Maternity Photos

Why not do it at a few different stages? Different periods of maternity are very different experiences for a woman, and she'll probably like to remember each different period.

Hey michelle,

usually in the 8th month or early in the 9th is good. It's also fun to do stages during the pregnancy to show the changes. Since it's your friend, you'll probably be around her enough to determine the best time. Have fun!

Michelle - don't wait to long otherwise the baby will settle down. I think that late 7th to mid-8th month would be best.

Hi Michelle, I photographed my friend...she was 8 1/2 months, kinda pushing it at that point, but check out the pic, I made a collage, it's in my folder called "collages". I have an old bassinette that I took alot of her pics in front of....I decorated it with lacey bedding and she brought over an old little dress and held it in front of the bassinette and was kinda looking down on the dress.... those came out really nice....once you start posing her it just kinda flows along......it was a blast.....Have fun!

I usually do between 7-8 months.... big but not uncomfortably big. Have fun!

We have shot several.

Six to nine months is the range of requests we have experienced.

But we invited clients to opt for two sittings, one at (early) 7 months and another around 8 1/2 months. The second sitting is offered without charge, for the client to have a larger choice of prints.

Clients requiring a nude component to the session on average are happier with their image from the first session.

Most seem more (physically) comfortable at the first also.

However, we still have many print sales from the second sitting.

Regards WW

I recommend thirty six weeks, with two exception. 1)If they are really small yet, they can wait a little longer. 2) If they have a high risk of going into laber very early, we do it earlier. I like thirty six weeks because they aren't too big and uncomfortable, but still have a big round belly! Also, if you wait longer, you run the risk of missing it if they deliver early. I had one mom to be call me the morning of her scheduled appt and say she was on the way to the hospital! I told her we would do newborn pictures instead!

By the way... this will probably get moved. It isn't about wedding photography.

I think 7-8 is great. Here's a link to my personal maternity pics: http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=2412317

One session was around 6 months and the other was 9 months. Big difference, huh?! (my baby boy is a month old now!!)

And here is an example album of a couple other maternity sessions I've done: http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=2596731

Michelle,

Talk it over with the mom. Work out something that is good for her. Make some suggestions to give her a few ideas. Ask her if she has any ideas or preferences.

This photo was one week before delivery. We did a bunch with mom alone, in color, with dad next to mom, dad holding mom's tummy. and so on. Maybe I'll try posting a cute photo of mom and dad together but I know the moderator only likes only one photo per thread.

This can be a very fun experience and I'm a guy! (*U*)

The glow goes away by the time you're big...you'll have to photoshop that in :) I always shoot for 7 months. Most women are big enough to show a nice round belly but not many women really want to be big in any pics so pushing it into the 8th and 9th month (really 9th and 10th) is a little risky.

Here's one more...the cute one. I'm having some difficulty getting these sized according to regulations.

I recently did my first maternity shoot....she delivered 22 hours later.

Hi Michelle--I've found consistently that 34-36 weeks gives a wonderful round belly, a really nice glow on mom, and the risk of going into labor is lowered (but always ask the mom if there are any concerns of early labor..I had my own photos done at 32 weeks b/c we'd already had one preemie, and I delieved the second one at 33 weeks). After 36 weeks moms tend to get more tired and an hour-long photo session can be a bit taxing. If you can do a series, definitely do it! Try to use the same background in each so you can see the progression of the tummy. Tight fitting clothing or a long, button down shirt unbuttoned up to or framing the breasts is really pretty, or experiment with different fabrics (I've draped with sheer curtain fabric and they're fantastic). Hope that helps. I'm still getting my website up and running, but if you'd like some ideas, here is my site, as well as a site (Jennifer Loomis) that always gives me inspiration. Take care and good luck!--Maureen www.maureenroyphotography.com OR www.jenniferloomis.com

While at it, is the lighting safe pregnant women and newborn babies? One of my clients ask me. Is there any effect? Have it been any research conducted?

wow--that's a new one! Hair dyes, nitrites, alcohol--yes, but studio lights?!? Although these days we moms worry about everything when we're expecting! I'm not aware of any studies that have been done showing any detrimental effects of studio lighting on pregnancy and/or fetuses in utero. I would venture to guess that it's a pretty safe practice. But now you've made me curious! Haven't found anything on the web....yet!

yes...I was kinda caught off-guard when they asked that question. I was not ready. So i just answered them "Not that I know of!" I know it is gonna be okay for fetus or newborn babies. Because it has been done for decades. But my concern is, it might not generate instant effect. It takes years to affect. That's my biggest concern. Well i need more scientific explanation or manufacturer's statement that it (lighting studio) is indeed safe. The way i work, it raises parents' concern because they are exposed to numerous times of flashes. So are the babies. They become scared.