Modern moms have taken their love for pictures to a whole new level. Now, we have the pregnancy pictorial and many expectant women are so happy that they did it. Here are some style and fashion tips as well as some creative set ups, especially if you are planning to have a DIY maternity photo shoot with your baby bum.
Advantages of a DIY Maternity Photo Shoot
The main advantage of a DIY maternity photo shoot is, of course, being cost-effective. You get the style and effect that you want without spending too much for a stylist. You may also ask a friend or your husband to do the shoot, even with just the use of a good mobile phone camera.
You may do some tasks yourself, like choosing the outfits, the props, and the venue of the photo shoot. But if you want really nice photos, you may want to invest on the services of a hair and makeup artist as well as a professional photographer. While a private photo shoot will require thousands of pesos, the memories captured will be well worth it.
But if a pro photographer is still beyond your budget, contact an amateur photographer. There are those who are willing to do pro bono shots in order to build their portfolio. Everything can be done with some arrangements. Then you can have your photos printed, framed, and mounted, such as from Wallpics.com.
Tips on DIY Pregnancy Photo Shoot Styles
Check out the following styles for your maternity pictorial. You can all do these by yourself in order to save some bucks and still get the keepsakes you want about your pregnancy. Here, some moms (and dads, too) share their DIY pregnancy photo shoot ideas.
The Heart Hands.
Mom (or with hubby) holds her hands into the shape of a heart and positions them over the baby bump. If hubby is joining the shoot, he can stand behind mom and put his arms around her and make another heart hands sign on the belly.
The Belly Paint.
Pregnancy belly painting is a new trend. Just remember to use water-based, FDA-approved, non-toxic, and paraben free paints. They are easy to apply and remove. Moreover, you can store unused paints for future use, such as for the kid’ face painting projects.
Personally, however, I am not comfortable applying colored stuffed on my growing belly. I just don’t want to risk it because if there is something wrong when the baby comes out, I might blame myself for doing such. Remember that our skin is porous and absorbs whatever we put on it. And since the fetus is growing and developing everyday, I wouldn’t want him or her to be exposed to a foreign substance. I would rather stay on the safe side.
The Wood Nymph.
Clad in a flowing, floral frock with a flower crown, the earth mother walks the forest floor. This is a lovely, natural setup with minimal requirements—a just a short road trip perhaps to the nearest forested area. Many moms look good in the wood nymph look, especially if you have long hair.
The Mermaid.
Since they are already wearing swimsuits with the baby bump showing, many moms-to-be opt to have a maternity photo shoot by the beach. The swimming pool at the local resort works wonderfully as well.
Having a photo shoot outdoors like this doesn’t require much set up and lighting. The scenic view of the waters and nature around you is already enough.
Big sibling bonding.
If the coming angel is not the first, then bring in the older child or children in to the picture. It will become a fun family photo shoot as well.
Countdown.
You can use a black board, a white board, a light board, or any kind of signage to indicate a countdown for the baby’s arrival. Or you can buy those alpha-numeric characters to display as props.
Black on Black.
Wearing black in front of a black background gives a dramatic effect. Additionally, it gives a slimming look to the expectant mom who has gained weight during the pregnancy.
Bring 2-3 Outfits.
When you hire a photographer, they wouldn’t mind you having a costume change. That way, you have different looks in your photo album and picture frames.
Silhouette.
One of the most famous pregnancy photo shoot styles is the silhouette. The mom usually wears skimpy clothing in order to show her form. This is nicely done in black and white or with some streaks of color, like the sunset.
Baby name | Gender Reveal.
If you have already picked a name for baby, you can have a sign that says his or her name. That way, when you and friends look back to the photos, they will instantly know who the baby is inside your tummy, especially if you have several children and photo shoots.
This is also a nice public gender reveal. At least your friend would know what to get you for your baby shower.
With Your Craving.
Another fun photo shoot prop would be your food cravings. You can get creative with the set up, like making a backdrop painting of that particular food, posing at your favorite restaurant, or setting them up on a table beside you.
But the easiest shot would be eating what you like in the picture.
Pets.
Our pets are part of the family. And what better way to celebrate our affectionate relationship with them than during a maternity photo shoot? More often than not, the pet has been with the family or the couple even before pregnancy happened.
All of the Above.
Since this is a DIY maternity photo shoot, you have all the flexibility in your styles. You can mix and match among the styles above or add something else. Creativity knows no bounds.
But in order not to spend so much and use the budget for the coming of the new baby, try to use available materials.
What to Keep in Mind
Not all of us are blessed with good looks and form during pregnancy. But if you really want to commemorate the 9 short months you are carrying your baby, keep everything light and simple.
Remember that these photos are just for your memories so there’s no need to stress yourself. Work with what you have and what you can afford. Have a fun time with your hubby and if you have other kids. Then enjoy, mommy!
