11 Steps to Prepare for Your in Studio Pregnancy Photoshoot [Full Guide]
When you’re pregnant, one of the most important things to capture is your beautiful baby bump. Many women choose to do a maternity photo shoot to commemorate this time in their lives and have beautiful maternity photography images to share for years to come. If you’re planning on doing a maternity photoshoot, follow these 11 steps to make sure everything goes smoothly!
1. Schedule your maternity session early – the best photographers get booked up quickly, especially during peak pregnancy months!
As maternity photoshoots are becoming an increasingly popular way to capture the joy of pregnancy, it’s important to book your maternity photography session early. Many photographers get booked up quickly – especially during peak pregnancy months. By scheduling your session early, you’ll ensure that you get the date and time that you want. Also, keep in mind that you may not want to wait until the last minute to book your session, as your belly may be too big to comfortably pose for pictures. If you’re thinking about capturing this amazing fun time with your soon to be baby be sure to schedule your session early!
2. Discuss your maternity shoot with your photographer ahead of time. Do you want simple maternity portraits? Shots with your husband or family? A themed shoot?
Before your maternity photo shoot, it is important to discuss what you want with your maternity photographer in order to get the best results. Do you want highly-stylized shots, or more natural ones? Do you want a black and white maternity shoot? Will you be including your husband, friends or other family members in the shoot? What kind of clothing do you want to wear for your pictures? By discussing your vision for the shoot in the beginning, you can ensure that both you and your photographer are on the same page during your session and that you will end up with the maternity photos that you have always wanted.
3. Practice poses for your maternity photography session, or don’t!
Of course it’s always good to practice a few poses in the mirror before the session but it’s not mandatory. Whether this is your first pregnancy or your third, we always love working with new moms to be and will make you feel comfortable when posing to create the most amazing pictures.
At Oxana Alex Maternity Photography we aim for the “wow”. Oxana is highly artistic, creative, always open to new ideas, and excited to meet you! See our Yelp reviews here.
4. Get plenty of sleep the night before so you arrive well-rested and relaxed for your studio maternity session.
Don’t forget to catch some Z’s before your big day! As your due date approaches, you may be feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, After all, you are about to meet your child, the newest member of your family! To help ensure that you arrive well-rested and relaxed for your maternity photo shoot, we suggest to get plenty of sleep the night before. This will help you look and feel your best, and it will also make it easier for you to take direction from the photographer. Also, please try to keep your schedule free from other commitments so that you can focus solely on the shoot.
5. Drink plenty of water and have breakfast
Drinking water will help to keep you hydrated and prevent dehydration-related wrinkling. Having a light breakfast before your shoot will help to settle your stomach and give you the energy you need to pose for your maternity images. It will also help avoid any potential unwanted hunger (we don’t want you or your baby getting hungry!) or feeling lightheaded during your shoot.
6. Make arrangements for your other kids
If you’re like most pregnant women, you’re probably looking forward to your maternity images. After all, it’s a rare chance to capture the beauty of pregnancy and the bond between mother and child. However, if you’re planning on bringing your other children to the shoot, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure they’re well-rested and fed so they’re in a good mood. Maybe try to schedule the shoot for a time when they’re likely to be at their best – for example, after a nap or a meal? Second, you can have someone else, like a member of your family take care of them during the shoot so you can focus on being in the moment and they can also be part of some of your pregnant portraits. Lastly, you can make arrangements to have someone care for them at home while you’re shooting.
7. Bring any props or accessories that you’d like photographed during your maternity session with you.
When you come in for your maternity photos, you are encouraged to bring any props or accessories that you’d like to include in your pictures with you. This could be anything from special pieces of jewelry to baby items or anything that will make you laugh or smile when remembering these early days of motherhood and being pregnant. We want to make sure that your photos are truly reflective of your personal style and vision, so if there’s something that is important to you, we want to make sure that it’s captured on the day of your maternity photoshoot.
8. Take some time to pamper yourself before getting your maternity photos done!
As we get closer to your maternity photography session, don’t forget about one important detail: your nails. After all, your hands will photograph in a lot of the shots. So take the time to get a manicure before your shoot. Not only will your nails look their best, but you’ll also enjoy the relaxing process of getting pampered and it will also help you to feel more confident in front of the camera. Plus, with so much going on during pregnancy, it’s nice to have a little Me time. So go ahead and treat yourself to a manicure – your maternity photo shoot is the perfect excuse!
We also suggest getting a relaxing massage, wearing something that makes you feel beautiful and confident to the studio and as always don’t forget to hydrate! Drinking plenty of water will help you avoid fluids retention and give you a healthy glow.
