How to Take Beautiful Maternity Photos: 6 Tips

Taking pictures of a mommy-to-be comes with unique challenges. Here’s how you can make the most of a maternity photoshoot.

Taking photos of an expecting mother and her bump can be challenging, particularly because you have to factor in so many things. When you capture an expecting mother, you want her to look beautiful, but you also want her to have an enjoyable experience.

Pregnancy is hard, there are a lot of changes going on, so you must know how to take the perfect photographs to keep mom happy. Use these six tips during your next maternity photoshoot, and you’ll end up with dazzling results.

1. Always Be Punctual

Before we get into all the camera gear, equipment, props, and lighting that you’ll need to take beautiful photos, you need to be punctual! If you turn up to a shoot promptly, it’ll start the day on the right foot and make for a happy mom-to-be.

Can you imagine being late for a maternity photoshoot? An expecting client has enough to worry about other than a tardy photographer. Besides making mom angry, not being punctual can cause you to miss the perfect time to take the photographs. This is especially bad if you were planning on taking them specifically during sunrise or sunset.

2. Use a Decent Camera and Lens

Just as with any other type of photoshoot, you need to use a camera that is up to standard. A lot of resources debate about whether it’s better to use a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. The truth is, both DSLR and mirrorless cameras have their pros and cons.

A good DSLR camera will have a better battery life, a large range of camera lenses available, and full manual controls. On the other hand, a mirrorless camera has a weaker battery life and hardly any lenses available, but it’s the more affordable option.

Whichever camera you choose, just make sure you have the best lens. If there’s one thing you should not skimp on, it’s a high-quality camera lens.

But when it comes to maternity photography, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The most commonly used lens would be 50mm, and it’s popular because of its versatility. You can get close and capture small details as well as move further away and shoot from a distance.

3. The Right Lighting Is Vital

One of the most popular times to do a photoshoot is during golden hour or blue hour.

Blue hour happens just before sunrise and about 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. Golden hour is the opposite; it makes for a lovely, warm light, which is why it’s called golden hour. If you’re doing your photoshoot inside a studio, and it’s not possible for you to use natural lighting, then you can make use of a flash and reflector.

Harsh, overwhelming light isn’t flattering at all, and expecting moms could be particularly sensitive about that. Plus, using too many bright lights could also end up resulting in ugly shadows in your photographs if you’re not careful.

4. Get Your Camera Settings Right

Whether it’s on the beach at sunrise or at home on the couch, there are so many ways to do a maternity photoshoot. And because these shoots vary so much, you need to know how to change your camera's settings correctly. Some of the most important camera settings that every photographer should master are the aperture, ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and metering.

The aperture setting changes how much light enters the camera. If you want to focus on a close-up shot of a couple’s sonogram picture with them embracing in the background, then set the aperture to wide. This will allow the background to blur out.

Another important camera setting is your ISO. It’s the setting that will either make your photo brighter or darker. For great results, always keep your ISO low. An expecting mom won’t be happy if her precious photographs look low quality with an ugly, grainy texture.

Shutter speed is another setting you can use to enhance your photographs. If you’re using a tripod, the camera will be steady, making it easier to use a low shutter speed. However, it all depends on the poses the mom will be doing as well as the effect you’re going for. If your shutter speed is slow, the photos can come out blurry.

That’s why it’s best to use a shutter speed based on your subject, otherwise, you could make mistakes that'll ruin your photos. For example, use a faster shutter speed if you’re taking shots of the expecting mom walking through a beautiful field of flowers with her long dress blowing in the wind.

White balance is the camera setting that levels out the warm and cool tones in your photographs. Different light sources have different color temperatures. So if you're shooting the mom-to-be in the evening surrounded by a bunch of candles, the light will be warmer and create a lovely atmosphere. This is why setting your white balance manually comes in handy.

Lastly, metering is made up of at least three different modes, namely matrix, center-weighted, and spot metering. These modes basically figure out the correct exposure settings, which can make your life a lot easier. The number of metering modes will depend on the camera you're using.

5. Use the Appropriate Props

Using props in a photoshoot can help tell a story, but they’re not always necessary. Sometimes props can ruin a photograph and make it appear tacky. Unless the props tie in with the scene or have a connection to your subject, just leave them out.

If the expecting mom is insistent on using props, we have a few cute ideas. Have her bring a sweet, tiny pair of baby booties that she can hold next to her belly. Another great idea for a prop would be an aesthetic flower crown for the mom to wear. Or perhaps have her hold a large bunch of balloons that match the color scheme of the photoshoot.

6. Plan the Best Poses and Angles

Even though this tip is last on the list, it’s probably the most important. A lot of photography centers on keeping things natural and candid, but maternity photoshoots are a bit more specific. The mom-to-be needs to look stunning with her growing bump being the main focus.

A lot of photographers like to exaggerate the belly a little by making the mom lean back onto her back leg. Another classic pose is the expecting parents making a heart with their hands on the bump.

Some other simple poses include mom looking down at her belly, a close-up shot of the bump from the side, and a beautiful silhouette captured during sunset.

Capture Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

A maternity photoshoot is not exactly one you want to mess up. These photographs are incredibly important for a growing family, that’s why you need to capture photos that they can look back on for years to come.

Many aspects can change whether your photos are just okay or breathtaking, from the camera you use to the props and poses. Use these six tips to take your maternity photoshoot game to the next level, and remember to have fun doing it!

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