Types of Maternity Photography Sessions
You have decided you want to capture the beauty and excitement of your pregnancy through portrait art. Good for you! Now…on to decide on the type of session. There are various types of sessions, which vary by photography studio, by photographer, by location, and so forth. Check with your photographer if you have specific questions or ideas. Most artists would love to hear your ideas!
Individual
This is a great way to capture your own intimate and personal feelings and excitement just before baby is born. Typically an individual session, sometimes referred to as the “Madonna” session, is just you alone with your belly. The photographer will vary the light in the studio or incorporate the natural landscape if session is outside. Normally, you would come in a tighter fitting sweater or t-shirt where you can show off your (now very large) “bump”. Individual sessions are typically the easiest for the busy moms and families as they are done in the studio or outside at any park or forest preserve.
Boudoir Maternity
An intimate maternity boudoir session can be a little nerve racking at first and is also typically the most rewarding for most women. Some women bring sexy lingerie, loose fitting clothing, and even nothing at all to their boudoir maternity session. Remember, “boudoir” is the French word for a woman’s private bedroom or sitting room. As such, boudoir maternity portraits are typically much more intimate that a standard portrait session. The poses are classy and sexy, while focusing on your beauty and feminine curves through shadows and lighting techniques. The photographer will usually move around the studio lights to attain a unique perspective on the belly. Casting shadows from various points in the room allows the focus of the image to be about the intimacy and beauty of the moment. And the best part is that stretch marks are easily hidden under sheer clothing or shadows (and can also be edited out in post production)! Many clients leave the studio after their boudoir maternity sessions with a renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem and often come back for follow up boudoir sessions to celebrate the return of their pre-baby bodies.
Family Maternity Portraits
A family maternity session is a great way to incorporate your current children and spouse into one of the most intimate portraits you will even have. The family sessions capture your togetherness and group excitement over baby. These last few days of the pregnancy capture the relaxed and calm world, just before things change. And the older will be so proud to say that they knew “baby” before baby was on earth. It helps prepare them for the coming of their sibling, often easing tension over sharing time with mom and dad.
Husband / Life Partner Maternity Portraits
You both created the living miracle living inside of your belly so it’s only fair that you both celebrate through intimate couples maternity photos. Couples portraits often consist of dressed and sometimes half-dressed types of sessions. Usually the photographer will do a few portraits that are “safe” for public display such as hands as heart over the belly, partner/husband kissing or hugging the belly, and group hug. The more daring couples sometimes opt for the more daring of portraits, often consisting of partially dressed poses wearing pants/skirt with hands covering the more intimate parts of your bodies.
Girlfriends
If you and a few of your girlfriends are expecting a child together, maybe you would consider getting a group studio or outdoor maternity portrait. You survived high school together, survived college, and even survived many stressors and happy moments together. This is another great way to preserve your girl-friend-ship together, while you all share in a maternity portrait. Ask your photographer about group discounts, sometimes available for multiple sessions combined into one sitting time.
No matter the type of session you chose, consider the final product. What will you do with the finished art? Would you like a keepsake memory book filled your images? Or are you looking for a wall portrait? Is this mainly for you and your immediate family or are you looking for a memory book for Gramma to show off to her bingo friends? Keep the lines of communication open with your photographer. Make sure you tell him or her what you are envisioning, as this will help him or her frame up the poses and lighting accordingly. And if you love working with your photographer, consider coming back for infant or toddler portraits. Your photographer will be able to pose you during your pregnancy portraits in ways that will allow you to then display both your maternity and infant portraits together on one wall or in one album. Ask questions. Make comments. Express what you have in mind. Your finished product will be a work of art!