7 Tips for Taking Beautiful Maternity Photos with Family Members
Whether this is your first baby, second baby or fifth baby, family maternity photos are a beautiful way to capture and celebrate the joy and excitement of expecting a new baby. Why not include family members? This can add to your shoot and you can use these photos for a number of occasions.
Working with a professional photographer who has experience in maternity photography and understands how to use lighting, composition, and posing to create stunning images will help you get the best results possible.
Below are 12 tips and ideas for taking beautiful maternity photos with your family. These tips will help you to capture the feeling and emotion of the moment, and will provide inspiration and guidance for creating stunning images that you will cherish for years to come.
Book your photo session ahead of time
Whether you choose to be photographed at an outdoor location, the family home or in studio, make sure to book your photographer as early in your pregnancy as you can.
At Oxana Alex Photography we are often fully booked 3 months in advance. If you are looking for the perfect location and interested in booking our photo studio for your maternity session, we recommend that you do so at least 3 months in advance to ensure availability. This will give us ample time to plan and prepare for your photoshoot, and will ensure that we have the necessary time and resources to create beautiful and memorable pictures for you. Booking our Los Angeles photography studio early also gives you the opportunity to plan and coordinate your outfits and props, and to discuss your vision and goals for the photoshoot with our team. We look forward to working with you!
Coordinate outfits for a cohesive look (a few ideas)
Coordinating outfits ahead of time for a family photoshoot is a great way to ensure a cohesive and polished look for your photos that ties all of the family members together. You can choose one color palette and mix and match different pieces from each person’s wardrobe to create a unified theme. For example, you could go with an all-black ensemble for a dramatic look, keep things more subtle with a neutral palette, dress everyone in shades of the same color, or have everyone wear similar styles of clothing, such as all wearing jeans and white tops. Coordinating outfits ahead of time can help to create a sense of unity and harmony in your photos, and can make them look more professional and polished. It’s a good idea to plan and coordinate your outfits well in advance of the photoshoot, so that you have plenty of time to make any necessary changes or adjustments.
When coordinating outfits for a family photoshoot, it’s also important to consider the overall aesthetic and theme of the photos. For example, if you are taking photos in a natural outdoor setting, you might choose to dress everyone in earth tones and natural fabrics. If you are taking photos in a formal studio setting, you might choose to dress everyone in more formal attire, such as suits and dresses. It’s also a good idea to take into account the personalities and individual styles of each family member when choosing outfits, so that everyone feels comfortable and confident in what they are wearing. This will help to create a relaxed and natural vibe in your photos, and will ensure that everyone looks and feels their best.
When you book Oxana Alex’s photography studio, you will also have access to a variety of designer dresses, jewelry and props provided for your session at no extra cost.
Use props for your family photos
Using props in your family photos can add a fun and unique element to the picture. Props come in any size and can be used to add color and interest to the photo or tell a story about your family. For example, if your family loves to go on picnics, you could use a picnic blanket as a prop in your photo. Or, if your family enjoys a particular hobby, such as hiking, you could use a hiking backpack or a pair of hiking boots as props. The possibilities are endless. We suggest bringing special items or objects with you that are meaningful to your family, such as a family heirloom, a sonogram picture or a sentimental piece of jewelry.
Additionally, props can be a great way to add a theme to your family photos. For example, if you are taking photos around the holidays, you could use props that are associated with that time of year, such as a Christmas tree. This can help to create a cohesive look for your photos and can make them feel more festive and special. Props can also be used to reflect the interests and personalities of your family members. For example, if your child loves to play sports, you could use a baseball or a soccer ball as a prop in their photo. This can help to capture their individual interests and can make the photo more personal and meaningful. Overall, using props in your family photos can help to add depth and meaning to the images.
Get creative with your maternity photo shoot poses
Make sure to get some solo photos! Think outside the box when it comes to posing for maternity photos. Whether you’ve has a maternity session before or these are your first maternity photoshoot, you want get creative with your poses that to capture the moment in a unique and special way. Consider having everyone gather around the mom to be for a group hug, or have the father embrace her from behind or give her a kiss. Have your whole family look into the camera with big smiles can also create a precious maternity portraits.
Use movement to create dynamic and unique maternity pictures. Have everyone do something fun like running, jumping, dancing, twirling, or playing games. Of course your comfort is our primary focus but these fun poses will capture the joy and energy of your family in a special way.
