I was thrilled to be asked to be Amy’s maternity photographer, capturing this special time as she anticipated the birth of her second baby with just as much excitement as her first pregnancy. And we also scheduled a newborn photoshoot, for her baby boy and the rest of her family, for 10 days after his due date. When my clients book me for their newborn photography while booking in their maternity photoshoot, I offer them a discount on their newborn shoot, as it's absolutely wonderful to be able to continue the storytelling as families grow.
My maternity photography is always done in natural light and beautifully documents this exciting journey of motherhood and the growth of a family. It's a time when a woman feels uniquely different from any other time in her life, making it a really precious memory to capture in photos.
As a Sussex maternity photographer, based in Horsham and surrounded by scenic countryside and coast, I offer the option of meeting my clients at their favorite beauty spots for portraits. Here I find a few different settings among trees or open landscape, where I can see the best backdrops and natural light, to create relaxed, beautiful portraits that capture the experience of this special moment in time.
Amy chose to have her maternity photoshoot dedicated to time on her own, rather than including her older daughter and husband, so we were able to be more flexible with the timing and chose a quiet moment during the week, while the rest of the family were out.
There is no set time in your pregnancy for my maternity photography and any time that you feel noticeably pregnant and would like to start documenting your motherhood journey, is the perfect time for me. Many women find that 32-34 weeks is around the beginning of this time for them and, depending on how your bump is growing, this might be a nice time to choose. Many women also opt for a later point in their third trimester and Amy was at 37 weeks pregnant, Just 3 weeks from her due date,
Amy had chosen a mix of indoor, lightly clothed maternity portraits, along with some outdoor shots in her Sussex home and garden. My solo maternity sessions take only an hour and a half and we began the shoot with some soft window light photos in her bedroom, which helped Amy to get comfortable with my camera, relax into the session and start having fun!
Sometimes my maternity clients like to choose special outfits for their photoshoots and, although I don't have a client wardrobe to offer them, I am happy to advise on the best options to create the perfect look for your session. Amy had bought a soft drapey, silk robe which she wore open at the front, so that her baby bump was beautifully exposed and the silky texture of the robe reflected the soft window light, giving a luxurious feel to the photos.
I often take at-home maternity portraits with my mothers-to-be next to a window and, using a bed or soft piece of furniture for them to relax on, creates a lovely setting to capture this wonderful moment in a woman's life. Whatever the size of your rooms at home, all that's required is a window and we can create stunning maternity portraits, full of emotion and warmth.
I haven't included photos from the indoor part of this maternity photoshoot as, due to their more personal nature, my client chose to keep them private - an option I offer all my clients.
We then moved into her West Sussex garden to take advantage of the warm May weather and found a lovely spot outside, with shady dappled sunlight under a tree, for a beautiful setting for the outdoor half of the shoot. I always aim to find two or three settings for my 'in-nature' maternity portraits and, where possible, will visit clients' homes or chosen beauty spots, for a scout before our session.
The results of our foray into this lovely garden setting, firstly under the silver birch tree, with its dappled sunlight canopy, and then into an area of grass, peppered with the last remaining bluebells, was a wonderful relaxed gallery of beautiful maternity photos, which beautifully captured the essence of rising motherhood set against the backdrop of nature.
'A Moment in Nature' maternity photography highlights the connection between a young mother and the earth, as they both nurture new beginnings and growth. The story of becoming a mother, no matter how many times you make this journey, is an incredibly profound experience and it deserves to be documented completely.
Check out my blog on Amy’s New Baby Photoshoot to continue her family’s story!
Considering a maternity portrait shoot in Sussex? or interested in my newborn, baby, family, or other portrait options? If you would like to chat about how I can capture your story, please get in touch below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Comments