Fall Maternity Session – 3 Tips for Success
This week, local DOB fave photographer and guest blogger, Shayna Hardy, shares her fall maternity session tips!
1. Location, location, location.
Select a fall location for either it’s beautiful scenery or the meaning it has to your family. There are many beautiful foliage locations around Baltimore area to enjoy! But, there are only about 3-4 weeks of which you can enjoy the fall foliage, so it is best to schedule early!
I love getting to know clients during our consultation so we can decide the best location for them. If there are places that are meaningful to them, then I work to make that happen so the portraits we create will have a greater impact for them.
Baltimore’s weather can be challenging. When the weather threatens, indoor options are great too. At my studio, we can incorporate fall colors, like a red maternity dress into a studio session. These are wonderful because we can create some dramatic lighting images that show off the beauty of a pregnant woman in different ways.
2. Clothing.
Selecting what to wear can make or break the look and feel of the maternity session. The fall season is perfect for layering and cozy sweaters. Although I recommend a tight fit shirt to show off the belly bump, you can always layer with a beautiful fall sweater.
You may also elect to wear a beautiful maternity gown. Many can be found on Etsy for purchase, but I have several colors available in the studio. I usually suggest colors to complement the style of the nursery or home décor. I’m careful to select colors that will also coordinate or accent the fall foliage & location.
3. Don’t forget the details to make it personal.
While I’m getting to know my clients before the session, I find out through our discussion details about their lives. I suggest they bring any mementos, heirlooms or meaningful pieces they want to incorporate into their session.
Many times I will use the location as inspiration for incorporating something special into the session. For example, in the photo to the left, the mom was pregnant with twins so I simply plucked two beautiful leaves from the trees to symbolize the two babies growing inside her. They also got engaged THAT day so of course I included her engagement ring into the image.
These are the details that may get lost in our homes, but when photos are created of these pieces, they will never be lost in our memories.
While the changing leaves make a beautiful backdrop for a fall maternity session, all seasons offer wonderful opportunities to create beautiful portraits of you and your family. The ideal time for a maternity session is between weeks 30-36, but I suggest contacting me
by week 20 to reserve your spot on the calendar.
I love creating beautiful heirloom quality portraits for families to enjoy for years to come. They can be enjoyed in wall portraiture or gorgeous albums. Digital images are nice to share, but the printed piece will last through your child’s lifetime and beyond! You are worth the investment.
