Maternity Session Guide

Hello, congratulations on your pregnancy! As you prepare for your little one to enter the world and join your family, your to-do list is probably a mile long. Having a professional maternity session may seem like just another item to add to your list, but maternity shoot can be a perfect time to remind you of the power and beauty of your body during your pregnancy journey. You deserve to have this incredible moment in your life captured, to celebrate with your partner and family the joy of a new baby entering your life.

If you’ve never had a maternity session before, you may not know how to prepare or what to expect. That’s why I’ve put together this handy guide to everything you need to know in order to make the most of your session and get images you will love.

If there are specific images you want—or don’t want—be sure to let me know. Please feel free to talk to me about what images are important to you and whether you’re interested in doing partial or implied nudes. It’s important to let me know what you’re comfortable with before your session so I can better plan out what shots and poses to do.

Location:

Maternity sessions take place at Magda's home-studio located at 101 SE Windsor CT in Blue Springs, MO. Please plan ahead of time and use google maps to determine how long it may take to arrive at my place. Also take into consideration any traffic that may affect travel time before your session.

Arrive on time – Your assistance with arriving on time is so important for a successful day.

Pamper yourself

Your hands will appear in almost all of your images, so you want them looking good! Your maternity session is the perfect excuse to pamper yourself a little with a professional manicure & pedicure.

Hair & makeup

Continue the pampering with a visit to your hair stylist. If you’re not sure how to have your hair done, think about what you want your photos to look like. If you’re going for a more casual look, a loose and simple hairstyle may be the perfect option. But if you want your images to look a little more formal, don’t be afraid to go dramatic with an elegant look.

If you already have a trusted hairstylist, great! But if you plan to hire someone unfamiliar with their work, it can really affect the outcome of your photos. Some products and techniques are not designed for photography, causing makeup to be invisible or skin to change color under the flash (gray, pink, orange, or yellow). These effects are not retouched in editing, as I cannot guarantee makeup that was not done by our makeup artist in the studio.

Get plenty of rest the night before

I know, it can be hard to get any decent sleep during pregnancy, but if you’re able to, go to bed early and try to get a full night’s sleep. That way, you’ll be refreshed and relaxed at your session the next day.

Stay hydrated—and don’t skip breakfast

It’s critical to drink plenty of water both before and during your session. Hydrated skin will look fresh, and staying hydrated will help keep your energy up throughout the shoot. And even if you have a case of nerves about stepping in front of the camera, be sure to eat breakfast before your session.

Decide who to bring with you

Your family members are absolutely welcome at your maternity session, especially if you want to include your spouse or other children. Just keep in mind that extra people can be a distraction and can even make you feel less comfortable in front of the camera, so avoid bringing friends and extended family members along.

You are welcome to bring along sentimental items

Anything special you want to include in your photos is a great addition. Whether that’s a family heirloom, your ultrasound, or even your own baby blanket or favorite childhood toy, these mementos can add special meaning and a personal touch to your images.

Choose what to wear

Whether you want to keep it casual with jeans and a blouse or wear a flowing maternity dress, or even both, take time before your session to choose your outfits and make sure they fit and look the way you want them to look. You should also pick out clothing for any other family members who will be part of the session and make sure to choose outfits that coordinate and don’t clash with your own. Our studio offers gown options available.

Keep your colors simple

You and your baby bump will be the primary focus of your images, so you don’t want to wear any bright colors or loud patterns that will distract. Instead, stick with neutral colors and jewel tones that will look great with any background and any skin tone.

Make sure you have the right undergarments

Give some thought to your underwear and bras as well. For example, if you’re wearing a white dress, you don’t want to wear dark panties that will show through the fabric. And if you plan on doing partially nude images, make sure to bring along lacy undergarments that will look good in your photos. I always recommend nude underwear and strapless bras, and some black and white underwear.

Put on some non-greasy lotion

A couple hours before your session, take time to apply some non-greasy lotion to reduce any dry spots on your skin. Be sure to avoid using any artificial tanners or spray tans as they may give your skin an unnatural orange look.

Don’t wear any clothing with elastic

While you should definitely dress in comfy clothes to go to your session location, be sure to take off any clothes with elastic bands at least an hour before your shoot. Elastic leaves marks on your skin, and you want your skin to look naturally smooth. Also, be sure to remove any hair ties or other tight bands from your wrists.

Don’t stress

It’s easier said than done, but do your best to relax and not worry about your session. I will walk you through every pose and position. All you have to do is be your natural, beautiful self!

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call me or send me an email.

(312)934-3490 | magdarodriguezphoto@gmail.com