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Top 10 tips to a beautiful pregnancy photoshoot

© 2016 Isabelle Newborn Photography !

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!“I would love a photo of me pregnant but I don’t feel my

best” !

“I have no idea when I should have my pregnancy photos taken” !“I only want 1 or 2 beautiful portrait of me pregnant but don’t know where to start” !does this sound like YOU ? Over the years I have gathered some tips that work for my clients ! Here I have gathered the TOP 10 ones which will help you bring out the best during your pregnancy photoshoot.

! !TIP #1 Choose your photographer !This may sound plain and simple, and it applies to all portrait photography, but it is very important. Choose your photographer carefully. Don’t just look at one thing, like the price, or his/her work, or location that your photographer would/could photograph you in.

Make sure you actually get in touch with him/her, and you are comfortable talking to him/her. After all you are going to spend some time together, and share some of your personal memories with him/her, so I can’t stress this enough. Get to know your photographer, follow his/her work, know what he/she offers. What would your experience be like

with him/her ? Are you looking at buying digital photos or wall art to display in your home or office ? Know what your minimum investment will be, know whether the photos can be taken in a studio or on location, like a park, or on the beach and at what time during the day ? Would you like to have a maternity shoot on a beach during sunrise ? Does your photographer offers that ? Would you like a more intimate shoot within your home ? Then make sure the photographer can come to your home, and then again make sure you are comfortable around him/her. Would you like to book your photographer during a weekday, or a weekend ? !Before you hire someone to take professional images of you and your family, you should already know all of that. And all of these reasons are exactly why you booked THAT photographer.

!!!TIP #2 Trust your photographer !This is another big TIP, if you have hired him/her, on the day of the shoot, just trust your photographer. Let him/her guide you. He/she is the professional, and this is why you hired him/her in the first place. Follow every advice, because your photographer knows the perfect angles, and the perfect pose. No matter what they ask you, you may feel funny doing it, but it will actually look nice in the resulting photograph.

!!TIP #3 32 to 35 weeks !When should you have your maternity photos taken ? I feel 32 to 35 weeks is the best time to have your pregnancy photographed. With that

being said, I have successfully photographed pregnant women up to 38 weeks. Every woman is different, so the idea is to have a beautiful round belly to photograph, but not wait too long as this is when your belly is too big and limits your movements, and you also get tired easily. With that in mind, anytime during the 8th month is usually fine.

!TIP #4 Brush Hair brush, that’s right ! Wash your hair the morning before the shoot, and bring your brush. Nicely brushed hair makes a hell of a difference in any photograph. Another great idea is to book that hair cut / blow dry appointment the morning before your shoot, or very close to your shoot, that way you will feel and look your best ! Some photographers use the service of a hairdresser. If not, make sure you look after this yourself, as it does make a difference in the final photograph.

!TIP #5 Make up !This one is also very important. Forget the foundations, powder, or cream, which can make your skin orangey. Focus on your eyes : eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara, and your lips. If you have a “pregnancy mask” (melasma), you can ask if your photographer would include some skin retouching as part of the work (they usually do, and can minimise it or remove it completely in post). Another important tip is to make sure your skin is not oily as this produces shiny skin in photographs and really doesn’t

look nice. Once you start the shoot your photographer is there to fix everything and make sure your photos will be beautiful !

!TIP#6 Wear light coloured clothes, or your favourite dress ! !Ask your photographer if she/he has a pregnancy wardrobe for you to choose from. You may also want to wear some of your clothes, and if you do, make sure to pick a white or cream dress or top. Or, pick a dress that you love wearing. This will make you feel like a goddess !! You want to wear clothes that will show your beautiful belly lines, so steer clear from baggy t-shirts or the like. Pick stretchy clothes that really show your bump !

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!TIP #7 Think about your baby not you ! !On the day of the shoot, I find I get beautiful natural expressions of love when I ask the mum to think about her baby and forget about the rest ! Forget that “your photographer and his/her camera” are here, forget what

you’re wearing… Simply close your eyes and think of your baby growing inside of your belly. And then let your photographer take most magical shots.

!!TIP #8 Bring an item that really means something to you. !It may be a book that you read during your pregnancy, or why you picked a name for your baby, or that craving that you had, or that you loved eating this veggie. A scarf that you wore a lot during your pregnancy… It can be anything as long as it reminds you of something. You will love looking back on this image as it will bring back the same memories and feelings you felt when you were pregnant. You could also bring a piece of the outfit that your baby will wear on the day she is born, little booties that grand-ma knit for her coming grand-son or grand-daughter…

!!TIP #9 Include family members if possible. Not only you but your child will love to see the photographs when you were pregnant with her !

!!TIP #10 Don’t plan anything else that day. This will help you stay focused. !On the day of the shoot, don’t have

anything else on your agenda. No matter how much time you spend with your photographer, be it 1 hour or the whole morning, make this your pregnancy photoshoot day.

!Have fun !

!I hope you’ve enjoyed reading these tips

Isabelle !

Isabelle Newborn Photography is a full service studio specialising in lifestyle and fine-Art Newborn and Maternity portraits in Brisbane, Australia.

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