MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY
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Woman’s pregnancy is very special time in her life, and maternity sessions are suggested between weeks 28-34 of pregnancy. This is the best time to show off your baby bump. Sugar Baby Photography will help to consult your maternity session with different styles you may have in mind. If you feel unconformable showing your full figure in the photo, we will adjust to your wants and take partial bump pictures. Sugar Baby Photography wants to make every experience a positive experience with beautiful, artistic, and lasting images for each of our clients.
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Our Maternity sessions are customized to reflect your personality and style. We strive to create a relaxed and comfortable experience, while capturing a variety of artistic portraits. With an eye for perfect moments and unique perspectives, we create maternity portraits that are beautiful, intimate, and emotional. We’ll help with styling and posing, and apply our expertise in artful lighting and editing to bring out the best!
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YOUR PREGNANCY PHOTO SHOOT EXPERIENCE
Studio pregnancy shoots are done in my studio in San Mateo and are as individual as you and your family are. Before the session, we’ll talk about your favorite style, your specific taste and I will tailor the photography session around you.
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You are also very welcome to tell me your favorite piece of music and this will be played in the background: I love to make your maternity photoshoot a beautiful experience for you and your partner to enjoy and to remember.
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Before your maternity photography session we will sit down and we will review my maternity portraits portfolio. This will allow me to get to know you, your taste and explore ideas for the shoot. This is when I will be able to suggest moods, colors, poses and settings for your portraits and when we will start to build your unique photoshoot.
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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR A MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION?
The ideal time to photograph a bump is within week 28 and 34. During these weeks the bump starts showing like a proper baby bump and mums don’t feel too tired as yet. Each woman is different and every woman feels differently.
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First time mums for example tend to show their baby bump much later on whether expectant mums with more children start showing their bump much earlier. With this in mind some women might prefer to book their photoshoot around their 33rd week whether other mums might prefer to wait a few more weeks.
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If you are not sure about when would be the best time to book your pregnancy portrait photography shoot please get in touch and I will be able to help.
I would suggest to book 4-6 weeks in advance if possible. Normally my clients book after their 20 weeks scan. If you have left it too late, feel free to contact me as I might have some last minute cancellations and I might still be able to help.
I’D LOVE THE IDEA OF A MATERNITY PHOTO SHOOT BUT I’M REALLY NERVOUS…
You are not the only one! But please take few minutes to think about it. You are not a professional model and nobody expects you to become one right now.
Every single person entering my studio feels exactly the same as you and it is absolutely normal! It is my job to make your maternity shoot the most relaxed experience. It is so lovely for me to hear my clients leaving the studio saying: “thank you Francesca for an amazing experience, it actually was so much fun!”.
Furthermore your body is going through an incredible journey and you might not feel 100% all the time. It is my job to find the best poses for your body, to use of the perfect light to enhance your beautiful shapes and to create the most beautiful professional images that you will love forever.
You will actually be surprised by how easy (and enjoyable) it is being in front of the camera when you have something so incredible and special to focus on: your baby.
First of all let me tell you that the studio is such a relaxed and comfortable place with separate rooms so you have plenty of space to change outfits in private. Some women ask for nude photos and this is absolutely fine with me. Some women prefer semi nude photographs and this is also fine. The session is yours and you are always in control. Even when my mums opt in for the nude photos, this is something that generally I prefer to leave for the end of the photoshoot when the ice has been already broken, everyone is even more at ease and the atmosphere is just the right one for it.
Yes, he surely is and I will always encourage dads to be to take part in your maternity photoshoot. It is such a special time in your life and it is amazing to share it together.
I would like to make your session as relaxed and stress free as possible so in the studio I have a lovely selection of gowns, dresses and fabrics for you to choose from. However it is recommended to bring a few underwear key items for hygienic reasons and to make sure the size is just the right one for you.
These sweet moments are not just oozed out of mediocrity. Our climate controlled 2,800 sq ft studio is best suited for maternity/newborn/baby/family’ photo sessions. It gives bright happy vibes and is equipped with cute little props. In addition to the excellent studio settings, we have what it takes to bring out the right expressions.
HOW DOES AN OUTDOOR MATERNITY SHOOT WORK?
Outdoor maternity photography shoots are as popular as studio maternity sessions. The ideal seasons for outdoor shoots are Spring, Summer and Autumn. Each season has its own beautiful features and colours. Depending on the month of the year and the look you prefer for your photoshoot I will be able to suggest the best time of the day for your outdoor maternity session.
​I am lucky enough to have a studio surrounded by some gorgeous fields which offer, every month, a unique setting and background for my outdoor maternity photo shoots. The reason why I love these locations is because I have studied the light here. I know every single corner and how to get the most out of each of them depending on the time of the day of your photoshoot.
Another big advantage, if you are a second time mum, is that there is lots of space for your child/children to run around and this allows me to create some great natural shoots and capture candid moments.
​If weather conditions are bad (for example if it is raining) for an outdoor shoot, we can either rearrange or opt for a studio session. Overcast and dull days are actually perfect for outdoor maternity photoshoots because they offer the best soft light. This means that even a day where the sun is not shining can be great for a photography session outdoor.
The best time to capture you maternity photos is either as the sunrise or at the sunset. Sunsets tend to be the most popular choice especially in the summer as sunrise happens way too early! Have you ever heard of the expression “golden hours”? The golden hours are the two hours right before and after sunset where the light turns into this golden colour which makes the most fantastic light for a photographer and a real dream for every mum to be.
The light at sunset and sunrise is softer, less harsh and the temperature as well is just perfect even in the hottest of the summer days.