10 Creative & Beautiful Maternity Photo Shoot Ideas

Congrats on your expecting baby! I can’t wait to capture this journey for you!

If you think all maternity photos are the same, think again. Just like any other photo session, your maternity shoot should be about capturing your personality and celebrating your unique and wonderful pregnancy journey. Check out these 10 ideas for making your maternity photo shoot your own.

Go graceful with a flowing dress

If you’re looking for stunning imagery, consider wearing a flowing maternity dress with a long train. These dresses come in almost any color and look beautiful in outdoor maternity shoots when they’re caught by the wind. This simple yet beautiful shoot idea is a great way for the mom-to-be to feel beautiful in her last trimester. (And don’t worry, my studio offers a variety of dresses in our client closet open to clients who are worried about buying a dress for a one time occasion)

Show off your silhouette

Maternity photos are all about the beauty of pregnancy, and a cool way to capture your baby bump is with photos of your silhouette. These high-contrast photos can be taken outside in front of a sunset, in a studio, or even in your home in front of a window. No matter where you choose to take your photos, the silhouette shot is a lovely way to capture the miracle of pregnancy.

Choose an unexpected location

Sometimes the best locations are the ones you wouldn’t normally think of for photos. Instead of going for a park or field, consider the natural wonders of your area, whether that’s a mountain backdrop, a gorgeous hiking trail, or a secluded spot on the beach. Talk to your photographer about their favorite less common spots for photos and be open to trying something new.

Mix it up

When you think of maternity photos, you may think of an expectant mother holding her belly and smiling, but your session is what you make it. Don’t be afraid to try different poses, whether serious or silly. Let your personality show! After all, these photos are all about you and your pregnancy journey, which is different for every woman. Find poses, shots, and locations that are meaningful to you or help tell your unique story.

Take advantage of golden light

Timing is everything when it comes to natural light photos, and one of the best times to take maternity photos is during “golden hour”—just before sunset. As the sun goes down, everything is suffused with a beautiful golden glow, which is the perfect setting for your maternity photos. If you want to get these stunning images, be sure to talk to your photographer about the best time of day to schedule your shoot so you don’t miss the light

Get in close

While it’s wonderful to have full-body photos, sometimes closeup images can be the sweetest ones! Whether taking photos with a partner or on your own, ask your photographer to capture some closeup images of your hands and belly. You never know what unique shot might end up being your favorite!

Consider staying at home

Not interested in going out and walking through a field for your maternity photos? Consider an in-home shoot where you can be more comfortable and more yourself. This also gives your photographer an opportunity to snap more natural, candid photos of you and your family as you prepare for your baby’s arrival. You can even take some photos of the nursery to capture the anticipation of waiting for your little one.

Don’t say no to the studio

Natural light photos are incredibly popular right now, and a lot of people think that studio photos are outdated or cheesy. But studio photos are so much more than a cheap backdrop at the local mall. Photographers have complete control of lighting and backgrounds in their studio, allowing them to capture images that perfectly reflect your personality and beauty. If you have your heart set on an in-home or outdoor session, go for it, but don’t be afraid to give a studio session a try.

 Take it to the streets

Your outdoor maternity session doesn’t have to stick to fields and lakes. Instead, consider going a little more urban by strolling the streets of your local downtown. Murals, cafes, shops, and even graffiti can make for incredible backdrops to your images, and you still get all the color and brightness of natural light with a fresh, more modern look.

Do what you love most

Are you an avid reader? Do you love to garden? Maybe you play piano or work with rescue animals. Whatever you love, consider incorporating it into your maternity photos. Whether it’s wearing a jersey for your favorite team or bringing your dog along to your session, express the things that matter most to you—and the things you can’t wait to share with your child. —And don’t be afraid to get your partner/family involved! Including your loved ones in these memories make it all the more special!

Most of all, pamper and enjoy yourself! However you choose to capture this special time in your life, I am here to make that vision come to life!

Why You Should Invest In A Newborn Session

If you’re like most people, you probably spent a good chunk of your wedding budget on photos—and with good reason! After all, once all the guests have gone home, your wedding photos are the only thing you have left to remember the emotions and joy of that day!

But there are other days in your life and in your marriage that matter just as much as your wedding day. The birth of your first child—or even your second or third—marks a huge shift in the life of your family. It’s a major milestone and an amazing moment, and one you’ll want to cherish for years to come.

