Baby Bump Samples

So, like I said in a previous post, I had the opportunity to try shooting some maternity pictures a few weeks ago. The faces have been obscured, but I think you'll get the gist.

I'm glad I was able to pull this off since the power-pack for my studio lights blew when I was doing a practice run in my living room. The model lamps still work, but the flashes won't fire anymore. Therefore, I made do like any good problem solver who lacked the funds to immediately replace or repair the offending device would have.

I had a light behind the mom at almost floor level pointing at her head for hair highlights, another light shining down from above just out of the right side of the frame, and a handle-mounted flash bouncing off of a huge silver reflector directly in front of the mom. I was standing on the first step of a step ladder about four feet away.

Maternity shoot: SUCCESS!
Cost: About 4 hours
Profit: $0, but a great experience

Maternity Portaits (AKA - Baby Bump Pics)

My wife asked me about taking on a special project for breastfeeding awareness month coming up in August. She helps to lead a support group for breastfeeding moms, and she asked if I'd consider doing some maternity portraits for the moms in the group. It sounds like a great chance to broaden my experience, so of course I'm in.

I turn to Pintrest to get some ideas. I tried Google Images to get some more ideas. Here I my findings.

Good Ideas:
1) Get strong silhouettes via back-lighting the profile of your subject.
2) Stripes accentuate the curve of the belly.
3) Tie a wide ribbon around the belly--pink for a girl, blue for a boy.
4) NEVER DO AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR MATERNITY PICTURES!!!

Apparently, many women like to get pregnant and then get naked. All I can say is, I feel dirty.

I will not be taking "that" kind of maternity portraits.

[See a sample of the results HERE!]