Check Out Our Latest Tips For Fall & Winter.
Pregnant and excited to take pictures of your beautiful body and capture the changes your baby brings during your favorite seasons? Some of my favorite colors are those warm, inviting hues of fall and autumn, which gradually continue into the winter months and through the holiday season. Working with my clients in capturing these intimate and loving moments, surrounded by the colors and the scenery of fall or winter is an extremely fulfilling part of the work I do.
Maternity Photoshoot NJ
Depending on where you live, you may experience one season or all four. In the northeast, we have the luxury and beauty of all four seasons. From the pastels of the spring blooms, to the gorgeous summer sunshine and the beautiful, bountiful colors of fall, and the crisp frosty whites of winter, we have it all. While there is so much beauty in photographing these seasons, they also come with challenges and preparation is key to creating a beautiful maternity or infant photo session and the final product you can cherish for many years to come. There are so many textures, shapes, shadows, and colors to explore when creating a photography session, for this article we’re going to focus on the autumn shades of fall and the cool colors of winter.
1. Choose the right time of day
When taking photos outside, no matter how much you plan ahead and prepare for every possible scenario, the weather can be unpredictable. When it’s fall in the northeast, that could mean winds, rain, hurricanes, low light, overcast days, nor’easters, and a variety of other weather variables. As a photographer, there are many things I consider when preparing from my side but for my clients, I like to keep it simple. The best light for maternity photography is usually early in the morning or later in the afternoon, also known as ‘the golden hour’. You may have heard about this before or even seen it yourself…where the light fades as the sun meets the earth’s horizon and creates a plethora of gorgeous orange, red, purple (and more) colors. My hope is that we’re able to capture the sweetest, most picturesque moments during that hour.
2. Find the right location
This is a very personal experience and the place we shoot is a very important part of the process. When thinking about where you want to take your maternity or new infant photos, consider a place that is both special to you and your family, and also has beautiful scenery or landscape. It should be somewhat easy to get to and provide a calm, relaxing environment. If it’s a public place, call ahead to see if any special arrangements need to be made in order to take photographs there. If possible, try to visit the locations before your maternity photoshoot to really connect with them and get a good feel for where you will feel most comfortable.
3. Wear comfortable, flattering clothes
Maternity photos are all about celebrating your curves! Choose outfits that make you feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable. Feel free to bring a few that are easy(-ish) to slip in and out of, keeping in mind the window of time we have to capture those unique and lovely images of you, your belly, and your baby. I’ve got some recommendations on poses as well; you can read more about them here.
Since we’re focused on the fall/winter (and with any background) for this article, choose colors that complement the scenery you’ll be shooting in for the day. Wear fabrics that are light and airy, possibly textured with silk, lace, or chiffon. In thinking about colors, there are innumerable fall and winter palettes, which could come right from your closet or from nature. We would use a similar approach for newborn photography. They’ll need to be comfortable, swaddled, and have outfits to match yours, the background, and any props you may want to use in the photos. If you need a little help, take a look at some of these ideas or see some photos of our recent moms and their stunning looks.
4. Book a professional photographer
While you can always take the photos yourself, having a fresh point of view will help in capturing all the best angles and make sure you don’t miss any of those special moments. A professional photographer will know how to capture the right lighting, your best angles, find the right time of day, assist in choosing the best location (from those you select or make suggestions) and create stunning images.
As for timing in preparing for and booking your maternity photography session(s), I usually tell people to start thinking about photos any time after their 20-week doctor appointment as maternity sessions are usually done within the 28-35 week timeframe. For newborn photography sessions, it is a bit different. Since their arrival can come before or after their due date, I usually recommend either booking the sessions together or when moms are 30+ weeks and at least 1-2 months in advance.
5. Relax and enjoy the experience!
The most important thing is that this should be fun, so take your time in selecting the colors, outfits, and locations so that you feel at your best and most relaxed. There are so many possibilities to capture the beauty of motherhood and parenthood, including your partner. They can become part of the scenery as well, so as you plan your outfits keep theirs in mind to match you and the backgrounds you choose.
Pregnancy is a magical time, so savor every moment and let your joy shine through in your photos.
I’m excited to help you create memories that you’ll cherish forever, please contact me to discuss your personalized maternity or newborn photography session today.
Warmest wishes to you and your family,
~Ekaterina Vachino Photography,
Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer
Serving Central NJ, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Middlesex County, as well as other parts of New Jersey upon request.
