With Mother's Day coming up, I thought it would be a good time to discuss a few tips that will help you take better photos of expecting moms and moms with newborns.
Though it might seem on the surface that taking a maternity or newborn portrait is just like any other portrait, that's not exactly the case.
After all, there are few sights as personal and that show such a strong bond between two people as maternity and newborn photography.
With that in mind, it's important to understand how you can take better maternity photos and knock newborn photography out of the park.
Here's a few suggestions for doing just that.
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How to Take Gorgeous Maternity Photos: Consider the Wardrobe
Sure, the star of your photos should be the mom that's expecting a child.
But there are plenty of ways to make her look and feel her best for her photos, and that includes considering what she's wearing.
If you have a client that isn't averse to showing a little skin, you might consider putting her in a glamorous bodysuit, like the Josette bodysuit shown in the image above.
This kind of wardrobe choice isn't for all expecting moms, but as you can see, if she's got the confidence, she can totally rock it!
If you're working with an expecting mom that wants something a little more traditional for her wardrobe, something like the Hera Gown shown above is a great choice.
This gown offers more coverage than a bodysuit while also having an elegant vibe about it with the inclusion of the cape.
If there's a bit of a breeze (or if you have a fan handy), you can add even more interest to the shot by capturing the cape flowing upward and outward in the breeze.
When it comes down to it, being pregnant isn't always the most glamorous experience. However, beautiful clothes and styling can help any mom - no matter how tired or achy - to feel like the beautiful woman she is!
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Be Smart About Accessories for Maternity Photography
When accessorizing a maternity shoot (or any type of portrait, for that matter), it's necessary to be purposeful with every single accessory that you add.
By that, I mean that you don't want to overwhelm the shot with tons of accessories.
By the same token, you also don't want to add loud accessories whose colors, textures, or patterns are distracting to the eye.
Instead, for the most gorgeous maternity photos, add accessories that increase the elegance and sophistication of the shot, like the floral crowns in the photos above and below.
In both these images, you can see how the floral crowns bring a touch of color and texture to the shot.
This not only helps brighten both images, but it also helps draw our eyes to the subjects in both photos.
Notice as well how the crowns coordinate with the gowns that both models are wearing.
Though you don't necessarily want to be matchy-matchy, having coordinating colors will bring a cohesion to the look.
Editor's Tip: Add gorgeous floral crowns to your collection of maternity photography accessories and get 20% off May 3-8, 2018!
Use Newborn Photography Accessories to Add Character and Warmth
As with maternity photography, adding accessories to a photo of a newborn is a great way to give the shot a little more character and warmth.
Again, it's important not to go overboard when accessorizing a newborn photo lest you overwhelm the viewer with too much stuff in the shot.
Instead, a simpler-is-better approach is the way to go.
In the image above, for example, the floral tieback adds a pop of color and texture to the shot, which, given that the backdrop is a solid color, is needed to bring more interest to the photo.
In this example, you can see how you can add additional accessories to the shot without it becoming too chaotic.
In this case, this beautiful newborn is wearing a crown and a jumper, and is laying on a texture-filled blanket.
But because each of these elements is a solid color and in the same color family, they complement each other well and don't compete for attention.
That's the key - adding accessories should highlight your subject, not detract from it.
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Highlight the Relationship in Mommy & Me Sessions
I'm the youngest child in my family, and my older sister has mentioned more than once over the course of my life that she hated me when I was born.
It's tough sometimes on older kids who have to share the spotlight with a new sibling, but you can help alleviate that a little bit by including older siblings in mommy and me photos.
These portraits not only give older kids a chance to be center stage, but it also gives you all kinds of fodder to highlight the relationship between mom and child as well as the relationship between the child and their upcoming brother or sister.
One way to highlight that relationship is to capture images of mom and child looking at one another.
This subtle trick helps connect the two visually in the photo, but it also helps bring them together on a relational level as they gaze into one another's eyes.
Another idea is to have the child interact with mom and her baby bump in some way.
As seen above, the little girl kissing her mom's belly and feeling it with her hands offers a sweet reminder of how strong the bond between siblings can be.
At the end of the day, creating gorgeous maternity photos and newborn photos is fairly straightforward.
Mind the wardrobe. Select beautiful maternity and newborn photography accessories. Bring older siblings into the shoot to highlight the relationship they have with their mother and upcoming sibling. If you can do these things, you'll be in position to create more dynamic - and meaningful - portraits.
Editor's Tip: Don't miss the Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories Mother's Day Sale, May 3-8, 2018. Find great deals, discounts, freebies, and more on photography accessories!
About Sew Trendy
This is a company that photographers absolutely need to be in touch with. Their gowns, crowns, and other high-quality accessories are just what you need for maternity photos, photos of newborns, and mommy and me sessions. These accessories not only make your clients look and feel great, but they also add a depth of detail and interest to your photos that elevate the images to an entirely other level. What started out with just a few people manufacturing these eye-catching items is a growing business that provides accessories to photographers worldwide. Help your clients look and feel their best by partnering with Sew Trendy Accessories.