Atlanta, Georgia Maternity Preparation Guide
Your maternity portrait session is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and feel like a princess for a day. Leave this day for papering yourself! Go to get a manicure, pedicure, your hair, and make-up done professionally. Treat yourself to a nice breakfast or lunch and come to the studio feeling your absolute best. The better you feel, the better your images will look. So, in the following blog I wanted to discuss a few tips to help ensure you have the perfect maternity session.
Tip #1 When to have your session
The ideal time for a maternity photo session is 27-35 weeks gestation. At the end of you second trimester and the beginning of your third trimester is the perfect time for your maternity session. Your bump is visible enough for beautiful images, but you don't feel uncomfortable. Some women may find the closer to 40 weeks they get, the more tired they feel and the session isn't as enjoyable as it should. Of course the other thing to consider is that the closer to 40 weeks you are, the more risk you run of going into labor before we are able to have your session. This is why I highly recommend getting your maternity portraits captured before 35 weeks. You will only be pregnant with this baby once, don't miss out on capturing this joyous time in your life.
Tip #2 Sleep is your best friend
Prior to your session, it is important for both mom and dad to get a good nights sleep. I know sometimes this can be difficult with your growing belly, but being well rested will make you feel your absolute best during your session. Not to mention your partner will typically be more cooperative after a good nights sleep.
Tip #3 Fuel your body
Make sure to eat before your session and bring some of your favorite snacks with you. As you may have already noticed hunger can catch you unexpectedly throughout the day, and no one likes taking pictures when they are hangry or tired. Although maternity sessions only last an hour, fatigue due to low sugar levels can happen very quickly. We want you to be as comfortable as possible throughout your entire session.
Tip #4 Beautify yourself
Hair, make-up, and nails are all important for feeling and looking your best in your maternity portraits. I recommend getting your nails, fingers and toes, done a few days before your session. Your fingers and toes will be in your photographs and although I am very good with Photoshop, I am not a magician. You don't want chipped nails, or bright colored polish to take away from your beautiful images. I recommend sticking with a French manicure or neutral colors for both your fingers and toes. Professional hair and make-up should be scheduled for the morning of your session. Getting your hair and make-up done by a professional will make you feel confident and beautiful during your session. I recommend sticking with natural hair and make-up, no crazy colors or glitter so your images are timeless. If you are talent enough (which I am not) to do your own hair and make-up that is totally fine, but why not pamper yourself on this one special day. Oh, and don't forget to shave, wax, or pluck any unwanted hair at least a day before your session.
Tip #5 What to wear and bring
I already have a collection of beautiful maternity gowns, bodysuits, fabric, body jewelry, and accessories that I provide for my clients. During your pre-session consultation we will discuss your vision for your perfect maternity session. If you prefer a natural look and want to wear something you bring, I would suggest the following:
- A solid color (white or black) button shirt, possibility from your husbands closet
- Regular jeans, not maternity ones as we will leave them unbuttoned to show off your growing belly
- You are welcome to bring any accessories, jewelry, and/or scarfs you want to incorporate
- AVOID clothing with strong or abstract patterns or logos since this will become a distraction in your images.
For your partner I would recommend the following:
- A solid color (white, black, baby blue, or grey) button or collared shirt
- A nice pair of blue jeans or black pants depending on if you prefer a casual or formal look
- again AVOID clothing with strong or abstract patterns or logos since this will become a distraction in your images.
What to bring? All I ask that you bring is your beautiful smile. If you have a nude color bra and underwear, that is definitely a plus. Some of my maternity dresses are see through, so nude colored underwear helps to prevent it from showing in your images. Depending on the outfits you choose, you might want to bring white or black under garments. However, a lot of my clients choose to just not wear any under garments during their session. I just want you to be comfortable and confident.
Tip #6 Plan ahead
The most important thing is that you and your family are happy and have a wonderful, stress free experience. Although I cannot control what happens before you enter my in-home studio, I can make a few quick suggestions. Try to pack everything you would like to bring the night before, check travel times to make sure you are giving yourself enough time to get here, and check the gas tank the day before. Doing these three simple things will allow you to relax the day of, and arrive not in a rush and in the best possible mood.
I can't wait to take your beautiful maternity portraits! These portraits will remind you of this wonderful time in your life as you anticipate the arrival of your baby (or babies). The only thing left for you to do now is think about what you want to do with these precious memories. How about a beautiful quality canvas or a folio memory box? Go check out all of the amazing products I offer in this blog and start envisioning where you want to put them.
See you soon!!
Alicia
Here is a quick summery for you to screen shot and save, if you wish :)
#1 - Schedule your maternity session 27-35 weeks gestation.
#2 - Sleep is your best friend!
#3 - Eat before the session and bring snacks
#4 - Get your hair, make-up, and nails done. Don't forget to get rid of unwanted hair and moisturize skin especially elbows and heels.
#5 - Bring a nude color bra and underwear. Depending on the outfits you choose, you might also want to bring a white and/or black under garments. This is not required if you are comfortable going without any under garments. If you want to wear something from your home, I would suggest the following:
- A solid color (white or black) button shirt
- Regular jeans
- You are welcome to bring any accessories, jewelry, and/or scarfs you want to incorporate
- AVOID clothing with strong or abstract patterns or logos since this will become a distraction in your images.
For your partner I recommend the following:
- A solid color (white, black, baby blue, or grey) button or collared shirt
- A nice pair of blue jeans or black pants depending on if you prefer a casual or formal look
- Again AVOID clothing with strong or abstract patterns or logos since this will become a distraction in your images.
#6 Plan ahead by packing anything you need to bring the night before, fill up the gas tank the day before, and check your travel time.
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