Maternity Portraits: So my brother-in-law wants me to take his and his wifes maternity photos, here before to long. I was just wondering if anyone has some great pointers, advise, or...

trista01

So my brother-in-law wants me to take his and his wifes maternity photos, here before to long. I was just wondering if anyone has some great pointers, advise, or anything they could tell me before I take their pictures. No Im not charging them to do this. And no Im not a professional. I just love to take pictures. And I was just looking for some great advise before I take them.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

trista01 wrote:

So my brother-in-law wants me to take his and his wifes maternity photos, here before to long. I was just wondering if anyone has some great pointers, advise, or anything they could tell me before I take their pictures. No Im not charging them to do this. And no Im not a professional. I just love to take pictures. And I was just looking for some great advise before I take them.

Usually, the best maternity images have lighting coming from 90 degrees or more. So the belly is lit from the side or even a quartering backlit direction. A large softbox - or even umbrella or window light placed close will give you a nice soft light. Direct on camera flash will not make for a flattering image.

B&W makes a nice image.

Just do a google search for Maternity Photography - I found a ton of examples.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

trista01 wrote:

So my brother-in-law wants me to take his and his wifes maternity photos, here before to long. I was just wondering if anyone has some great pointers, advise, or anything they could tell me before I take their pictures. No Im not charging them to do this. And no Im not a professional. I just love to take pictures. And I was just looking for some great advise before I take them.

My best advice would be to google online and pick out 15 or so that you really like and try to take them the same.
Same lens, same pose or similar, same lighting or similar.
Most effective one that I have seen recently was 6-8 images taken from 0 weeks to 9 months at even intervals. Taken at same angle to the light from the same distance on a dark background but not necessarily the same poses and blended together in one image.
A bit like the chimp turning into man in the evolution diagram.

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

Rocking chair shot is always good. Faces always seem to be relaxed in those.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

A little "trick" I use is to ask them to talk to the baby during the shoot. The expressions really relax and look wonderful. Best shot I have, though, is when my wife's little dog got around the gate and ran to the feet of the pregnant mama. They both looked down and I snapped the shot. I loved that shot, and so did they. (looks like they are looking at her belly, but I'll always know the truth)