MATERNITY SESSION ADVICE
WHAT TO WEAR
Get Dressed Up
Your maternity shoot is a perfect excuse to have fun and get dressed up! There is no such thing as being “too dressy” for your photos! Here’s some outfit inspiration.
Start with Fancy
Some couples want to wear two outfits, one fancy and one casual (or two fancy looks). You’ll need to book a 1.5 or 2-hour session to have time to change. I recommend starting with the fancier outfit so you don’t have to worry about wrinkles!
Coordinate, Don’t Match
The goal is for your outfits to coordinate, not match. A good idea is to have only one person wear a pattern (if that’s your thing) or wear white, not both.
HOW TO PREP
Get your Nails Done
I will take many shots of your hands on the bump during your shoot. And your maternity photos are a great excuse to treat yourself to a mani / pedi!
Hair and Makeup
This is the fun part! I always encourage my couples to make sure that they feel their very best. If you don’t love doing your own hair and makeup, this may be the perfect opportunity to give professional hair and makeup a shot!
Bringing Your Dog
I love it when pups come along! When dogs are at a photo session, I highly recommend that you ask a family member or friend to come along. We'll capture photos without your dog too so you'll want someone to tend to your dog while we shoot.
LOCATION, TIME, WEATHER
Location
When it comes to picking your location, pick a spot that means something special to you!
Timing
The best time to shoot portraits is 1-2 hours after sunrise or before sunset. This applies to any time of the year. We want to capture your photos with the prettiest natural light.
Avoiding Tourists
Choosing an iconic NYC location is an amazing idea for your shoot! Having tons of tourists in the background is not so great. To best avoid tourists, I recommend shooting in the early morning.
Entrance and Permit Fees
This may not apply to your shoot, but some parks, gardens, estates, and locations will require an entrance fee or permit. Please research beforehand and make arrangements in advance.
Weather
Sunshine and overcast weather are perfect for photos! If rain is in the forecast, you have 3 options.
1) Move forward, bring positive vibes, and get ready to use the clear umbrellas provided by me!
2) Reschedule and we’ll find another time that works.
3) Move your shoot to an indoor location.
Be on Time
This is huge! If you don’t allow for traffic/subway delays that could arise, you may easily be 20 minutes late for your shoot. We have to be mindful of sunlight, especially sunsets. Once the golden hour is over, that beautiful light is gone. I will time your shoot for the best time of the day with the most amazing light so be sure to keep an eye on the clock so we don’t run out of natural light!