Photo session is a beautiful adventure with added value – captured moments to look back on years later and leave them as a legacy for children and future generations. But expecting photo sessions are even more special and unique - pregnancy is a short and unique time in the life of a woman, her man and her family.

What a future mother needs to know when planning an expecting photo session and how to prepare - says photo artists Aurelija Jablonska/Aurelija Photography , Ilze Kalniņa/Ilze Kalniņa Photography , Madara Liepiņa/Maģisfoto and Rasa Shtokmane/Stokmane.Rasa_Photography.

"I highly recommend the photo session to all mothers, because it is not only about beautiful pictures, but about feelings, emotions and internal storms that happen and change a woman's body. As time goes by, we can appreciate how beautiful our body is, which can create life", says photographer Rasa.

In which month of pregnancy is it recommended to hold an expectant photo session?

Of course, there is no such condition in which to take pictures during pregnancy, and the feeling of pregnant women with a big pussy is also very different. However, there are practical aspects that make this issue relevant in anticipation photo sessions.

According to Aurelija, the photo session reservation should be scheduled at least a month in advance. "If it is the first pregnancy, the best time is the 28-32 week of pregnancy. For mothers who are not the first pregnancy, it is recommended to be in the 26-30 week. If you go earlier than the indicated time, the belly will not be very visible yet, but if you book the photo session for a later time, then body edema and a little more fatigue are possible."

Ilze also recommends taking photos around the seventh month of pregnancy, when the pussy is already nicely visible and you feel good and have enough energy. But there is another aspect, why schedule the photo session of expectations no later than later: "There have been a couple of cases when the baby runs away before the set date and we are already rescheduling the photo session for a later time together with the baby."

In the same way, Madara encourages you to choose the expected date - in the seventh, eighth month of pregnancy, reminding that every pregnancy is individual, therefore it is important to take into account the mother's well-being and personal wishes.

Rasa shares another idea to enrich the photographic memories of this special time: "It is also possible to capture the pussy every month to see how it grows and develops. Since I shoot in my studio, you don't have to worry about unsuitable weather. The studio is bright, spacious and well-equipped with all the necessary amenities."  

Take photos in a studio or in nature?

Photographers are invited to choose the most suitable location for a photo session according to their personal feelings. Aurelia says: "Choose what's closest to your heart. If it's summer, you can capture very beautiful photos in the open air - in a meadow, by the sea, in a forest. The location should be freely accessible so that a pregnant woman does not have to wade through an overgrown forest or a meadow with very long grass, because the safety of the expectant mother is also an important aspect here and it is also necessary to take care of protection against insects.

However, since Latvia's climate is not warm and dry all year round, a photo session in a studio is an excellent option. Yes, theoretically you can also take photos at the client's home, however, the studio has professional lighting equipment, various attributes, so the result will be much better. I prefer to photograph pregnant women in the studio, because I know that there will be comfort, there will be a fantastic result and a pleasant atmosphere."

Ilze also invites you to follow your feelings: "I don't think that any place is better or worse. At home, the atmosphere of the house will be there, the place where you live is immortalized. Over time, places of life are changed, the interior changes, then the value of capturing this atmosphere and feelings comes into play.

The studio has a more minimalistic environment, at least mine for sure, because I personally like to be as austere as possible - the less unnecessary accessories, the better, so that all attention is on the woman and this wonderful stage, such pictures are also timeless in my opinion.

When photographing in nature, our changing weather conditions must be taken into account - if it rains, then the photo session has to be rescheduled, rescheduling can sometimes be problematic if the schedules do not coincide, therefore, if it might be difficult to coordinate with the rescheduling, maybe it is good to consider plan B indoors in advance."

Madara breaks down the most important factors when choosing a location for an anticipation photo shoot:

• Mother's comfort and well-being : to make the mother feel comfortable and relaxed.
• Weather: suitable weather, especially if the photoshoot takes place outside.
• Suitability of the background : does the chosen place match the wishes of the mother and the theme of the photo session.
• Practical considerations: For example, accessibility, site cleanliness and safety.
• Experience of the photographer : A photographer with experience in the specific environment can help you get the best results.

Madara also mentions the advantages of different locations:

In the studio

• Lighting, temperature and other environmental control options.
• More privacy and fewer distractions.
• Various backgrounds and accessories that can be used.

