It’s been said that variety is the spice of life, which applies to all things in life, particularly in maternity photography. We’ve all seen the classic hands-on-the-belly pose too often, and let’s face it, that pose now looks boring. If you shoot all your photos from the same perspective, with the same pose, and use the same concept, your photos will come out bland.
In photography, there’s plenty of room for additional creativity and variety, so you can break out of your old habits and enliven your photos. After all, artists do not limit themselves to one set of colours, so why should photographers? Here are ways to add variety to your maternity photographs and make them stand out.
Use Several Maternity Poses
The first thing that comes to mind when discussing variety in photos is the pose. There is no limit to creative, exciting poses, although you need to consider the comfort of the mom-to-be in a particular pose. There are different body types, so what might look great for one mom may not work for another.
Is she a biker, a runner, or a yoga enthusiast? Ask questions and get creative to develop attractive and exciting alternatives to the standard hands-clasped-over-belly pose that will flatter that beautiful baby bump even better.
Explore Different Colour Options
Another underexplored area of variety is the use of colours. Although black and white and sepia are popular choices for maternity photos, it doesn’t hurt to try something new and make your photos stand out. Think outside the box and utilize matching or contrasting solid colour backgrounds in your photos. It will make the photos exciting and interesting to look at.
You can also use colourful fabrics, brightly coloured flowers, or bold accessories such as necklaces or scarves. However, avoiding patterns or anything with words or pictures is best. They are distracting in photos and can shift the focus from the objects of the photo.
Allow your Model to Express Herself
Don’t be afraid to let your model make her own choice of outfits or accessories to wear. Pregnancy is a special and emotional time for her, so she’ll want images that capture this period’s true beauty and excitement. She might opt for tasteful, artistic, or partial nude. The key is ensuring that you work with what she wants and that she is comfortable with the pose. Otherwise, the photos may look awkward and forced. Having her partner present or involved in the photos may help.
Take Maternity Photos at an Early Stage of the Pregnancy
Another way to add variety is to take some maternity photoshoots during the early stages of the pregnancy and continue up to the later stages. You can take some shots around the first five months when the baby bump starts to show.
This helps you capture the body’s week-to-week changes during the pregnancy and the feelings of anticipation adding to the family. You can then compile these photos into a slideshow. This provides a visual record of her entire pregnancy journey, and it’s something she’ll enjoy showing to her child.
Keep these ideas in mind when you’re planning or doing your next maternity photo shoot. Photography is a creative field, so don’t limit yourself, be bold and explore several options, but most importantly, let your model choose for herself; pregnancy is a special time for her.
Interested in getting a maternity photoshoot done? Get in touch with Devina from Wild River Photography. Award winning photographer who specialises in maternity, family and Gold Coast newborn photography.