Photo Help

[Hezzie]

My MW has suggested several times that I have some nice photos taken of me at full-term (I'll be 40 weeks on Tues.) and I think it's a nice idea. She doesn't think I'll go into labor for another week or more, so DH and I would like to try and do this soon. We don't have 2 nickles to rub together right now (heck, I can't even afford to go to JC Penney's even with their great coupon deals), but we both are pretty good photographers. However, neither of us have photographed pregnant ladies before.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to poses or clothing ideas? I've scoured some photographers' websites looking for ideas and saw some very nice shots, but we don't have access to a studio. It will probably have to be outside. There's some great parks around here we have access to. I absolutely refused to bare my belly as I have the stretch marks that ate Cincinnati, so the traditional bare belly shots are out. MW suggested the white sheet thing, but I think that would look kind of weird outside and I don't want to go tramping around a park half-nekkid. I would be doing a nice Moby Dick white-whale impression, though! Thar she blows!

Thanks!

[Coconut Chronicles]

We've taken lots of artsy, bare belly shots during this pregnancy but to be honest, my favorite photo is actually a really simple clothed shot: Click

Really some of the best shots we've taken have been when we've been goofing around. Just put on a bright colored top, pick a fun location (backyard, park, children's playground) and have a good time!

[Amanda Williams]

Just get out and take some! Your little one might come earlier than anyone expects.

I am a bigger girl, too, but am so glad I have taken photos during each pregnancy. Even fully clothed ones by my less than willing hubby are better than nothing. :

I LOVE these shots and think you could give them a try.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.a...out_id=1498988

[wombatclay]

I agree... you don't need nekkid photos or really "artsy" posing to create a really neat picture! If you want to go to the park, perhaps find a low branch you could sit on, or "hide" behind a tree with your belly poking out the other side? A picnic blanket on the grass would be a nice backdrop for a photo like the one above (the "laying on your back" picture) or lay on your side with a baby toy, diaper, stack of blocks spelling something meaningful, etc next to your belly. Or use finger paints and paint your belly to look like the sun, or the moon, or the earth, or paint the babe on it, or make a simple spiral centered on your belly button, or write a meaningful quote... things that would add color/interest/art while also covering stretch marks (and the sort of image anyone can do... henna is a bi trickier but if you or your partner is an artist then celtic knotwork, henna, a tribal style symbol, etc might be cool).

And don't forget your own home! If you have a tub, fill it with bubbles and get a picture of your belly rising out of the bubbles (a friend did this, but she went totally silly and sort of decorated her belly to look like an island!). If you have a shower, get the shower glass all steamy and take a "nude" picture with you sort of hidden in the steam. Or pose on the couch wearing a bathrobe. Take a picture of the shadow your belly makes on the wall. If you have an umbrella or top hat or fairy wand or play silks or some sort of prop like that have fun using them to focus on the belly. Put on a tight top and comfy blue jeans and then tie a ribbon round your belly or take a picture of your partner's hands making a "heart" on your belly.

There are LOTS of things you can do and try, and if you take lots and lots of pictures you're sure to get a dozen or so that will be amazing!

[tankgirl136]

I had DH and a friend take pictures of me last week, and we used angles to make the photos more interesting, otherwise they were just in our backyard or my friends back yard, some were with covered belly some weren't (mostly bare belly since I had henna done). You really don't have to do anything super fancy to get good pictures to remember this part of your pregnancy.

I think the "show us your bellies" has some really good ideas as well as some of the ladies have done some nice, simple, arty photos that would translate really well to what ever look you are going for.

[dislocator3972]

My favorite low/no budget way to have photos taken is to find a budding photographer looking to expand his or her portfolio. For our wedding, I put a post on Craigslist and had so many responses we ended up being pretty choosy. Another thing you can do is call a local college and see if the art/photography department knows of any students who want to take some free photos.

It's more fun to take pictures with your hubby, but this way you get a LOT more photos and ideas!

[Hezzie]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Amanda and Coconut, I LOVE your photos! DH laughed and laughed at the one of you mowing the lawn in heels! Turns out that DH found a great deal at Penney's that I wasn't aware of and we got a last-minute appointment for last night. They turned out really well, but I think the photographer was annoyed because we didn't order a full photo package but he's just doing his job. Really, though...what would I do with 16 wallet-sized photos of my preggo self? We got an 8x10 and 2 5x7s for our parents. There was a lady right before us doing bare belly shots and she had a lovely belly...no stretch marks or anything! Lucky! The photographer mentioned doing some and I said, "No thanks...my stretch marks would probably break your expensive camera" and he cracked up.

Next time we will plan better and hopefully be in a better financial situation so I can hire a professional photographer. I'm thankful that we have something, though. DH wants to start a photo album for the family and have the 8x10 as the first picture. I think it's a great idea.

[Mamatoabunch]

My best ones are outside it seems or silouette, most flattering. Lisa I love, love the pics you guys have done!

[HappyMommaBear]

I'm not personally a fan of the bare belly or the white sheet thing, for me. I would recommend a white shirt and casual skirt/pants. (denim or khaki is good) Goes with pretty much anything, so you are more free to use whatever back drops you find in nature.
I am an amateur photographer - meaning that I love it but am not good enough to actually make money -lol. Anyway, I've found that the best pictures are when you are just having fun. Take a tripod and your DH and play around with whatever poses you think of. We took photos of us looking at my belly, looking at each other, and of course a few for the grandparents of us smiling nicely for the camera. I think it's cute to take along baby shoes or hat or something tiny -maybe blocks to lay across your belly, spelling out "baby" or the baby's name.
My favorite photo from our first pregnancy was a close up of my belly, with DH's cheek rested against it. His eyes were closed and his hand was on my belly. (we took it with me standing and him on his knees - all you can see is my belly and his head/shoulders)
I've also seen one that I loved, of a momma lying on her back in a field, with flowers around her. It was taken almost at ground level so it really showed the belly well, against the sky and the trees behind her.

Good luck, and have fun!