As a Charleston maternity photographer (and mother), I know exactly how you’re feeling right now and how exciting it is.
Being a mother is the best experience in the world. And your pregnancy is the beautiful beginning to this journey. What do you want your child to see in you when they look at these photographs later? Whether it’s your first pregnancy or fourth, capturing all the beauty, strength, anticipation and joy you feel as you prepare to bring new life into this world is important for you to see right now. It’s just as important for your children to be reminded of those facets of you through the years as they experience these photographs on the walls of your home. Never forget the excitement and love you feel right now, with that little life growing inside of you. Life is about to change in the best of ways!
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As professional maternity photographers in Charleston, we have worked with many wonderful couples excited for this next chapter of their lives. We would be honored to share this special maternity session with you and are excited to see your family grow. And, later down the line, we hope to reunite for a family photography session in Charleston so your children’s story will continue through photographs that will inspire stories, laughter, and love for the rest of their lives. And why not trust award-winning photographers for one of the most memorable moments in your lives?
When Should You Do Maternity Portraits?
The best time to do maternity portraits is at 7 or 8 months. However, we’ve also done them at 9 months! If you prefer the way your body looks and feels at 7 months, do them then. If you’d prefer to see your belly at its fullest, do them at 8 or 9 months. I (Erin) had my maternity portraits done twice – at both these stages. While I loved the glamour and beauty of the 7-month maternity portraits, I found that I also loved portraits of my belly at its fullest. However, if you’re planning this more last minute, that’s OK too! We’ve done portraits for women who were due just days later. And they were perfect!
Where To Do Maternity Portraits in Charleston
Here are the best locations for maternity photos in Charleston:
- Photo studio: Studio portraiture has come a long way. You can now find photographers who know how to be very creative in the studio (that’s us!). Maternity portraits in the studio are timeless and sophisticated. We have several backdrops – white, dark gray, black, and some pastels. We are also extremely well-versed in studio lighting to show you in your best, most flattering light. You’ll receive portraits that look like they’re in a magazine. We also have tricks up our sleeves to create edgy, artistic portraiture. We love experimenting with different lighting techniques and creating new ones as we get inspired.
- Your home: There are two main reasons we love photographing maternity sessions in people’s homes. The first is that it’s special to have photos in the context of the place where your child will grow up. As they see these photos through the years, they will marvel at how they know the different spots where the photos were created. The second is having locations that are new to us. We love working with the natural light in your home, and the architecture – which doesn’t mean grandiose backdrops! We love finding the little nooks and interesting walls and corners that you see every day and using them to create something unique and extraordinary. In addition to shooting inside your home, we can also do photos in your yard or around your neighborhood.
- Outdoor location: Outdoor maternity session locations in Charleston include parks such as Hampton Park or White Point Garden; the downtown Historic District; or the beach. Outdoor maternity photo locations are good for people who prefer a more natural, relaxed look to their photos. The main drawback is that we can’t control the weather. They also must take place either early in the morning or later in the afternoon/evening to get the best light. On the beach especially, you have to be careful to avoid windy days, which will ruin your hair and force you to only face one way so your hair doesn’t blow in your face. But if you’re willing to take your chances, outdoor maternity sessions are beautiful. We’ll agree on a meetup spot, and go exploring from there. We will use almost 100% natural light for these photos, and bring artificial lighting only if we’re photographing at night.
What To Wear for Your Maternity Portraits
We work with our clients to find the best wardrobe for your maternity photos, whether it’s something that you’ve had in your closet for years or something new. We also have a variety of maternity dresses for you to use. What women wear varies depending on the mood they want for their shoot. We might use flowy dresses and fabrics; tight dresses that cling to your form; or just casual clothes like unbuttoned jeans and T-shirts. What you wear might also depend on the room where you plan to display your photos – if we’re matching a particular color scheme, furniture, etc. We will figure all of that out in a planning session before your shoot!
Should You Get Pro Hair and Makeup?
We definitely recommend this! In addition to making sure you look gorgeous, having someone else do your hair and makeup takes that off your plate so you can just relax the day of your session. It will also give you confidence being in the hands of a professional who knows how to bring out the best version of you. If you don’t already have your favorite people, we are happy to recommend some trusted hair and makeup artists in Charleston!
Should Your Spouse or Partner Be in the Photos?
This is a personal preference. Most of our maternity portraits are of the mother alone. However, we’ve also photographed some that include the partner. One of our sessions was just the woman and her parents because they were her support through an IVF pregnancy. A couple of our maternity sessions featured the mama-to-be and her dog, and the mama-to-be with her other children. No matter what you decide, I want time with just YOU toward the end to focus on your beautiful changing body, your strength, your serenity, and the expressions that will show your child how much you loved them before you even met them.
Where Do People Display Maternity Portraits?
A few days after your session, your maternity portraits will be ready for you to experience for the first time in our presentation room at the studio. Together, using the photos you love the most, we will create meaningful photographic wall art for your home. Maternity photos can go anywhere you choose of course, but most people will display them in the baby’s room; in their own bedroom; or in the bathroom, usually over the bathtub (that’s where my own are). Another popular place is an upstairs hallway.
If you’d prefer to keep your maternity portraits more private, we recommend having us create a gorgeous photo book for you. Our photo books are modern and resemble an art book you’d find in an art gallery.
If you don’t know where you’ll display your photos, that’s OK! We will help you figure all of that out when we first talk with you. The most important thing is making sure we get the photos done before the baby comes! We can’t wait to plan this experience with you. Maternity photos are one of our absolute favorite things to do – they are a true collaboration between us and you. And they are some of the most important and meaningful photos you will ever have.
