Ever since Demi Moore's bold pregnancy photo graced the cover of Vanity Fair, women have been inspired to document their
pregnancies with maternity portraits. And with good reason. A special fascination surrounds pregnancy and the remarkable changes it
brings to women's bodies. And just as maternity fashions have evolved from concealing a woman's pregnant belly to highlighting it,
expectant parents have moved beyond recording their pregnancy with an occasional snapshot. No longer shy about their changing
shapes, pregnant women now celebrate it.
The Concept of Pregnancy Portraits:
There are a growing number of photography studios now focusing on maternity portraits. In this day and age, women are getting
married well into their 30s and 40s and having babies later. Pregnancy becomes a greater challenge, and documenting this precious
time has become so popular. A pregnancy portrait is not just a great souvenir to be appreciated by the generation you are creating, but
also a beautiful way to adapt to your new body image. “Looking at my portrait felt like I was stepping outside of my body for a moment,"
says Diane Abraham, a mother from Northridge, Calif. "From the outside, without the discomforts involved, I could finally see the beauty
in me. It made me feel so feminine."
Expecting Beauty:
Many women are not sure what to expect during a maternity photo shoot, but many leave feeling like they have spent a few fun hours
being pampered and feeling beautiful. Pregnancy is a very special time. It is only natural that couples would want a special
photograph as a memento. Portraits should seek to capture the beauty of forming life. A photograph is not only a meaningful portrait of
the new mother, but almost always the first picture in the new baby's photo album.
Wardrobe Wonders:
With the body changes that are common during pregnancy, many women are not sure what to wear to a maternity photo session.
Keeping it simple and subtle makes for the best poses and photos. There is no need to run out and buy some expensive maternity
gown or outfit. Most women wear their husband's dress shirt or simply a black or white lingerie robe. Simple thin clothing works well to
show off the pregnancy and your belly, which is what we want.
Making Time:
Pregnancy takes the greater part of a year, and women may want to wait until the third trimester before planning maternity portraits.
That way, the photographer is sure to capture the fullness of a woman’s belly. Taking the portraits too soon may not offer you the
results you wanted. There is a 'best time' to take maternity portraits. It is best to be at the very end of your pregnancy. Yes, women are
bigger and have gained some weight, but this is part of the beauty of pregnancy. Capture the beauty of your big belly and be proud.
To Color or Not to Color:
You can choose color or black-and-white for maternity portraits, and both offer great results. However, black-and-white is
recommended for a strong contrast. And remember, the photo shoot should have dramatic lighting to highlight the belly and face and
offer a beautiful shot.
How to Pose:
Posing for maternity photos involves the obvious: getting your best side. However, how your 'best side' captured does vary. All photos
are primarily taken from the side. You want to capture your belly's fullness. Spot lighting is used to highlight the stomach and face only.
The shoot is usually done standing up because the body position needs to show the stomach fully. This is the most flattering position.
However, contemporary poses such as sitting on a bench, a stool, lying down or kneeling can also be done, taking into consideration
the comfort and safety of the woman, of course.
There are as many variations on images and poses for maternity portraits as there are expectant women. Most pregnant women feel
naturally drawn to the artier aspects of black-and-white or warmly-toned sepia prints. Nudes, semi-nudes and silhouettes are popular
approaches. However, there are also women who feel more at ease fully clothed in vibrant color outside in a field. This is your portrait
session; most photographers are extremely accommodating. Natural lighting during the daylight hours, either inside or outside, also is
a wonderful way to capture the pregnant form.
Pregnancy is a wonderful, magical time for every woman. Just as we attempt to capture other milestone moments in our lives – a new
home, a child's first day of school and other special occasions – documenting pregnancy through portraits is a wonderful way to
capture the vitality and beauty of having a baby.
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About Us:
We have 4 of our own special bundles of joy. At the time of 2 of their births, the best technology available was a 35mm camera. With
the expense of the film itself, and the cost of development we took very few photos. With the arrival of our 3rd, we starting take more
photographs, both before and after the birth. Even so, we have very few pictures of the pregnancy time. With the 4th, we have excellent
quality and beautifully composed photographs, and some very special memories of the pregnancy. If we had the opportunity to go back
in time we would surely have captured this special time with pictures. You only have one shot to capture the moment and preserve the
memories that will last a lifetime!!
| Capturing the Beauty of Pregnancy |
| Excerpts From Pregnancy Today |
| Maternity |
