I've never been pregnant, but I know enough to know that it can be both an amazing and incredible experience as well as one that beats you down and makes you feel like you've been hit by a car.
It's a series of ups and downs, to be sure, and our job as photographers is to maximize our clients' appearance such that they look like they're in the midst of one of those highs and not in the middle of a rough stretch.
Of course, the question is, what are the best flattering maternity photography ideas?
Luckily for us, there are tons of great ideas for creating gorgeous maternity photos. Let's explore a few.
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Try an Alternative Point of View
If the expecting mom you're photographing isn't feeling all that well, you can rest some of her fears about not looking her best by taking her portrait from a unique perspective.
In the example above, photographing the model from the head down offers a unique and beautiful view, particularly of her baby bump.
But beyond that, if the model feels bloated or is self-conscious about her face looking tired, you can get around both of those issues by photographing her from above.
This point of view has a slight slimming effect on the body and also masks much of the model's face, that way she won't have to worry about showing off any dark circles or bags under her eyes!
Learn More:
- 8 Tips Every Portrait Photographer Should Try Right Now
- Do's and Don'ts for Beautiful Maternity Photography
Make Use of Natural Light
Far and away, natural lighting is the most flattering type of lighting you can use in most situations.
This is particularly true of expecting mothers as the golden tones of a setting sun emulate the glow that expecting mothers have.
What's more, natural light can add warmth and depth to the image - as seen above - in a way that's difficult to replicate with artificial lighting.
When using natural light, don't be afraid to overexpose the shot a little, simply to accentuate the brightness and freshness that the sun's rays bring to the photo, as seen above.
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Keep It Simple
Sometimes, maternity photographers get too caught up in accessorizing the photo shoot that they forget to concentrate on making the mom-to-be look her best.
That being the case, sometimes it's most flattering to simply pare things down and keep your photos as simple as possible.
In the image above, for example, the clean, crisp, white maternity gown makes a gorgeous statement in this shot that is relatively devoid of other details, which allows our eyes to come directly to the model and stay there.
As another example, the model in the image above is wearing a much more intricate gown than in the first shot, but because it's a similar color as the surrounding environment, the image maintains a nice simplicity.
Also notice how the background, though rife with details, isn't overwhelming. Again, the simplicity of the colors in the shot combined with the minimal distractions in the background help us maintain our attention on the model.
Because of that, we can appreciate how the gown fits the model in such a flattering way.
Whether you strive for simplicity, use natural light, try different angles from which to photograph, or all three, these maternity photography tips will help you learn how to take maternity photos that flatter your subject with beautiful results.
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About Sew Trendy
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