As a maternity photographer, I’d be remiss to encourage you to take all your baby bump photos at home. A good studio maternity session or outdoor maternity photo session will preserve memories of your pregnancy in a way you might not expect. But if you’re like many of my clients, you want to make sure to document the whole process from start to finish. You can’t rely on a maternity photographer for a full 9 months! So, here are some tips and tricks for taking gorgeous baby bump photos outside of the studio.
Solo & Couples Maternity Poses Create Different Photos
A lot of the most timeless personal photos don’t come from staged photos, but from candid photos in the moment! Commission your friends, family, and even people like your co-workers to take photos of you throughout your maternity period. But when you do want to do a more formal photoshoot, here are some tips:
- Couples posing: Take photos with your significant other when you want a feeling of intimacy and togetherness from your maternity photos. When including your partner, you can also use them to your advantage for framing.
- Use hands to frame your baby bump: You can use your hands and your partner’s hands to frame your baby bump in a way that highlights your bump. Try having your partner stand behind you with their hands just under your bump, or take a side profile shot of your partner kneeling and kissing your bump. This allows you to highlight your pregnancy while also showcasing your partner’s love and devotion.
- Snuggle up & get loving! Don’t be afraid to get cozy with your partner. For many people, this is the last time they’ll be “alone” with their partner before becoming parents.
- Solo posing: I’ll chat more about how to pose your baby bump below, but suffice it to say — a solo baby bump photo is a great way to showcase your prowess as a mama!
- Posing with others: For many reasons, including people who aren’t just your intimate partner helps you document who was there for you during your pregnancy. Consider taking photos with family, friends, and your children. Take a variety of serious, silly, and tender photos.
Coordinate Your Outfit With Your Location
One thing that photographers do regularly with their clients is thinking about the interplay between the subjects and elements of the photo. That’s why I offer my maternity gown closet to clients! Most of what I have in my wardrobe compliments my studio backdrops & the places I regularly shoot in so that they provide enough contrast and flow in fabric to ensure a good baby bump contrast.
Here are some of the things I regularly do which ensure a well-contrasted photo:
- Stick with solids: Working with solid colors (or light/unnoticeable patterns) can help your profile stand out against busy backgrounds like trees, cityscapes, or even household objects. The busy fabric draws the eye away from shapes!
- Pick a contrasting color to your setting: For instance, if you are shooting against a dark background, consider wearing white or light-colored clothing. If shooting on a place like a beach, pick a bright color that can contrast with the sunny location.
- Sheer, flowy fabric is your friend: You don’t always need to dress up for candid or non-professional photos. But if you want to dress up, flowy fabrics can be a lot of fun! Not only can they make you feel like a fairy princess, but if positioned right, they can help frame your bump!
Highlight Your Baby Bump In Every Shot
For most, a motivating reason to take maternity photos is to highlight your baby bump. There are some good ways to do this that you might not consider unless you work with pregnancy bellies regularly.
- Slightly turned to the side. You don’t need to turn directly to the side in every photo, and a variety of different photos is a good idea. Turn slightly to the side and lighting will do the rest! Typically, side shots allow the light to cast a shadow which shows your baby bump, and it is a subtle way to show off your bump.
- Turned to a side profile. The classic maternity look is a side profile shot, which showcases the full extent of your baby bump. Try to do that in front of a contrasted background for the best effect!
- Framing the bump when facing forward. While you might not consider a front-facing shot to be the most effective, framing a front-facing shot can be fun! Put your hands under your bump (like you are supporting it) for a simple framing technique that brings a lot to a maternity photo.
But… The Baby Bump Doesn’t Need To Be The Focus!
Your maternity photos do highlight your pregnancy. But remember, mama is always the main focus! If someone taking your photos suggests posing in a way you don’t like, just let them know you’d prefer to take a different photo. You’re in charge of your own experience. Enjoy it!
Ready to take your professional maternity photos? Let’s chat.
