Ready to uplevel your maternity photos?
You are expecting! So special! The big day is right around the corner. But how will you remember it all?
Maternity photography is one of the best solutions.
Yet few parents realize the importance of including other family members in their maternity photography experience.
The best maternity photos are the ones that capture the entire family.
In addition to the expectant parent, it’s essential to include siblings, partners, and even pets to create a well-rounded session.
Let’s get to it, then.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- Why Family-Inclusive Maternity Photos Matter
- Planning Your Session With Siblings
- Including Your Partner in Meaningful Ways
- Creative Ideas For Family Maternity Photos
- Making the Experience Stress-Free
Why Family-Inclusive Maternity Photos Matter
Including family members in your maternity session creates something special.
Over 90% of parents say that including their partners makes a big difference in the emotional connection of the maternity photographs.
And the numbers are even better when siblings are part of the package.
Including family members in maternity photos is the best way to include the strong bonds between siblings before the little one arrives, the loving support of your partner, and the feeling of love that is already in your home before the little miracle arrives.
Want to know the best part?
Years from now, your children will love the fact that they had a part in the welcoming of their baby sibling. They were there for the whole thing.
Your child growing up will be glad they were there since posing together as a family is usually a better outcome than individual pictures of just the belly.
Professional maternity photography in the D.C. area has integrated these important facts when connecting with clients to create maternity photography packages that include family as the standard.
Professional maternity photographers have included family and loved ones in their package options as they know that the family life is messy, beautiful, and worth capturing.
Planning Your Session With Siblings
Planning to include siblings in the maternity photos takes some planning.
And no need to worry; it’s not difficult at all. The only thing you need to do is make sure your older children don’t feel like they are being dragged along.
Talk with your kids ahead of time about how important their roles are in the maternity photoshoot.
Tell your children about their very important job in the family to help welcome the baby.
Planning your session with older children in mind will add excitement and a sense of ownership for the experience.
Bring something special for your kids during the session; this could be in the form of a treat or a small toy.
Plan on having something as a reward for your children after the session is over. This will keep the energy up and the smiles rolling throughout the session.
A professional tip would be to schedule the time of the session carefully.
Try to make it a time when your children are well rested and happy. Afternoons are usually the worst times.
The best times for the maternity session are late mornings. The children haven’t had a whole day of activities, and they are fresh and energetic.
A pro tip: Let your children give suggestions during the session.
If they feel involved and heard, they are more than likely to cooperate better and be open with their emotions.
Siblings are often adorable when they interact naturally with the bump. Let your kids talk to the baby, give kisses, or lay their hands on your belly.
The most important thing is to remember that having fun and being authentic are more important than getting every pose right.
Including Your Partner in Meaningful Ways
Your partner has a role in your pregnancy.
72% of expecting parents prefer emotional connection to staged shots.
Maternity photography with just the baby bump used to be the norm, but the photo industry has shifted to expectant couples preferring photos with meaningful connections rather than perfectly posed shots.
The best photos are the natural ones. Forget forced poses.
Just do things that capture the interaction between the two of you.
Talk to each other, have your partner’s hand resting on the belly, have your foreheads touching and looking at the baby together, laugh at an inside joke, have your partner whisper to the baby…
Including your partner in the pictures makes them feel like they have a valuable role in the pregnancy and the life that is growing within you.
Dads and partners can often feel left out during the pregnancy process. Having maternity photos with the two of you included will help celebrate the partnership and the excitement you are both feeling.
It’s a great idea to have individual shots of just your partner and the belly.
One day, your child will be happy they are there with you before they came along.
Creative Ideas For Family Maternity Photos
You can be creative with maternity photos.
The best way to approach maternity photos is to capture the individual personality of your family.
Some ideas for your maternity photography session would include siblings, older children, pets, partners, and extended family.
Outdoor Sessions
Outdoor sessions are the best way to have great locations, natural lighting, and enough space for the little ones to move around.
Outdoor locations are also a great option for families that have active children who need to run, jump, and play.
Golden hour works great to create that soft, lovely look in all your family shots.
Lifestyle Approach
The lifestyle maternity photography approach to posing is about creating images of the family in natural moments.
Make cookies together, read a book, have a picnic in the living room, or whatever else you and your family do.
Since it’s things that you are already doing, it’s not going to stress out the little ones.
Lifestyle images are natural and usually do a great job at representing a family’s personality.
Themed Sessions
Themes are always great fun for maternity sessions.
Pick something that is meaningful to your family or just something that you like and find interesting.
Are you outdoor people? Camping gear, hiking shoes, camping hammocks, and fishing poles are great themes to include.
Love music? Have instruments at your disposal.
The key is to keep it simple and subtle rather than an over-the-top vibe.
Including Pets
Pets are a vital part of our families; including them in the maternity session is a great way to complete the picture of the family.
Make sure you have some treats for them, and bring lots of patience.
Pets also like to be involved in the fun and love the food reward!
Making the Experience Stress-Free
The most enjoyable maternity photography experience is one where everyone is relaxed and comfortable.
Here are some tips to ensure that the experience is fun for everyone involved.
- Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in but that still look nice.
- Limit the session to 1 hour at most for families with younger children.
- Bring along your child’s favorite snacks and entertainment.
- Communicate with your photographer about your expectations.
- Stay loose. The best photos will be the ones where you are just having fun.
Bottom Line
Including your family in your maternity photography experience will elevate your photos from good to memorable.
The images you will create with the ones you love are ones you will be proud to display for years to come.
Involving the whole family; this means partners, older children, siblings, and even pets, will show the all-encompassing love that a family can have for an arriving little one.
Capturing these special moments is one of the best uses of maternity photography.
Don’t forget these tips:
- Plan, but be open to change
- Make older siblings feel special and a part of the process
- Seek authentic moments over stiff poses
- Choose locations and themes that are unique to you
- Communicate your ideas with your photographer
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
