If you ask me, maternity photography is a lot like wedding photography...
You really only get one chance to get it right!
That means it can be a stressful endeavor, with tons of pressure to document an expecting mother's experience as she nears the end of her pregnancy.
And with all that stress, it's easy to make simple mistakes that can lead to photography disaster.
With that in mind, here are a few maternity photography do's and don'ts to keep you on the straight and narrow.
DON'T Make Her Get Up Early (or Stay Up Late)
Sure, grabbing a portrait of your client at sunrise or sunset might sound great in theory, but she might not want to drag herself out of bed early or stay out late just so you can shoot at Golden Hour.
That means you need to be flexible with your scheduling so you can accommodate the time of day that works best for the mom-to-be.
Naturally, that might mean that you have to shoot outdoors during the middle of the day, which means not-so-great lighting.
But you're a pro, so you can make use of things like the shade of a tree to help mitigate that harsh daytime lighting or simply bring her inside for some portraits in the studio.
Learn More:
- Simple But Beautiful Maternity Photography Ideas
- 5 Ways to Make Your Maternity Photography More Unique
DO Consult With Your Client Beforehand to Outline the Photo Shoot
When working with a very pregnant client, the last thing you want to do is drag her all over kingdom come, taking photos at multiple locations and spending hours riding in the car and walking around.
To avoid this, in your pre-consultation, talk with your client about what she envisions for her images.
Does she want indoor photos, outdoor photos or both?
If she wants on-location images, does she have any areas in mind?
Will the images be solely of her, or will other people be coming along to be in the photos?
It's questions like these that will help you plan the day and do so in a way that maximizes your time while minimizing the effort that the client has to put out.
Something else to consider is how many different looks the client wants.
That includes different poses as well as different wardrobes.
If there are going to be wardrobe changes, be sure that the locations at which you're shooting have somewhere for the mom-to-be to change and do so as easily and comfortably as possible.
Learn More:
- How-To Maternity Photography: Photographing Mom Outdoors
- How-To Maternity Photography: Photographing Mom at Home
DON'T Make Her Move Up, Down, and All Around
My guess is that if you're actively into maternity photography that you aren't pregnant yourself at this moment.
That means that you're much more mobile than your client, so rather than constantly making her change her position and pose, you should be the one doing the moving.
This will help you get the most out of each position so you can get a variety of shots.
So, if your client is sitting, keep her there and work from various angles and vantage points to get a variety of photos as she's sitting down.
Then, have her stand, and do the same - move around to get a variety of images.
That way you get a collection of photos but you don't tire your client out by having her sit down, stand up, walk here and there, and so forth.
Learn More:
- 4 Maternity Photography Tips That Will Make Your Client Look Amazing
- How-To Maternity Photography: Simplify the Composition
DO Make Your Client Feel Beautiful
Pregnancy isn't exactly the most glamorous experience, so when you specialize in maternity photography, you need to understand how to make your client look and feel beautiful and comfortable, even if that's not at all how she feels!
One simple way to do this is to give her positive affirmations as you take her photo.
A quick "you look great!" or "you're radiant" can go a long way in helping mom to relax in front of the camera, feel a little less tired, achy, and bloated, and more like her beautiful self.
Another highly effective way to help mom feel beautiful is to recommend maternity wear that's gorgeous and elegant.
Our friends at Sew Trendy Accessories know something about creating beautiful maternity wear...
Just looking at the images above, you can see the attention to detail that goes into every gown they make.
And this isn't your typical maternity wear that can be a little bland at times.
Instead, Sew Trendy focuses on empowering women with handmade, designer fashions that go a long way in making expecting moms look their absolute best.
Their lines of knit gowns, sheer gowns, and lace gowns offer unparalleled comfort while making mom feel gorgeous at the same time.
They even have a line of ready-to-ship items that your clients can get in the mail in a matter of days.
With separates, robes and cloaks, cocktail gowns, and even labor and delivery items, it really is a one-stop shop for maternity wear.
Maternity photography is all about capturing the magic of expecting a baby. But no one ever said that those images can also be elegant and sophisticated.
With Sew Trendy gowns and accessories, you can create images that your clients will love and appreciate for years to come.
Learn More:
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.