Maternity sessions are the ones we book to celebrate a new life joining this world. You want to book them for your third trimester (the closest to your due date as possible is always great for the biggest bump pictures).
Feel free to bring your partner, your other kid or kids (if you have them) and even your family pet or pets to your session. We'll be sure to include them in the pictures as well capturing just some solo pictures. If you're scheduling just a maternity boudoir session, we won't be able to include the pet or pets, but we can do some pictures with your partner and kids first, then transition into the boudoir aspect after a couple of shots. Your partner can look after the kids while we finish up!
Prior to your session the first thing you need to decide on is what you're going to wear. Are you wanting to wear a form fitting dress that doesn't show the skin, just your bump? Or are you wanting to show off that baby bump with pride? Either way, the choice is yours. Just make sure your outfit that you pick is stretchy and breathable. Maxi dresses are always a great option that can also be worn again. We can do no skin, all skin or a combination of both. It's all up to your comfort level. All you have to do is let us know what you'd like to do.
Keep your colours simple for your outfit choice, both for you and whoever you bring with you. Keep the seasonal colour guide below in mind and work your outfit around that. If possible, keep yourself in a solid colour and put the pattern (if any) on your partner or kids (if they're coming with you) to avoid busy patterns on your bump.
Make sure your nails are done. Your hands (and your partners if they're joining you) are going to be in the pictures we take so we want to make sure there's no dirt under your nails and that they're cleaned up. If you want, go and get your nails done, or even just add your own clear coat to them to tidy them up.
Get your hair touched up. Get those highlights redone or your roots touched up and get the dead ends trimmed. Style your hair however you'd like, but just make sure it looks nice. Remember, these pictures are not just for the bump. They're for you too.
Your makeup can be done however you want it to be. Go light and more natural or go big and bold. Plan your makeup to however you want the session vibe to be. Make sure to bring your makeup with you though for touchups, as well makeup wipes and even oil blotting clothes incase you begin to sweat a little.
Bring sentimental items, such as sonogram pictures, baby blankets, a future stuffy, a onesie, boots, etc. that you'd like to include in the pictures. There's never a guarantee we'll get every item photographed, but we'll try our best.
Picking the right bra and underwear is important too. Make sure you pick the right right bra and underwear for the outfit you choose. If you're doing any partially nude photos, make sure to bring some coloured lacy underwear to make your pictures pop. I recommend nude underwear and strapless bras for the most part.
Make sure you get plenty of sleep (or as much as you can possibly get) the night before. Be sure to stay hydrated and don't skip your meals that day. Proper hydration will keep you looking fresh and your meals will help keep your energy level up throughout the shoot.
For the day of your session, make sure you moisturize with non-greasy lotion a couple hours before coming to your session and please avoid artificial tanners or spray tans the day of to avoid the orange skin tones. Also, don't wear tight clothes or clothes with elastics (socks, tights, etc.) the day of either, and make sure to remove any smart watches, elastics, etc. from your wrists to avoid the lines on your skin.
Most importantly, just relax! You hired a professional to help you through these photos, so let us handle the stress. You just come and have some fun!
** Please note, as we are not studio photographers, K & M Photography does not have a huge client closet with maternity outfits to pick from like other studio photographers may have. You, as the client, are responsible for all outfits you wish to wear. We do however have some small props available, such as wooden blocks, scrabble letters, etc. that can be used to enhance the photos. **