I was welcomed into this beautiful home birth in the Southern suburbs attended by a skilled midwife. It was full of laughter, worship music, and a relaxed environment. For this couple, its their second child and the first grandson of the father’s family. The paternal grandparents live overseas and made it in perfect time to meet their grandson and take their granddaughter off for a fun day so mom could focus on the birth.

The father writes: “Marysol actually arrived before our midwife, and was thrilled at the amount of light in our downstairs room as the day was breaking. As a man, I couldn’t care less, but was indeed grateful for an extra hand to get everything in order for our first home birth. Through all this, Marysol was catching every angle. For my wife, it was great to have this third person be able to record the event and have myself be able to fully focus on her and her needs.”

1. Choose your timing

As a professional photographer, many of my clients ask me when is the best time to do their maternity photos. A general guide is anywhere from 28-34 weeks. But that’s not necessarily right for every woman. Consider that you want to feel beautiful and actually look pregnant. If you haven’t even popped much by 30 weeks, perhaps wait until much later. I’ve had clients come to me at 38 weeks. If by week 26, you already are feeling large and uncomfortable, consider taking them earlier. Some women tend to experience swelling in the last few weeks of pregnancy. So I would suggest taking that into consideration. All pregnant women are gorgeous. The point is that YOU feel beautiful in front of the camera.

2. Choose your wardrobe

Again, the point is to feel beautiful. And you are probably already feeling your wardrobe is limited. Choose what you feel the best in, it will translate in the photos. Perhaps go out and buy something special. Consider something that shows off your belly, not something that hides it. Some women go the casual look, some glam it up with a flowly dress or skirt. I would keep your partner’s clothing fairly simple and neutral. The point is for you, your love, your belly to be on display and what has the most pop in the photos. Also avoid colors that wash out your face or horizontal stripes as you might feel it makes you look bigger in all the wrong ways. Go with your style, if that’s glam, casual, funky, or eclectic.

3. Chose accessories

Chunky necklaces, a cool scarf, fun shoes can really jazz up a wardrobe that feels limited and will add some character and pop to your photos.

4. Bring along a friend

Here’s one of my best kept secrets as a photographer. When a client brings along a girl friend to her maternity shoot, she often is more confident and relaxed. Her smile is genuine. Her friend helps play the role in making her feel comfortable. Perhaps bringing along your husband or children is enough, but if you feel you might be especially shy about rocking the belly… choose one of your girls to join you!

5. Bring meaningful baby accessories or props

I don’t do alot of props in my style of photography, but some meaningful tokens (a hat, baby shoes, sonogram, a chalkboard, a chinese fan, etc) is a nice touch.

6. Groom your nails

You’ll be taking alot of shots of your hands on your belly so consider grooming your nails or getting a manicure. While you are at it, if you are married, don’t forget your wedding ring! Alot of women take it off because of swelling. If you can, squeeze it back on, it makes for a beautiful touch in the photos.

7. Hire a Professional

When in doubt, hire a professional to ensure you get gorgeous photos. There are photographers to suit everyone’s specific budget. Use these tips as a preparation, but leave the guess work of posing, lighting, angles, ideas to them. As a professional, I can guide a woman in how to shift her hips or which leg to put her weight on or how to adjust her elbow in such a way that will flatter her body. You are likely to feel more beautiful and have beautiful keepsake photos. And remember, all my clients who book me as their birth photographer get a professional mini-maternity session complimentary at the location of their choice so you have the full story from bump to birth to baby to always remember.

The experience of welcoming a child into the world is not just important for the mother, but the father as well. Bonding happens in those first few moments for him too. Often a dad is so overwhelmed with emotion or shock or awe that he forgets to even take out the camera (that was my husband!).

Most mothers prefer that if she’s being attended to post delivery or there’s been an Caesarean, the father stays with the baby. She often misses all these little moments.

I discreetly, quietly, barely speaking a word pay attention to capture his reactions and experiences too. No asking for a pose (unless he wants to) or getting in the way of your private moments. Let him focus on you and the baby. This only happens once in his life. I’ll get the photos.

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