 Newborn photos allow you to hold on to those memories as your child grows and begins to crawl, talk, and walk. Those images will remind you of the magic and wonder of your child’s first days of life, and that’s just one of the reasons why you should consider investing in a newborn photo session.

You may regret skipping photos one day. 

I’ve never met a single person who regretted having photos of major moments in their lives. Have you ever seen someone toss out their graduation or wedding photos? Of course not! That’s because memories are incredibly important, and photos are one of the primary ways we hold onto memories. You’re far more likely to regret not taking photos than you are to regret having them.

 A newborn photo session may seem like something you don’t need when you’re so busy taking care of a baby and adapting to this major change in your household. But in the years to come, when your child grows up, you’ll be glad to have photos to remind you of their first days.

You won’t get a second chance at taking these images.

If your family photos don’t turn out like you wanted, you can always retake them. But you only have a limited time to capture newborn images before your child is too big—and you can’t decide to take them later if you change your mind. Capturing photos of your little one at their newest and smallest is an opportunity that you absolutely don’t want to miss.

Your kids will be grateful—and so will your grandkids.

Did you ever look at old photos of your parents or grandparents when you were growing up? It’s so fun to look for family resemblances and to see how much everyone has grown and changed. Photos can help give your family a sense of history and help your kids better understand where they came from and what life was like before they could remember. Having photos of your children as newborns will give them something to look back on and cherish with their own kids. Plus, it may start a tradition that will continue for generations!

One day, photos will be all you’ll have left.

You may think you’ll always remember the most important moments in your life, but chances are you won’t. As we age, memories fade, and we sometimes struggle to hold on to even the most important ones. That’s what is so amazing about photography: it allows you to capture memories and helps remind you of the biggest moments in your life.

5 Tips for Taking Photos of Your Newborn Before Leaving the Hospital

Your little one has finally entered the world! As you celebrate your child’s arrival, you and your family will definitely want to get some photos before you leave the hospital. Those first moments go by in a blur, and images of your child’s first couple days are definitely something you will want to look back on in the days and years to come.

Since most professional photographers are still not allowed in hospital rooms for a Fresh 48 session, I’ve put together a list of a few tips for taking your own photos below!

Take advantage of natural light

Hospital lighting is flattering to no one. It can be too bright and wash out colors in photos, or it can be too dark, leaving your images in shadow. The flash on your phone or point-and-shoot camera won’t be much help either, as it can lead to harsh shadows and yellow-looking skin tones. If your room has a window, use the daylight as much as possible to capture some photos of your newborn. Make sure to open the blinds all the way, and if you need to, you can even move the bassinet over to the window in order to put your baby in the best light.

Don’t worry about posing

Posed portraits are for the professionals and are better saved for your newborn photos. Hospital photos should be candid, capturing the real moments of your baby’s first days. While you may move your child around the room for different angles and backdrops, just focus on capturing their genuine first expressions. Those are the images you’ll most want to look back on.

Choose the right angles

To get the best photos, try different angles and see which images turn out the best. As a general rule of thumb, downward angles work well, so try photographing your baby from above. You can even play with different focus points and see what you like. The best thing to do is take a lot of photos so you have plenty of options when you look back at them later.

Capture the details

You’ll be amazed at how fast your little one grows up, so it’s always a great idea to capture those tiny toes and fingers. Your baby’s life will be pretty simple those first couple days, but that doesn’t make the moments any less important to you and your family. Be sure to take photos of first feedings and visits from family members, as well as that adorable outfit for their trip home.

Make sure you’re not just the photographer

If this is your first child, you may be understandably excited to capture photos, but you may not realize how little you end up in images when you’re always the photographer. Ask family members to get photos of you with your baby as well. You may want to avoid getting in front of the camera because of how you look and feel, but trust me, those pictures will mean a lot to you later down the road.

I’ve never met a parent who regretted having hundreds of photos of their newborn, but I’ve definitely met people who wish they had taken the time to take more pictures when their baby was small. Take some time before you leave the hospital to capture your child’s first moments, and if you find that prospect a little daunting, book a professional to come in and take photos of your family as you welcome this precious new life into the world.

5 Tips for Including Older Siblings in a Newborn Session

Congrats!! Your little family has added another member, and it’s so important to capture this moment in your lives! One of the best things about newborn photos is it’s a great way to get new photos of the whole family, including any older siblings. But it can sometimes be a challenge for parents to encourage toddlers to cooperate with the photo session. That’s why I put together these five tips for including older siblings in your newborn shoot.

