Ethereal Elegance: Why Milk Bath Maternity Photos are a must-Try

You may have heard of milk bath maternity sessions, but perhaps don't really know what they entail, or why some moms-to-be choose these rather than a more traditional session. Here are some things you should know about what makes these sessions so special:

1. Milk bath sessions are sensory experience - slow moving, serene, and quiet - immersing you in a warm, milk-filled bath with flower petals and greenery. Sounds luxurious, right?

2. Artistically speaking, these sessions have a dreamy, ethereal aesthetic, which is perfect for celebrating the beauty of pregnancy and complements the softness of the moment, while the quiet, muted tones add a timeless elegance to the images.

3. They're intimate and emotional. It's a special way to capture the unique bond between you and your baby.

4. Lastly, you are going to feel like a goddess. The water, the flowers, the luxury. How could you not feel amazing?

   
   

Dreamy

Even with this information, you may still have questions. I've compiled some the most commonly asked ones below:

• What's in the bath? Typically it's just water and a little bit of milk powder to give that water that ethereal cloudiness. You can add food coloring if you're going for a theme, or even leave the water clear and just decorate with flowers and foliage.

• What kind of flowers are used? The most common are roses (both petals and full blooms with stems), peonies, hydrangeas, and sunflowers. You can also add slices of citrus, or sprigs of lavender and eucalyptus. The key is to use colors that will stand out against the water, and make sure the colors complement one another (check out this color wheel for inspiration).

• What should I wear? Depending on your comfort level, you can wear some lacy lingerie, a sheer dress, or simply a bandeau and a neutral colored panty. You could also go nude, and use creative posing to cover any parts you don't want to show.

• Do I need to do anything to prepare? I'd recommend an exfoliating skin treatment and a good moisturizer to enhance the glow for those close-up shots (and also it feels amazing).

• When is the best time to have my milk bath session? As with any maternity session, it's best to book it for anywhere between 28 and 36 weeks, when the belly is full and round, and you're still relatively comfortable.

I do want to mention that when choosing your photographer, it's a good idea to do some research before you book. Make sure they have experience with milk bath sessions (as well as maternity photography in general), and that their style/aesthetic lines up with your vision. It's also a good idea to make sure you feel comfortable with them, as this is a very intimate and vulnerable experience.

Ethereal

Milk bath maternity sessions are a beautiful way to celebrate the journey of motherhood. With their dreamy, timeless aesthetic and intimate atmosphere, they create stunning keepsakes that capture the natural glow of pregnancy. By incorporating soft lighting, floral accents, and a serene environment, these sessions offer a unique and pampering experience for expectant mothers. Whether you’re looking for a creative way to document your pregnancy or simply want a moment of calm before baby arrives, milk bath photography is the perfect choice for an unforgettable memory.

Personalized Portraits: Exploring the Diverse Styles of Maternity Photography

When it comes to the aesthetic of maternity photography sessions, these days there are a lot to choose from. Every photographer has a different style, a preferred way of capturing the grace of new motherhood. Some prefer the classic look of a studio session, which can entail anything from your most basic look to full-on glamour. Other photographers like to keep things organic, photographing their moms-to-be outside in a natural setting, or even at home, where some people are most comfortable. Others, like myself, choose to customize the look for each client - whether that's a lifestyle session, a glam/fantasy session, or somewhere in between.

Whatever the style, it's important to explore each one and determine which one (or ones) resonate with you. Are you more of a low-key person that likes to keep things basic and comfortable, or do you enjoy getting dressed up and being the center of attention? There's no wrong answer - there's only what fits your individual style and personality.

To help you decide, I'd like to give a brief overview of the themes I generally stick to as an on-location photographer (meaning, I don't have a studio so we'll shoot either in your home or at an agreed-upon outdoor location, such as a garden, park, or even the beach), and how they can be customized to fit your vision.

IN-HOME LIFESTYLE

These sessions are, obviously, held in your home. What makes them ideal is that it's your environment, which you can control - and in Florida, where the weather likes to run from one extreme to the other, this can be ideal for a lot of people. We typically choose a room (sometimes more) that has lots of gorgeous light, lots of spots for fun, organic poses and spontaneous moments. In most cases, this would be the kitchen and/or living room, as they tend to have the most space and light. However, this is not written in stone, especially if you choose to include a milk bath in your session (psst...these are amazing).

