How To Look Like a Goddess in Your Maternity Photos

Not everyone feels like they’re glowing while pregnant. In fact, most of us don’t. Instead we don’t feel the least bit like ourselves. Many of my clients mention how insecure they currently feel in their bodies when they contact me about a maternity shoot, so I’ve written a short post on how to look like an absolute goddess at your shoot:

1. Hire a dress, one of those over the top ones specifically designed for maternity photo shoots. One that makes you feel like a princess. I can highly recommend Mama Rentals on the Northern Beaches, Alice has been an absolute legend with last minute dress rentals for my clients.

2. Have your photos taken at golden (and blue) hour, nothing quite compares to that special golden hour light. Golden hour is the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset. Blue hour is the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset. I usually shoot during the evening golden hour and let my shoots spill into blue hour (the photo above was taken during blue hour).

3. Pick the perfect location. I have a list of gorgeous locations with amazing light which I send out to all my clients.

4. Don’t ever think it’s too late for maternity photos. Most independent photographers will aim to accommodate you or, if completely booked out, they’ll recommend a photographer with a similar style to contact who might have a slot available.

5 Reasons to Invest In Maternity Photos

If you think about the pivotal moments in life pregnancy and the birth of your baby/babies rank very high. These are times to celebrate and commemorate with beautiful, professional photos. Your baby bump is fleeting and soon you’ll have your gorgeous little baby in your arms. I’ve done a collab with Siobhan from Siobhan Wolff Photography below on why a maternity shoot is a must for every mama.

5 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Maternity Photos

Maternity photo shoots have become popular among mothers as a way to document their pregnancy journey. It’s a way to celebrate and remember those 9 months when new life was growing inside her body.

If you wonder why anyone would want to do a maternity shoot or if you lack confidence in the way to look. Allow us to put your mind at ease and to outline the top 5 reasons to invest in a maternity photo shoot.

Are you interested? Please continue reading below.

Image Copyright Celeste Hulme Photography

1. It highlights the baby bump

Being able to carry a new life is a blessing. It is also a privilege, that not everyone has.

While you may not always feel it, a woman’s body during pregnancy is glowing and beautiful. You don’t get to have this lovely bump every day. Being photographed is therefore worthwhile. A talented photographer can capture the most breathtaking and flattering images of you and your growing baby bump.

2. It is a memory you will always cherish

It’s not everyday you get to be pregnant. For this reason, don’t hesitate to document it. In years to come, when you’re sitting next to a little person, pointing at pictures of your belly and saying “That’s you! That’s when you were in mummy’s tummy!” you’ll be overjoyed that you took the time to properly document your pregnancy. These photos demonstrate the love you had for this little person from the moment you found out you were expecting.

3. Celebrate your parenthood

A pregnancy photo shoot entails more than just capturing pictures for the sole purpose of hanging them on the wall. It honours parenthood. While the focus is predominantly on the mother, partners and baby’s older siblings are also encouraged to participate. Celebrating this magical time where you love a person you’re yet to meet.

4. It is so much fun

Another reason to do a maternity photo shoot is because it is enjoyable. All the preparations, the location, the poses, the conversations, everything. If you are yet to announcement your pregnancy or reveal the gender of your baby (if you chose to find out) this can be incorporated into your shoot. By doing a maternity shoot, you are not only fulfilling your desire to have a good maternity photos, you’re also creating memories.

Adding a gimmick or two to the session makes it even more entertaining. There are many themes and ideas out there right now that you might be inspired by.

5. You recall what it was like before baby joined your family

Compared to all the other stages of your life, pregnancy is unique. What you eat, what you do, how you feel and your future plans are all affected. Your body is ever changing and growing a little person is no joke. While hard at times, pregnancy is also a time of joy and excitement. Many have been working up to this moment for years while others are surprised to be here. Either way, you deserve to commemorate this time before baby’s arrival creates a whole new set of challenges and celebrations.

Final Reflections

Motherhood and new life is worth celebrating. So much so that we celebrate the day you were born every year. Don’t hesitate scheduling in a maternity shoot, you’ll never regret capturing this fleeting, pivotal moment in your life. It will showcase your growing bump, celebrate your motherhood and life before baby’s arrival.

