How to choose your maternity photographer?
What is your style?
Depending on what style of photography you like, a.k.a. what is the style fo imagery you like, the answers can be many.
There is the studio style, when you enter a studio, you will likely have many options of gowns to choose from, maybe even a hair and makeup artist, there will be artificial light and maybe multiple coloured backdrops to chose from. You will be carefully posed and instructed, it will be slow paced with little movement required.
Lifestyle maternity photography.
There is lifestyle, and within there is indoors and outdoors.
Indoors is when you are captured in your home, most probably with your partner and even children and the images will mimic real life but in a magazine style. Regardless of whether your home is Pinterest worthy or not, this style can be easily achieved with the right photographer who is used to photographing in changing conditions and with a greta knowledge of natural light. I love this style, as I love the constant challenge new spaces give me, I love to challenge myself with new lighting scenarios and most importantly, I believe that images that are taken of you in your own environment will be the most authentic. Also, it is super lovely to document where you live when you are expecting and when you have your baby, where it all takes place. After all, you will be spending a lot of time in your home with your baby.
Outdoor lifestyle maternity photography is something super romantic and for people who are more outdoorsy and love images that depict their love for each other in a very modern way. If you are expecting your first, this will be like an engagement session with an emphasis on your baby bump, and if you already have children, this will be like a romantic family session with - again - an emphasis on your baby bump.
Why choose a specialist photographer?
I am specialised in Newborn, Maternity and Family photography. I have been training myself specially to these genres since 2017 and I have invested in honing my skills to excel at these genres. Newborn photography especially is something that needs a lot of background learning and training, a lot of safety knowledge. It has to be taken very seriously. Maternity photography, depending on whether you already have children or you are expecting your first, can be a bit different, however posing needs to be fine tuned. Posing, proper posing and attention to detail is essential. Even in Lifestyle Maternity photography. And I haven’t even mentioned the most important aspect, that is light. Learning to see light and using it properly is a lot of learning and practice.
I have been practicing photography seriously since 2008, 11 years. I have been photographing people since 2015. And I have been doing it constantly, and training myself constantly. I have become an expert at these genres and I have acquired a Newborn Safety Badge from APNPI which is a very prestigious international association.
I understand that there are photographers who love to do it all. I understand the love for photography. But, we all know that when we want the best of something, we are looking for a specialist. A person who has vast knowledge and practice in that area and we know that specialist won’t disappoint us.
What time in the day should you have your maternity session?
I like to have outdoor sessions take place during the Golden hour. Golden hour is when the start is starting to set and it is until it has set. It is usually around an hour long, shorter in the winter and early Spring, late Autumn, and longer in the Summer months. What to take into consideration, is that during June and July, the sun sets quite late and long in the UK (8.30-10.00) so if you have your session in this time, take. a big big nap in the late afternoon (because as we know, pregnancy is super tiring and we all want to jump into our PJs as early as possible). However, weather is probably the mildest/warmest during these summer months, so if your pregnancy is in the 5-7th months in this season, you are lucky to have a beautiful sunset session!
So, what to do if you have a toddler, let’s say? There are two things that you can do if you already have little children. 1) Try and have them take a nap in the afternoon so they are fresh and full of energy for the evening. 2) We will find a location that is ideal for afternoon or morning shots. The light will be different and the sky will be different, but it can be just as beautiful. See the above image of the young family of 3 (4th on the way in Mama’s belly) it was shot in midday and the sky was absolutely breathtaking with a crips blue and beautiful white clouds.
Should I worry about a cloudy day?
The images you see above were all taken on a super cloudy, seemingly grey sky day. However, with the right talent and a bit of magic, the beautiful sky revealed itself in post processing (I did not swap the sky, this is the actual sky that looked super grey in real life with a hint of blue and pink).
What should I wear for my maternity session?
I always advise my clients to bring with them one outfit that is theirs and that feels most like them. I advise men to be complimenting their pregnant partner and to wear something darker (feels more masculine and does not take away the attention from Mom).
As an addition, I offer a piece of my Studio Wardrobe for my clients to chose and wear as well, for variety and to feel a bit glam. It is a celebration after all, a celebration of life, of new beginnings and a celebration of Love.
Momma wearing a piece from the Studio Wardrobe
I don’t like being posed for photography
You don’t have to worry about that. My maternity sessions are fun, relaxed and you two will be focusing on each other and it will feel like you are on a date. Except I will click the shutter a lot. We will take 1 or 2 photos when you’ll be looking at the camera, but other than that, you will be gazing into each other’s eyes, exchanging kisses and hugs. It will feel lovely and cosy and you will feel like you were barely posed.