At home

• A familiar environment where the mother feels comfortable.
• Personalized background: option to include personal items and interior.
• Less stress: no need to go to another place, especially if the mother feels tired.

Cons:

• Lack of natural light or inappropriate artificial lighting.
• There may be limited space and options for using different background options.

In nature

• Natural Light: Beautiful, natural lighting that can produce great results.
• Lots of different background options like forests, beaches, meadows.
• Seasonal beauty: the ability to use seasonal elements, such as flowers in spring or snow in winter.

Cons:

• Weather - dependence on the weather, which can be unpredictable.

In the city

• Architecture and art: diverse and interesting backgrounds, such as murals, bridges, historical buildings.
• Liveliness: the urban environment can give a dynamic and energetic mood.

Cons:

• Less privacy and possible disturbance from passersby.
• Noise: It may be more difficult to concentrate and relax.

What clothes should I choose for a photo shoot?

We are so different, and of course there is no one most suitable style for a pregnant woman to choose for a photo session. However, comfort is the key word that is really important when choosing outfits for one of the most beautiful photo shoots in life.

What do experienced expectant photographers recommend?

Ilze shares: "The possibilities are endless, I would rather suggest something from the other side - the main thing is nothing heavy and stiff, which does not highlight the pussy and makes the shape massive.

My suggestion is to dream a little, how the client sees herself, feels what the feeling is, what she would like, and with this feeling she opens her closet and takes what appeals to her. On the spot, the stylist and I usually look at everything we have brought and then we talk together about what appeals to us from all of it, how we see it, what is closest to the client's heart, and then the flow of the creative process goes on.

If there is a desire for a more naked picture, where the body, butt is exposed, when coming to the photo session, it is recommended to wear something loose, so that there are no tights, jeans and other dents in the skin."

Aurelija says: "Light, airy and bright clothes are best suited for outdoor pregnancy sessions, which will create a soft mood in the photos. Long loose dresses, lace, husband's white shirt, straw hat. Everything can be played with, but I would still recommend choosing clothes without eye-catching patterns or drawings, as neutral color tones as possible, because it is necessary to blend into it in order to create harmony between people and nature in the photo.

Various variations of clothing look beautiful for a photo session in the studio, starting from a loose women's suit costume, up to tulle fabrics in which you can beautifully wrap a pregnant woman - it looks fabulous! Everything bright fits here and you can give free rein to your imagination in clothing, because if for a photo session in nature it is better to wear neutral-colored clothes, without patterns, then in the studio everything else stands out and looks stylish. But everything depends on the general idea of ​​the photo session, because you can also take pictures in the studio with neutral, light clothes, if you don't want bright or darker clothes.

It is also important to think about the details, for example the baby's socks or the ultrasound picture, because such close-ups of the details add loveliness to the pictures."

Photographer Madara's recommendations for choosing clothes for a pregnancy photo session: "When choosing clothes for a pregnancy photo session, it is important to make the mother feel comfortable, confident and look her best.

• Show off your belly: choose clothes that highlight your pregnancy belly, such as tight dresses or tops.
• Comfort: clothing should be comfortable and relaxed so that the mother can move freely and feel good.
• Simplicity: simple and elegant clothing without complicated patterns or too many details.
• Neutral colors: neutral or pastel colors often work best because they create a calm and harmonious mood.
• Long Flowing Dresses: This type of dress creates an elegant and graceful look and is also very photogenic.
• Fitted tops and jeans: fitted tops and maternity jeans or leggings are great choices if you want to show off your belly.
• Lace or silk fabrics: these fabrics add a special charm and femininity.
• Colors: choose colors that go well with the location and background of the photo shoot. If the photo session takes place in nature, greens and neutral colors will be suitable, while in the studio you can experiment with brighter shades.

I recommend planning several outfits to get different looks during one photo shoot. Make sure the clothing you choose is clean, fits well and is not wrinkled, otherwise it will be more work to process the images. And don't be shy to consult the photographer. Your photographer can give you valuable advice on what will look best in a particular shoot.”

How to prepare for the photo session of anticipation?