Give them time in the spotlight.

An older sibling of a newborn has often just become an older sibling, which means they’re still getting used to having a baby in the house. They may feel that their parents don’t pay as much attention to them with all the needs of their new sibling. Take time to make sure your older kids feel involved in the photo session, both in photos with your new baby and photos of the whole family together. Your newborn session is a great way to let older siblings know that it’s not just about your new addition, but about your growth as a family.

Encourage them to snuggle up.

Your older child may feel unsure or uncomfortable around the new baby, and a photo session can be a great way to help them loosen up and get to know their new sibling. Some of my favorite photos are images of the older sibling holding, kissing, or snuggling the new baby. Encourage them to gently touch the newborn and to get close, which can lead to a lot of giggles and smiles and some great photos.

Let them do their own thing.

One of the most important things is not to force your older child to participate in the session. The last thing you want is a tantrum or a grumpy face in your photos! Instead, encourage them to participate without forcing them. You may be surprised how much they enjoy being involved on their own, and giving your older child space to explore and relax can result in more natural, genuine images of your family.

Make time for breaks.

Your newborn won’t be the only one who needs breaks. Have some snacks handy for older siblings, and give them a chance to step away from the camera and just play for a little while. Sometimes it’s best to do photos with the older sibling first, so they don’t get bored and agitated as the session goes on. Regardless of how your photographer organizes the session, be sure to include regular breaks throughout.

Talk to them beforehand.

It’s so important to let your older children know what to expect from a photo session. Whether they love to be in front of the camera or are a little bit shy, talking to them in the days before your shoot about how things will go can really ease their minds and make them more comfortable with the photographer. Be sure to sit down with your older child throughout the week before your session and talk to them about how you’re going to have photos taken and the importance of listening to both you and the photographer. With a little preparation, you may find that they’re excited to participate, which makes for wonderful photos!

7 Things Your Newborn Photographer Wants You to Know

Congrats!! You’ve chosen a newborn photographer and can’t wait to get photos of the precious new addition to your family! But if you’ve never had a newborn session before, you may not be sure what to expect from the experience. That’s why I want to let you know a few things that newborn photographers wish all their clients knew.

Every newborn is unique.

Just as every family is different, no two babies are exactly alike. One newborn might be perfectly comfortable posed laying on her belly, while another might absolutely hate it. Your photographer will work with you and your newborn to find the positions they’re most comfortable in and will definitely not force your baby into any poses they aren’t willing to do.

We’ve seen it all. TRUST ME.

If your baby pees on the photographer’s set, throws a fit, or just wants to nurse the whole session, don’t be embarrassed. Chances are your photographer has experienced everything from poop all over their props to being peed on. As a newborn photographer, this is their everyday life, and they’re totally understanding. After all, your baby’s needs come before your photos. So, don’t feel like you have to apologize for every little thing that goes wrong. Your photographer is there to support you and work with you.

We have a lot of tricks up our sleeves.

It can be tempting to swoop in and pick up your newborn as soon as they start crying, but most photographers know a variety of ways to sooth little ones. It’s important for parents to use their newborn session as a time to relax and to trust the photographer. If your baby is truly upset and can’t be calmed down, we’ll be sure to pass them on to you for feeding, diapering, or comfort.

 You should feel free to take a break.

As the parent of a newborn, you probably haven’t had a moment to yourself in a while. Well, your photo session is the perfect chance to just sit back and relax. Most of the images will be of your baby, so you get to sit on the sidelines, have a cup of coffee, and maybe finally check your email or return some phone calls. And no judgment if you doze off during the session! I’ll wake you when I need you.

We want you to share our photos.

Photographers take images for you to cherish and enjoy, and we want you to share them! Post those photos of your newborn all over social media and send to family and friends. We want our images to be seen! Just be sure to credit your photographer when you share their images on Facebook or Instagram and feel free to recommend them to other expecting parents!

Our work doesn’t end with your session.

Since everyone has a camera on their phone these days, photographers hear a lot about how anyone can take a photo. But a professional does so much more than simply click a button. We set up backdrops and lighting, and we know all the tricks of the trade to make your photos turn out amazing. And once the session is over, we spend hours editing your photos to make them the absolute best they can be, providing you with images you’ll cherish for a lifetime.