Pregnancy photos are, without a doubt, one of the most special you can take. It is the photography of unique moments, of very magical and intimate moments that you are going to be lucky enough to live with the person you are portraying .
Photography of pregnant women is, in summary, delicate and intimate, it allows us to glimpse the miracle of life, the magic of gestating a baby in the womb. Whether you are going to photograph your partner, if you are doing a favor for a friend or family member, or if you are doing a somewhat more professional level photo shoot, or you want to take a self-portrait, because you are the lucky one yourself, I am going to reveal all the secrets to you. to photograph pregnant women.
Today I propose, as it has been my custom lately ? , to teach you all the tricks, tips and material necessary for you to achieve the most spectacular pregnancy photos.
Now yes, get comfortable, let's start.
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO TAKE PREGNANCY PHOTOS
We will start with the most basic: What is the best equipment for pregnancy photography? It is not far from the one we use for any portrait:
- A bright objective: it will allow you to blur the background and take advantage of the ambient light, in addition, the brighter, generally, the better sharpness in your photographs. I also recommend a focal length of 50mm to 105mm, but depending on the style of photography you want to do, you can go from 35mm to 200.
- Take a look at these portrait lenses if you think you need to expand your team in this regard.
- A tripod: it will not always be necessary, but it can save you on more than one occasion. Not to mention if you are looking for a self-portrait, in which case it is essential. Even if you do it with your smartphone, in that case, here is the best mobile tripod .
- A remote shutter: it is always an interesting option to avoid the trepidation that we generate when activating the shutter of the camera. If you are going to take a self-portrait, another essential accessory.
- 5 in 1 reflector : if you don't know what it is, click on the link ?
- A background: it is very possible that you will choose to locate outdoors, but if studio photography is your thing, you cannot live without a background for your photographs (the results are very good and the investment is relatively low).
- A flash: It is not essential, but when you master it, it will open up an infinite world of creative possibilities in your photos. If you are looking for one, here I leave you with all the necessary advice to choose the best one for you.
- Sufficient batteries (well charged) and memory cards. You don't want to run out of either in the middle of a photo shoot.
THE LIGHT IN PREGNANCY PHOTOGRAPHY
Light in pregnancy photography is surely the key to achieving a good result. Avoid strong shadows, excessive contrasts or too harsh light. Remember how important it is to use light to your advantage to round off the message.
- Soft and diffused light is the most used in this type of photography because it transmits tenderness, warmth and positivity.
- The warm light of sunrises and sunsets is preferred by photographers for all types of portraits, but even more so in pregnancy photography. Its warmth, the lateral angle that enhances the textures, etc., make it perfect for this type of photography.
- Look for natural light : especially if you do not master the flash, try to work at sunset, get closer to the windows if you are indoors, etc.
- Dare with techniques like the low key . It is very elegant and suggestive and can give you spectacular photographs.
- Against the light , the profile silhouette of a pregnant woman is one of the images that you are interested in getting. Try to do something different by photographing it against the light.
- Do not miss our complete lighting guide where you will find all these techniques and much more.
PREGNANCY PHOTOGRAPHY PROPS
Surely by now you know that detail is what can make the difference between a good image and a spectacular image ? . The props in pregnancy photography is that detail that can make a difference in your photos:
- maternity dresses
- maternity underwear
- Flowing fabrics that allow you to play with the movement of the fabric
- Flower crowns or similar
The props and the chosen clothes are very, very important. The ideal is that you adapt to the tastes of each person. Feeling comfortable and good about yourself is essential to having a successful pregnancy photo shoot.
So, previously, discuss the theme, take a look at different styles and decide which one you want to give to the session. As props for pregnant women you can find these types of accessories:
But, as I say, you must find the style with which the person portrayed feels most comfortable, be it in underwear, in a casual, elegant or more artistic style.
PHOTO IDEAS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
The most difficult part of any photo session is usually knowing where to start, what photos we want to take, where to place our model (where to place yourself if you are the photographer and the photographed yourself ? ), etc.
To do this, the first piece of advice is to have a good list of photographs and never arrive at a session without having a set of images in your head that you want to take.
- 1- Plan and write down the ideas that you want to carry out in your pregnancy photography session.
- 2- Social networks are a great source of inspiration, dedicate some time to them and write down ideas that you like.
- 3- Starting with a clear idea of the images you want (and everything you need to carry them out), will prevent you from going blank when you start taking photos. Then you can let yourself go according to the needs of the moment and the ideas that arise as you take the photos.
