Your Maternity Portraits And Your Baby Bump. It's A Time For Celebration

Congratulations!  You found out you're having a baby!  Now what?  There are so many new things to learn, to research, to dream about, question, worry about already and the baby isn't even here yet.  Will you have morning sickness or not?  Will you have aversions or not?  Will you....have maternity portraits taken or not?  It's a lot to consider.
Of course you want maternity portraits taken, afterall, you're only in this stage of your life for a short time, 9 months (ok, really 10) ten months of your life is so brief, and really, that baby bump shows up about half way through the pregnancy, so there's not much of a window of opportunity in your life to experience a maternity belly.  I loved the feeling of a baby growing inside my body.  One of my favorites was when the baby would have hiccups and I could feel the baby bouncing around.  For me, there was nothing better during my pregnancy.

simplIf you're like me, you keep a journal of what is happening to your body, your thoughts, your emotions, your eating habits, sleeping habits, etc.  during your pregnancy and yes, you take the weekly or monthly baby bump selfie and they're good and they're fun, but you start looking for a professional photographer that can take some special photos to commemorate this special time in your life.  This pregnancy is the start of a whole new life for you and your baby; it's part of your history, don't you think it should be documented?  
You start researching baby photographers and maternity photographers in your area.  What type of photos are you looking for?  What do you see yourself wearing for your photos?  Do you plan to purchase outfits or do you prefer to hire a photographer that has a wardrobe for their clients?  Do you want outdoor portraits or indoor portraits.  Do you want this day to be all about YOU or do you want your other children and husband or significant other there by your side?  These are just a few things to consider when looking for the right photographer.  I'd say one of the most important decisions about your professional portraits is the creative style you're looking for.  For your own sake, you want to make sure the photographer you choose shoots the type of photos you're looking to get; for example, you wouldn't want a photographer that shoots in natural light and outdoors only to shoot indoors with strobes and special lighting styles, and vice versa.  Make sure you review the photographer's work and try not settle on a photographer simply because you like their pricing.  
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When is the best time to schedule your portrait session?  The best time to schedule your portrait session is once you start researching and get settled on a style and a photographer; call them or reach out, ask questions; many photographers book up months in advance for maternity and newborn photography so it's best to get on their schedule early.
When is the best time to have a maternity portrait session?  I'd say a good time to have your professional portraits taken is near the end of your second trimester.  This is the time in your pregnancy when you're showing, you're still sleeping and still have energy.  This will allow you to sit comfortably for a hair and makeup session and have the energy for a portrait session.  However, my motto is "any day is a good day for photos".  Which is the truth; there are many times clients for many reasons can't make it into the studio for a session during the end of the 2nd trimester, sometimes they get to the studio just a few weeks before they're delivering and that's fine, too as long as that time frame is ok with you and your doctor.  ​

So, you schedule your session, you get to the studio, try on some of the photographer's gorgeous wardrobe pieces and start your session.  It's a good time to start asking about newborn photos if you haven't already had the discussion about newborn photos.  The newborn photo session is one of the most precious gifts you can give to your family.  You will have these portraits forever, your baby will grow up seeing these photos and you'll use them; anytime your baby graduates...from preschool, from kindergarten, 8th grade, high school, college, etc. you will always be asked for baby photos of your child.  You'll be showing these photos off for decades; and then you'll hand some down to your baby when they're all grown up; perhaps in a baby book, or a desk print.... Oh, I digress.  Back to your photo session; enjoy the session; you may feel a little nervous at first, but a good photographer will make you feel comfortable right away.  By the end of the session, I bet you won't want it to end; you'll want to do this again!  After your session is a great time to ask to see the photographer's newborn work and type of prints and wall art they offer; they may even have pieces at the studio for you to check out.  Discuss what's involved with a newborn session; it's a special type of photography that we newborn photographers love and are constantly learning from; we learn new techniques, the latest safety procedures and precautions, camera and lighting techniques, how to calm a baby and safely pose a baby, etc.  It's a very interesting field of photography so it's a great opportunity to ask all of your questions when you're face to face with your photographer.

After your session, you'll go back to doctor appointments or work or family life or all the above and a few weeks later, you'll have your beautiful maternity images to hold onto forever.  Whether they're in a book or you decide to hang them on your walls, show them off; they are a part of your family's history and this precious time in your life calls for celebration.  Celebrate with photos.  Enjoy!

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about maternity or newborn photo sessions.  I've been involved in photography for over 3 decades and have photographed newborns for 11 years.  Please don't hesitate to reach out milliedee2017@gmail.com.

xo
Denise
Studio location:  172 Landing Road, Landing, NJ   Studio visits by appointment only.  Call to schedule your appointment 973.805.FOTO or 3686.  www.milliedeephotography.com
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