Want To Photograph Your Maternity Session Yourself?
What is your DREAM location to take maternity photos??
Now let’s try and recreate that.
Location
Is it a wooded area in the middle of summer? In the middle of winter? Is it in the ocean and underwater? Is it in a big grassy field with mountains in the background?
This is your first task on this check list. Figure out where you want to have your session. There are so many amazing locations in San Diego county to hold your session at that honestly you may get a little overwhelmed. Once you figure out the theme you want (like at the beach, the desert, a wooded area, etc) you can then begin to narrow down a location specific to that feel. Get at least 3 locations written down before scouting them out. This is also a good little exercise for you to do with your partner, just go for a walk around sunset and see which spot you like best. Once you have the location chosen, then you can choose your dress/clothes.
You also need to make sure you know when sunset is. Because depending on location and sunset, trying to time the golden hour right (or even having enough sun) you need to time is right. For anything about sea level, about an hour before sunset will be beautiful light. For the mountains, you need to be in the spot earlier, probably 2 hours before sunset or so (possibly even 3 depending on if you’re surrounded by the mountains). Desert, depends on which desert, a lower desert (like Glamis or Ocotillo) an hour to an hour and a half before sunset is enough. But the high deserts like Joshua Tree, you should probably get there about 2 hours before sunset just in case.
clothes
I also recommend choosing clothes second after your location. What you would wear in a mountain theme (potentially sweater, pants, boots) would not work at the beach, I mean you COULD make it work, but people will for sure be staring 😂
For mountain locations I recommend clothing that’s cozy. Leggings, knee high boots, and a sweater dress. If you’re bold, you can wear a full skin tight mermaid gown with a tulle (super fluffy) bottom and pose in the middle of snow. This looks rad AF.
For beach locations: Loose flowy dresses are always my favorite. They mimic the movement of the water so beautifully. Many people also just wear bikinis/bathing suits and a shawl or beach cover up over it, especially if it’s warm.
For grassy/field locations: Similar to the mountain clothes, leggings or jeans, ankle boots or sandals, a loose blouse, and a cute hat OR a flowy dress. A flowy dress mimics the movement of the grass and is comfortable and nonrestrictive.
For desert locations: Something cotton or linen and breathable if doing the session while the sun is up.
Make up
Some people like to hire a make up artist and have a full face of make up. Some people like to be bare faced. Whatever your preference is, whatever makes you feel COMFORTABLE in your own skin, is what you should do.
day of the session
Make sure you know what time sunset is and when you should be getting to the location with enough time to set up and get comfortable. Once you’re at the spot you want to take your photos at, if you don’t have a tripod for your camera or phone, prop your photo against something (tree, bush, stump, etc) for the photos with the whole family. For images of just single subjects, others in the group (if they’re there with you) can take the photos for you.
Remember:
Sun straight on your face blows out all the highlights and whites so having it to the side or slightly behind you is best.
When taking the photo, most of the time taking it straight on isn’t the most flattering (however they can make for cool photos), since you typically want to show the belly, taking photos either at an angle or directly perpendicular to the camera is best.
Make sure to pay attention to the height on everyone in your group.
Angles from higher up, are typically more flattering.
summary
Do not feel pressured to do something one way if you want it the other way. This day should be fun and care free. You should be having fun and honestly probably laughing at yourself because this can feel super awkward if you’re not used to using a tripod and taking your own photos, or if your phone keeps falling out of a tree.
Once you’ve completed the session, you can either edit them directly on your phone (your phone has filters built in), or you can hire a photo editor for fairly cheap to edit the photos for you.
And then BAM, you’re done. You photographed your own maternity session 😉