Get in touch with your favourite photographer to book in your own maternity shoot.

Image Copyright Celeste Hulme Photography

6 Things to Consider when Choosing Your Perfect Photographer

1.Know what you like, or don’t like

The very first step to choosing your perfect photographer is deciding on what you want. Do you want posed, studio newborn photos with perfectly even light, do you want highly posed and constructed wedding photos, are you a free spirit and would like some candid photos out in nature? Do you want your baby’s newborn photos on a beach or in a forest or are you feeling overwhelmed and want your photographer to come to your home? Are you a fan of natural light or artificial light? Photographers specialise in a wide range of areas from newborns to weddings, from food to interiors, from studio to natural light. Not all photographers have experience in every field or situation and it’s the experience that really counts.

Once you’ve decided on the look, feel and location of your photos you’ll have a better idea of what to search for within you budget.

2.Indie vs Mainstream: understand the options

When it comes to selecting your photographer it pays to be aware that there are two main business models. There are independent photographers and photography companies. Companies employ photographers with a wide range of experience who all aim to work in the same style. If you chose to go with a company ask the name of the photographer who will be doing your photos. Take the time to research that particular photographer and their portfolio. If their portfolio doesn’t capture what you’re after ask for another photographer from the company. Never assume that the photos on the company’s website were taken by the photographer who will turn up on the day. With independent photographers you know exactly who will turn up on your big day or be working with your precious newborn. The online reviews will be about that particular person and their work. If you love the style and portfolio of an independent photographer you’re more likely to love your photos.

3.Be in love with their style don’t try to change it

Now, make sure you’re really in love with your chosen photographer’s style. It takes a long time to develop and refine a style so a photographer is unlikely to be able to successfully change theirs on request. If a photographer’s style isn’t exactly what you want there will be another photographer put there who is the perfect fit for you.

4.A consistent portfolio

Speaking of style, aim to choose a photographer with an established personal style which runs through their entire portfolio. Not only won’t you be surprised by the end result, but it takes years to hone a style making the photographer more likely to have the experience to deal with whatever is thrown at them on the day.

5. What are you paying for?

The last factor to consider is how the photographer’s packages are structured. Do you want the high res digital files so that you can have them printed at a later date? Or are you happy to purchase prints only? Are there any hidden fees? Are you paying for the photo shoot and then purchasing a package on top of that? Or is it an all-in-one package. It’s good to know that the traditional studio pricing model involves advertising a set price (usually quite low) for the photo shoot and then charging per print, never releasing the digital files. This is a hangover from the days of film when negatives were kept on file. Make sure that you understand exactly how the packages work to avoid unexpected additional fees.

6. Your friend/uncle/cousin has a camera . . .

Having a good camera doesn’t make them a professional photographer. Be grateful that they’re giving you their time and be happy with whatever you get.

Where do I fit in?

Where do I fit on this wide spectrum? I shoot the pivotal moments of people’s lives, from when they become engaged or get married through to the birth of their babies and their family as it grows. My style is a fusion of portrait and landscape photography, it’s candid and natural. I’ve included examples below to explain exactly what I mean. I depend on the light from the sun to create a unique session for each client and only ever pull out my flash on the dance floor. Photos where babies are posed don’t sit well with me. Where I photograph them on their own in a basket or bowl or on a blanket they’re always relaxed and photographed where they settle. I do in-home newborn shoots, where parents prefer, but I don’t have a studio nor do I do studio-style photos as it simply doesn’t fit with my ethos or creative style. A style which I defined through years of soul searching and experience.

I hope this offers some clarity into the confusing world of choosing your perfect photographer.

Freya's Golden Hour Maternity Session at Narrabeen Beach

Pink skies are usually reserved for winter, but occasionally they appear in autumn and Freya was lucky enough to have one at her maternity session. The weather was perfect, the toddler was happy and the the mama-to-be was glowing.

Over the past year I swapped to a Sony system (sorry Canon!) and I absolutely love the Sony A7 III’s ability to capture those crazy sand dune runs!