Maternity photos. There is so much that I can say about this type of session, but one thing is for sure. Maternity photo sessions are some of the most beautiful sessions that I get to photograph. I love capturing those last few memories before a family changes and grows into something completely different. I think that maternity photos are a great way to celebrate the new little person that will be entering your family, but also a great way to capture those last few moments as just husband and wife, or however your family is now before that brand new person enters the world. 

Before I share a few more photos, I want to give you some tips on how to make your maternity session awesome!

I will start with when. When should you schedule your maternity photos? I think that maternity photo sessions are best photographed when the mommy to be is around 32-36 weeks into her pregnancy. I find that at this time in pregnancy, Mommy is feeling great and that baby bump has popped and is looking fabulous. We can absolutely schedule you a session earlier or later, you just don't want to wait too much later than 36 weeks. You never know when baby will decide to make her debut and then your maternity session turns into a newborn session! 

The next tip I will give you is this, consider getting your hair and make-up done professionally. This is something that I recommend for all sessions, I personally do not step in front of a camera with out it, but especially for maternity sessions. I think that it really helps you to feel beautiful and comfortable in front of the camera. If you don't already have a hair and make-up artist that you love, don't worry, I know someone fabulous that I work with all of the time, Jacqueline DeMario. She has done my hair and make-up for all of my personal family portraits sessions on several occasions as well as for several of my portrait clients for theirs. She is amazing at what she does! 

One last thing that I want to cover is wardrobe. Maternity photo sessions are all about highlighting that fabulous baby bump. There is nothing more gorgeous than a woman who is expecting and I love to help them show it off. I recommend clothing that is a little more form fitting around the belly so that we can show it off. I have several dresses at the studio that all of my clients are welcome to use for their sessions. I will be featuring two of them here. 

This is one of my most favorite dresses that I have at the studio. It look great on everyone that I have put it in, and it is just timeless and classic. 

I love capturing these sweet moments between Mommy and a big brother to be. Portraits like these are so special, just look at how much fun they are having together! 

This sweet family, who I love so much, is expecting their rainbow baby and brought in this beautiful, rainbow sash to accessorize this dress for their session. I love the splash of color it adds to the photos and of course the meaning behind it is just so sweet. Baby Sister is due to arrive later this month and there will be even more adorable photos of this family to share. I don't want to spoil anything, but mermaids and rainbows just might be the theme for that session. I can not wait! 

I have to give props to this gorgeous lady. I saw this maternity dress in an Etsy Shop, and I knew that I HAD to photograph her in this for a maternity photo session. I just knew that she would look amazing in it and she totally killed it. Look at her. She is perfect!

Do you see those pearls that she is wearing? Her parent's gave her one pearl every year for her birthday and then had them made into that necklace. When she told me that, I think that I almost cried. What a perfect family heirloom to be wearing for maternity photos, and I am sure how special to some day pass on to her own daughter.  

Maternity photo sessions just give me all the feels, all the warm and fuzzies and I am sure that you can see why after getting a peek into this family's session with me. If you are expecting and want to schedule a Maternity photo session with Stacey Louise Photography, you can take a look at my maternity photo gallery and contact me today to schedule your own session. I can't wait to hear from you!

Hair and Make-up Artist: Jacqueline Demario, check her out on Facebook and Instagram or on her website, 
www.beautified-jacqueline-demario.com

1st dress (solid white, mermaid style) from Sew Trendy Accesories on Etsy

2nd dress (white lace) from BebeKStudio on Esty