Maternity Mini Prep Guide

Maternity Mini Session Prep & Style Guide

You're going to have a baby!

You are going to have a baby! Congratulations!

Whether it is your first pregnancy or you have enough kids to build a basketball team, the occasion is special.

Don’t let maternity photos just be another item to cross off your list. Your entire world as a couple is changing, so you deserve a maternity photo session that allows you to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this particular point in time.

I’m committed to making your session as enjoyable, stress-free, and comfortable as possible. In order to assist you in planning and making decisions for your maternity photoshoot, I’ve created this guide. ​ Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions that are not covered in this guide XO Kellyn.

Best time to book Typically, the best moment to capture this special time of your life is during the seventh month of pregnancy, which is between 32 and 34 weeks.

Your belly is showing beautifully round but you are still comfortable to pose. I advise against scheduling too close to your due date for obvious reasons like babies have their own timelines! Twins (or more) tend to arrive significantly sooner than singletons, thus expectant mothers with twins are advised to schedule the session between 26 and 30 weeks.

If you plan your maternity session at the right time of your pregnancy, you'll have enough stamina for all the different poses, wardrobe changes, and location changes we would like to try. You and your partner will have a lot more fun together at your maternity session than you would at the very end of your pregnancy.

No matter when you decide to have your session, I’ll do everything I can to keep you as comfortable as possible. I’m certain you’ll look amazing! And if you don't wait until you're too pregnant to pose for me, I guarantee you'll have much more fun!

Location If you'd like to take a look at some of my favorite locations right away, they are as follows: York River State Park Colonial Williamsburg William & Mary College College Creek Beach James Beach

If you already have an idea in mind for a location, I’ll be happy to meet you there! Shooting at a location that is significant to you as a couple and the life you are creating together is always special. This might be your house, another indoor space, or somewhere outside.

If you're looking for recommendations, please contact me and I’ll be happy to give you the sites that are ideal for the season you've scheduled your shoot for. Please let me know if you prefer an indoor or outdoor location, your style preference, and any physical difficulties you are having while pregnant (this way I can make sure I help you find a location that will be comfortable for you).

Time of day The golden hour, which begins an hour and a half before sunset, is my favorite time to shoot. Golden hour provides even, diffused illumination that brings out the best in colors. Having said that, if we schedule a session and the weather turns out to be entirely cloudy and dreary with no chance of sun, it’ll still be an excellent time to shoot. We won't be struggling against the bright sun and dark shadows. I do not recommend shooting in the middle of the day.

I am aware that there are times of the year when the sun sets later making this less than ideal when smaller children will be joining us for the session. If you really want the vibe of photographs taken around sunset, I try to encourage a later nap on that day.

Whatever time you end up choosing, we will choose a stunning location that will bring your vision to life and has beautiful light.

What to wear

“When you book a session with me you will have access to personal stylist + personal shopper + style guide all rolled into one! Best of all you can shop from the comfort of your home!

Style and Select is an online shopping expereince that will help you pick out the right colors and outfits for your session! No more hours wasted shopping for the wrong styles or if you are anything like me -scrambling in a panic at the last min to get your family outfitted and looking presentable!

Even though most women prefer to wear a dress, I highly suggest wearing something that you are comfortable in and feel the most relaxed in. If you choose to wear a dress, I do have a couple of suggestions for you.

What to wear FLOOR LENGTH Most of the time a new mother's legs and ankles are larger than they have ever been before. That means, you might not want to show those parts of your body off.

NO BLOD PATTERNS Bold patterns take away from you and your gorgeous belly, so stay away from bright colors and patterns. When you look at bold pattern that is the first thing you see in a portrait. I want to keep the focus on you.

SOFT COLORS Light and natural colors bring to mind innocence, purity and calm, so I love to see these in most of my sessions. I also love texture like lace and layers.for interest and mix those in with light colored dresses. All of those accentuate your figure without overpowering it.

COMFORT What will make it comfortable for you to walk around and breathe normally?

