This photoshoot was done in a studio in downtown Los Angeles at FD Photo Studios. They have several different studios depending on the look you are going for. This white room is popular. Almost as popular as the green dress.

If you are in need of pregnancy photos to celebrate this wonderful season of life, send me a message and I will make it happen!

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So there I was in Fallbrook with my little wagon chalk full of lighting equipment and dresses. Trudging down the trail until the right location appeared, my beautiful clients had no problem helping me pull my wee wagon. Then we found the spot! A little creek–well a sorta big creek– shown like an oasis. It rained like a mutha the weekend before so it was nice and full. There was sandbar island in the middle. I debated with myself if I was going to crisscross the creek bringing my light, softbox and stand, but ultimately I decided since I brought it, might might as well use it! I think the pictures say it was a good decision!

The image below is the little sandbar.

Soon we decided to head back down the trail. The lighting was splotchy. Lots of trees, so lots of dappling of light. A photographer’s nightmare. Again, I debated over getting my light back out, but ultimately decided lets end this outdoor maternity session with a bang!

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This photoshoot with Esther was everything I had hoped—except for the mass amount of people. Oh my gosh, there were people everywhere! However; I have now become the clone expert. Haha-not really-but close enough. I really thought, mistakenly that a Thursday evening would find very few people on the beach in Malibu. I was wrong.

The place we were at had a ton of stairs and I have to give props to Esther. At 8 months pregnant, she was a trooper and handled the stairs like a fit athlete. The dress is pretty light and comes from my maternity wardrobe. When she saw the color, she was all over it. I agree, it is pretty stunning against the beach sunset.

Esther already has three beautiful children and had never celebrated in this way. She decided to opt for a beach maternity photoshoot. It fits her and her bubbly personality.

Ready to claim yourself and set up a maternity session? Contact he here.

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The thing is, we are all beautiful. People fill our heads with negativity with out even meaning to. I have heard people say to me (when I was pregnant) “Oh my, you are so big”. “Are you feeling ok?” (As if I wasn’t??). “You look tired”. All of these little phrases equate into “I must not be beautiful”.

That’s all crap. If you look at my maternity portfolio, not a single woman is a “model”. These are all real women who are expecting a baby. That’s it. Yet, they are all beautiful–both in the traditional sense of outer beauty, but more importantly in the sense that they are a human growing another human. That in itself makes them beautiful. That beauty is what shines through.

Meet Ariel. She is a normal woman who really is extraordinary in every way. While she was comfortable in front of the camera granted many others who are not and that is totally ok. I just wrapped up photographing her birth as well as being her doula (more on that later) and have just got around to sharing some of her exquisite maternity shots.

These were taken at FD Photo Studio in downtown Los Angeles. Ariel wanted light and airy and classic images. I believe that is what she got. I hope you love them as well.

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As time marches forward and your baby turns from being the little smooshie of love to the little baby that begins to crawl and laugh, you may start to feel the words I miss being pregnant resonate. The truth is while pregnancy can be hard, it is also the most amazing and magical time. The connection is unparalleled by feeling every turn, hiccup and kick into the ribs. You may turn to pictures to remember this season in your life.

While strolling down Nostalgia Lane, it is important to have those memories captured. Truth be told, any pregnancy photo (yes, even a selfie!) is important to have. While a professional pregnancy photo is not a necessity (yes, I said it!) it sure is a nice to have. Since this is an event that doesn’t happen all the time and you may capture many phone pics, try to make the time to have at least one professionally done. Bring your partner or other children you may have. On a personal level, it is an amazing gift to give the unborn child. It is a glimpse into a world s(he) has never seen. To see their parent(s) happiness and lives before they arrive is priceless. Think about your own parents for a moment. What would you give to see your mother holding her belly with you inside?

There may be many self beliefs that can stop you from taking a profession maternity portrait. These reasons may sound reasonable (yes, I know that’s not proper English-sue me ♥), but I assure you they are not.

Between eating everything in sight and your perceived cankles, it may seem like the perfect excuse to avoid a camera lens. I assure you, you are wrong and the regret will be real in months or years to come. You are amazing and beautiful and the fact that you are growing a life inside only adds to your beauty.

While this is not a blog post about birth photography, you will be happy to know, I offer pregnancy photos with your birth photography package. Not as an add-on, but offered complimentary with your birth package. You can see this here. However; if birth photography isn’t your thing, stand alone maternity packages can be seen here or you can view my maternity portfolio.

That’s it for now. The above photos were taken at my North Hollywood studio. She and her lovely partner will be giving birth in April. And yes, I plan to be there as her birth photographer and labor doula ♥

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Chantelle wore a gorgeous pink body suit with a detachable pink skirt from Mama Bump Rentals. She chose this light feminine color to celebrate the birth of her baby girl due in July. If you would like more information about a stand alone maternity portrait session, please click here. If you would like more information about birth photography that includes a petite maternity photo session, please click here.

