I take a relaxed approach to maternity photography. I'm not one for stiff posing or awkward smiles. I like movement, real laughter, and lots of love in a beautiful location with pretty light and your baby bump.
The best images are created when clients show up with zero expectations and go with the flow. Relax, embrace the wind, get a little dirty, laugh, and have loads of fun.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE MATERNITY PHOTOS?
It depends on whether this is your first, or second, or third, pregnancy. For first pregnancies, I recommend sometime between 30 to 35 weeks. For subsequent pregnancies, baby bumps tend to show quicker, so the most ideal time is between 20 to 30 weeks.
Having said all that, if you've already passed the recommended timelines, you should still have them done and please don't fret—I've never had a client come back to say, "I wish I took them sooner," but I have heard lots of, "I regret not having maternity photos done." You will still get beautiful images no matter what.
WHERE SHOULD WE SHOOT?
Organic locations work best and ensure the focus is on you, your bump, partner, and/or family. I like quiet beaches, fields, meadows, creeks, lakes, flowers, tall grass. Not too keen on cityscapes and crowded locations—we frequently end up waiting on passersby to move out of the frame, risking the chance of missing important moments, or there are many distracting elements in the background.
I'm constantly scouting to find the best locations. Once you're booked in, I would be more than happy to give some location recommendations.
WHAT TIME SHOULD WE SHOOT?
As a professional photographer, I am able to shoot in any kind of lighting throughout the day. However, my favorite time to shoot is during golden hour. It's the one hour before sunset. The light then is so soft and so complementing for skin tones. It is the most flattering for your images. There is no squinting and no harsh light from the bright sun to work around. 99% of my clients opt to book for this time of day, but of course, if you have children, we will work around their schedules so that everyone is happy.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
The first rule of thumb is to dress like yourself. Wear something you feel awesome and beautiful in. Having said that, there are some tips to follow which can take your images from good to simply ahh-mazing.
GOOD:
+ Casual
+ Neutrals and earthy tones
+ Natural fabrics
+ Flowy and lots of movement
+ Texture
+ 3-4 color palette maximum
BAD:
- Big patterns
- Logos
- Bright colors
- Too much white (ivory/cream/beige is a better choice)
- Snug fitting clothes
- Runners
Here are links to my Pinterest boards to give you some wardrobe inspiration:
SOME SHOPS I RECOMMEND FOR MATERNITY WEAR:
asos.com
balticborn.com
covenandco.com
freepeople.com
lulus.com
shoppinkblush.com
vicicollection.com
Oftentimes with loose long flowy dresses, you can size up to accommodate for your bump without the need to purchase something specifically labeled as 'maternity'. However, this option can be a hit or miss, so if you choose to do that and your session is coming up soon, I would suggest either ordering a few different dresses to test, or having a solid back-up.
Lastly, I love helping my clients style their sessions, so e-mail me anytime if you want any suggestions or opinions on your outfits. :)
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment
until it becomes a memory."
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kathy@kathylui.com
Vancouver, BC