This is a Video Blog showing Behind the Scenes at a Maternity Photoshoot and how the beautiful black and white portraits are created. It’s not always an easy decision to go part nude for a photoshoot, especially when not everyone feels their best during pregnancy. This is why I’ve created this Vlog for you to see what it’s like during the session and then how this is created into your beautiful portrait.
The Session
The Maternity Photo session takes place at my in-home studio in Corstorphine, Edinburgh North. There is a separate dressing room to use and plenty of fabrics if you want to have more coverage of your breasts for this picture.
We start with your other set up first, so that we get to know each other a bit better and you feel more comfortable in the studio environment. Whilst you are changing from that first outfit, I will be changing the lighting set up to capture this backlit shot. It only takes a few minutes, but you can take the chance to rest, sit, drink some water and have a snack.
You will have a robe to wear when coming back in to the studio. I will talk you through what we are going to do, where I will position you, where you should look and how I may change your hand positions for an alternate pose. All before you take your robe off and I will help you with this so that you don’t feel on display, even if it is just us in the studio.
Once your hands are in position, I will make sure your hair is lying nicely so that I can see your face. When shooting I will ask you to alternate your gaze to certain points and direct you with smiles. We can stop at any time if you are getting tired, but this part is usually quite quick as I don’t want to keep you semi naked for too long.
Maternity Photoshoots are best booked when you are about 30-36 weeks. At this point, you may not be quite as exhausted as you will be at 40 weeks, and you won’t be so close to your due date that we risk baby’s arrival before your appointment date!
What Should You Wear
Most ladies keep their underpants on and it’s best if these are black as they can blend into the shadows and appear as though you are completely nude. You can choose to be completely naked if you wish as I will be increasing the shadows in the edit and we won’t be able to see anything that we don’t want to.
You can also keep your bra on, if you wish, which is also better in black. By wearing a bra, your hands can be free to hold your tummy lovingly.
If you don’t have a nice bra at this stage in your pregnancy, we can use one of my silky or chiffon fabrics to give you more coverage.
Your belly is always out for this, and I can smooth out any stretch marks on your tummy during the edit, if you would like me to.
Your partner is welcome to join you in this picture, though you will still take centre stage. For this shot, it is best if he or she is dressed in black, but has no covering on their arms so that we can see them on your belly giving you and baby an intimate hug.
The Edit
In the edit is where the magic happens. When I take what may seem like a brightly lit and strange set up and turn your gorgeous picture in a classic Black and White Portrait.
The Pictures
After your Maternity Photoshoot, it takes up to two weeks to receive your gallery link, from which you select a number of your favourite pictures. Additional digital files can be purchased and there is a Gallery shop, from which you can purchase prints or a piece of wall art of your classic pictures.
Click here to see more options in my Maternity Gallery.
Please note that filming for Behind the Scenes at a Maternity Photoshoot was done with permission by the clients, and not compulsory for every photoshoot. It has been produced for educational purposes. Sharing your pictures on my website or socials is something that you can opt out of to keep your pictures private for yourself.