Focus on What You Like
While you may like the photo shoot inspirations from the internet, don’t force it if it’s too stressful. Instead, focus more on what you like. Then build on it.
Why I Didn’t Have a Pregnancy Pictorial
Taking photos of a pregnant mom were not yet very much in vogue during the time that I carried Achi Shawna and Siobe Shane. While I have already seen some works, they were not as common as they are now.
Additionally, I hid myself most of the time when there were picture taking sessions during the time I was pregnant. For example, we would have a family gathering and a photo will be taken for posterity’s sake, I usually partially hid myself behind my husband.
That was because I really ballooned to the largest version of myself when I was pregnant. That’s about 20 lbs from how I weigh now! And although I already lost more than 10 lbs, I am still overweight in my present state. It would be nice to lose 10 to 15 lbs more.
My face also became puffy, eyelids swollen, and my nose grew bigger. Moreover, I noticed some unsightly pigmentation all over my face, neck, and underarms. There were dark patches, too. Ugh! I felt so ugly that I thought I was going to have boys! It’s a belief among the elders that when you become uglier during pregnancy, you are pregnant with a boy. But if you are blooming and radiant, you are having a girl. So I guess, these pregnancy beliefs are not true.
That is why, I don’t really have photographic memories of my two pregnancies. Oh well. I am compensating that with taking lots of pictures of our daughters. They love posing for the camera and the camera loves them, too! Just check out their photo shoot last year. Click here: Flower Child Summer Pictorial in Lantawan View Silay
Not all of us are blessed with good “looks and form during pregnancy. But if you really want to commemorate the 9 short months you are carrying your baby, keep everything light and simple.”
This was missed when I got Pregnant.
Subrang nakakalungkot at hindi ko po na experience ito noong akoy nag buntis.. Last 2007 when I gave birth sa panganay ko at wala po talaga ako remembrance.. Siguro dahil na rin po nasa probinsiya ako at medyo kapos din talaga sa budget.. Wala rin po matino na camera pang capture.. Kaya so sad.. But at least okay naman ang panganganak at healthy si baby. Normal delivery..
Wag na ma sad mommy. Same here, no photos haha I disliked it because I was so ugly during my two pregnancies. But now that I think about it, maybe a good makeup artist would have made me prettier. haha
Never experienced having a maternity photo shoot, not even once out of my 4 pregnancies. Not that I don’t like it though. In fact, I enjoyed browsing thru maternity shoots esp of my favorite celebs. 🙂 Just never had the guts to do it for myself, plus I wasn’t all blooming sunshine whenever I was pregnant.?
But to moms who would wanna do this, go for it!?
Inggit much sa mga hindi DIY maternity shoot! Haha gusto ko talaga mag hire pero hindi matuloy tuloy! Kaya ayan, sariling sikap. Haha Ganda talaga ng pinsan ko!
Gaganda naman ng posing kahit pregnant..thanks for sharing this po. Nice maternity photo shoot ideas.
Sa tatlong pregnancies ko po wala rin po ako maternity photos kase di ko po alam na nag eexist po pala ito at secondly para sa mga may pera lang po ito. Masaya po siguro ang magpa maternity photo shoot..
Hindi ko po talaga naranasan itong maternity shoot Pero ang ganda po ng mga tips mommy, budget friendly pa
Nice moms no? Sana nga ginawa ko ito non. I just felt so ugly during my pregnancy. haha
Sa first and second pregnancy ko wala man Lang po ako Maternity photoshoot. Wala man Lang po tlaga sa isip ko. Pero SA third pregnancy ko since nauuso na tlaga na nakikita ko sa Facebook at maganda nman camera Ng cellphone ko. Nag DIY photoshoot po ako sa bahay. Hehe. Kaya lang nakakahiya e post public.😂
Basta po pictures for keeps nlang❤️😍
Ang saya naman nito.Pero never akong nagkaroon ng photoshoot nung buntis ako.feeling ko kasi ampanget ko nun hahaha
This is so beautiful Mommy! 😍 So cute & super memorable talaga pag may Maternity Photoshoot/photos ka. You can look back dun sa mga times na buntis ka. Ang galing ng DIY laking help sa mga ayaw gumastos ng malaki para sa photoshoot.
Never had a Photoshoot nung buntis ako Ma.Ahaha feeling ko.kasi ang panget panget ko.
Ang Saya pala mag DIY photoshoot.
Same tayo ma. I had 2 girls pero parang boys binubuntis ko. Pero at least, pretty mga anak ko hahaha
This is so cute! Iba talaga kapag maparaan ka, di mo kailangan gumastos ng malaki para maternity photoshoot. This is so memorable and hindi talaga dapat mawala kapag buntis ka, mas masarap kasi balik-balikan yung memories na nagbubuntis ka.