How to Prepare for your Pregnancy Session
12
AUGUST, 2018
Your belly is growing and starting to get to the gorgeous round shape you envisaged at the beginning of your pregnancy, you are busy nesting and collecting clothes, furniture, crib, and cute babies items, but what about the pregnancy photos you have just booked? What should you wear, what should you avoid? and why? Read on and you will find out……
Most of us get a little uncomfortable in front of the camera, so to start off the session I give you a few tips to help you look your natural, comfortable self in front of the camera. The session can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, it’s a good idea to arrive a little early and settle into your new environment. Most importantly, get ready for some fun! I want to capture the real you, including that gorgeous smile and I won’t lie, sometimes I love getting a bit silly and wild to help bring some moments to life. Whether we are using some props, playing games or telling jokes, the real you will come to the fore in no time.
What about looking my best you ask? Well…..bring some touch up essentials such as make up, hair spray or hair clips, bring extra clothing, it is always better to have too much choice than not enough. If you are getting your hair and make-up done professionally, keep it simple and natural. Make sure you iron and hang your clothing as wrinkles don’t disappear in photos. Avoid clothing with logos or large images or texts that don’t match, as this can be distracting and detract from the beauty of your growing belly.
So what should you wear? The biggest tip is to dress like yourself, if you are comfortable in what you are wearing it will come through in your images, likewise if you are uncomfortable, this will show as well. Plan to wear something you would normally wear, that can represent who you are all the time. You want to look back on your session feeling like you being you.
Think about a co-ordinated palette, although this may sound overwhelming, it really is not as difficult as it sounds. Choosing a colour palette that everyone wears colours from will create a cohesive look that still feels and looks natural. So in doing this, either:
1. Choose one neutral colour and two colours that pop, such as grey, pink and navy blue.
2. Choose one colour and wear different shades of that particular colour.
3.Choose one item that pops i.e. a dress or a shirt and use that as the base for the colour palette to choose your remaining colours from.
Most of us us will get professional photos done one or twice in a lifetime, so make the most of your session by choosing the right outfits that suit your needs and your personality. If you are still unsure, bring a few different outfits and I can help you choose. Think about bringing something casual, formal, and something fun or unique along with you.
Don’t forget to accessorise your outfits and add variety. Wear outfits that suit your session location, i.e. urban, beach, natural, and bring outfits that you feel fantastic in! Flattering outfits that are in style will make you feel and look great!
“The biggest tip is to dress like yourself. If you are comfortable in what you are wearing, it will come through in your images. Likewise if you are uncomfortable this will show as well.”
A general list of clothing that suit this sort of shoot includes neutral, strapless bra and seamless underwear. Black bra and underwear set for those white background shots and white set for the black background shots. Tube top or belly band, regular jeans and camisole top, buttoned shirt or blouse, long flowy or form fitting dress i.e. tube or maxi dress. Button up cardigan or jumper, men’s button up tops are casual and cosy, and co-ordinating outfits for your husband/partner and children always tie everyone together. Any favourite scarves, accessories or jewellery, and any sentimental items such as an ultrasound image will personalise your session. Don’t forget your swimmers if you plan a beach location!
So when is a good time to come in for your session? For expecting mummas with one baby on board , a good time to book your maternity shoot is when you are 30-36 weeks along. Your belly will be full, but you are still comfortable enough to pose. For mamas with twins come in earlier, around 28-32 weeks, as twins can tend to come earlier.
Don’t stress about posing, trust me to direct you in your posing so that you can look your best. Keeping your stance as natural as possible allows the viewer to focus on you and your personality, feelings and the bond you share with your much-awaited little one. Most of the poses you naturally adopt in front of the camera such as hands on your belly looking down towards your baby, express your emotions and connection with your growing baby. Other poses will emphasise the beautiful curves of your body.
Where should you have your session?
Consider the location of your shoot and the advantages and disadvantages of them carefully.
In the home, you have the advantage of comfort and connection to your surroundings. You don’t have to worry about the weather outside and it leans itself to a lifestyle type of session which is relaxed and intimate. The disadvantages are that you may need to clean your house and the lighting may not be optimal.
A studio set up is convenient and more controlled in terms of lighting and you can shoot anytime regardless of the weather.
The natural beauty of a pregnant woman in a beautiful, natural out door backdrop is simply breathtaking! The parallel of a mother about to bring new life into the world and mother nature is a powerful one. The disadvantages can be that the weather may not be ideal and the shooting hours may be more limited to the best light, such as the golden hour before sunset. Reschedules may occur, which may trigger the rescheduling of other associated appointments such as hair and make up sessions. Be prepared to walk to the location and to change outfits outdoors!
Where ever you choose to be, a great maternity session will not only produce stunning and gorgeous memories but will make you feel confident, beautiful and connected to the wonderful journey that is unfolding.
