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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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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So 2020 has been a bit of a whammy, hasn’t it? I have really neglected my beloved blog. Being the last day of 2020, it is fitting I make this year in review type of post. The last entry was in July and so much has happened since then! I have had several maternity sessions during COVID.

With hospitals not allowing birth photographers in and birth centers doing a reduction in support people allowed to attend, I have turned my focus to three things.

Doula Certification

The first is I am in the process of getting certified as a Doula. This is something I am really excited about! It not only allows me to grow as a birth worker, but will further my skills in holding space for the laboring person and partner. What does that mean though-holding space? It simply means being physically, mentally and emotionally present without judgement. “The person who is holding space helps set the tone for a kind, curious, and judgment-free interaction where the other person can be vulnerable, and like the term says “have space.” 

Maternity Sessions During COVID

The second thing I have focused on during 2020 is studio maternity photography. Maternity sessions during COVID are alive and well. Several online courses and webinars have led me to really excel in this genre. I have also been entering images into photography competitions which is something I have never done before. Winning a bronze in the RISE International Photography Competition motivated and pushed me to excel.

Website optimization

Finally, I have worked hard on this website. If you are visiting again, you will see it is much faster loading. There was a time for most of 2020 that the website was as slow as this year was long! My invaluable website builder, Tom, has put up with endless emails and phone calls from me and, well, I am incredibly indebted to him for what you are seeing now.

I look forward to a wonderful year ahead filled with growth, love and births!

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Couples maternity photography portraits are incredible to have.  Professional portraits document the strength, beauty and fierceness of the female body. Every woman’s journey through pregnancy is unique and glorious in it’s own right and should be recorded for all time.

It warms my heart to photograph a woman who is pregnant. I didn’t have professional portraits done when I was pregnant, didn’t have a lot of money and honestly, I couldn’t see spending so much on pictures. What a pity. That and the absence of birth photography is my greatest regret. Even 7 years later I still lament not having professional maternity photography. Therefore, I  try to make it as affordable as possible.

This 4 time momma (this will be her 4th!) came into my North Hollywood studio for a maternity mini session and brought her whole family. This is perfect as they got to celebrate with her. The vitality of motherhood never ceases to amaze me.

If you would like to see more maternity photography portraits, please visit my maternity section here.

If you would like to know where I got her amazing sage colored dress, see Chicaboo! I purchase quite a few beautiful dresses for maternity shoots from this company. They have a wonderful vibe and fit most all shapes and sizes. The chiffon material that waves so elegantly is from Silk Fairies.

Ideas for Couples Maternity Photos

While you don’t have to have the same colors, couples should coordinate their choices. You don’t want to me too matchy matchy, but variations of the same color family is preferable. With couples maternity photography, posing can vary depending on the couple. I am always here to guide you with posing. Posing can include you partner gently placing a hand on the belly or holding you from behind. Really any variation of regular couples posing can be used with maternity couples.

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Celebrating pregnancy and motherhood

This is a time to celebrate motherhood and pregnancy. You will not be pregnant forever, although it may seem like it! Even if you have additional children, this moment, with this child is unique and deserves a portrait. Love yourself and those big ankles.  Love that big tummy. Photograph them for all time.

One of my favorite quotes

“To be Pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman and distressingly inhabited. Soul and spirit are stretched – along with body – making pregnancy a time of transition, growth and profound beginnings.” –Anne Christian Buchanan

The Popularity of the Maternity Portrait

The importance of maternity portraits has led to their popularity. As a result of women becoming more empowered, the desire to document these moments has risen. Look at birth photography. That genre is still in its infancy really.

Pregnancy has been part of art for centuries, but mostly pregnancy is part of a story being told. “Among the oldest surviving examples of the depiction of pregnancy are prehistoric figurines found across much of Eurasia and collectively known as Venus Figurines“.

To read more about the history of pregnancy portraits, click here. If you are ready to celebrate with a maternity portrait, contact me today.

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