Five Maternity Photography Mistakes You’ll Want to Avoid

Most women feel beautiful and empowered during pregnancy. It’s like this natural glow that comes upon our skin that makes us stand out. During the second trimester, after all the morning sickness has passed, many women love the idea of taking photographs so that they can relive the times they spent bonding with their unborn child.

While we may take a few photos from our smartphone, the best way to capture the very essence of pregnancy and all its beauty is to work with a professional. However, if you want to purchase photos that you’re proud to show off, you’ll want to avoid some of the below most common mistakes:

1. Wearing Uncomfortable Clothing – Ladies, most of us can agree that pregnancy in and of itself can be downright uncomfortable. As such, you should find clothing that will give you the comfort you need while on set. Sometimes we get so caught up in the glitz and glam of things that we try to dress our best. Only our best might be a hot little dress and some heels. If this is not something that you’d wear on the daily basis, or something that would prove to be discomforting to you during your photo shoot, you should probably find another outfit. You’ll be very disappointed when the discomfort shows up in your photographs.
2. Scheduling Photos Too Soon or Late – You have a due date, but that doesn’t mean that your child is going to do you the favor of waiting until that time to enter into the world. Therefore, you want to be careful when it comes to scheduling your photo shoot. Scheduling too soon could cause a problem for those who’ve experienced morning sickness as it can be difficult to smile and feel great about pregnancy when you’re sick. Scheduling too late could cause you to miss out on taking the pictures altogether should the baby decide to come sooner than expected. Therefore, it’s probably best to schedule a photo session around your second trimester.
3. Too Much Oil or Lotion – Again, you want to look your best for your photo session. However, sometimes too much can do more harm than you think. For instance, too much lotion or oil on the skin can create a glare that will reflect in the camera. In this case, less is more so that your natural glow can show through on your photos.
4. Choosing the Wrong Background – We have all these ideas in our heads of what we want our pictures to look like. If you’re like me, you’ve taken a few ideas from other expectant mothers and compiled them with your own visions. However, we are not the professionals in this case. When it comes to choosing the right background, it is best to take the advice of your chosen photographer. There is nothing worse than choosing a background with too much going on, that causes the viewer to lose sight of you or your growing belly. While you may have ideas in mind, allow your photographer to give their professional opinion. Chances are you’ll love the ideas they have just as much as your own.
5. Forgetting What It’s All About – At the end of the day, professional maternity photography is supposed to be about capturing the very essence of your pregnancy and the bond that you and your baby share. While it can be easy to get wrapped up in the moment and think that you have it all figured out, remember that the photographer you’ve hired is the expert and will ensure that you’re satisfied with the end result.

By avoiding the above most common mistakes when it comes to maternity photos, you should be more than pleased with the photographs your photographer brings to life. Once you’ve received your newly developed photographs, you’ll be able to appreciate and treasure your pregnancy for the rest of your life. You’ll also have a great time showing them to your children when they’re of age so that they too can see the unbreakable bond you guys shared even before they ever came into the world.