Whether this is Mom’s first or fifth child, her pregnancy is a glorious thing. Creatively capturing her beauty during this brief moment in her life — and her unborn child’s life — is your job as the photographer. Don’t let the pressure overwhelm you, though. Thanks to incredibly helpful tips from portrait photographer Kimberly Reid, we’ve got you covered for your next maternity session.
POSING WITH MOM AND DAD TOGETHER
It’s not just mom responsible for the baby growing inside. Dad helped, too! Including him in the maternity sessions is meaningful for all parties.
One of Kimberly Reids’ favorite props is a quilt, which not only makes a shoot more comfortable, but adds beauty to the whole shot.
Ask the couple to bring a blanket if they have one. Often times, the blanket they bring has a lot of meaning to them, which adds even further to the picture.
For the case in the picture above, Kimberly asked Dad to lay down first and to make an “L” shape with his left arm. Then she had him put is opposite hand behind his head. Next, she had Mom lay down beside him with her head in a comfortable position on his shoulder and her hands under her belly. Once they’re in this position, have Mom look down toward her belly while Dad looks at Mom. Instant sweetness overload!
Tip: You can do this photo anywhere! In a field, on the beach, in the backyard or even inside the nursery. As for getting the “bird’s eye” view, bring a step ladder or stool.
3 More Tips for Maternity Poses:
- Always pay attention to the hands and the body placement.
- Get photos with just mom, mom and dad, and the entire family.
- Use props that have meaning, such as a quilt or a bird’s nest that represents new life.
If you learned even an ounce from the above information, you’ll definitely gain much more insight from Kimberly Reid’s Maternity Guide. Click here for more information and to purchase.
Topics covered in the Kimberly Reid Maternity Guide:
- How to pose maternity sessions
- How to pose when adding dad in the photo
- How to pose when adding other children in
- How to pose when adding in the whole family
- How to find the best locations
- How to make use of available light when shooting indoors
- Camera/Lighting/Editing Techniques
The maternity posing guide also includes posing cards you can print and take with you on the go.