MATERNITY SESSION GUIDE
HOW TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO EXPECT
I can’t wait to meet you and create some beutiful images of you and your bump!
So that your session can run as smoothly as possible, I have compiled a prep guide to help us get the most out of your session.
How long does a Maternity Photography Session last?
Maternity Sessions lasts around 2 hours and include use of our dresses & accessories collection, the option of family shots (no extra cost), professional editing and your viewing & ordering appointment, which takes place around 2 to 3 weeks after your session.
What should I bring to the session?
Please bring the following items with you to your session;
- A strapless bra (preferably nude colour)
- A nude colour thong
- Black & white underwear (bra and pants) – don’t worry if you don’t have bra’s that fit, but try to bring pants!
- Please arrive with your hair & makeup already done (if desired)
- Any of your own clothing you may want to bring
- If you are having couple or family shots, please bring clothing for your family
The items of clothing above help us to create beautiful images without the distraction of visible underwear. I have a bathroom within the studio, which can be used as a dressing room.
You may also want to bring a drink and some snacks, just in case you need an energy boost! (although we do have tea/coffee, water and biscuits available in the studio too).
How should I prepare and what should I wear?
Please arrive at the studio ready to start your session, including being hair & make up ready (if desired). Styling your hair in waves or curls works beautifully for Maternity Sessions, so I highly recommend this if you like this style!
I have a range of maternity dresses, fabrics and accessories at the studio that I use to create my signature style of images and we will have a look through some of these options at the start of your session.
You are welcome to bring along a couple of your clothing options too, although this is not necessary. I suggest that long flowing gowns, bodycon dresses or an oversized white shirt work best. If your style is more dressed down, why not bring along your favourite pair of chunky black boots, a leather/denim jacket or a pair of jeans – these are all good items to use during your session! Accessories such as big necklaces or earrings and hats can look great too – feel free to add a bit of your personality!
If your partner and/or children are joining you for your session, I suggest they wear plain, well fitting clothing that they are comfortable in. Please avoid patterns, logos and prints and instead opt for two or three colour tones that compliment each other. I’d suggest as a basic rule to avoid wearing black or white and instead opt for soft tones and colours.
For example, your partner may wish to bring a pair of jeans, a pair of chino’s or smarter trousers and a couple of shirts/tops that are plain (not patterned); I recommend one set of clothing being a lighter colour and one a slightly darker colour if possible, to give us options for your shoot (the same applies to choosing children’s clothing).
Although you might not generally like dressing ‘matchy-matchy’ as a family/couple, for photo shoots, this actually looks great!
Below, I’ve put together a PDF to download, for some colour ideas and options for you to consider. These are only guidelines, but from experience I would suggest for family/partner images that you choose from the cool, neutral tones palette or the warm, earthy tones palette.
Download the PDF colour guide here; Studio Sessions What To Wear.
For a brief visual guide on family/couple clothing colours, check out my Pinterest board here.
How will I/we pose?
Whilst some may feel confident in front of the camera, other’s (most!) are happy to be guided by me.
I won’t expect you to ‘know’ how to pose! I will help to position you (and your partner and children if applicable), ensure your hands are in the correct places, rearrange your clothing as appropriate and tell you where to look – unless you’re a natural of course!
The specific types of poses really depend on you and what you’re after. I aim for a varied gallery and poses will reflect this.
Will I have to take my clothes off?…eeek!
It’s totally up to you! When you’re pregnant it’s a beautiful time to capture timeless images of you and your bump and this often works best without the distraction of loose clothing. We want to capture your beautiful shape in an elegant way.
This is why I will make recommendations on the clothing & fabrics we use, so you can get the best images from your time with me. But if you feel more comfortable being mostly covered, then that’s fine too!
A reminder on children (siblings) joining us in your session.
As adivised, I usually take family and/or sibling photos either at the start or end of the session, depending on what works best for you and I recommend that children either attend at the start of your session and they can then be taken to the local park (or McDonald’s!) for the remainder of the session, or that children are dropped off for the last 30 minutes of the session, to allow us to focus on creating your maternity images for the rest of the session.
I highly recommend following this advice on children joining us for part of the session (and not the full session), as sessions are long and boring for small children and I do not have the space or facilities to occupy children throughout the session.
How should I prepare the kids? (For sessions including children)
If your children are joining us, please ensure that young children have had a good nap before the session and that all children are well fed. The Photographer cannot be held responsible for the co-operation (or lack thereof) of children and we highly recommmend that our guidelines are followed as closely as possible to ensure the best outcome.
Children should arrive in clean clothes, or with a change of clean clothes if you intend to change them on arrival. Please ensure that any chipped nail varnish and/or temporary tattoos have been removed prior to the session (including adults!).
