I consider my style of photography to be “fun, fresh and colorful” (as seen at the forefront on my website and within my branding)…photojournalistic and creative mixed with a little tradition. For me, this can all be somewhat summed up in what I call “lifestyle”, which is also popular in today’s photography industry. It’s defined as “the way of life” or “type of life you have.” I want to capture that life for my clients. I want them to have fun while taking pictures and I also want them to look like they’re having fun. Capturing them in their most natural, comfortable states as possible, or in “lifestyle” moments, allows this “fun” to be displayed. Fresh and colorful images are therefore produced.

Since I’ve been doing a few maternity and newborn sessions lately (and have many on the books), I thought it might be useful to explain my approach to each (based on my photography style)…both for those of you who might be wondering, as well as for my future clients.

First up, the pre-baby session, the maternity session…

Many women may think “Ew gross! I’m not getting my pictures taken when I’m swollen and fat!” And I don’t blame you if you’ve had those thoughts. Being pregnant can sometimes be a miserable thing, especially when you’re in your final month and can’t get comfortable enough to sleep (I’ve been there, ladies!). But maternity pictures don’t have to be stuffy and glamorous, and you aren’t expected to be in the best shape of your life. The pictures can be natural and comfortable…you just hanging out in your home with your spouse. You just relaxing in the rocking chair in the baby’s nursery. You sporting leggins and relaxing on your bed. All with the focus on “the bump.”

I always suggest your home as a session location. If you’re uncomfortable in your pregnancy state, being at home might relieve some of that. Being at home also means I’ll get to photograph you (and your spouse) in your personal habitat, using places like the baby’s nursery, the living room, your bedroom and your outdoor space to achieve those natural, comfortable, “lifestyle” portraits. Sure I’ll make you pose, sit in certain ways and smile at the camera, but we’ll make it look effortless in the comfort of your own home…just living, displaying the type of life you have, and you being you.

Because I’m also influenced by some traditional style of photography, more formal-like portraits can and probably will be taken. Let’s face it, everyone, or at least every soon-to-be-grandma likes a nice, smiley picture to frame and put in their living room. And maybe the soon-to-be-parents do, too. Smiling and looking at the camera is just a natural thing to do and expect when having pictures taken, so I always snap at least one or two during the session…

Even when the couple request a maternity session away from the home, I try to dive in with the same approach. I do think maternity pictures outside the home can also be very beautiful, comfortable and natural…

And hopefully no matter where we are, we’ll have some fun and share some laughs. 🙂

So as you can hopefully see from the examples, nothing super glamorous with lots of makeup, big hair and fancy outfits. But maybe we produce your own kind of “glamorous” in your once-in-a-lifetime pregnancy state? We can make you feel comfortable in your home, which in turn should display some confidence and really just make you feel relaxed and good…and who doesn’t want to feel those things during their third trimester!?!

Tomorrow, I’ll share my “lifestyle” approach to newborn sessions…and I’ll include a large sneak peek from my recent session with baby Harlow! You definitely want to check back tomorrow. 🙂