Not to get all maternity and baby obsessed on you, but since this is my current reality, I want to share a few things I’m learning along the way. One of those things is how to document your pregnancy and get some beautiful photos to remember this precious time. I shoot more photos than maybe an average preggo because of the blog, but this new phase of life has made it challenging to style my body or pose in the same way I used to. So…here’s a few things I’ve been learning:
- Schedule small shoots at different stages of your pregnancy. These don’t have to be professional shoots! Just grab your iPhone or whatever camera you like to use, and have a friend or loved one take some pretty shots of your growing belly. You won’t want to forget how small the baby once was…especially by month nine. (Heck, take mirror selfies if that’s easiest for you.)
- Plan at least one beautiful, professional shoot. Everyone is different when it comes to what kind of maternity shoot to do; some people love the indoors, silhouetted baby bump, some people love a super sexy, tummy-baring lingerie or lace shoot. I gravitate towards outdoor shoots since I love natural elements and the beauty of nature. Whatever your style is, hire someone within your budget that shoots the kind of images you envision. Not only will you love to look at these down the road, they will be fun to show your little one someday when they are old enough to appreciate them!
- WARDROBE is key. This is so important. Whether you’re taking professional maternity photos or need a gender reveal or baby shower dress that will wow in photos, you want something elegant and beautiful. Dressing the bump can be tricky, because you want to accentuate the baby without looking out of proportion everywhere else. I have become a HUGE fan of ShopPinkBlush.com, which is where this gorgeous ice blue lace maxi dress is from. (And it’s only $85!) I love their selection because it’s full of flattering, comfortable, and affordable pieces. I got so many compliments on this one that I had to share it. It’s elegant and flowy and ALL the things you want in a pretty maternity dress. (Side note: if you were a little on the small-chested side before pregnancy, a dress like this one finally gives you a chance to show off your new assets while you have ’em!)
- When choosing your wardrobe, don’t feel like you have to stick to “earth tones”. Yes, lots of women choose to wear white, ivory, or beige, and they are beautiful and earthy. But if you love color, don’t shy away from wearing what makes you feel most vibrant and pretty! This soft ice blue made me feel much prettier than any plain white dress would have.
- Holding your tummy may feel awkward or ridiculous, but it looks lovely. A hand above your bump and one below it make for some pretty photos. It’s a good way to frame your baby and point out that you still have your original shape under all that bump. A flowy dress is a great way to accentuate that, too. I try to be aware of straight-on side angles, because it makes me look enormous, so a slight half-turn or a fully frontal shot can be flattering.
- If you want to add accessories, go for it! A flower crown, a pair of baby booties, a sonogram photo, baby blocks spelling out your baby’s name or monogram…all cute ways to personalize your shoot. One friend brought along a chalk board sign with her due date on it. I had another girlfriend use her pageant crown in her photos to highlight her belly while laying down…a cute way to give a nod to her days as queen and welcome her little girl into the world. I simply wore blue to signify that we are having a boy!
If you’re keeping a journal or baby book, don’t forget to describe the shoot: the date, time, location, photographer, what you wore and where you got it from, etc. Write down as many details as you can, because one day you’ll want to recall that it was extremely hot that day, or that you left the shoot and immediately drove to Sonic for a limeade. Recalling these details will warm your heart when this time has long passed!
Photography: S. Jackson
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