Congratulations !

Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy! This is an incredibly special moment in your life, and I feel privileged to be able to capture these precious moments for you. In this guide, I will provide you with helpful tips and tricks to ensure a successful maternity session. If there are any unanswered questions lingering in your mind, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I want to make sure you feel confident and at ease throughout this entire process.

When To Book ?

Maternity photo shoots are best scheduled between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy, which is the start of your third trimester. This timing allows for flexibility in case we need to reschedule due to bad weather or if you're not feeling well. Your baby bump will be prominently displayed and you won't be too uncomfortable yet, hopefully! If you're expecting twins or experiencing any pregnancy complications, we can adjust the timing accordingly. Let's discuss your preferred schedule and take it from there, this is just a rough suggestion.

Styling and What to Wear

Oh, the age-old question that always comes up during photoshoots. I absolutely love helping with styling! The most important thing is to choose outfits that you and your family would actually wear again, but with a slightly more dressed-up vibe. You want to look back at these photos and still recognize yourselves. 

Think about layering your outfits. This is the key difference between photoshoots that look great and ones that look absolutely amazing. For little boys, try a t-shirt with a button-up shirt over it, or even suspenders on top of a t-shirt with some cords. And let's not forget how adorable they look in a Fedora hat for that extra touch.  For little girls, you can go for leggings, a fun skirt, a tank top with a sweater, and a tasteful headband or hair clips (nothing too big or overwhelming). 

Now, here's a side note: avoid neon or bright colors, ball caps, clothing with logos, or anything with words on it. These tend to make the photos look dated and take away from everyone's natural beauty. 

Coordination is key. When choosing your color palette, imagine your family as one complete piece of artwork. Each person's outfit should contribute to a sense of formality and coordination. Instead of everyone wearing the exact same shade of blue, think about what accent colors would complement that blue. For example, your son could wear blue plaid shorts with a t-shirt, suspenders, and a hat. You can then pull some of the colors from his shorts to find a great skirt or dress for your little girl. Dad can wear jeans and a shirt that coordinates with the plaid shorts and skirt, and top it off with an awesome jacket. Mom can complete the family look with some stylish boots, leggings, and a dress that matches the overall color story. 

Personally, I love neutrals or earth tones. They are timeless and classic, and they will never make your photos look outdated.

Kids

Preparing your children for our session in advance can help ease any nervousness they may have. Inform them about what to expect during our time together as soon as we schedule our session, especially if they are not used to professional family photos. Let them know that we will have a good time, play games, and share jokes. Talk about me as if I am a friend so they can see that you are comfortable with me, which will help them feel at ease too. You don't have to remind them to smile during our session, as some kids get too anxious when they are told to smile, making it difficult for them to relax and be themselves. However, I assure you that capturing their genuine smiles will bring you joy when you see the final photos. If I need your assistance in helping them relax, I will definitely ask for it! Encourage them to practice kissing your belly, hugging it, or simply touching it. I will ask them to do this frequently during our session, so if they are familiar with it and find it enjoyable, we can capture those wonderful moments of sibling love.

I believe in using rewards - (how about ice cream afterwards!) is always a good idea for those who need a little extra motivation. Snacks during the session are perfectly fine! Just make sure they don't end up with messy faces. Skittles and gummy candies are usually a hit, but try to avoid anything that can leave crumbs or chocolate.

Dads

Hey moms! I wanted to talk to you about something. Is your husband not exactly thrilled about our upcoming photoshoot? Don't worry, it's completely normal. They probably already understand how important this is to you, which is why they agreed to be a part of it. Just reassure them that it's going to be a breeze. I have a really laid-back approach, so it never feels overwhelming or stiff.

Also, let them know that they don't have to stand in front of me and smile the whole time. The adults have just as much fun as the kids do. More often than not, I receive messages from moms after the session, telling me how their husbands said it was way less painful than they expected. Some moms even mention that their husbands suggested doing another session in a year or so for updated family pictures. If the dads are the ones reminding the moms to book another session, that's a huge success for me!

Moms

You deserve a big pat on the back as well. It's just as important for you to be in the pictures as it is for your kids and your husband or partner. Moms are often the ones taking the pictures because it's always on our minds. When your kids grow older and sit down with you, you never want them to ask, "Where were you, mom?" Because you were there too, and it will be great to have proof of that. You should also document your beautiful bump and the bond you've already formed with your baby.

On the day of our session, I know you'll be nervous, and that's completely normal! All I ask is for you to be yourself, live in the moment, and show love to your bump. If anything looks out of place, I'll let you know. Just be present in the moment.