- 4- Make references to the baby in your photographs: ultrasound scans, little shoes, clothes, toys, whatever you can think of.
- 5- Talk to the future baby , leave messages for the future, write his name or draw him a picture. You can paint on the belly, on a blackboard, etc., everything you can think of to energize your photo session is welcome.
- 6- Follow-up of the pregnancy photo by photo:
- Every month a different photo , in a bikini or naked, they are as beautiful as each other.
- Or every month the exact same pose. In this case, it is preferable to be in half profile or fully in front with your hands under your belly. In the tenth photo you place the baby in the place it occupied in the tummy held by the mother's hands.
- 7- Get the family involved . It is important that the couple (if any) appear in the photos, but if they have other children it is also a good time for them to feel important with the arrival of the new baby.
- 8- Pregnancy photos with the family can be really emotional. In these cases, the contact between the different members is essential to transmit warmth and love.
- 9- By changing the setting and the poses you can achieve very different photographs. The next family is the same, notice how they transmit very different sensations.
- 10- You can combine tender and emotional photos with other crazy and daring ones. Express your imagination!
Have you been wanting more ideas? Do not miss this article with 15 ideas to photograph your pregnancy.
PREGNANCY PHOTO SESSION
We come to the pregnancy photo session itself, the moment of truth, for which you have been preparing all this time ? . We are going to see some tips to develop ourselves in the session in a productive way and obtain the best results:
- The best time to do a pregnancy photo session is about 4 weeks before delivery, which is when the belly is almost at its full size. Of course, sessions with less belly can be done, especially if we want to photograph the entire pregnancy process, or if the pregnant woman begins to feel very tired and heavy.
- Connect with your model: it is an intimate moment of an even more intimate process, so it is essential to break the ice and create an atmosphere of trust and total well-being . So take as long as you need to make this happen, especially if you don't know the model; And even if you know her, not all of us develop naturally in front of a camera ? .
- Set the stage: choose the background, make sure that there are no elements that distract from the main reason. The background must accompany and emphasize, not subtract prominence.
- Find the place with the best light: indoors, move closer to the windows or model it with the flash (bounced and/or with a diffuser) or a continuous light. Make sure that the light is always soft and diffused.
- Photography in RAW mode.
- Set the ISO value as low as possible, it is the one that will provide you with the greatest sharpness.
- Choose a diaphragm opening based on the result you want to achieve. In this case I do not recommend that you open the diaphragm to values such as f/1.4 since it is too shallow a depth of field to have the entire model in focus. An aperture of f/4 or f/5 is a good place to start.
- Regarding the shutter speed , always remember this rule to guide you:
- 1/ focal length=minimum shooting speed.
- In short, use manual mode .
- Try various compositions, detail shot, half length and full length.
- Take profile pictures to emphasize your tummy.
- Make sure that the hands do not cover the belly but emphasize it, for example, one above and one below the belly, or both below.
- Dare with the backlight , you will love the result.
SELF-PORTRAIT IN PREGNANCY PHOTOGRAPHY
It is very possible that you are reading this article and you are the photographer and the pregnant woman yourself, right? Well, I haven't forgotten about you ? I am going with a lot of advice so that you are able to take a self-portrait in this special and beautiful moment that you are living.
- Make sure you have good lighting and a large, eye-pleasing space to take your photos. It is best to take advantage of natural light, try to place yourself near a window.
- Use a tripod.
- Choose clothes that highlight your belly and with which you feel good: dresses, open shirts, underwear, or simply naked.
- Use makeup that you feel comfortable with and look good on (if you prefer no makeup, no makeup).
- Use a medium diaphragm aperture to come out well focused in the image.
- Help yourself with an object to focus exactly on the place where you are going to place yourself. Then focus in auto or manual and disable auto mode.
- Use a remote shutter release (or failing that, the delayed shutter release of your camera).
- Turn off auto flash.
- Be patient, try different frames and compositions, you will see that little by little the result you are looking for is getting closer :).
- If you need more tips to get a good self-portrait, inside the article and if you prefer visual inspiration, visit this other .
HOW TO DO A PHOTO SESSION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AT HOME
If you want to photograph your pregnancy monitoring at home, I recommend following these tips:
- Make sure you have a good background or a photogenic corner without distractions.
- Find a place with good lighting (near a window is ideal).
- Put adhesive tape on the floor to place the feet, in front of and behind each other.
