Pregnant mother to be hugging her husband touching belly

Embracing The Glow: A Journey Through Maternity in Walnut Creek, California | Bay Area Maternity and Newborn Photographer

Congratulations! There’s a new little one on the way! I’m so glad that you are thinking about maternity photography to help you document this amazing transition for your family. I may be weird, but the months I was expecting my kids are some of my favorite of my entire life (even the ones when I was so, so sick) because it’s so exciting to think of that new little human who is coming. There are lots of ways a child can become part of a family, and I think they all can/should be documented, so please reach out even if your situation doesn’t include a growing belly or what you might traditionally think of when someone says “maternity” photos. I just know that your future child will love to see a glimpse of the time before they physically entered your family. As a Bay Area Maternity and Newborn Photographer, I provide clients with dreamy photos they’ll cherish for a lifetime.

What’s your vision?

The first thing to do when preparing your maternity photography session is to decide what kind of session you want. What feels most like you? What have you been dreaming of? There are so many options out there. We’ll plan your maternity session for when you are 32 to 36ish weeks along — far enough into the pregnancy to have a good-sized belly to celebrate and not so far as you’re feeling DONE with the pregnancy thing. Sometimes the season you are in will help determine the look of your session.

Wardrobe: guiding principles

Whatever you choose, you’ll want to follow some guiding principles to make sure your images are cohesive and harmonious and work with your chosen setting. Most likely you’ll be including at least your partner in this session, and in lots of cases you may have children to style, too.

Wardrobe: the don’ts

Shirts with graphics (except in rare occasions, like if you’re at home wearing a cropped concert T) or logos should be avoided for everyone.

Don’t put everyone in matching polo shirts (this is my personal bias, but I don’t love polo shirts at all) and khaki pants. We want everyone to coordinate, not match exactly.

Don’t forget to pay attention to footwear. Avoid dirty shoes, running shoes, shoes that don’t work with your carefully chosen outfits. Going barefoot is often preferred to ugly shoes. And if we will have to walk a ways to your shooting location, consider bringing a comfy pair of shoes and then change into your cute ones when we get there.

I have a ton of online suggestions for mamas to purchase a dress online such as –  Pink Blush, Seraphine, and ASOS just to name a few.

Wardrobe: hair, makeup, and nails

A professional photo session is a great excuse to get your hair and makeup professionally done. This will take so much stress off your plate (especially if you have kids to get ready, too) and will give you a fabulous boost of confidence. I have referrals to give if you don’t have your own HMUA and they’ll come to your home to get you photo-ready.

If you’re doing your own makeup, maybe go a little heavier than you would for your day to day look. Match your makeup to your wardrobe. If you’re going formal, makeup should reflect that. If you are casual at home, a more natural look is called for (but don’t skip it completely — a little semi-sheer foundation and lip gloss can go a long way).

And pay attention to your hands and nails. I highly recommend a neutral-colored manicure. Your hands will definitely get some photo-love and you don’t want to look at your images and wish your hands looked a little more polished. At the very least, moisturize your hands well before the session.

Wardrobe: the partner

We want your partner’s wardrobe to be on a similar level of formality as yours. If you are at home in a bra and cardigan, your partner can wear something equally casual; maybe they could wear a tee and joggers. If you are in a flowing maternity gown in a field of wildflowers, a partner could do a short or long-sleeved button down (maybe with long sleeves rolled up to expose forearms) and pants. I’m thinking along the lines of a casual beach wedding. If you are wearing jeans and a bra in the studio, maybe a partner would wear a fitted tee and jeans as well. We just want to avoid mix-matched scenarios with one partner being dressed way more casually or more dressy than the other. The same would go for children in your session.

 

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I am a Bay Area maternity and newborn photographer, and I adore offering Maternity and Newborn sessions so you can remember every second of those first moments together. If you would like to learn more, send me a message so I can tell you all about them!

While you’re preparing to meet your baby, don’t forget to schedule pictures! I’m a Bay Area maternity and newborn photographer, and I adore working with families to ensure they can have gorgeous memories of this time. I provide full-service sessions, so you don’t have to worry about anything. If you’ve been considering booking a session for your new family, I’d love to chat so you can decide if I’m the photographer for you! Contact me.

WELCOME

From a young age I was obsessed with photography! It gave me a sense of creativity and appreciation for freezing time. As we get older it seems like time passes by faster and faster, photography has given me the ability to stop the clock just for a second. Since becoming a mother, I couldn’t stand the thought of my littles growing up so I picked up a camera, taught myself how to capture memories of a lifetime.