How-To Maternity Photography: Photographing Mom Outdoors
Bailey Smith Photography
When you think of maternity photos, you probably think of something in the studio or the mom-to-be’s home that’s maybe a little formal, maybe a bit fun, and posed in a way that shows the beauty of the pregnancy and the sweetness of mom’s connection to her baby-to-be.
Those kinds of photos are certainly valuable and beautiful. But so too are maternity photos taken in the great outdoors! This is especially true if the expecting mother has an adventurous spirit (and if you live in an area that’s got some spectacular landscapes, like the photo above).
With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few reasons why on-location photo shoots outdoors are a great option for maternity photos.
Golden Hour = Great Lighting
Em J Photography
One of the greatest advantages of shooting outdoors is that you can utilize Golden Hour lighting to give your portraits an added layer of interest. Not only is Golden Hour lighting soft and warm, which will make the mom-to-be look especially good, but it also creates a lot of dimension in photos because of the shadows it creates. Early in the morning and late in the evening, the sun is so low on the horizon that you have gorgeous sidelighting to work with that creates long shadows across the scene, resulting in portraits with a ton of depth.
Of course, when shooting during Golden Hour, you’ll need to be cognizant of how mom feels. She might not want to get up at the crack of dawn, nor stay out until sunset for her maternity photos. However, it’s still a good idea to float to your client!
Gorgeous Backdrops
Katelyn K Photography
There’s a lot to be said for indoor portraits. They are typically more comfortable for the mom-to-be, not to mention more private (some people just don’t like to be photographed in public!). However, one thing that you cannot replicate indoors is the incredible array of backgrounds you can use as a canvas on which to create a portrait of your client.
There are endless possibilities here, too. If you live in an urban area, you can use buildings, bridges, and other structures as a backdrop for an elegant photo. Note how in the image above, mom’s wardrobe, with its muted colors and soft lines creates a nice juxtaposition with the dark tones and harsh lines of the architecture in the shot.
Sugashoc Photography
You can also head out into the country to capitalize on natural scenes like rivers, mountains, beaches, and fields, as seen in the image above. Note how in this image, we see a nice contrast between the wardrobe of the mom-to-be and her surroundings: the vibrant white of her gown pops when set upon the muted tones of the foreground, and even contrasts well with the vibrant colors of the setting sun behind her.
Textures, Patterns, and Colors Add Dimension
Michael Kormos Photography
In addition to Golden Hour lighting and compelling backdrops, outdoor maternity shoots allow you to take advantage of textures, patterns, and colors that are virtually impossible to find indoors. Though you don’t want to put your client in the midst of colors or textures that will overwhelm the photo, adding these elements can prove to be the touch of visual interest that takes your photo to an entirely other level.
Take the photo above as a prime example of this concept. The texture of the salt flats gives dimension to the foreground, and by placing the subject inside one of the interesting shapes created on the ground, she’s effectively framed, bringing greater attention to her and her flowing gown. What’s more, the pattern created by the salt gives additional interest to the shot and helps connect the foreground to the background, all without taking away from the prominence of the mom-to-be.
Pair Beautiful Outdoor Scenes With Beautiful Wardrobe Choices
Autumn Photography
As is evident in the sample images throughout this article, making smart wardrobe selections can take the excitement and beauty of an outdoor shoot and make it something that’s even more eye-catching and compelling.
Just like you want to provide your clients with custom, high-end images that show craftsmanship and pride in your work, Sew Trendy Accessories wants to give expecting moms gorgeous wardrobe options that build off the natural beauty of pregnancy. Sew Trendy Accessories offers handmade items, from flowing gowns like the one pictured above to gender reveal gowns to gowns that show a little more skin. Customers can choose from a variety of construction options as well, including different tops, sleeves, and trains.
In short, Sew Trendy Accessories can help you make your maternity clients look and feel like the beautiful women they are. If you want to maximize the visual impact of your maternity portraits, head over to their website to see what they have to offer!