When’s the Perfect Time for Your Maternity Photo Shoot
You may be wondering when is the best time to take your maternity photos. I’ve been photographing pregnancy portraits since 2008. Yes, that’s a total of 16 years. The sweet spot I found was between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. That’s because baby hasn’t started to drop to engage in the birth canal until at least 32 weeks. Prior to this time, your belly is higher and won’t be as round or full looking for maternity sessions. 26 to 28 weeks is just too early in my opinion. The only reason to have your session done earlier is if you know you have a condition that may cause an earlier delivery or if you’re expecting multiples.
Varying Lighting Techniques
I shoot with up to 4 or 5 lights at a time to create varying lighting techniques throughout your maternity session. We can do a zoom call prior to your session and I can go through the varying lighting techniques I capture. You tell me what you love most and if you love everything, we will do everything. Your maternity photo session should be everything you dream about. Here are some of the examples of creative lighting techniques used for your maternity portraits: backlighting, strip lighting, and silhouettes. Some of these techniques require more than one light.
Studio Maternity Sessions are Magazine Quality but Outdoor Maternity Sessions are so Picturesque. Which to Choose?
I live in cottage country now. Even prior to this I would offer clients a combination of studio and outdoor maternity pictures. Now it’s even better having breathtaking conservation areas of beautiful outdoor landscaping right at my doorstep. If you would like a bit of both then that’s okay with me. It just depends on the look you’re wanting and what you want to focus on. Studio maternity portraits make it easier to change and we don’t need to deal with wind blowing hair everywhere but you can’t replicate the beauty of nature indoors.
Unlimited Luxury Maternity Outfits to Choose from You’ll Love
To help you feel beautiful throughout your maternity session, you can choose from over 80 beautiful gowns I’ve collected over the years. I recently did a large purge after moving but I kept gowns that were constant favourites among my clients. I think most pregnant moms have insecurities about the changes taking place with their bodies every day. Maternity clothes don’t always make us feel as wonderful as a woman should feel during pregnancy. You don’t need to worry about what to wear for your maternity portrait session at Chandra Lee Photography. We have you covered with a plethora of clothing options that will make you feel radiant and stunning. The maternity wardrobe really helps you feel confident and beautiful at your maternity session. Dresses are available in all different colours and sizes and I’ll help you choose the perfect dress for you. You can always choose to wear your own clothing choices but I really believe the maternity dresses help accent the beauty of pregnancy while hiding areas we are a little insecure with.
We also have several silks for beautiful flowy shots! Your partner can help throw the fabric in the air to make those magical images happen.
Decide on Colourful Hand Painted Backgrounds or Timeless Black and White Backgrounds
There is most likely a dress I selected just to match one beautiful hand painted background. I believe there are at least 10 unique backgrounds to match dresses in the maternity wardrobe. When you book a session, you’re able to choose your background and your dresses. You are welcome to come by the studio and look through the maternity closet or choose from my web site or Instagram page. You’ll see from my web site that I personally love the classic look of black and white backgrounds. If you follow my stories on Instagram you’ll see more of the colourful backgrounds and dresses there. The choice is up to you to decide what you love most. Whatever you decide you’ll be surprised by what I can capture quickly and I’ll always capture some classic timeless photos in between sets to ensure you’ll have portraits you can treasure forever.
Choose if You’re Going to Want Newborn Photos Early
The best time to book your newborn session is when you book your maternity session.
IT SOUNDS EARLY BUT IT’S NOT
When you book maternity photos, you should also decide if you’d like newborn photos as well. The window for a baby to look like a “newborn” is only about two weeks and those first couple of weeks go by so quickly. Many photographers photograph older babies beautifully and so do I but if you’re looking for the curly newborn poses from my work with newborns, I encourage all clients to book early. It is easier to wrap babies up for sessions. My work includes a lot of poses such as daddy hands poses which are not suitable for older babies. At least not in the way I pose them – I need the babies to be sleepy and tiny.
All Members of the Family are Welcome for Your Maternity Portraits
I believe mom should be the star of the show throughout your session. You will always be photographed first for every set up. After we’re finished focusing on you, it’s time for your partner to join you for some portrait and any other children you have. When you baby grows up and looks at the images from your maternity photography session, your baby will see the love everyone has for each captured forever in a beautiful portrait. In 15 years of business photographing pregnant mamas and newborn babies, most mamas chose to include their partner and children in their maternity session.
If you’re ready to learn more about your own custom maternity photos, contact me when you’re ready to book or with any questions you have.
