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Maternity Portrait Planning Guide

Your step-by-step guide to planning your maternity session

YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO A PERFECT PORTRAIT SESSION

 

Thank you for choosing to work with me. I am so excited to get started on your portrait session.

 

I want to make this experience helpful and stress-free so I have created a step-by-step guide to plan your perfect portrait session. Simply follow each step below to get started.

  1. Select a location
  2. Pick your outfit style
  3. Getting ready tips
  4. Personalize your session
  5. Plan your artwork

Step One

Select a Location for your maternity session

When selecting a location for your outdoor portrait session consider the season and style of images you want. Field and garden images during the winter months will look very different than during the summer. There is no right or wrong; just be mindful of what type of images you want to have.

 

Also consider having your session in your home, these lifestyle sessions can be fun to show off your pregnant belly in the nursery and then pair them with photos from your newborn session.

urban

 

 

 

Beach

 

 

 

 

Gardens

 

 

 

In-home

 

 

Step Two

Pick an outfit & Style

The wardrobe you choose to wear can really change the overall look of your final images. What kind of style fits you? Look for outfits that are similar to these tones and styles.

classic

floral

Romantic

Elegant

Get more Inspiration on Pinterest

Check out my Pinterest boards for more ideas on what to wear for your session!

Step Three

Getting ready tips

Getting ready for your portrait session doesn't have to be stressful. Here are some simple tips to have a stress-free and fun portrait session.

A note for her:

Select an outfit that makes you feel confident and beautiful. When it comes to your portraits, your attitude will reflect greater than your actual outfit. When you feel beautiful and confident in your own skin, the other style details will all fall into place.

 

So don't get overly stressed about your outfit selection. Go with your gut and what makes you feel like you! Here are some general tips for getting ready:

 

Best places to shop for gals:

 

Hair & Makeup (for moms):

 

 

Don't Forget:

  • Get a manicure or take nail polish completely off

A Note for him:

If you're like most guys, then you dread taking photos. I challenge you to throw out all your doubts, insecurities, and frustrations toward taking photos because this is NOT your average portrait session. If you promise to have an open mind I promise that I will do everything in my power to make you feel comfortable and excited during your portrait session.

 


Best places to shop for guys:

  • H&M
  • J.Crew
  • Urban Outfitters
  • Target

 

Don't Forget:

  • Trim your beard or facial hair
  • Relax, just be yourself

Step four

Personalize your session

Personalizing your session is how you make your images feel unique to you.

Pets & furry friends

 

Do you have a furry pet that feels like family? Feel free to bring your pets along to your portrait session.

 

Please note: some locations work better for pets. Please notify me that you will bring your animal so we can pick an appropriate session location.

hair & makeup

 

A little pampering can make you feel like a million bucks! I love it when clients opt for professional hair and make-up because of course they look beautiful but they feel it too. Remember you'll be looking at these photos for the rest of your life! I've linked some local make-up artists in the tips above.

special items

 

While I don't recommend props for your photos in general I do understand that sometimes you have something fun you'd like to incorporate. Let me know if you have something like that so we can add it into some of your photos!

Step five

plan your artwork

If you haven't noticed already I'm big on printing your photos to display in your home. Before your session is the best time to think about how you want to look at these photos in the years to come. We can even plan out certain photos for your session that will fit perfectly in your desired space. So visit the link below to check out the products I offer and get started!