Attn: Photographers - Tips for Maternity Portrait Session?

[azzeps]

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I hope this forum is okay! I am going to be taking some photos of a friend who is pregnant on Saturday, and wanted to see if anyone has any tips for a successful session with her. I have never done a maternity session, or really any portrait session for that matter. Photography is just a really serious hobby for me, and since I have a nice camera, she asked if I would do it.

If you have any tips for me, either as a photographer, or as someone who has had maternity portraits taken, please let me know!

Thanks!

[PatchChild]

Have her bring a couple of comfortable changes of clothes. I love doing picks with jeans and a while button down shirt, it gives you so many options. Bare feet, shirt unbuttoned or slightly undone. If the shirt is long, you can do some with just the shirt. Some with just the jeans and arms crossed over the chest are beautiful.

I love having mom use both hands, thumbs together and fingers together, to make a heart on the belly. Holding baby socks or baby blocks is also cute.

[FourTrees]

Tell her to wear loose clothing or she'll end up with lines all over her skin!

[Jane]

I'd have a list of poses to do. If is is going swimmingly, ignore the list and go forth. If it's awkward, you've got something to fall back on.
I'd suggest side poses, front poses, on the ground laying flat with feet up, at her house, etc.

[SophieAnn]

Check out my favourite local photographer, Melanie Gillis for some inspiration!

She's got a whole bunch of maternity photos on her website.
http://www.melaniegillis.com/index2.php

Just click "Maternity & Infants" along the top.

[wombatclay]

Well, you've probably already had your session (hope it went well!) but I'm moving this over to Fine Arts since that's where a lot of the photography mamas hang out.

[flowers]

How did it go?

[_betsy_]

Hope it went well!

For ideas for shoots in the future, check out the photo gallery at www.twopeasinabucket.com It's a scrapbooking site, but the general photography board is populated by established professionals, beginner pros/part time pros, and those like you and me - Moms With A Camera interested in photo as a hobby.