How can you maximize your maternity photoshoot experience? I’d love to help! Friends, if you’ve been following along on social media you’ll know that as I write this we are one week past our third baby’s due date. You know what? Having amazing maternity photos to look back on helps me remember that this season is still beautiful. Even if I’m uncomfortable. Even if I feel like a whale.

The Most Important Factor: a bump friendly dress!

My top tip for great maternity photos is to invest in a bump friendly, floor length dress. I got two of the dresses shown here from Baltic Born. (Specifically, the white lace dress & the blush dress). The best part about these dresses is that they can be worn after baby is born! A floor length dress will maximize your figure and hide any varicose veins (such as the ones I acquired during this pregnancy!) It also helps to wait until the third trimester so that your bump is truly a focal point. I was 36 weeks pregnant when I had these photos taken 🙂

Choose a great location

Many say it of realty and home purchases, but this is also true of photography: location can elevate a photo session to new levels! I consider location to be second in importance to good light. Amazing portraits can be taken against a simple white wall with great natural light! In my photos you’ll notice lovely white blossoms from a local orchard’s apple trees. I was so thrilled that the timing worked out to use this spot!

Maternity Photoshoot Tips

In addition to a great dress and a good location (with good lighting!), I highly recommend three things. First, keep both hands on baby to maximize your bump! While it might seem silly in your head, the focal point of the session truly is about baby and the sweet season of pregnancy – so accentuate that! Sometimes a hand under the bump and over the bump makes or breaks a maternity photo. Second, choosing to wear a statement ring (and of course your wedding rings!) is a great idea. Not only will it be featured in close up shots of your hands on the baby bump, but it showcases a bit of your style. Pictured here is my pearl ring which I swapped out for my engagement ring. Third, make sure your photographer takes wide, pulled-back shots of your whole figure. Full body shots really fill out a gallery to give a cohesiveness as well as an heirloom quality to your photos.

I hope you found this helpful! Feel free to reach out in the comments if you have any questions 🙂 I can’t believe I waited until my third baby to do a proper maternity session! Now that I’m waiting longer than I expected for this sweet babe, I’m so glad I have these beautiful photos to look back on 🙂

Joyfully,

Jennifer

 

 

ps. Want to do a Minnesota maternity photoshoot together? Let’s book it! 

 

Photographer: Alexandra Robyn Photo + Design

Edited by: Jennifer Sanders Photography