“I don’t feel beautiful.”
“I’m as big as a whale.”
“I have crazy stretch marks.”
“I’m swollen.”
“Nothing fits!”
I used to hear this over and over again from prospective maternity photography clients. To be 100 percent honest, I use to dread maternity photo shoots because of these negative comments.
For the first 5 years as a photographer, I really struggled with how to pose expecting mothers. I would work so hard to find flattering angles and then get small orders. I felt so defeated.
When I was just at the point of giving up and no longer accepting pregnant clients, I met an amazing woman who inspired me.
She was so in love with her body. After years of infertility, she did not care about the swelling or stretch marks. On the contrary, she felt like a goddess. Her session lit a fire inside of me to push myself and show other women just how beautiful they are!
Since that session, I have taken what was the smallest segment of my business and have grown it into something that not only feeds my soul but also puts food on the table for my kids. And hey, isn’t that the real goal of running a business?
I want to take you through my thought process in how I create a diverse and flattering gallery for every maternity photo shoot.
The biggest trick is to challenge yourself to never repeat the same pose. Let’s be honest, there are only so many flattering angles for the belly, only so many places you can place your hands, and only so many directions your client can look. But if you keep mixing these small things up, you create so many different poses.
The first step is finding out your client’s comfort zone. Some of my maternity portraits are nudes while other maternity photos are completely modest. As a photographer, you have to know your own comfort level and then find out your client’s comfort level.
I have over forty different maternity gowns in my studio wardrobe, in many different styles, colors, and sizes. It is important to me that every one of my clients from size 2-28 have something amazing to wear. It goes back to making sure my pregnant mamas feel like goddesses.
Now here is where the fun starts! Let’s break down a few of my favorite poses to show you how to keep your maternity photography fresh.
The most basic pose is one hand over and one hand under the belly. It is where I always start. When possible, bring the bottom arm back just a touch so you can see a little bit of the back inside of the elbow. Make sure to have mom put all the weight on one leg so she is not stiff.
Another favorite maternity pose of mine is one hand under the belly and the other placed delicately on the collarbone. If mom looks awkward, have her slightly twist her chest towards the camera for a more flattering angle.
For diversity, I take one full body with mom looking in one direction and then without changing my pose, I zoom in and have mom change just her head. Both portraits have a different look and feel.
When wearing a flowy gown I love to have moms place both hands under their belly to really show off the shape and size of their bump.
I also love a maternity portrait when facing forward.
Since I’m also a wedding photographer and my favorite shot for every bride is of her holding the flowers in one hand and her wedding dress behind her in the other, I put my own little spin on this for maternity portraits. When a maternity gown has a long train, this is a favorite go-to for me!
To show off the sassy side of a maternity client, I love to ask mom to place one hand on the belly and one hand between the hip and the small of the back. This really helps slim down a client’s bum area if they need help while giving some shape to a client who does not have as many curves.
For a more angelic look, I love to have my clients in a tight gown or nude with their hands delicately placed on their chest with their hands and arms covering whatever is needed.
Also, don’t forget to let your location play a part in your posing. One hand on the belly and the other on a wall or tree is a stunning way to add diversity.
Last but definitely not least, add in dad or siblings. I love to have dad cozy up from behind and help her snuggle that beautiful belly. Just make sure to always have mom’s arms under dads for the most flattering angle on mom.
But most importantly, just have fun! If you keep moving and keep connecting with your client, you will be able to create stunning maternity portraits for every client.
Words & photos by Nicole Everson
