maternity Session Preparation Guide
a grand adventure is about to begin...
Welcome! I'm Ashley, your maternity & newborn photographer.
Maternity sessions are one of my favourites to photograph because it's a little bit of glamour combined with natural beauty, romance and whimsical fun showcasing a beautiful baby bump that's growing a new little life inside. Maternity portraits are serene, natural and timeless.
This guide is to help you prepare for your upcoming maternity session with Honey Heart Photography, with detailed info on what to expect during your session, different session styles, what to wear, and other helpful information.
I'm looking forward to our session together, and I hope that you are as well. I will do my best to create a fun, light hearted experience that will celebrate your pregnancy and soon-to-be baby, leaving you with memories and portrait art that you will cherish for years to come.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Maternity Sessions are best between 30-35 weeks when your belly adores that gorgeous roundness of pregnancy. The sweet spot I have found for maternity portraits is 32 weeks. We want to make sure you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible so it’s best to schedule your session during this time. If you are past 35 weeks along in your pregnancy, please do not worry that you are too late for maternity photos, the sweet spot is only a suggested guideline for expectant mamas.
Weather (and season) permitting, all my outdoor maternity sessions take place 1-2 hours before sunset, when the light is gorgeous, soft and golden during the evening hours. Those times give the best light for the most beautiful portraits.
Studio sessions can take place during the daytime and evenings. My studio has a variety of backdrops and my studio closet is open for you to choose any maternity gowns and outfits that you may be interested in borrowing for your session.
POSING & STYLING
Your pre-session questionnaire will give me a great idea of the kinds of portraits you’d like to achieve so that I can design and style your session to your vision. You are welcome to check out my { Maternity Board on Pinterest } for further maternity photo inspiration that you would like to try or ideas about what to wear. If you see a pose or location setting that you adore and is a 'must do', make sure to let me know ahead of your session and I will try my best to characterize that idea or style for you.
SHE'S GOT THE LOOK ;)
{ all of these tips are very important for the look of your maternity portraits }
If you will be showing your bare bump in some photos, make sure to moisturize your belly well several days before your session, more importantly several hours before yours session – no lotions with colour please.
Avoid wearing anything elastic on your belly a couple hours prior to your session. This also includes removing hair elastics/ties around your wrists.
Strapless garments are best photographed with appropriate strapless bras and/or nipple covers. Bra straps that are tucked in will give a budging look and generally don’t photograph well. Straps left worn cannot be edited out.
Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure before the session. Your hands will be focused on your beautiful baby bump! Avoid wearing chipped, neon or black coloured polish as it will distract from your beautiful baby bump and the overall image. Choose a neutral coloured polish.
Wear your favorite pieces of heirloom jewelry, but it’s a good idea to leave watches at home (this includes dad-to-be as well)
Wear your hair and makeup as if you were going on a very fancy date night! You may also want to treat yourself and get it done professionally – if you need a recommendation, let me know. For hair – think “soft and natural”. Hair done in soft curls looks amazing for maternity portraits and photographs so well. For makeup, think "fancy date night or glamour photoshoot"
Prepare to be barefoot for several poses (especially for studio maternity), but bring some cute high heels or wedges, if you’d like.
The night before the session get plenty of rest. There will be a fair amount of standing, walking and beauty shots!
The Life of a mother is the life of a child: You are two blossoms on a single branch
MATERNITY SESSION STYLES
SUNSET OUTDOOR MATERNITY
Outdoor maternity sessions typically take place in local parks with lots of walking on paths and even up or down some smaller hills. It’s recommended that you wear proper footwear for your session, and change into any dressier footwear for your photos.
Majority of my maternity clients will do a quick change in a wooded area, please let me know if you prefer to change with added privacy and I can bring something for you to change behind.
STUDIO MATERNITY
If you will be having a studio session and wish to include more revealing nude or semi-nude (barely there) portraits, lingerie photographs so well and truly accentuates a growing baby bump beautifully and tastefully. I have maternity wraps and draping fabrics that you are welcome to use to cover up in an elegant way that shows as much, or as little, of your pregnant body that you feel comfortable with. For your privacy, nude maternity portraits are for you and your partner’s eyes only and are kept discreet in nature.
Lingerie you may want to bring:
One of your spouse’s dress shirts, matching boy short & bra and panties set(s) in pastel, white, cream or black are always super cute with a pregnant bump! Strapless bra - cream, nude or black A black or white tank paired with cute boy short panties (lace is always pretty)
WHAT TO BRING
- Bring along any makeup, lip gloss, hair spray or hair pins, etc. that you may need to touch up with during the session.
- Bottled water or a snack if you need to take a little break
- A strapless bra or nipple covers for under the maternity wraps and strapless maternity gowns, if you will be wearing any.
- Any special props you would like to include in your portraits: Ultrasound pics, baby shoes, stuffed animals or any special mementos.
WHAT TO WEAR
FOR YOUR MATERNITY PORTRAITS
One of the most common questions I get asked is “what should I wear?”
Below is some information to help when choosing outfits and clothing for your maternity session whether you wish to borrow from the maternity client closet and wear a maternity gown, or you wish to wear your own outfits or purchase your own maternity gown.
Choose outfits that you feel the most beautiful, yet comfortable in.
When selecting clothing, please avoid busy patterns, clashing colours and anything with words, graphics or logos on them as they take away from the overall photograph. Coordinate clothing starting with mama-to-be and work your way to dad-to-be, and children (if they will be in some of the photos). A soft and neutral colour palate that is cohesive will give you the most timeless photographs.
For Mom-to-be:
Long, flowing skirts paired with t-shirts or camisole tops that hug and accentuate your growing belly! Empire waist and maxi style dresses belted below the bust look amazing and showcase the bump well!
Shirts should be fitted as we want to show off that gorgeous belly! Loose, flowy tops don’t give the same look – unless they have an empire look and flow below the bust.
Bring a pair of jeans to wear. Maternity jeans with the band folded down or pre-pregnancy jeans with the button undone paired with a tank top or t-shirt can make your photos fun.
Textures like knit and lace add beauty to you and to the overall photograph.
For Dad-to-be:
Jeans paired with a black or white shirt, and Khakis or jeans paired with button up shirts will compliment to the overall look for the couples portion of maternity portraits. No graphics or logo prints please. These will give your photos a timeless feel.
For Baby's Siblings:
Dress children in jeans and solid print top, or a solid print dress. As a gentle reminder, don’t forget to wash little hands and faces, and style hair for photos. Please avoid giving any food or drink item before or during the session that can stain their skin and clothes.
OTHER INFORMATION
For Studio Sessions: My studio is in my home with many kids from my street and within the community who play outdoors. Please drive slow and be on the lookout for little ones who may be playing outside when you come for your session at my home studio.
Come to your session ready to have fun and get great maternity portraits!
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Your gallery will be ready for viewing and ordering within 15-19 business days after your maternity session. I always make every effort to deliver your gallery as soon as possible after your session, but please note that it may take the full turn around time.
A Gallery Rush option is available for clients needing their gallery sooner. A Gallery Rush Fee of $250 will apply and be invoiced to you at your request. The gallery rush payment must be paid within 24 hours. Image processing begins after payment is received. Your Rush Gallery will be delivered to you within 3-5 business days.
THANK YOU
Thank you for choosing me as your maternity and newborn artist! I am truly honoured to be able to document this incredible time in your lives while you await the arrival of your new baby bundle. I look forward to our session together and getting to know you.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to get in touch with me!