How to best prepare for YOUR upcoming maternity session!
Hey Mama,
Congratulations on your amazing news! You must be feeling over the moon with excitement, but let me guess a tad overwhelmed or maybe apprehensive with everything you need to plan, everything you want to do or arrange ahead of new little one arriving. You’ve always dreamed of having a maternity photography session, but now the opportunity has arrived, you are worried it is another ‘to do’ to add to the ever growing list. Don’t worry — I got you... this will be a ‘to do’ that you will most certainly not want to be leaving off that list!!
I am sure that you are longing, wishing and beyond excited to meet your new little earthling. But, firstly remember that this journey is only 9 months and probably the fastest 9 months that you will ever experience. It is quite possibly the shortest chapter of motherhood, so make time for you in this fleeting moment! With that said, there has never been an expectant mother that I have met that has ever regretted capturing this beautiful chapter of motherhood, rather I have met many mothers who I hadn’t meet along their journey, that regretted deeply that they hadn’t taken the time to celebrate the wonder of the journey that they were on, document the fleeting moment of their maternity and celebrate the true wonder that was unfolding within.
So, let me guide you on how best to prepare for ‘YOUR’ upcoming maternity session.
— Finding your photographer;
You may have a budget and you may want to not stray too far from that budget, however, do not base your decision for who to book for a maternity session purely on price. Because, unfortunately you will most likely end up being disappointed with the final outcome and wonder why you decided to do a maternity session in the first place. Rather, keep the following considerations to mind — have you had a maternity photographer that you have had your eye on, do you adore their photographic style, do you love their approach, the way they speak to you when you check their socials or their website, do they have a studio or do they shoot outdoors or in-home, do they offer a client wardrobe? All these factors are hugely valuable when selecting your photographer for your maternity session, so keep these at the forefront of your mind alongside price. That way I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with the final outcome of your beautiful maternity session.
— When to book your maternity session?
If you adore a particular photographer, then chances are so do many others, so book early! The recommended time to book your maternity session is around your 20 wk scan. That way there is plenty of time to ensure that you are able to book with the photographer that you want and plenty of time to get to know, trust and build a connection ahead of your session day. That way it will truly feel as though you are simply catching up with an old friend and instantly any worries or stresses that you’ve had, can disappear!
— When should you have your maternity session?
The recommended time to have your maternity session is around 32 - 36 wks, so, ideally during your third trimester — this is a guide not the rule. However, the reason why these weeks work best for a maternity session, is because during these weeks your bump will have become beautifully rounded, making it the most perfect time to capture you along your journey, you will still feel relatively comfortable and at ease. Rather after these weeks we can cross into that period where you begin to feel a little uncomfortable or now just longing for little one to arrive, or even baby may come early so having a maternity session between these weeks will avoid an early arrivals!
— Talk to your photographer, discuss your visions, your aspirations, how you want the session to look!
After all it is your maternity session, your memories and your journey — so let us help you capture it in the most perfect way! Once you have selected and secured a date, your photographer will most likely send you a getting to know ‘YOU’ questionnaire, give this questionnaire some time, some thought and be open and honest. It is how your photographer will begin to understand what is most important about capturing during your maternity session, who will be attending, what type of setting you want your maternity session to be within, whether you want to show your bump or not, how open and trusting you are to going with the flow or whether you have a set direction you want to achieve. Talking to your photographer is so important, especially if you feel nervous or unsure of how confident you might feel on the day, your photographer knowing this, will mean that they are even more ready to be your hype girl, cheerleader and all round on hand support — so just talk to us!
— Where to have your maternity session.
Once completing your getting to know ‘YOU’ questionnaire, your photographer will know what type of location you are looking for, and many photographers that shoot outdoors will often have plenty of favourite locations up their sleeves. I have an amazing location guide that I will share with clients after booking, that has all of my absolute favourite locations here in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, especially for your maternity session. Why do we have favourites? These favourites will have a number a factors considered, such as; whether there is parking, walking distance to the actual spot (as an expectant mother, we know you don’t want to be walking miles), varying areas to explore within a location to capture varying scenes, whether its a relatively quiet location, what the terrain is like. With that said, many photographers will also be really open to suggestions of new locations or a favourite spot that you absolutely want for your maternity session, simply tell us and let us help you achieve that location especially for your maternity session.
— What to wear?
Do you feel like you have nothing to wear, nothing in your closet that you like, do you feel like you have lost your style and so find yourself feeling incredibly worried at this stage? What if mama, you knew that there was an extensive client closet that you could dip into? What if you knew that you could wear more then one piece? Would this take the stress and anxiety away, well I certainly hope so! The pieces that are in the client closet are considered carefully especially for maternity sessions — they allow for you to feel gorgeous, feminine, sexy, but also comfortable. They can be worn to showcase your beautiful bump, whether it is covered or open, the fabrics are soft, they are tactile, they can move and simply compliment you and your bump during your maternity session! However, if you didn’t want to dip into the client closet that is completely okay, not everyone does. In that case, I highly recommend opting for more earthy tones, creams and neutral colours that can compliment all skin tones, consider textures, consider options that can open if you did want to show more of your bump, consider a more relaxed shape for comfort, but know that you will receive a full session guide ahead of your maternity session that will guide you though all the styling tips that will help prepare you for the upcoming session.
— Pamper yourself...
Yes, I said it, pamper yourself!! Get your hair done, schedule it for the day before your maternity session or as close as! As most women could agree, we know how amazing it can feel after a haircut, so treat yourself, make yourself feel AMAZING! Whilst your in pamper mode, get those nails done too, keep them more within the neutral colouring tones, as they will be featuring within your maternity session as you hold and touch your beautiful bump. Any other pampering you can think of, consider this your permission to go and treat yourself!!
— Get everything ready the night before.
Lets remove any potential stress or unnecessary worry for the morning of your maternity session. If you’ve made new purchases then get them out, hang them, iron them, put them somewhere easy to grab in the morning and don’t forget to cut those hanger loops, they’ll make an appearance straight away if not! If your dipping into the client closet then come in some easy, loose fitting clothing, avoid wearing any tight elasticated socks, or anything tight around wrists because this will leave marks that do not instantly disappear. Pull a bag together that contains the following; a water bottle, snacks, a little mirror if you want to touch up make up or hair, hairbrush, nude / skin tone underwear and of course the make up bag itself.
— Get an early night.
Sounds obvious, but a little extra shut eye will have you feeling your best for the maternity session and able to embrace and enjoy this beautiful moment celebrating your journey.
— Stay hydrated...
Drink plenty of water before, during and after your maternity session. Your not doing a marathon, but you will be doing a mixture a moving, standing, sitting and this can be tiring on the body especially whilst growing a little one.
— Be sure to have breakfast!
DO NOT SKIP THIS ONE. Similar to staying hydrated, your body also needs fuel, so please if so prep something delicious the night before, like overnight oats or prep everything to make that delicious breakfast. Just please do not skip it.
— FINALLY and most importantly, do not stress!
A maternity session is about celebrating the beautiful journey that you are on, the wonder that is being created and the amazing mama that is being shaped in front of our very eyes — that is you. So let’s leave stress at the door, have fun and enjoy this moment of celebrating this beautiful chapter.
Let these steps help you prepare for that upcoming maternity session…