The Five Must-Have Photos for your Maternity Session by a Virginia Maternity Photographer

As a Virginia Maternity photographer, capturing an expecting mama is an an absolute honor and privilege that I do not take lightly. There is just something so incredibly beautiful about a woman growing another life and it’s truly a season that I find so much joy in being a small part of. Through the years, I have documented many expecting mamas (whether it was their first or fourth babe!) and have learned a lot about what images are important to include in that final gallery to ensure that they can look back on this special time for years to come. If you have been strolling Pinterest to find those important maternity photos to capture, don’t stress! – I am sharing the five must-have photos for your maternity session.

Looking for inspiration for your maternity session from a Virginia maternity photographer?

Sharing the five must-have photos for your maternity session below:

The Classic Bump Hold:

This is the classic shot that you just have to get! The hands on the belly image is a favorite for a reason – it’s timeless and one that you will love for years to come. There are absolutely ways to make this image fresh and personal to you, by using different angles, incorporating a partner or big sibling to the baby, and/or bringing a fun prop such as an ultrasound photo or onesie to the shot.

As your Virginia Maternity photographer, I will be sure to capture many different angles and variations of this classic shot to ensure that you have one that you will love and that will represent this season in a timeless way. Also, if you are stressed about knowing how to pose – I’VE GOT YOU! You aren’t supposed to know how to pose and a huge part of my job is guiding you through poses and prompts throughout your session.

The Connection Shot with Your Partner:

Partners shots are always some of of the favorites from maternity sessions and often become the images that clients choose to hang on the walls of their homes and/or nurseries. In a maternity session with both mom and dad, I will incorporate your partner throughout the session with different poses such as putting your foreheads together, hands on the belly, or through prompts which will inspire moments of genuine connection.

I am fully aware that often the partners are shy to the camera or that family photo day is not always their favorite day. 😉 I love the challenge of making the experience fun and easy, and always hope that BOTH you and your partner love the time spent taking the photos as much as the photos.

The Traditional Family Photo:

As much as I love a candid moment (and often these fill much of my galleries), I also appreciate the posed, traditional family photo in all my sessions, including the maternity session. Maternity sessions are the perfect opportunity to include the whole family and to capture you in a time right before you add an additional family member.

With all maternity sessions booked with me, you have the option to include all members of the immediate family, including big brothers and/or sisters and any furry members of the family!

The Detail Shot:

I love tiny detail shots and include them in every full session I photograph. Hands on the belly, rings, ultrasound photos and special onesies or tiny baby shoes are some of my favorite detail shots and I love to capture them. Flattering angles and composition matter in these images and it’s my job as the photographer to keep that in mind!

Detail shots also help keep a gallery full and interesting, which will help create a beautiful timeless album for your tiny babe to see as he/she is older.

The Movement Shot:

I LOVE movement in my photo sessions, not only for the final look, but because this makes the session itself so much more fun and interactive for my client. I do “walking shots” often and this is usually when I will capture those candid moments and genuine laughter and connection.

This is especially the time that as an expecting mama, you can feel like the goddess you are! 😉 I often recommend dresses with light fabrics that can create a lot of interest and movement through out the session. You can find an example of one here and here!

In conclusion, these five shots will enable your maternity session to tell the beautiful story of this season you are in. As the client and expecting mama, you do not need to stress or memorize them – that’s my job as a Virginia Maternity Photographer! My goal is to capture a variety of images for every wall, photo album, and memory that you want to preserve.

I encourage you to save this post for your maternity session and if you are in Virginia Beach or the surrounding areas, to inquire here about creating these images for you and documenting this season of life so that you can always remember it. You may also find this post about what to wear to your maternity session helpful!

*You can also email me at ashleybricknerphoto@gmail.com, I would love to chat!