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Maternity- Birth - Newborn- Family- Commercial
Alstonville, Ballina, Byron Bay
Maternity- Birth - Newborn- Family- Commercial
Alstonville, Ballina, Byron Bay
frequently asked questions
Q. My kids are gorgeous, but they don’t sit still and I’m worried they won’t behave..."
A. I’m a mum of three busy kids, I get it, the more you tell them what to do, the less they want to do it! I usually start with a few ‘everyone look at the camera’ shots and then the rest of the session is pretty easy going, I might give some suggestions for things to do, or more photogenic places to go, but generally I just let the kids play and explore. Often the best photos are when your kid is doing the thing that makes them most happy! And if meltdowns happen (and they will!) I may take an adorable photo of that, and then we can take a little break or head on a different adventure.
Q. Should I wait until everything is perfect?
A. Is family life ever perfect? Your kids want to see you, with them, so they can hold those memories and feelings in their hearts. You may never lose those 5 kilos, you may never re-paint that feature wall, and that is okay. Your kids don’t care, time goes fast, don’t wait. (or if you’re like me, a photoshoot is a great deadline haha).
Q. So how does it work? Where do we start?
A. Great question – click on the contact tab above to chat with me!
Q. When should I book my family session?
A. If you need a weekend, I am usually booked out 2-3 months in advance, so get in touch ASAP to check availability. If a weekday suits you, at least 2-4 weeks notice is great. I do get the odd cancellation, so it’s always worth checking if you aren’t sure!
Q. When should I book my newborn session?
A. If you want to capture your bub when they’re brand new, book a session as soon as you can. I usually book you in for your due date initially, then whenever your little one arrives we can make a firm date and time then. I only take on 4 newborns a month so I am able to be flexible if they need to be rescheduled. My sessions however are very relaxed and don’t require bub to be asleep to perform any crazy baby yoga positions, so even if your bub is 4-6 weeks old by the time you are feeling up to photos, they will still capture all that new baby love.
Q. What if my baby arrives early or late, can we move our newborn session?"
A. Yes, absolutely! Often babies don’t like to stick to their due date and that is fine. I usually recommend booking your session for your due date, and if bub comes early or late we can work out an available date to move the session.
Q. What days/times do you do the sessions?
Outdoor sunset sessions I shoot Monday-Sunday, we start 1-2 hours before sunset, depending on the location.
Real life sessions I shoot on Sundays and the time can vary depending on the activities you choose to do and the light in your home/yard, generally 2-3 hours before sunset
Newborn sessions I generally shoot these Monday - Friday, we generally aim for a 9.30am start if that works with any older kids and naps. If you need a weekend session to include older siblings this can be arranged also.
If you have a wedding or other occasion, I do have some flexibility outside of these days/times, so please Get in touch
Q. Where can we do the shoot?
A. I absolutely love photographing families in places that are special to them, whether that is your family home, or the beach or park you always go to together, if the place is special to you, the photos will also be that little bit more special in the years to come. If it’s just a photogenic location for your sunset session you need, then head to the contact page and I’m happy to recommend some options around the Byron Bay or Northern NSW.
Q. Can my dog be in the photos?
A. Absolutely! I have a dog who is very much a special part of our family, I couldn't imagine having family photos without him! Let me know if you want to bring your fur baby and we can make sure it's a dog friendly location. They can be in all the photos if you want, or we can find a shady spot to tie them up or let them roam free if they are allowed, up to you!
Q. How much is it?
A. Head to my contact page and get in touch to find out. Alternatively my pricing page will give you a starting price for the various sessions.
Q. Can I have a discount?
A. For past clients who have had a full family or newborn session with me I offer a $100 discount off your chosen package. If my sessions aren’t within your current budget, keep an eye out for one of my mini sessions by following me on my Facebook or Instagram, as they are announced here first.
Q. Do you do mini sessions?
A. Yes! I usually do mini sessions around mothers day and Christmas mini sessions in November. These sessions are shorter than my regular sessions, with a small number of images at a discounted price. Best to keep an eye on my Facebook or Instagram as they are announced here first.
Q. What if the weather is bad or we’re sick on the day of the shoot?
A. Cloudy skies make for great photos, but I certainly don’t want to get stuck in a storm. If it looks like it may rain and this will affect our shoot, I’ll be in contact in the days prior and we can decide if we should reschedule.
If you or your little ones are sick, please try to give a least 24 hours notice, and we can reschedule when everyone is feeling better.
Q. What should we wear?
A. I’ll send you a detailed guide after you book your session, including lots of info on what to wear, what to expect and how to prep for your session. But if you have any questions, head to my contact page and we can chat!
Q. Do you photograph extended families?
Yes! The relationships between cousins, grandparents, aunts is truly special and many families gift a session to a loved one for special occasions. You are welcome to also split off into separate family groups for photos also. Head to my pricing page for starting prices on family sessions or my contact page to chat with me.