Continuing my series on celebrating the beautiful rainbow of diverse moms I have photographed; let’s talk about family in your maternity session! I hear from a lot of moms or soon-to-be mothers, that they want to get their older kids or spouses involved in their maternity session but are hesitant. They often think it will be too stressful or that their kids will be too hard to handle. They worry that their partner will be too uncomfortable to smile or to look natural. These are common fears but here are some tips to include family in your maternity session easily and beautifully.
Children
During the session, we will grab shots with your children first. We all know toddlers and young kids can get restless, so getting those shots at the beginning of the shoot works the best. Depending on how old your kiddos are, we may have time for one outfit change, but generally no more than that. We will work quickly to keep them engaged and in a good mood. This is my job and I am good at it, so don’t worry! Directly after we wrap-up taking pictures with your children, we will get your spouse or partner involved. This way Dad can leave after the first hour or so and take the kids with him. This will allow you to relax and be the star of the show for the rest of the day.
Styling and Posing Family
When styling your kiddos for a maternity session, I generally lean towards a simple, casual look with bare feet as their outfit for the majority of the session. Stay away from patterns and anything too fussy. Simple is always classic and will not detract from the focus of the session which is your belly! If you have something more formal that you would like to add, bring it along as a second option. For Dad, again, keep it simple. You want to coordinate with the rest of the family but not be too matchy. I have a blog all about styling Dad if you’d like some more tips and we will also discuss details before your session during your consultation.
As far as posing, do not think twice about it. You absolutely do not need to know what you are doing. If you can take direction, you will be golden. Throughout the session, I will be directing you in poses that will make you look and feel like a full-fledged model. I have a knack for engaging with children and can almost always get them to smile. Dads too. These will not be the stiff, formal, uncomfortable portraits of your childhood!
Call Me
If you are still concerned, don’t worry. We will dive into all of this, in detail, before your session. That way I will know what mood and style you are looking for. Please call or text me at 214.864.5787 or use my online contact form and I will get back to you quickly, usually within one day. I look forward to speaking with you.
