Maternity Photography Clients seem to fall into 1 of 3 categories.
- They want a maternity session with all the things! no questions about it.
- They want a few images, just are not sure about what they would do with the photos and cant quite commit fully one way or the other.
- They absolutely do not want to be the center of attention via camera during their morphed pregnancy state.
I get it. I really do. I happened to be in the 2nd category during my first pregnancy. But then, once the session started I quickly fell in love with the process. I wasn’t yet a photographer.
If you want your family captured, contact me here!
#1: It is not just about YOU
what I mean is, its about your family and your baby’s future. Specifically speaking if you are having a girl, she may look back at the images of you pregnant. she may want to see what your shape was, how happy you were. Those images should be glorious – they should show the love between you and your spouse, or the love between you and your unborn child.
They should tell a story.
#2: You are worthy of being photographed
All women, regardless of shape and size, are worthy of photos. In our current society – obsessed with body image – I rarely meet a first time mom who isn’t alarmed by her body shape as it morphs into this other new body – its bizarre and out of control. She questions her beauty within it.
But God created our bodies for this very purpose. We were made to MORPH like a butterfly and create people! Its just the most amazing process. and just as you morphed into this amazing creation, you will also morph out of it. I pray women can look in the mirror and see the large belly and swollen ankles as a beautiful baby making process.
The issue isn’t the body, its the perception of the body.
I have never met any client who has loved their first time pregnant body. Even my clients who are yogis or cross fitters, cant always see it for what it is: a literal miracle. miraculous. Every single bit of it.
#3: You will see this differently later on.
I chose this image below for reason #3 with intention. During her session, she said “I can better see the beauty in my pregnant body this pregnancy”
She was pregnant with her 2nd baby and could see her body differently this go around. She knew her body could morph into this, create life, and morph back. So she had confidence in the process, a better appreciation for pregnancy and even loved herself entirely during it.
What I want is for women to have this perspective during their first pregnancy. I think self love and trust in the process can go a long way in terms of healthy pregnancies go too. Theres something to be said about having a healthy mindset.
#4: Set yourself free
What do I mean by this? I mean, be free of social expectations. Be free of being overly critical of yourself and your appearance, both during pregnancy and in life always. Set yourself free of judgments. Be free, Be photographed and as a result: feel beautiful.
#5: YOLO.
Its so cliche, but dammit, its true. You only live once. What if you’re only going to live 5 more years? Leave behind a legacy. Don’t focus on climbing the corporate ladder and having the best house in the state, and not invest in your memories – when in the end, those will matter more than the other things.
