The best thing about working in the studio is that we get time. We’re not racing the light, battling the heat, worried about bugs, or hiking somewhere remote. We can simply take the time we need to create. This often allows me to craft 4+ unique looks for my pregnant clients over the typical 1-2 during an outdoor photoshoot. Not to mention these shoots are much more comfortable with air-conditioning, an accessible bathroom, and drinks/snack breaks whenever needed. Not to mention, no worries about makeup running either!
My current studio is located behind my home on the NW side of Gainesville (technically a Newberry address), not far from Arbor Greens and Town of Tioga. There is a “Water Bear Photography” sign under the mailbox and two orange markers on either side of the driveway. Simply follow the driveway to the end and you’ll see two labeled client parking spaces. Then, I’m usually there to greet you! My studio has a bathroom and shower (in case you need to clean up after a particularly creative set or pool shoot), massive prop room/gown closet, and plenty of stunning natural light. During your consultation, we’ll have already planned out the majority of our sets and looks; my pregnant clients are welcome to use any of the 70+ couture maternity gowns, separates, accessories, etc in my studio closet. However, we also leave lots of time for improvisation (those usually end up being my favorites sets).
When people think of studio photography, they often equate that with boring, soulless images. Nobody wants a repeat of the awkward Olan Mills/JC Penny photoshoots our parents made us do growing up! This is why I plan with you ahead of time and find out your preferences. If you’d like to plan something over the top in the studio, I’m definitely your girl for that! I always tell my clients that I’m willing to go as far as you are. So if you dream of wearing nothing but flowers, want to incorporate some special items, or hope to make a bold statement- let’s plan it out and bring it to life!
Here are some of my maternity studio staple sets. These are my tried-and-true go to sets
1. Light and Bright
I have a “living room” set up complete with a white leather chesterfield couch, fluffy white rug, and windows draped in flowy white sheer curtains. This creates a more natural setting than a typical “studio photography” look while still having a polished and minimalistic look that none of our actual living rooms ever seem to attain. Guess that’s why they call it a “living” room! However, mine has lots of elements that can be moved in and out to create the perfect polished space- from unique lamps to vintage telephones to live edge tables, I can customize this area to your preferences.
This is also a great place to start your session because it feels a bit less vulnerable than standing on a studio backdrop with nothing but a camera and lights pointed at you. I often begin sessions here to let clients acclimate to being in front of the camera. It also helps to have set elements to interact with. You can snuggle your partner on the couch, look out the windows, etc. After capturing some images here, we usually move on to the typical studio backdrops (though we try to use them in creative ways!).
2. Minimalist White Backdrop
This is one of my most versatile backdrops because we can create SO many different looks with it. Understandably, a lot of people are hesitant to venture on to it because it can just feel so empty. However, the way we shape the light on it can create tons of different looks. For example, we typically start with the average white backdrop look where the backdrop is a pure white and my subjects are lit separately. This gives a very clean, polished look. However, I personally feel this lighting style is more at home for corporate headshots and less so expectant parents. So we quickly move on to…
More editorial/commercial light where the backdrop has a white to light gray gradient instead of being a bright, electric white. I get a LOT of requests to do “Calvin Klein” style maternity sessions and this is the perfect set for this. It’s minimalist without feeling empty. This set also looks absolutely fantastic when my pregnant clients trade in their ripped jeans and CK bralettes for a modern, highneck black bodysuit and sleek updo. If you’d like to glam it up a bit more, it’s easy to add large hats, jewelry pieces, or a flowy skirt into the mix. This is also a beautiful set to do with partners (and creates wall-worthy images that will match any home!).
The last thing I like to do with my white backdrop is to backlight my subjects. This creates a glowy look, perfect for expectant parents. Often times, I’ll drape my clients in a sheer white material where the light peeks through just enough for a beautiful silhouette (but doesn’t show anything we wouldn’t want Grandma to see). This is a great way of capturing implied nudes without actually showing much, or any, skin. I can tell you from my own pregnancy journey, that I deeply treasure my own nudes so I can remember how my body looked and felt while carrying my child.
3. Dramatic Dark Backdrops
Maybe my favorite of all the sets…I LOVE dark and dramatic photos. Read on to some of my favorite ways to use my dark gray and black backdrops.
First, I absolutely love the one light dramatic look. This is great for couples and family portraits too. We can incorporate additional furniture to help create differing heights and visual interest. My go to pieces are a black stool and black step stool (thanks IKEA!) and also a vintage black and gold chair. These images can range in feel from modern to vintage, simply by changing the set pieces and costuming used.
Dramatic light. Enough said. This is such a fun way to showcase a baby bump and we can create some fun shots that are NOT your typical studio photography.
Backlit. Just like the white backdrop, I love to backlight my black backdrop too, but this creates a very different effect. For one thing, it helps my fellow dark-haired clients not melt into the backdrop, and for another, it can create a beautiful light that then can be special to recreate after baby is born. Who doesn’t love a good before and after?!
4. Fine Art Backdrop
Another one of my OGs, my fine art drops are hand-painted canvas. These give a beautiful “old masters” look. Oftentimes, I’ll have my clients wear a sheer robe or something regal here. I rarely have anyone specifically request this look, but after they see the back of the camera, it often becomes a favorite set. It’s especially fun when we bring out the fan and create a lot of movement with the hair and fabric!
5. Gold/Silver Drops
I hand-painted these smaller drops and they look great on their own or against a darker drop as part of it. These are great way to break up the typical studio photography look and add in some eye-catching metallic highlights. They especially glow when my pregnant client is also dressed in metallics, and heavens know, I’ve got a LOT of gold/silver options in my client closet!
6. Reflection Images?
These can be done on the white or black backdrops and are a popular request! Fair warning, these aren’t the most comfortable shots to obtain. They require precise positioning, but I’m here to help you ever step of the way. This is also a fun one to recreate post-baby and can be a beautiful way to include your partner as well.
7. Bone/Beige
I love adding a texture on top of this one to create a fine art look or a modern “Harper’s Bazaar” sort of feeling. We’ve used peacock chairs and more to help bring this set to life.
8. Bright Color (Blue, Teal)
Are you a color lover and want something that will pop?! I also have some brighter colored backdrops that are sure to make a statement. It’s important that your maternity images reflect your personal style, and I’m here to help with that!
Is there something missing that you would love to see in my studio? Write a comment below and let me know. I’m always looking for ways to keep growing creatively for my studio maternity photoshoots!