Pregnant boudoir photography is an excellent way to freeze time and capture the special maternity journey. A pregnant female body is a perfect example of raw and natural beauty. But pregnancy is not only a physical journey but also a spiritual one. So, you must capture a mother’s outer and inner beauty.
What Is Pregnant Boudoir Photography? And Why Should You Do It?
Pregnancy boudoir photography is all about highlighting the beauty of a pregnant female body. Like in standard boudoir photography, the model is photographed in lingerie, naked, or with revealing clothing.
There are many reasons to have a boudoir maternity photoshoot. Sometimes, women start to feel more comfortable about their bodies when they go through pregnancy. They realize how beautiful and magical the female body is to grow another human life.
Often, pregnancy makes women feel more sensual and feminine. This is because their body grows more curves and produces more hormones. I have met many pregnant women who have never felt as sexy and comfortable in their bodies as during pregnancy.
It’s no surprise when they decide they want a professional boudoir photographer to turn this magical period into beautiful photos. They want to remember what becoming a mother felt like.
But some women start to feel uncomfortable in their bodies during pregnancy. Body parts get bigger, swollen, and stretched. There is often extra hair growth—not to mention the mood swings caused by hormones!
Taking part in a boudoir photoshoot with maternity poses is even more important for these ladies. They can learn to love their new body and transform how they see themselves.
For a boudoir photographer, it is always wonderful to see how people change how they feel in their bodies during a boudoir session. It feels even better when this happens to a pregnant lady who starts connecting with her natural feminine side.
Celebrating the wonder of a female body, the changes it goes through, and boosting the clients’ self-esteem are all reasons you should offer boudoir maternity photography. Plus, you will be creating lifetime memories for the soon-to-be family.
When’s the best time to take boudoir maternity pictures? It is between the 30th and the 36th week of the pregnancy. This is the period when every pregnant woman has a visible baby bump. But keep in mind that every female body is different and changes at a different pace.
1. Get to Know Your Client to Make Her Feel More Comfortable
The first essential thing to do is get to know your client before the boudoir session. This can be a friendly meeting a few days before or even right before the session. The aim is to get your clients comfortable and help them trust you.
Even those who are very confident about their body can feel awkward when they have to undress in front of a stranger. Imagine clients who are terrified or shy about showing their pregnant bodies.
Find ways to ease the mood. Let your client get to know you and show a few photos from your portfolio. Ask her about her favorite body part and what position she feels most comfortable in. Ask what she thinks about her pregnant body and the changes.
Knowing your client allows you to know what body parts to focus on. It also makes it easier to create a comfortable environment.
2. Ask for Simple Outfits to Keep the Attention on the Body
One of my clients’ most frequently asked questions is about the outfit. “What outfit and lingerie should I bring for the boudoir shoot?”
The answer is whatever the client feels comfortable wearing. Lingerie, a button-down shirt, a plain T-shirt, and pajamas always work well. It’s best to ask for simple outfits to not distract the viewer from the body.
Some pieces of lingerie are designed for a tight and skinny female body. Even if a pregnant body has wonderful curves, some lingerie items don’t fit the maternity look.
The more simple the outfit, the better. Use bedsheets, light textiles, and scarves. If your client feels comfortable about being naked, go for that option.
3. Direct Your Model’s Poses to Make the Belly Look Good
Let’s be honest. A baby bump can look wonderful or awkward, depending on the angle. A belly resembling a watermelon is perfect for a fun family shoot. But you don’t want the belly to look weird or ridiculous for a pregnancy boudoir session.
Instead, you want to highlight it’s beautiful round shape. You also want to convey that a miracle is growing inside it. All you have to do is direct your model’s poses.
As a photographer, you are not only taking images. You also ensure the model looks amazing in the final photos. Pregnant ladies often have no idea how to position themselves to be comfortable and look good at the same time.
Help them with posing ideas. You can ask them to lie on their back and place their hands on their belly. Or you can ask them to sit cross-legged and hold their belly from below.
It’s important to find poses that look great and suit pregnant women. You don’t want your clients to feel physical pain during a session.
4. Use Simple Props that Fit the Maternity Theme
If you decide to choose props for the boudoir maternity session, make sure to use objects that fit the theme. Baby shoes, baby clothing, or even flowers are excellent choices. Toys for the baby or congratulatory balloons are also fine.
But don’t go for props that are too erotic or out of context. They can confuse the viewer and kill the mood of the photos.
5. Focus on the Curves and Shapes to Highlight the Beauty of Maternity
Pregnant ladies have beautiful curves that you should highlight in your photographs. It’s best to focus on the belly, breasts, and thighs to emphasize femininity.
You can highlight the curves and shapes in many ways. You can focus on them and keep the rest of the body blurred.
You can also use studio or natural light to brighten up the curves. Or you can use a backlight and photograph silhouettes. The curves and shapes will pop out in a very sensual way.
6. Include the Other Parent to Show Emotional Connections
Pregnancy is not only about one parent. It is about both parents being on the journey of becoming a family. Include the other parent in the pregnant boudoir photos as well.
You can capture full-body images or focus only on the details. For example, the partner can touch the mother’s bare belly. It’s almost like taking a family portrait with the child inside the belly.
Including the other parent is a beautiful way to show the love and intimacy between the couple. Pregnancy is a big change for both of them. I always feel touched to see how the partner of a pregnant woman accepts and loves her body no matter the changes.
7. Capture Your Client at Home to Create More Intimacy
Photographing clients in a studio is comfortable for you. But the unfamiliar and sterile environment might make your client feel uncomfortable.
You can take much more intimate photographs in your client’s home. You can also tell the story of a mother preparing the nest for the child’s arrival.
Plus, you can use locations and props with personal and emotional importance. Therefore, the results will be even more meaningful.
8. Try Black-And-White Boudoir Maternity to Keep it Simple
You don’t need to limit yourself to colorful photographs. Black-and-white portraits can be more powerful and focused than colorful ones.
Thanks to the lack of colors, black-and-white photos let you focus more on the subject. Moreover, capturing models in black and white allows you to highlight textures and emotions.
9. Take Photos Outside to Highlight the Natural Beauty of the Mother
Pregnancy is so natural that maternity shoots are a great fit in nature. Head to the nearest park, beach, or forest and take a pregnant boudoir picture. If you want to ensure nobody is around, use your or your client’s garden.
A pregnant woman, naked in nature, paints a very idyllic scene. The photo highlights the raw beauty of the mother. It also gives the impression of being in a sort of Paradise.
10. Personalize the Photoshoot to Turn It Into a Lifetime Memory
As a photographer, you take pictures to freeze a moment in time and turn it into long-lasting memories. Moreover, you are providing an experience with your boudoir sessions.
Women learn to accept and love their changing bodies. They start to connect with their motherly instincts. They also connect deeper with their baby and share intimate moments with their partner if they are present.
Boudoir sessions are not only about the photos. They are about the transformation that happens during the photoshoot. Moreover, they are always about the client and their feelings during the event.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach in this photo genre. You need to tailor the experience to fit the personality of your client. Fluffy and cute props might fit the maternity theme. But if your client has a motorbike and wants to pose with it, let it happen. Ultimately, they are there for the experience and the memories.
Conclusion: Pregnant Boudoir Photography
A pregnant boudoir photoshoot captures one of a woman’s most important and beautiful life phases. Growing a tiny human is a miracle. And the female body deserves every appraisal.
If you do it right, you are not only providing photos to hang on the wall. You are offering a unique experience and long-lasting memories for your clients.
Use our ideas to make the most out of your pregnancy boudoir sessions… And you can learn how to build your portrait photography business with Profit from Portraits!)
