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).
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.
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.
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.