My advice would be to say very little to your children about your planned session. By all means, mention you are going for a photo shoot and that it’s going to be fun, but please don’t worry about telling kids that they must listen and smile, as it’s often counter-productive. The best possible thing you can do is to ensure that young children have had a good nap before their session and that all kids have something to eat beforehand.
What if the kids don’t cooperate?
It’s really important that you read this prep guide in full before your session to ensure we get the best outcome possible. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to ensure that these guidelines are followed (feeding/sleep advice etc.).
I will always do my best to capture a lovely range of images for you, but I can only capture what I can depending on your children’s mood on the day. If co-operation is lacking on the day but I feel we have achieved a full gallery of images, then I won’t offer a reshoot of your session. Any offers of a reshoot are at the sole discretion of the Photographer, are subject to availability and subject to a charge being made for additional session time.
The Photographer cannot be held responsible for the co-operation (or lack thereof) of children and we highly recommmend that our guidelines are followed as closely as possible to ensure the best outcome.
Can I bring my extended family or friends to the session?
Only those participating in the session should attend the appointment, as having other’s there causes unnecessary distractions for everyone being photographed, particularly children. But if you are attending the session alone (without your partner or children) and would like a friend or family member to accompany you to help you feel at ease, that’s fine!
COVID-19 update
We will continue to maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of our studio and props to a high standard and hand washing facilities/hand sanitiser will be available throughout appointments for the Photographer’s and Client’s use.
Face coverings: We are no longer wearing face masks during appointments, but if you would prefer that we wear them, this is no problem whatsoever. Please mention this either during the booking process or upon arrival at the studio.
Please read the information below regarding our sickness policy and Covid-19.
Our Sickness Policy
If you (or anyone in your party) have been feeling unwell in the days prior to your appointment, please contact me to reschedule your appointment. Where an illness is viral, contagious or involves sickness and/or diarrhoea, please observe the 48 hour free from symptoms rule.
Covid-19; Should you (or anyone in your party) develop Covid-19 symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 in the 7 days prior to your appointment, please contact me to reschedule your appointment (unless you have taken a lateral flow test to confirm a negative result).
Need to reschedule?
If you need to reschedule your session, please let me know as soon as possible. If you need to reschedule within 48 hours of the start of your session, please contact me by calling me or sending me a text or a message to my Facebook page, as I may not always be able to pick up emails at short notice.
Your session fee is non-refundable, so if you cancel your session you will not receive a refund, but I do allow rescheduling of your session once within 14 days of your original session date if the reason for reshcedule cannot be avoided (for example, due to genuine illness or emergency) – the date of reschedule is subject to availability.
If you do not arrive to your session or are more than 30 minutes late, then you’ll need to pay a new session fee to book a new date. You can contact me on 07956114916.
Sessions where hair styling and/or make-up appointments have been arranged by the Photographer at the Client(s) request:
Please arrive at Imagine Hair & Beauty Salon (the salon beneath my studio) at your scheduled appointment time.
If you are running late to your appointment/s please contact the hair stylist or makeup artist via the contact details I have sent to you, to let them know. Please be aware that should you arrive late to your appointment/s, that it may not be possible for the hair stylist and/or makeup artist to carry out their services in the alloted time. Reasonable charges may be made by these service providers to cover lost/missed appointments or rescheduling of appointments, which is outside of my control.
Should you wish to amend or cancel your appointment/s for these services, please contact the service providers directly. These services are carried out and charged for independently of our photography services and payment for additional services is due on the day, payable directly to the providers.
When will I see my photographs?
At the end of your session we will arrange your viewing & ordering appointment to take place in approximately 2-3 weeks time and this is when you will view your beautifully edited and enhanced gallery of around 20 images, choose your package and wall art and place your order.
Payment for an order is due at your viewing & ordering appointment. I always advise that all decision makers are present at the viewing & ordering appointment, as you may find you need help choosing your portraits! I also recommend that children (with the exception of babies) do not attend viewing appointments, so you can relax and choose your photographs without distractions.
When will I get my order?
Once you have placed your order at your viewing and ordering appointment, you can expect your digital download containing your purchased digital images to be sent to you via a link in an email within 1 week, whilst USB/Print orders will be ready for collection from our studio in approximately 3 weeks time. If you have ordered wall art or an album then these will be ready to collect in around 4-6 weeks time.
Where is your studio?
You can find me at; First Floor, 29 Station Road, Steeton, West Yorkshire, BD20 6RL (above Imagine Hair & Beauty Salon).
Please enter via the front door on Station Road and head up the stairs, where you will find my studio on your right. There is no on-site parking at the studio, but I will advise you of close-by on-street parking options before your session. Please try to arrive on time, but if you are running late, please message me on; 07956114916.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all and as always, if you have any questions, please just ask!