This is not the time to forgo comfort. If your clothing is scratchy, overly heated, or will make you shiver the entire time, it will be difficult for you to enjoy the session. When you are pregnant, your comfort should be prioritized, and your clothing is one of them.

Here are some examples of the emotions that are evoked by colors" Light Blue: serene, inviting Light Purple: Luxurious, romantic Light Pink: Feminine, innocent Black: Powerful, sophisticated White: Clean, peace, purity Grey: Natural, timeless

Need a better visual? I've pulled together a style board for inspiration!

Hair & Makeup While always a treat, getting your hair and makeup done professionally for your photo shoot is not required. A natural and fresh look is always best for maternity photos. If you are doing your own makeup, I would advise to avoid using anything flashy (bronzer, glitter, etc). In photographs, a good matte finish will look the best. Don't forget the lipstick, and add a little more blush to your cheeks.

It's totally okay if you don't typically apply makeup. To avoid shine, it would still be a good idea to gently dust some translucent powder over your face before the session.

Please don’t forget about your nails. If you wear open-toed footwear, this is an excellent justification to treat yourself to a pedicure!

Nothing ruins a photoshoot more than chipped nails. If you are unable to have a mani/pedi, please make sure to remove any old polish you might have had on before our session.

Posing Getting used to your new body is definitely not easy. It seems like everything about you is changing, and you might not even feel comfortable enough to show other people pictures of your body while you're still expecting. However, don't worry!

It's okay to feel a bit insecure; after all, every Mama battles with learning to accept her new curves.

You’re not alone!

I’m an expert at posing, so we'll work together to make sure your session highlights the beauty of your pregnancy. We'll discuss all of this prior to your session and chat about the body parts with which you're least at ease. You won't need to worry because I'll pose you during your session to ensure that you look stunning in all of your maternity pictures.

In fact, that’s the secret to getting perfect maternity photographs. It’s all in the posing! Here are a few of my favorite poses: Mama looking at and holding her baby bump Mama’s partner holding or kissing her baby bump Mama and the baby’s older siblings embracing one another Mama and her partner embracing or kissing each other Mama highlighting her baby bump with a prop Mama outdoors in nature Mama’s silhouette Mama lying down I have years of experience photographing expecting mamas. I understand how to photograph every body type. Therefore, you can rely on my in-depth knowledge to ensure that you'll be happy with your maternity photos!

Weather Please change everyone's attire if the weather turns out to be warmer or cooler than you anticipated when you chose your outfits. It's never enjoyable to do a session while it's hot and the youngsters are overdressed. Likewise if an unexpected cold front passes through. If the kids are too chilly, too hot, or not having it because they are uncomfortable, the session might get cut short. The best advice I can give is that everyone should always have a sweater that matches their clothing, regardless of the weather, so that they can stay warm if a cool wind blows through. It’s always best to have too much clothing than not having enough.

If it’s cloudy and doesn't rain, we can still do the shoot. In fact, overcast light can be some of the best light. We can always reschedule if there is a 60 percent or higher risk of rain.

Other tips Before the session, moisturize your tummy to prevent any skin that appears dry especially if you want to take a few photos of your bare belly.

Having several different outfits available will help you get a variety of shots throughout the session.

Bring snacks and a water bottle.

Please be aware of how your underwear appears through your maternity dress. Panty and bra lines can sometimes be seen in tight maternity outfits.

If you're interested in any pictures of you wearing just your underwear and bra, I would recommend wearing a set. You can wear anything you like—nude, black, white, or any color. Lace and soft colors photograph really well. Another great alternative is to wear nothing but a warm cardigan or blanket with your belly popping out.

I advise bringing a pair of flip flops that can get wet if we will be going into the water for any of your pictures. If there are rocks, you can walk easily into the water without slipping. Once you are in position, we can remove them.

Relax, you’re going to be amazing!

contact me

h e y l l o a s s a y ll o he kellyn@kellynwilsonphotography.com

757-751-0753 @kellyn_wilson www.kellynwilsonphotography.com

Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything else I can do to assist you beyond this guide! In the meantime, happy maternity session planning! xoxo, Kellyn