- Also put tape to mark the placement of the tripod. Mark on it the height at which you place it.
- Aim for the focal length at which you take the first photo, unless you're using a prime lens.
- If you use natural lighting, make sure it enters at the same height and direction. If it's the artificial light in the room, you don't need to do anything... unless you buy new lamps.
- Do not use direct flash under any circumstances, in any case it is bounced and always with the same intensity and direction.
- Take 4 or 5 shots each time, you never know, but my experience tells me that there is always a different one in something, better or worse, but different.
- Take these photographs month by month, respecting the placement of the camera and your own, as well as the costumes and the background. All the images must be the same or very similar, varying only the size of the belly ? .
PHOTOGRAPHY OF PREGNANT WOMEN OUTDOORS
Outdoor photography of pregnant women is in high demand, and I'm not surprised, as the results can be spectacular. These are my tips for a successful outdoor session :
- Learn to locate places with a favorable environment that help you emphasize and add beauty to the whole of the photograph.
- nature trails
- rural settings
- parks
- Beaches
- …And, in general, the natural landscapes link very well with the theme of pregnancy.
- Choose sunrises and sunsets where the light is softer, warmer, and more diffuse.
- Pay attention to the light, which changes very quickly at such moments.
- Remember to choose places that are easily accessible for a pregnant woman (no climbing and climbing ? ).
- Try the vertical and horizontal format.
- All seasons of the year have their magic, although spring and summer, logically, allow the belly to show off better and are more comfortable for the model.
- Use the lines in your compositions.
- Do not always focus, it is better to place the protagonist in one of the strong points of the image (apply the rule of thirds).
- Help yourself with a 5-in-1 reflector to shape the light in case you need it.
- Try different vantage points: zoom in, zoom out, try a low vantage point, etc.
- RAW photography.
- Use a medium diaphragm aperture (f/5.6 of/8 for example).
STUDIO PREGNANCY PHOTOGRAPHY
To do a pregnancy studio session you do not need major complications, but you do need some basic material that I recommend you have to carry out this type of images in a more controlled environment.
Whether you want to set up your own photo studio or just want the four essential accessories, I recommend you take a look at our article on how to set up your own photo studio.
I already anticipate that the essential is:
- A camera with manual controls.
- A background (or possibly several).
- At least one continuous light.
- An external flash with a rotating head (my recommendations for buying one here .)
- a tripod
What would I do in this type of photography? I would definitely experiment with:
- the low key and the high key .
- warm diffused lights.
- different planes and poses .
- different backgrounds and accessories.
In short, it is your turn to be creative, take advantage of the fact that you are in a controlled environment and experiment.
ARTISTIC PREGNANT PHOTOGRAPHY
Pregnancy photography must represent that magical moment with beauty and tenderness but also with creativity. These are some of the techniques that you can use for your pregnancy photography sessions:
- Fine art style photography .
- Black and white pregnant photography .
- Backlights and silhouettes.
- High and low key.
- Reflexes.
PREGNANT PHOTO BOOK
Pregnancy photographs are full of life, nothing to leave them in digital format and not take advantage of the infinite possibilities of development that we have today.
You don't even have to leave home to create your pregnancy photo book or create it for someone you love and even professionally.
I strongly encourage you to print all the work you do, here is a complete development guide that will surely go great for you to achieve this goal.
PREGNANCY PHOTOGRAPHERS TO INSPIRE YOU
I have already told you before how important it is to prepare a pregnancy session in advance. One of the best ways to start is by getting inspired by other photographers and taking ideas for your sessions. Next, I leave you with authors of different styles that you can take a look at:
EDITING IN PREGNANCY PHOTOGRAPHY
There are as many ways to edit an image as there are photographers who are willing to edit it. The type of editing will vary according to your own style and that of the portrayed.
Some images full of naturalness with hardly any retouching have spectacular strength and power; others look for a much more pictorial style (such as fine art ). Both styles are practically opposite, but equally valid.
If you've made it this far, I predict some spectacular pregnancy photos ? . I would like you to put these tips into practice, but what I really want is for you not to miss the opportunity to photograph a stage as special and unrepeatable as a pregnancy.
Be it your own, that of someone close to you or that of a person who places their trust in your hands without knowing you, you have the extremely important task of freezing a moment as unique as this in time.
Don't you know if you're going to remember everything at the decisive moment? Save this mega guide to return to it whenever you need it and share it on your favorite social network, future babies will thank you. Happy photography.
