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Tips for your maternity session

ORANGE COUNTY MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

When you should book

A man and a pregnant woman are holding hands in a field.

The optimal timing for scheduling your maternity session is typically recommended to be between 4-8 weeks before your due date, ideally in the 32-36 week range of your pregnancy. This timeframe ensures that your baby bump is beautifully rounded and prominent, allowing for stunning photographs that showcase the natural beauty of your pregnancy. By planning your session during this window, we can capture the essence of this special time in your life without being too close to your due date, providing you with a comfortable and stress-free experience.

A man and woman are standing in the grass with a baby on their shoulders.

Not comfortable?

No worries.

For some people, knowing what to do in front of the camera can be one of the most daunting parts of having their photos taken, however, understand that we spend a great deal of time coordinating organic sequences of poses. If you’re a natural and fall into positions on your own, then great! But we work really hard to come up with great direction that feel comfortable for you. We want you to feel relaxed throughout the shoot so don’t worry about what to do with your hands, we’ve got you covered!

Kids

Kids can be crazy and uncontrollable, we get it. If you know your munchkins are probably not going to stand there and smile, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. We will try our best to get the classic, full family smiling at the camera shots, but we will also get some lifestyle shots. By lifestyle, we mean we will give your kids something fun for them to do, that we know usually photographs well, and photograph them having fun. By giving them something to do, like looking at mom, jumping off (small) rocks, or tickling their brother, they have fun and you get great, candid shots.

It's kinda like posing, but more fun.

Posing has become sort of a bad word in the photography industry recently. When most people think of posing, they think of stiff, awkward, school photos with our hands folded neatly under our chin. That’s why we prefer the word ‘directing’! We direct you into a series of natural actions and positions which have proven to flatter, slim, and engage you with the camera and your loved ones.

Props

Sure! Why not? Consider including items that are sentimental or meaningful whether it be a piece of jewelry, a blanket that was mom’s, or a gift that was made special for baby. Baby shoes, socks, a onesie, an ultrasound picture, block letters of the baby’s name or a book are all great! Expecting a baby but not pregnant? Bring a couple cute baby outfits and a copy of any documents to take photos with!

Professional hair and makeup are on the top of most of our clients’ checklists because it looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. This is the time to treat yourself! Whether it’s lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. Most of our clients feel like their professional makeup is “too much” at first since it’s more than you would wear on a normal day, but don’t worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it all just right for the camera. If you need a hair and makeup artist we highly recommend Crystal De Leo (pictured left) from Golden Glow Beauty. She’s sweet as pie, talented as heck, unbelievably professional, and a wonderful person. You’ll LOVE her! We know she’ll take good care of you!

Hair & Makeup

Go pro

In our experience, every woman regardless of her shape has an area of her body that she’s self-conscious about, so recognizing what area that is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.



Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so we recommend avoiding those whenever possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.

Flatter your features

We always recommend floor-length gowns or maxi dresses. These dresses create the best silhouettes to flatter your figure and really highlight your bump. Below are our four favorite maternity dress shops at various price points. Not interested in adding a gown to your wardrobe? Cool companies like Mama Bump Rentals let you rent the same dresses pictured below for a great price!

Not sure what to wear?

Morning Lavender

Pink Blush

Sew Trendy

baltic born

Check out our Style Guide for tips on how to style and prep your man and kiddos!

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