changes
Snacks and water
A portable speaker to get you in the mood
Hairbrush, extra makeup
Anything else you can think of!
MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT POSE IDEAS:
Deciding which poses you’d like to capture for your maternity session can be a fun part of preparing for your maternity shoot. Of course, I have a ton of poses, prompts, and shot ideas ready to go, so I will guide you throughout the entire shoot. Still, it can sometimes be helpful (and fun for you) to brainstorm some of your favorite poses and vision for your shoot.
Knowing whether you want to capture a specific moment, or milestone, or detail (baby’s kicks, baby bump profile, etc.) or prefer natural, candid, and lifestyle photos can be a good place to start and help you and me get the most out of your session.
With that said, here are some of my go-to maternity poses:
The "cradling" pose, where you hold her belly while sitting or standing
The "side-by-side" pose, where you and your significant other stand or sit next to each other and place their hands on the belly
The "solo" pose, where you are the focal point and are photographed alone
The "belly-to-belly" pose, where you and your significant other lay on your sides, facing each other and holding the belly
The "embraced" pose, where you are embraced by either your partner, kids, or other family member
The "silhouette" pose, where you are photographed in profile, with the sun or other light source behind you, creating a silhouette effect
It's always good to communicate your vision for maternity photos with me, and to let you know what you want to capture and what you feel comfortable with.
ENJOY THE PROCESS!
Bottom line? Your maternity shoot should be a chance to take a breather, and be present to the miracle that is the strength of you and your body.
Our goal during your maternity photoshoot is to capture the beauty and love that you have for your baby. Try to relax and enjoy the experience, and trust that your photographer will guide you through the process and help you achieve the perfect shots. These photos will be treasured memories.
Still got a few lingering questions, or is there somethingI didn’t answer in this guide? Go ahead and reach out! I want you to feel calm, relaxed, and confident before, during, and after your maternity session.
This is going to be amazing.