9. Hair and Makeup for your maternity portraits– if you’re doing it yourself, make sure it’s done well
If you are doing your own hair and makeup, take some time to research what style you would like to achieve. Pinterest is a great resource for finding inspiration. Once you have an idea of the overall look you are going for, gather the necessary products and tools. For makeup, you will need foundation, concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick or lip gloss. It is also a good idea to have a setting spray on hand to help keep your makeup in place. For hair, you may want to use curl-enhancing products if you have straight hair, or smoothing products if you have curly hair. If you are doing an updo, make sure to have bobby pins and hairspray on hand.
Tip: When it comes time to do your hair and makeup for your portraits, start with a clean face and dry hair. Apply your foundation and concealer using a brush or sponge for even coverage. Then move on to eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara. If you are doing an updo, start by creating a loose bun at the base of your neck. Then use bobby pins to secure any stray strands. Finish by spraying your hair with hairspray. To add the final touches to your look, apply blush, bronzer, powder, and lipstick or lip gloss. Once you are finished, step back, take a look in the mirror and make any necessary adjustments!
You can also get your hair and makeup done by a professional. This can help you look and feel more like the beautiful, strong woman that you are while also saving you time. Trying to do your own hair and makeup while dealing with all of the other preparations for your photo shoot can be overwhelming. A professional hair and makeup artist knows how to accentuate your best features and create a flattering look for your portraits.
Note: Please keep in mind that due to insurance policy, we are not a full service studio and won’t be able to allow hair and makeup artists on site. This means that it is very important that you come to the photo shoot ready with your hair and makeup already done.
10. Pick what to wear to the maternity shoot
Our maternity photography studio provides designer wardrobe, accessories and jewelry for your studio session at no extra cost. You are also welcome to bring your own, especially if you have other ideas or any clothing pieces or accessories with sentimental value. Also, if you are bringing your other kids to the shoot, make sure to let the photographer know and to pick the right clothes for them if they will be in the photos.
Opt for stretchy, comfortable fabrics and please avoid wearing clothing that has elastic because you want your skin to appear naturally smooth in the photos (avoid skin marks). You may want to consider wearing a wrap or flowing dress to help hide your stomach area while still showing off your bump.
Comfort is key for moms to be, after all, you’re carrying around a lot of extra weight, and you want to be able to move and pose freely. It’s likely that your photographer will photograph you from a number of different angles, so it’s important to prepare your outfit carefully- choose clothing that is both comfortable and flattering. Feel free to ask us if you have any questions!
11. Make plans for a date after your studio pregnancy photoshoot
All ladies can agree this adds to the amazing experience which is your maternity photo shoot!
Why not make the most of the remainder of your day? You’ll be all papered already and arranging a dinner date with your significant other, family member or best friend may give you something extra to look forward to after the photoshoot!
A pregnancy photoshoot is the perfect way to commemorate this amazing time in your life, and by arranging a dinner date afterwards, you can celebrate your new milestone with the people who are closest to you.
Lastly, trust that you are in good hands.
Whether this is your first time scheduling a professional photo shoot or if you’re used to have your picture taken, Oxana will guide you in the moment and make sure that you are posing in a way that feels natural and comfortable to you to let your personality shine through. With years of experience with fashion, portraits and maternity photography and an eye for capturing beauty, she is both patient and creative and will be able to help you get stunning pictures.
Be assured that the photographs you receive will turn into memories that you will treasure for a lifetime! See the top 10 benefits of having a studio maternity photoshoot.
For reviews from other mothers-to-be that came before you, please see our Yelp Page.
Conclusion
Preparing for your pregnancy photo shoot should be a fun and exciting step in the journey of motherhood. With these tips, you’ll be able to look and feel your best at your maternity photo shoot while also creating photographs to celebrate the new life of your child. So go ahead, schedule early, let you photographer know of any specific ideas for your maternity portraits, take time to prepare and pamper yourself and make the most of your photoshoot.
We look forward to helping you photograph this special time in your life!
FAQ
This depends on the package you choose. We offer 1.5 Hour and 2.5 Hour Sessions. Please see our maternity photo shoot pricing here.
You should wear clothing that is comfortable and flattering. Please avoid clothing that has elastic because you want your skin to appear naturally smooth in the photos. You may want to consider wearing a wrap or flowing dress to help hide your stomach area while still showing off your bump.
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own props, especially if they have sentimental value.
The cost of the shoot includes access to designer wardrobe, accessories, and jewelry at no extra cost during your shoot. We also include fully retouched digital images (the number of images depends on which package you choose).
Please allow 3 weeks for your photos to be ready for digital delivery.
Make the most of your photo shoot by scheduling early, taking time to prepare and pamper yourself, and even making plans for a date after your shoot. We also recommend looking at our Yelp page to read reviews from other mothers-to-be who have had a great experience with us.
How do I schedule my session?
You can schedule your session by emailing [email protected] or by texting our studio at (310) 854-9695.
