Maternity Photos: Tips for a Successful Photo Shoot

It often happens that I am asked if I have any advice to give to succeed in your maternity photos, when I am booked to do a session. I thought that making a blog post couldn't hurt. In fact, these are often the same questions that come up haha ​​so here I am, launching into my advice!

1- When to have a maternity session?

Over time, I realized that doing the photoshoot when you are hile 34 semaines et 36 is pretty much optimal. The belly is nice and round, very visible. It hasn't gone down yet, so you're still in good shape to take maternity photos. Of course, if you've just decided right now and you're at 38 weeks (for example), it's not too late. I've already photographed a mother-to-be who was exactly 40 weeks along... and then she gave birth 2 days later!

But to be sure to be able to book my services, it is advisable to contact me in advance. When it is the wedding season (between May and October), my availability is limited. So as soon as you've decided, contact me and we'll check our availability. And if you've already had a first pregnancy with complications and you think doing the session before 34 weeks would be better, that's okay too. I'm able to adapt haha. The important thing is to feel good and have a nice belly that's visible. Here are several photos taken between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

2- What to wear for maternity photos?

I often advise having 2 looks. Question to have a nice variety of photos and to make it a little different. Clothes that you feel good in and that are a little tight. If you want 3 looks, that's ok too, or just one if you don't want to have to change (sometimes in your car, wrapped in a blanket or in a toilet) if we are outside. It can be for example, a more chic look and another more "casual".

I noticed that when there is a bit of contrast between the clothes of the future parents, it makes the belly stand out more. Green with orange, yellow and purple, blue and red. Gray goes with pretty much everything. And blue comes out very well in photos. Personally, I really like it when there is a touch of color, a bright color. If it is summer, I always find it beautiful to be in a dress. A dress that is not too short, that goes to the knees if possible, in case you have to sit down. For shoes, wear something that is comfortable, we might walk a little. For men, I recommend less clothing brands where you can see the names of the companies, caps and white t-shirts.

I don't recommend wearing black for the mother.. or even white.. Black makes it so that when you are looked at from the front, in a photo, you hardly look pregnant. Or else, pairing a black dress with a belt, a jacket or a colored vest can be a good idea. The belly is more visible that way. And for white, I find that the belly reflects a lot of light on top and it often lacks details. On the other hand, white with a print or lines is perfect. If you are not sure, you can always send me pictures of your outfit before the session! I'll be happy to tell you if it works well or less well. And if the session is at home, prepare your sets in advance, to save time.

For winter sessions, you can plan several accessories, hats, scarves, different mittens. You can dress "in layers" in the sense that you can put on several sweaters and take one off halfway through the session to make it different.

3- Where do we do the photoshoot? Indoors or outdoors?

When the weather is nice, I really like taking maternity photos outside.. It can be in a park (I am very close to Parc Maisonneuve, the possibilities are numerous), in Old Montreal (there are fewer tourists during the week or when it is not summer), in the streets of your neighborhood, by the water on the south shore of Montreal, etc. If it is winter and it is not too cold, the snow really gives a beautiful effect when taking maternity photos. I highly recommend it, it is worth freezing a little haha! If you have no idea for the place, I can advise you. I never run out of ideas!

Taking maternity photos at home? Why not! If the baby's room is already ready, we can take pictures in that room. I really like the fact that it represents anticipation, projection, waiting and that the parents are looking forward to the baby's arrival. We can do another part of the session in other rooms of your home if it is ready. Or simply go outside, nearby.

4- What to do if the weather is bad or it is winter?

I always plan two dates for each photoshoot.. Like this, at the first appointment if the weather is not with us to do the session outside, we look for the second date (plan B). I am very flexible during the week, so we can even change the time if it is better before or after the set time. If the session is inside, you have to make sure that the natural light will be good even if it is cloudy outside. I never take photos with the lights on the ceiling. If you have big windows, there is a chance that it will work. For outdoor photos, the light is best at the end of the day (whether it is around 19pm in summer or 16-17pm in fall) or otherwise in the morning around 9-10am.

What to do if it is winter and very cold? You can do half the session inside and the other half outside. If the baby's room is not ready, you can do the photos in the brightest rooms in your house/apartment. Otherwise, there is the World Trade Center in Old Montreal where I like to go to get out of the weather. It's beautiful, bright and there are plenty of places inside to take a variety of photos.. On the other hand, if it's warmer than -10 degrees, taking photos outside is very possible. The day after a snowstorm, it's downright magical!

5- A pregnancy shoot with a little brother or sister?

Do you already have a child who is going to be a big brother or sister? If the eldest is rather young, I often recommend doing a session of one and a half hours. Which amounts to making a family session rather than planning only an hour. We can also see during the photo shoot if we extend by 30 minutes. Children 4 years old and under are not always the most cooperative and do not necessarily want to have their portrait taken haha. They prefer to play, run, jump. If you come with someone, it can be a good idea to have someone (let's say a grandmother) take care of your child while I take your couple photos. Or this person can also make faces to make him/her laugh. And hop we take the opportunity to take a photo with grandma, while we're at it!

6- What accessories to take?

During the photoshoot, you can have all the accessories that seem important to you. Whether it's a small pair of shoes, a book of your choice, an ultrasound, one of your childhood stuffed animals that you are going to give to your child, linen, a gift from a family member, etc. Do you have a pet? Why not have it participate in the session with us?

Did you like this article? Check out my maternity newborn and baby portfolio right HERE!