I decided to write about useful topics like this, especially while we are all stranded at home due to the coronavirus crisis.
Maternity photography typically can’t be postponed by months. Many expecting women won’t be able to wait with their pregnancy session until life gets back to normal. They might not get the chance to go to a portrait studio or hire a photographer before giving birth. Having beautiful maternity portraits is priceless.
The good news is that you can always take beautiful photos at home with a little bit of help. The images might not end up like they were taken by a professional but they can still be wonderful memories of your pregnancy.
You can even use your phone but generally it is better to use a camera. On a camera you can control more aspects like light sensitivity, shutter speed, aperture, zoom etc. Also, ask your husband or partner for help, rather than taking a selfie.
Maternity Photos Inside
Let’s start inside the house or apartment. Not everyone has a garden.
Look for a room with lots of natural light. Don’t rely on your ceiling lights or lamps with bulbs. They usually don’t give nice colours to the photos. Also, the direction artifical lighs are coming from might not be the best. They can cause harsh shadows on your face. It is best to use a room where you have enough natural light and there is no need for any artificial one. Avoid direct sunlight. If you have a plain white or creamy sheer curtain at your window or patio door that would be perfect. You can also use a white sheer material in front of the window or balcony door if you don’t have a curtain. A thin white sheet is also a good idea to screen direct sunlight.
There are a few important posing tips for pregnancy photography:
- Straighten your back, never hunch. The nice arch in the small of your back looks beautiful and emphasises the shape of the belly.
- Bend the knee which is closer to the camera.
- Make both hands visible when holding the belly.
- Avoid looking too far down at the bump.
- Cross your feet when facing the camera, moving the foot at the front forward.
- Watch your posture even when sitting.
- Arch your back when lying on the floor or bed.
- Create triangles.
As for the background, look for something simple and plain. It doesn’t have to be an empty white wall but try to avoid having a busy background. Lots of objects, colours and patterns behind you will take the focus from you. Move away from pictures, bookshelves, tv etc. in the background.
Don’t crop the image at the joints. Don’t have your husband or partner standing completely behind you.
You will need the help of a third person if you would like to be photographed with your husband or partner. If you can put the camera on a tripod or on a tall object that can work too.
Maternity Photos Outside
If you have a nice back- and/or front yard it is a great idea to take pregnancy photos outdoors. The garden doesn’t have to be big at all, even a spacious patio with some greenery would do.
Just like indoors, move away from direct sun. The best time for outdoor photography is one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. Look for a nice shaded area in your garden that is illuminated but there is no harsh sunlight. Avoid the sunniest hours of the day. Early morning or later in the afternoon is best.
The same posing rules apply like above and the guidelines are also the same for natural backdrops. Stay away from the busy parts of your backyard.
If you don’t have a garden you can loo kfor a nice park nearby. Autumn colours are beautiful, it is easy to find amazing locations for pregnancy photos this time of the year.
Look around in your wardrobe for outfits. Try a few different ones to see which one looks better on images. Generally, choose something plain, without too many colours, patterns or big logos. They don’t necessarily have to be maternity dresses. Your normal jeans unbuttoned, your husband’s shirt, a tank top, yoga pants, bikinis, bodysuits or long wide shawls can all work well. I will write more about this in a next article.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Please keep an eye on my blog if you would like to read more about topics like this. Don’t forget to keep the 1.5 meter distance from the third person who is helping you while social distancing restrictions last.
If you have any questions you are welcome to call me on 0431 591 096. For more posing ideas visit my maternity gallery.
Hope you will enjoy experimenting with my absolute favourite genre.
Janette Osvay