When preparing for a pregnancy photo session, photographers recommend getting ideas from both Pinterest and Instagram and discussing your wishes with the photographer. "Before the photo session, I discuss everything with the clients about outfits and ideas. I always help with the choice of location and recommend where it would be better to take photos.

The most popular "collection" of ideas is the application Pinterest. I also get a lot of ideas and poses for a photo shoot from it. Before that, the client can create a small "moodboard" with ideas that she would like in her photo session and we can discuss it all together.

In order to create an authentic and personal photo session, it is really necessary to prepare some time beforehand. In order for it to be as authentic as possible, you need to find a good, interesting location, think about the originality of the outfit - outfits that are not common in everyday life - all this makes the photos different and more interesting. You can find very original, bohemian maternity dresses on etsy.com, and you can often find good outfits for a photo shoot at thrift stores.

There is no need to try the poses. If there is something specific that you would like in your pictures, you can show it in advance and we will implement it. I like it when the client lets me in and trusts me, because I already have experience of what is better and what is not.

It is definitely recommended to keep an eye on how you feel. If the pregnant woman does not feel well on the day of the scheduled photo session, then it is worth rescheduling the photo session, because pregnancy is not always easy, so this is also a very important aspect that I respect and understand", advises Aurelia.

Taking pictures alone or together with the future father?

Aurelia encourages you to capture your expectations together with your other half: "I'm definitely in favor! It is very beautiful when you capture this beautiful time together with your partner. In fact, it's even easier to pose together, as the interaction of the two can create much more lively pictures than when a pregnant woman is alone. I see how couples flourish in a photo session, because it's such a love affair with each other, stroking the punch, time together when both are here and now".

Madara also invites you to use the expecting photo session as an event of family intimacy: "Combining a maternity photo session with a couple photo session is a great idea, as it will create warm and emotional photos and will allow you to highlight family intimacy and shared moments. Match the clothes so that they complement each other harmoniously.

Plan poses like romantic hugs or kisses as well as casual poses like walking together. Choose a location that is meaningful to you as a couple or that complements your image, such as in nature, at home, or in the city. Talk to your photographer about plans to combine photoshoots so you can come up with creative ideas. Relax and enjoy the process so that the photos look natural and sincere. Include personal details that reflect your relationship or your upcoming baby, such as baby shoes or special accessories.”

As Ilze says, a pregnancy photo session can be combined with a couple photo session if the man wants to participate in the process, but the main thing is not to force him to participate.

With an experienced photographer

Expectation photo session photographers recommend choosing a photographer with experience in this field for this special photo session. There are several reasons for this:

• Guarantee of good results and comfort during the photo session. An experienced photographer will guarantee that she will be comfortable during the photo session and will think about poses so that the expectant mother feels good while posing.
• An experienced photographer understands how to highlight the beauty of a pregnant woman's body.
• A professional knows what poses and lighting are best suited to create aesthetic and sophisticated photographs.
• Able to create a safe and supportive atmosphere, moreover, an experienced photographer can offer creative ideas and adapt the session to the individual wishes of the pregnant woman.

Enjoy and capture

Madara urges: "Remember that the waiting period is a special and unique stage in your life. Let the process go, relax and enjoy the photo session, it is your time to feel special and beautiful. A professional photo session is a great way to capture this time and keep beautiful memories that you will be able to look at for many years to come.

There is a saying: "Pregnancy is a journey filled with small movements, big changes and love that grows every day."

Ilze advises not to hesitate - whether or not you need an anticipation photo session. "If at some point even the slightest desire or thought creeps in, maybe... maybe to do a pregnancy photo session, definitely do it, it is such a unique stage, often only once in a lifetime. This moment captured in a photo session is a value and a beautiful testimony of time. In addition, in my view, every woman should enjoy the photo session process once in her life, a moment for herself when the stylist and photographer take care of her to be messy, feel good, and this The magic and essence of the moment would be captured in visually beautiful pictures. A photo session is quite a therapeutic and inspiring process."

Authors of the article: Renāte Berga, Ieva Simanoviča

Photographers: Aurelija Jablonska / Aurelija Photography , Rasa Štokmane / Stokmane.Rasa Photography , Ilze Kalniņa / Ilze Kalniņa Photography , Madara Liepiņa / Maģisfoto , Melanie Grace