How-To Maternity Photography: Using Props Effectively
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Baby shoes
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Baby outfits
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Blocks spelling out “B-A-B-Y”
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Baby carriage
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An ultrasound
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A baby’s toy
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A handwritten sign spelling out “We’re Expecting!”
Beth Wade Photography
Mention props to a photographer and some will get the shivers. After all, the use of props can go wrong very quickly, making an otherwise beautiful photo look cluttered, or worse, cheap.
However, there is something to be said for the effective implementation of props into your maternity photos. There are plenty of options that add a sweetness to the image, from a baby carriage to an ultrasound photo to items that give mom an added layer of beauty, such as crowns or sashes.
In this installment of our How-To Maternity Photography Series, we explore how you can use props effectively and offer up a few ideas of props you can use in your maternity photos.
Baby-Related Items
Jennifer Delfino Photography
Props that relate to the coming bundle of joy can add visual appeal to your maternity images without seeming over the top or out of place. In fact, baby items are a perfect addition to maternity photos in which mom is announcing her pregnancy. Here’s a list of ideas of baby items that can help announce the coming birth:
Remember, no matter what baby-related items you use, ensure that they are incorporated into the image such that they don’t distract from mom, her belly (if it’s evident she’s showing), or other people in the photo, like dad, siblings, and the like. For example, if using a sign that says “We’re Expecting!” have mom and her partner each hold the sign, thus providing the viewer with a visual connection between both people and the sign itself.
Props for Mom
Amber Fite Photography
You can also dress up your maternity photos with the addition of well-designed, yet simple props that make mom feel more beautiful. For example, you might have mom wear a floral crown, like the one pictured above. Crowns like these, which can be made of rhinestones as well, are handmade for a custom, stylized look that accentuates mom’s wardrobe.
There are other prop options for mom too. Have her wear a headband for a vintage, flapper style look. Add a floral and rhinestone sash that gives mom a distinct, elegant look that will give her the confidence that she’s gorgeous, even if she doesn’t feel like it!
No matter which of these props mom opts to use, you can rest assured that they will integrate seamlessly into the photo, becoming a natural part of the composition that adds an extra layer of beauty and femininity to the image.
Outfits for Mom
Bailey Smith Photography
If you want the visual impact of a prop while bringing greater attention to the expectant mom, a great option is to outfit her in a maternity gown. Not all maternity gowns are made equal, however. You don’t want mom to look dowdy or uncomfortable. Instead, you want her to look her best, feel confident, and steal the scene with her beauty.
One of the very best ways you can do that is outfit mom in a maternity gown that doesn’t look or feel like maternity wear, like the one pictured above. Long, flowing gowns add a sense of elegance to the image, while also offering you opportunities to indicate motion and volume. Pairing the color of the gown to the colors of the background adds even more impact. For example, the gold and ivory colors of the gown pictured above mimic the gold color of the leaves in the background and the ivory colored rocks in the foreground for a cohesive image.
Peggy Engel Photography
But, as noted above, not all maternity wear is made alike. That’s why we recommend Sew Trendy Accessories for your maternity wardrobe (and prop!) needs. These gowns are handmade, so your clients get wardrobe pieces that fit them well and have an understated elegance at the same time. Sew Trendy has a variety of styles available, from knits to sheer, lace to infinity gowns.
What’s more, Sew Trendy Accessories has plenty of maternity and newborn props. The crowns and sashes mentioned earlier are all available, both for moms and daughters. In fact, you can recommend a Mommy and Me set, with matching gowns for mom and the big-sister-to-be. And, once the baby arrives, you can recommend a tiny crown, gown, romper, wrap, or basket to give your photos of the little bundle of joy an added element of interest. No matter if your images are of mom by herself, with her partner, or with her children, Sew Trendy Accessories has the props you need to make your maternity photos stand out from the crowd - in a good way!