Maternity Portrait Tips

Maternity Portrait Tips

 

 Congratulations on your upcoming new arrival!  You must be so excited?  I just love bumps and babies and I am so pleased that you are interested in capturing your pregnancy.  I'm tickled pink that you have considered me to capture this miraculous stage in your life!  It's such a precious time and it's wonderful that you see the benefit of capturing these fleeting moments before they are gone in the blink of an eye.  I get so excited to be able to capture the beauty of your pregnancy, the miracle of baby’s birth and the joy of your baby’s development.

‘’We love Mimika...the day of the birth she was so professional and comforting to my family and almost like she wasn't there to me.  The pictures she captured everything so much better than a video ever would and we look at them again and again - they make me cry every time.’’  Dana

 Your maternity portraits will become a family heirloom for you to treasure as you show you child in the years to come what Mommy looked like while expecting her bundle of joy.

 ‘’I am just astounded at how you captured me so beautifully.''  Barbara

 During pregnancy your body undergoes a lot of changes and even though you may not always feel beautiful, our aim is to capture the essence of motherhood with elegance and style.  Great care is taken to ensure you are comfortable and that your pregnancy portraits are a true reflection of your glowing health and beauty.

 ‘’We relish the opportunity to view the photos as your work is truly outstanding.’’ Nicole

 I have been asked by many expectant Moms what they should from their maternity portrait session.  Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions…

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions…

 How do the photo sessions work?

My studio is designed with your comfort in mind and I only offer sessions by appointment only so you are ensure an uninterrupted and relaxing experience.  Once baby arrives, we have fitted baby changing table with diapers and wet wipes, as well as refreshments and snacks to keep you energized.  During the session we will take several different poses that offer a selection for you to choose your favorites to order.

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When should I schedule my maternity portrait for?

The ideal time to capture your pregnant glow is when you are between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant.  During these weeks your belly is a perfect shape to capturing the beauty of your baby bump.  It is advisable to schedule your maternity session earlier rather than later before you start to feel heavy and tired out.

 What if I have stretch marks on my belly and pregnancy blemishes?

As a full service studio we carefully and artistically retouch every single portrait we create to ensure you look your absolute best.  All stretch marks, red blotches and blemishes will be removed to give your skin a soft and delicate glow.  Do remember not to wear anything tight fitting right before your portrait session so that your belly is free from band or pants marks.

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Can my husband and other children take part in the photo session too?

Your other family members are encouraged to attend your maternity session so that we can capture the story of your family as they are part of the family too and we want to include them in your memories.  Most husbands tend to be a little shy when having their picture taken but tell them you need your knight in shining armor to be your support!  We can create some lovely images of your other children along with your baby bump but do keep in mind that their ages will determine how successful these types of images will be.  Smaller children under the age of 5 tend to lose focus quickly and are not always cooperative so we will keep the time with them short and sweet.  Tell them we are going to ‘’play’’ so they have a good attitude before they arrive.  Never tell them they have to smile as any undue pressure will show in the photos.

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How long will the session last?

The session should last up to one hour with 3 changes of clothing. We don’t want to tire you out completely, so we will give you breaks if you feel the need to rest.

 What should I do with my hair, make-up and nails?

Arrive with cleanly washed hair preferably with a little mousse or gel applied to tame the fly away hairs.  Make-up makes a huge difference to the final look of your portrait.  Apply a little heavier make-up than you usually would as the photographic lights will wash out your complexion with lightly applied make-up.  A color matching foundation (not too heavy though) with bronzer or blusher applied to your cheek bones, and darker than usual mascara and eye liner will make your eyes stand out.  Lip gloss or natural looking lipstick looks far better than bright reds or heavier tones.  Remember that we will be doing close ups of your hands so make sure your nails are clean and manicured (just a clear varnish will do).  It’s also advisable to moisturize yourself before your session so that your hands, belly and arms have a smooth complexion.

 (C) Copyright Mimika Cooney 

What types of clothing should I bring to wear?

If you have any or all of these items please bring them along, we might not use them all but bring what you can just in case we need them.  We will experiment with a few poses and outfits so bring what you can from the list above.  I have some flowing satin fabric and props we can use for artistic looking effects.

 How soon will I get to see my maternity portraits and who can come for the viewing?

One week after the photo session you are invited back to the studio for your Unveiling Appointment where I will display the non-edited raw images on a projector for us to narrow down your favorites.  Please allow an additional 1-2 hours for this ordering appointment.  Only the images that you order will be fully re-touched and artistically printed for a fine art effect, and all images not ordered are discarded due to the limits of storage space.  Therefore it is advisable that everyone who is necessary to help make your buying decisions accompanies you to your Unveiling Appointment.

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 What if I fall ill and cannot make my session time?

I fully understand the need to re-schedule your appointment in the instance of illness, and I will be happy to work with you on finding an alternative date.  Please do give a minimum of 24 hours notice should this occur so we can plan accordingly.  We allow up to 2 changes in your session date and thereafter your session fee is non-refundable.

 How soon should I schedule my baby’s first newborn portrait session?

The moment baby takes his or her first breath is the first time a portrait should be taken.  Babies grow and change on a daily basis and there are such beautiful moments to capture even in the first few hours, days and weeks of a little bundle’s life.  However the best time to capture their newborness if before they are 10 days old, then at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months when the milestones are reached.  It is advisable to schedule your newborn photo session while you are still pregnant so that we don’t miss out on the first weeks of your newborn.

 What other services do you offer for photographing my baby?

I offer In-hospital birth portraits taken within baby’s first 24 hours, portrait journals of your first few days at home taken in the comfort of your own home, newborn session for us to create your baby announcement cards, my popular Mini Baby Milestone plan and the Belle Baby Bundle of capturing your baby throughout his/her first year. 

 Copyright Mimika Cooney 2008 ©