How to Prepare for your Intimate Maternity Photo Session

If you’re reading this, that probably means you’re expecting or hoping to be soon. Maybe you’ve booked your intimate maternity session already, or maybe you’re taking a look to see to what an intimate maternity session entails and how to prepare. Well my dear, you’ve come to the right place. Intimate maternity sessions have quickly become one of my favorite creative outlets and I’m sure you can see why! I love coming up with new ways to style and pose my clients so that they can celebrate the strength and beauty of their bodies and preserve memories from this super special time in their lives for decades to come. So whether you have already booked a maternity session or are considering it for the future, I have written this  simple guide to support you in preparation for it. Let’s dive in!

Close up of pregnant mother's belly with husband standing behind her with hand on her belly

Hydrate

So simple and extremely helpful. Make sure you are hydrating your body well 24 hours leading up to your session. Hydrated skin looks healthy and glowy. Don’t worry about having to pee during your session. Taking a break is okay!

pregnant woman sitting on chair with her hands on her belly in dramatic lighting and looking out window, intimate maternity photo, pregnancy photo

Embrace your natural beauty

I fully support you if you want to get hair and makeup done professionally before your session. Just let me know and I’ll send you my local recommendations! But whether you plan on having it done professionally or doing it yourself, I highly recommend keeping things light and natural. Sometimes people think a lot of makeup looks better in photos similar to how it looks in live theater. However, I don’t believe this to be true! Too much makeup can look unnatural and heavy foundation can start to look cakey in the images. Stick with a lighter foundation and more natural style for your images and let your natural self shine! You are beautiful just the way you are and should be celebrated. If you have any temporary blemishes, let me know and I will happily remove them to the best of my ability in post.

Pregnant woman sitting on floor in front of couch in underwear and white button up shirt with hand on belly.

Don’t forget the nails

As you know, the main focus of your images will be your bump and your hands will often be what’s framing it! Make sure your nails are clean and your skin is hydrated. A manicure isn’t required but if you decide to go that direction, keep the color more neutral so the nails don’t take attention away from your beautiful baby bump.

Show some skin

Women’s bodies are freaking incredible and should be celebrated! I’m here to show you how remarkably beautiful, strong, and powerful you are in your body. I know how to pose you in ways that will flatter your natural curves. So if you’re comfortable, bring some cute underwear and I’ll document some incredible photos for you! Check out this Pinterest board I put together here that contains clothing inspiration for your upcoming intimate maternity session. And if you’re really not comfortable showing skin, that’s okay, too! My top priority is making sure you feel comfortable and beautiful during our time together.

pregnant woman standing with hands on belly and looking out a window, intimate maternity photo, pregnancy photo

Bring accessories!

Simple jewelry can really elevate your images. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets can go a long way. Elegance is key. Mix and match for different looks throughout the session!

pregnant woman laying on bed in bra and jeans with hands on belly and looking at the camera, intimate maternity photo, pregnancy photo

I hope you find these tips useful! You can bookmark this blog post to refer back to before your next intimate maternity session. Have additional questions? Leave them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you asap! I hope this blog post has you considering booking your own intimate maternity session, or maybe giving it as a gift to a loved one. 🙂 You can book your maternity session with me by clicking here! Thanks for reading.

With love and gratitude,

Skyler

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pregnant woman sitting on bed and looking out window, intimate maternity photo, pregnancy photo

February 24, 2023

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