In-Home Lifestyle Captures Tender Moments Between the Expecting Couple

Intimate and Sweet Milk Bath Maternity

Outdoor Lifestyle

This is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, but there are many ways to do this kind of session. A lot of it will depend on your personal style, and what you want to incorporate into the photos (i.e. your partner, props, accessories, or parts of your life that are important to you). It can be as casual or dressy as you want it to be. Some moms-to-be will buy (or borrow) a dress that has some movement to it, something a little dressier than their day-to-day, but that still fits their own aesthetic. Some will just wear what they always wear, because that's when they're most comfortable. There really aren't any rules -this is about YOU and how you want to feel on the day we memorialize one of the most important parts of your journey.

Quiet Solo Session In A Simple, Natural Setting

Incorporating Yoga Into a Maternity Session

Outdoor Glam & Fantasy

To be honest, these are one of my very favorite sessions to do, because there is just so much room for creativity and fun. And I really love to help mamas look and feel their absolute best - beautiful, powerful, and elegant.

How do we accomplish this? Wardrobe, makeup, and setting. It's a combination that, when put together thoughtfully, will elevate the images from "wow" to "POW!"

I have a client closet with dresses that range from slightly glam to red carpet fab, and I encourage all of my clients to check in out in case one of them inspires a theme that's extra in the very best way.

Some clients have their own looks that they've already crafted, and all we have to do is collaborate to pull all the elements together and make that look come to life.

However you approach it, the experience is 100% customizable, and I promise you'll walk away feeling like a goddess.

Stunning Red Gown Pops Against A Dark Wooded Setting

Incorporating A Little Bit of Fantasy Into An Outdoor Maternity Session

Natural Golden Hour Light Can Add Drama To Any Image

This Dress Hugs Your Curves In All the Right Places - Check out my client closet for more! (purpleflyphotography.com/clientcloset-maternity)

She Certainly Looks Like a Goddess...

However you choose to approach the look of your maternity session, it is always my honor to document this part of your journey and make you feel amazing in the process. Knowing you can build and customize your session to fit your needs and style takes a lot of the pressure off, so you can just relax and let me guide you through each image.

Nancy

Wrapped Up in Love: Capturing Precious Moments With an In-Home Newborn Photoshoot

There’s something incredibly special about capturing a newborn’s first moments. Recently, I had the joy of photographing a beautiful baby girl, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of pure happiness! From the second I walked into the room, the energy was just filled with excitement and love. There’s truly nothing like the magic of a newborn baby, and especially a baby girl, to brighten up your day.

Pretty in Pink

As a photographer, I always strive to create images that showcase the joy and tenderness of these early days. And this little one? She made it easy. Sound asleep for pretty much the whole session, in her pretty little flowered outfit, her tiny hands and sweet little face were an absolute dream to photograph.

There’s something so heartwarming about the way newborns bring families together. Her parents were absolutely glowing, beaming with pride and awe as they held their new daughter. You could just feel the joy they were experiencing in every hug, every smile, and every soft kiss on her tiny head. It’s amazing how much love can grow in just a few days!

The Wonder of It All

As we moved through the session, I couldn’t help but smile at how calm and content she was throughout it all. Whether she was curled up in her mom's arms or nestled in her crib with her stuffed animal, she was simply perfect. The little details—her tiny fingers, her cute button nose, and even her sleepy yawns—came together to tell such a beautiful story.

Peaceful Sleep

Newborn photography is all about capturing those fleeting moments that pass in the blink of an eye. And while these first days are so precious, it’s so much fun to see how much joy they bring to everyone around them. This baby girl’s session was filled with so much love, adoration and wonder, and I know her parents will treasure the photos forever.

I am deeply grateful to her wonderful parents for trusting me and letting me be a part of this special time. It was such a pleasure to capture these memories for this family, and I know she will bring so much happiness into their lives.

To all the new parents out there—enjoy every moment, because these early days go by faster than you think. And remember, every smile, every cuddle, and every tiny yawn is a memory worth capturing!

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