Once your Maternity session is booked, you most likely have a few weeks until the session is taking place. You got the location set and your outfit is picked out. What else needs to be done? As a Maternity Photographer, I’ve gathered a few things for you to think of, in order to prepare and help you get the most out of your upcoming Maternity session.
1. Check the traffic to the location.
The best way to ensure you will get the most out of your Maternity session is to make sure to be on time. Your session will be carefully scheduled around sunset for the most beautiful lighting, and no matter how much I sometimes wish that we could continue to shoot after the sun sets, once the light is gone it’s gone. Make sure to check the traffic to the location, and with the heaviest traffic in mind – add 15 mins! Accidents, road work and making a wrong turn are all good reasons to have an extra 15 mins to spare.
2. Give your nails some love.
Checking in on your nails is always a good idea before a photo session, but a Maternity session in particular. There will be a lot of photos of you holding the belly, and your hands will be in focus. So whether you want to get a manicure or love your nails natural, remember to give your nails some extra love. You don’t want to get your photos back only to see dirt under your nails.
3. Schedule hair and make up appointments ahead.
If you plan to get your hair and make up done by a professional, make sure to plan ahead and get your appointment booked. Just like I mentioned with the traffic, give yourself some extra room when scheduling your appointment. You want this time to be relaxing and set the mood for the day. Scheduling the appointment too close in time to the session might add unnecessary stress to what that should be a fun day!
4. Leave some extra room in your schedule.
Your session is a time where I want you to have fun and feel comfortable, so give yourself some extra room in your schedule leading up to the session, to avoid getting stressed out. It’s always better to have a few extra minutes to sit down and relax before the session, than scheduling everything so tight that you have to rush out to the car with the feeling that you forgot something, right? Give yourself the gift of some extra time to get you in the right mood! And a PRO tip that I always use – when driving to your session, blast that music that gets you happy and excited. It’s practically impossible to arrive to the session in a bad mood after singing your favorite song at the top of your lungs!
5. Bring an extra jacket or blanket.
No matter what time of the year your Maternity session is going to take place, always bring an extra jacket or blanket. As sessions are scheduled around sunset, the temperatures usually drop towards the end of the session. I always bring small heat packs to offer when it’s cold. It’s a little package that you can keep in your hands, they heat up and it’s an extra source of warmth when it’s getting chilly. But a warm jacket to put around your shoulders in between the shots is always a great help to keep you comfortable and happy during the whole session.
6. Eat before you leave, and bring a snack and a drink.
Pregnancy and hunger goes hand in hand. Make sure that you eat a real meal before the session to keep you full. I also suggest bringing a snack and a drink with you in case you need to take a quick snack break, or to have handy for your drive back home (now that we think about it, consider bringing more than one snack). We all know how hunger affects the mood. And imagine being in front of the camera when all you can think of while looking in your partner’s eyes is a big fat hamburger.
7. Trust your photographer!
It is great to do what you can to prepare for your Maternity session. Make sure you get there on time, have your nails ready and everything else discussed above. But when it comes to the session, trust your photographer. I promise you that your photographer is doing everything in her power to make sure you look your best. You don’t have to think a second about how to position yourself or where to look, or how to walk – just follow your photographers instructions. This is her expertise and the more you allow yourself to follow her lead, the more magic is going to happen during your session!