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What is maternity photography?

Maternity photography can be beautiful, uplifting and life affirming. It allows you to focus on the new life your body is working so hard to create. It’s an all too brief moment in time that can remind you of the excitement that accompanies having a baby.

Generally, maternity portraits are taken between 26-34 weeks. This is when your belly is nice and round and you are not too exhausted and uncomfortable.

These photography sessions can include a spouse or partner and even other children you may have. I always think it is super fun to get the whole family involved!

Nine months felt like an eternity for me. Time flies and pregnancy will be over in a flash. Having maternity photos to look back on will be a priceless part of your pregnancy journey.

I encourage you to look through my maternity portfolio and package options. If my style resonates with you, I would love to talk about your vision.

My Style of Maternity Photography

My concentration is on studio maternity portraits. While I like and understand the value of the natural outdoorsy, “lifestyle” images, my focus is more formal. I really don’t like the word formal, it makes it sound so stuffy! I am anything but that. Dramatic lighting with the addition of posing to accentuate a woman’s best features make my heart pound. I strive to make a product you want to see every day. A portrait you have in a beautiful frame on the wall. An art piece.

If I had to think of three words that represent my style, they would be dramatic, captivating and timeless. I at least strive for that.

Now, I realize this style isn’t for everyone. Even maternity pictures in general are not for everyone. Reading a blog post awhile back where the pregnant gal would no more get a picture of her swollen body than she would set her hair on fire, made me roll in hysterics! So I get it. My advice, if you are on the fence, is to look around and find a style that sings to you.

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As a maternity photographer, I strive for each woman to tell their own story through pictures. Molly was simply a happy go lucky woman who wanted images that showed that off. Her personality shone through with each click of the camera.

What to wear in a maternity photoshoot?

As I build my client closet, I look for items that are fun and unique. Items with texture or something unexpected. This red bodysuit not only looked stunning with Molly’s gold hair and sunkissed skin, but had a bit of flare, just like her.

What about nude maternity portraits?

I do nude maternity portrait sessions as well or at least a portion of the session nude. However, beautiful as it is, nude maternity photography is not for everyone. Often times I use beautiful material to cover the lady bits while still making beautiful images.

No matter what you choose to wear, your maternity session is uniquely yours. If I don’t have something specific for your taste, there are several vendors to choose from (even some rental places). If you think “I am only going to wear it once”, you can always resell it. Alternatively, if it’s something I am dying to have for my client closet, I can always take it off the price of your session and keep it. Among my favorite maternity dress designers are Sew Trendy, Silk Fairies, and Katharina Hakaj Couture. Ready to book your session? Contact me today!

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The day of the photoshoot

Arriving pretty early to the studio, I look around and start moving things around to form just what is in my minds eye. The key light goes there and the reflector here. The flooring is placed just so and the perfect background is chosen. I test the lights, my camera and everything is a go.

The momma-to-be walks into the studio and I show her to where the wardrobe is. I show her the setups and we begin. We have great fun exchanging various stories about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. We laugh about the feeling of being huge, but also revel in the fact that we are amazing creatures able to grow humans.

After spending nearly 90 minutes photographing this gorgeous woman, we say goodbye. It is awkward during this time of COVID. There are no hugs goodbye, but rather an alcohol wipe as a term of endearment. Sigh, will we ever get back to the days where we hug hello and goodbye?

Post Production

The maternity photo doesn’t end when I push the shutter button. In my vision, I see the end result. What I just photographed is only part of the equation. I have spent endless hours watching webinars, asking questions in my Facebook groups and staring endlessly at good ole YouTube videos. This is where I take a good maternity portrait and turn it into a great one. I know many people are opposed to photoshop believing somehow it is not authentic, but I am here to tell you I will use a myriad of software applications to elevate a photograph without hesitation to give you a piece of art. That is what I feel creativity is. You are hiring me to be creative and take portraits in a certain style. That creativity is a process from idea, to the technical lighting stuff to post production. I am not sure this needs to be said, but this really applies only to my studio work. Birth photography is an entirely different animal.

I really hope you love these as much as I do…this was almost exactly the idea I had in my head before I touched anything. If you would like to discuss your ideas for your maternity photography shoot, contact me here. A special thank you goes out to Nick Rail Music for their stunning instruments.

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At the end of the crazy year known as 2020, a gentleman from the magazine ShoutOut LA contacted me. He asked if I would like to be interviewed for their start up magazine. I gave them a resounding Heck yea! It seems I always have so much to say! However; they shot me some real zingers that I really had to think about. I had to be brave and really tell my story of how I came to Los Angeles and continued my work as a birth and maternity photographer.

I invite you to read my interview with ShoutOut LA Magazine here

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