See our article: When is the best time for materinity photos?
A few posing ideas for maternity photos with family members
Posing for maternity photos with your partner and older kids can be really fun! Here are a few posing ideas to consider:
1. The expecting mom can be the center of attention in the photo, with family members gathered around her in a supportive and loving pose. For example, the dad can stand behind her with his hands on her belly, while siblings can stand next to them with big smiles on their faces.
2. You could also try incorporating activities into the photos, such as reading a book or playing a game. This can add a sense of motion and energy and can help to create a more dynamic and interesting composition.
3. Holding hands to symbolize the coming together of your family with the new arrival.
4. Try a group shot, with the expecting mom seated in the center and family members gathered around her in a circle. This can create a sense of unity and togetherness, and can be a beautiful way to capture the love and anticipation of the new arrival.
There are many meaningful ways to pose for maternity photos with family members, talk to your photographer and don’t be afraid to get creative!
Capturing candid moments with your family & baby bump!
Candid moments can be some of the most beautiful and meaningful images you capture during a family maternity session. Candid photos are unplanned and unposed, and often capture the genuine interactions and emotions of the people in the photo.
To capture candid moments with your family and baby bump, it’s important to be patient and to allow for natural interactions and moments to unfold. This can be achieved by working with a professional photographer who is skilled in capturing candid shots, and who can provide guidance and direction without interrupting the flow of the photoshoot. It’s also a good idea to plan your photoshoot in a location that allows for plenty of movement and creativity such as photography studio.
More ideas: Interact with your family naturally, as this will bring out genuine emotion in the photos. Have everyone laugh, hug, or blow kisses at each other to create a fun and intimate atmosphere.
- Have family members smile and whisper sweet messages to each other.
- Ask mama to hold her tummy while surrounded by loved ones for an emotional portrait that captures their love for each other.
- Have family members interact with the baby bump, like lightly placing their hands on it or blowing kisses towards it.
- Give each other piggyback rides or have the expecting father give the mother a shoulder massage to show the special bond between them.
- Moments of laughter, such as having big brother(s) or sister(s) tickle the mom to be’s belly or making funny faces at each other.
Take advantage of the different sets and backgrounds available
One of the benefits of having a maternity photo shoot at a professional photography studio is the availability of different sets and backgrounds. These sets and backgrounds can add variety and visual interest to your photos, and can help to create a unique and personal aesthetic. For example, you might also choose to have some photos taken in a more formal setting, such as in front of a brick wall or a decorative flowery backdrop. Taking advantage of the different sets and backgrounds available at a photography studio can help to create a diverse and interesting photo album that captures the essence of your photoshoot.
In addition to the sets and backgrounds, a professional photography studio will also have a variety of lighting and equipment options available. This can be useful for creating different moods and effects in your photos. For example, soft and diffuse lighting can create a romantic and dreamy atmosphere, while more focused and directional lighting can create a more dramatic and striking effect. The use of specialized lenses and filters can also add visual interest and depth to your photos. By taking advantage of the different sets, backgrounds, lighting, and equipment options available at a photography studio, you can create a wide range of beautiful and unique images that capture the special moments of your photoshoot.
Summary
- Make sure to book early! See our Pricing Page and our Yelp reviews here.
- Include your partner and older children in the photo shoot and capture their excitement about becoming big siblings.
- Coordinate outfit and wear comfortable clothing that makes you feel beautiful and confident.
- Bring props or costumes that add a unique and creative touch to your maternity photos.
- Try incorporating natural poses and movements into your photo shoot, such as holding your baby bump or touching your belly.
- Take candid shots that capture the natural emotions and moments of your pregnancy, such as laughing, smiling, hugging your kids or looking lovingly at your partner.
- Show off your style and creativity, this will make your personality shine thru and the photo shoot a fun and memorable experience for your entire family.
- Ask your photographer for suggestions and advice on how to pose and where to stand for best results.
- Don’t be afraid to try something different and unique, and have fun!
Conclusion
Maternity photos are a great way to document the joy and anticipation of expecting a new baby and with careful planning, creative ideas, and meaningful props, you can create beautiful images that you’ll cherish forever. See 11 Steps to prepare for your in studio pregnancy photoshoot for more tips for your photoshoot.
How do I schedule my session?
You can schedule your session by filing the contact form, sending an email to [email protected] or by texting our studio at (310) 854-9695.
